CASE STUDY

A CRM for Travel & Tourism

How Travel Divas Automated Its Business for Seamless Growth

 

Travel Divas at a Glance

Founder: Shanterria Earley
Industry: Travel
Employees: 16 (+ Keap)
Joined Keap: 2015
Key Result: $17 million in annual revenue

The Challenge: Managing Complex Travel Operations

Before implementing Keap, Travel Divas faced several operational challenges:

• Tracking intricate details of every trip and customer
• Selling high-priced travel packages up to a year in advance
• Maintaining customer engagement between booking and travel

The Solution: Automating Every Process

By integrating Keap, Travel Divas:

• Automated all processes, ensuring each team member knows their role
• Introduced a flexible payment plan, allowing customers to pay in installments
• Implemented personalized email campaigns to maintain engagement and build excitement before trips

From Government Job to Travel Mogul

Shanterria Earley did not initially set out to become a travel entrepreneur. While working in a government position, she frequently organized hotel blocks for friends and colleagues traveling to NFL games. During one of these trips, a hotel employee informed her that she could earn a $5,000 commission as a travel agent for booking those rooms.

This revelation led her to explore the travel industry, eventually expanding her services to include cruises and party buses. As demand grew, she realized she needed a system to handle email marketing and invoicing efficiently. Her search led her to Keap, and soon, she discovered the power of automation.

The Power of Automation

Shanterria began by automating her marketing campaigns and payment processes. Over time, she developed systems to automate nearly every aspect of her business.

“Once I learned automations, I was unstoppable,” she shared.

By structuring her business around standardized operating procedures, she transitioned into a strategic role. Today, she oversees strategy while her team and automated processes handle daily operations.

Marketing Automation: Engaging Potential Travelers

Travel Divas leverages marketing automation in various ways:

• Travel Guides as Lead Magnets: Each destination has a dedicated travel guide, attracting interested customers.
• Automated Email Sequences: Once a prospect downloads a guide, a series of engaging emails featuring images, videos, and testimonials nurture their interest.

Sales Automation: Converting Interest into Bookings

Sales automation plays a key role in turning interest into confirmed bookings:

• Tracking Pixel Technology: When a known contact visits a destination page on the Travel Divas website, a tracking pixel triggers a sequence of sales emails tailored to that destination.

Service Automation: Enhancing the Customer Experience

With high-ticket travel packages booked months in advance, Travel Divas ensures a seamless customer experience through automation:

• Flexible Payment Plans: Nearly 95% of customers opt for a payment plan, which Keap processes automatically.
• Engaging Pre-Trip Emails: Regular updates maintain enthusiasm leading up to the trip.
• Curated Fashion Guidance: A dedicated fashion designer curates trip-specific outfit suggestions available on Amazon.
• Memorable Post-Trip Experiences: A media team accompanies each trip, capturing photos and videos. These are compiled into a yearbook, serving as both a keepsake and a promotional tool for future travelers.

Operations Automation: Streamlining Internal Processes

Operational efficiency is crucial for managing thousands of travelers. Keap enables Travel Divas to:

• Improve Customer Service: Automated systems track every customer interaction, ensuring that all communications are logged and accessible.
• Monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Keap’s reporting dashboard allows Shanterria to oversee business performance, identify high-converting funnels, and adjust strategies accordingly.

A Business That Runs Itself

By automating nearly every aspect of her business, Shanterria has gained the freedom to focus on her passion—creating unforgettable travel experiences and joining her clients on trips.

“Making money in my sleep isn’t just a saying—it’s my reality,” she states.

Growth, Freedom, and Mentorship

With Travel Divas generating approximately $17 million in annual revenue, automation has not only fueled growth but also provided Shanterria with invaluable personal freedom.

“Once you automate, you get your time back,” she explains.

Beyond running Travel Divas, she now mentors other travel business owners, teaching them the strategies and tools that contributed to her success—including Keap.

A Passion for Travel and Transformation

Despite having the ability to sell her business and step away, Shanterria remains committed to Travel Divas.

“Travel transforms people. Learning about different cultures changes perspectives,” she reflects. “And it’s my company that’s making those experiences possible.”

Keap: A Game-Changer for Travel & Tourism Businesses

Keap has proven to be an invaluable tool for the travel and tourism industry, enabling businesses to streamline operations, automate communications, and enhance customer experiences. With its ability to handle everything from lead generation and sales to post-booking engagement, Keap empowers travel businesses to scale efficiently while maintaining a high level of service. Travel Divas is a testament to how automation can transform a business, providing not only financial success but also the freedom to focus on delivering unforgettable travel experiences.