The Social Takeoff Podcast with Kelli Hayes Smith

Hosted by Kelli Hayes Smith

Business Marketing

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Feb 2026

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About the show

Welcome to the Social Takeoff podcast, a podcast for travel professionals to learn how to use their social platforms to help their business take off! Kelli is a travel agent turned social media marketer who now works as an Instagram Expert for travel professionals in the award winning Careers on Vacation mastermind, and also works with multiple 7 figure travel agencies to help them bring goals & strategy into their social media presence. On this podcast Kelli will take you, the travel professional on a deep dive of content creation, social media strategy, and tips + tricks of the trade.

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February 24, 202627 min

Positioning vs Marketing for Travel Advisors: The FAME Framework That Converts

Most travel advisors think they need better marketing.More reels.More visibility.More followers.But visibility without positioning is just noise.In this episode of The Social Takeoff Podcast, Kelli Hayes Smith breaks down the difference between marketing and positioning for travel advisors.. and why you need both to build a predictable, scalable travel business.You’ll learn:The real difference between travel marketing and travel positioningWhy you can go viral and still make no salesHow positioning builds trust while marketing builds visibilityWhy authority is what turns followers into booked clientsThe FAME Framework for travel advisors who want consistent growthThe FAME Framework:F — Find Your PersonA — Articulate the ProblemM — Market With IntentionE — Establish AuthorityIf you’ve been creating content but not seeing consistent bookings, this episode will help you audit your strategy and fix what’s missing.Want more strategy like this?Get your free Wanderlust Campus account at:👉 wanderlust-ceo.comConnect with Kelli on Instagram:👉 www.instagram.com/kellihayessmithNew episodes every Tuesday.

February 10, 202632 min

The Travel Marketing Questions That Make Clients Book Themselves

Episode DescriptionMost travel agents think clients book once they’ve seen the right destination, deal, or itinerary.That’s not actually how decisions get made.In this episode, Kelli breaks down how questions — not explanations — are what help potential clients move from researching and scrolling… to feeling ready to book.These are the kinds of questions you can use in your content, emails, conversations, and social media that help clients understand themselves.. which is what actually leads to confident decisions.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why clients don’t struggle with where to go — but with what they want from the tripHow to use questions to surface emotional and logistical frictionThe difference between pressure-based CTAs and momentum-based clarityHow to reframe your value without talking about priceHow to turn one topic into multiple pieces of content that guide clients forwardIf you’ve ever felt like people are “almost ready” but never quite booking, this episode will change how you think about marketing.Key Topics CoveredQuestions that reveal the real problem clients are facingClarifying expectations before destinations or itinerariesIdentifying friction without shaming or pressureReframing value away from price and toward supportInviting momentum without urgency or scarcity tacticsAction StepPick one upcoming trip type you sell (family travel, cruises, Disney, honeymoons, etc.), Create content using questions, not explanations, and watch how your conversations change.

February 3, 202637 min

The Psychology Behind Why People Book (And How to Post for It)

Ever feel like you’re saying the “right” things… and still not getting the DMs, leads, or bookings you expected? In today’s episode, I’m breaking down why that happens — and how to fix it without posting more.Here’s the truth: different buyers need different things to feel comfortable spending money. So if you’re only creating content that makes you feel confident… you’re going to miss entire groups of your ideal clients.In this episode, I’m walking you through 4 buyer personalities and exactly how to create content that speaks to each one — using the same topic, just said in a different way.And yes… I’m giving you an assignment. 😄What you’ll learn:Why “more content ideas” isn’t the answerHow to stretch one topic into 4 conversion-ready piecesThe 4 buyer personalities (and what each one needs to hear)Why this isn’t manipulation — it’s clarity + kindnessHow to use data to figure out which types you connect with mostYour homework:Pick one topic this week → create 4 pieces of content (one for each buyer type) → watch what your audience does.Links:Get your free Wanderlust Campus account: wanderlust-ceo.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/kellihayessmithChapters:00:00 – Why this episode matters (and why last week didn’t go out)02:00 – You don’t need more ideas… you need to say the same thing differently04:22 – Buyer personalities: how to use one topic for multiple types05:20 – Buyer #1: The Connector (trust, relatability, “do you get me?”)13:55 – What this buyer really needs (safe, seen, understood)14:10 – Buyer #2: The Confident Chooser (authority, decisiveness)18:38 – How to create content for “decide for me” people20:51 – Buyer #3: The Researcher (clarity, logic, process)25:36 – What content formats work best for this type26:45 – Buyer #4: The Momentum Buyer (easy next step, low friction)30:20 – Soapbox moment: your content doesn’t need to chase promos32:13 – The strategy: 1 topic → 4 doorways34:37 – Why this isn’t manipulation (it’s communication)36:47 – Assignment + DM me your buyer type

January 20, 202619 min

From Panic Posting to Strategic Planning : A travel advisor's guide

Kelli Hayes Smith discusses the challenges of content creation and posting on social media, emphasizing the importance of intention, clarity, and purpose in marketing strategies for travel advisors. She highlights the pitfalls of posting without substance, the impact of industry jargon, and the need for a structured content plan and calendar.TakeawaysPosting without clarity leads to frustration and burnout.Consistency and intention are more important than quantity in content creation.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Social Takeoff Podcast05:24 The Importance of Substance in Content11:09 The Use of Acronyms in Content17:01 Avoiding Panic Posting

January 13, 2026Episode 231 min

Client Content vs. Trend Content (And Why It Matters)

Trends aren’t bad.Views aren’t bad.Engagement isn’t bad.But hollow views are useless.In this episode, I’m breaking down why so many travel advisors feel like their content is “working” — but their business isn’t moving. We talk about the difference between being liked and being hired, why instant gratification keeps you stuck, and the four questions every post should answer before you hit publish.This is not an episode about trends vs. no trends.It’s about turning attention into traction — without losing yourself, your voice, or your confidence along the way.If you’ve ever:Chased views that didn’t turn into clientsFelt discouraged by likes not leading to bookingsWondered why your content feels hollow even when it performsThis one’s for you.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeThe 4 questions every piece of content should answerWhy being “liked” and being “hired” are not the same thingHow validation-driven content keeps you stuckWhy followers don’t equal growth (and never really did)What client content actually looks like in practiceHow to show your value without “proving” yourselfWhy perspective beats facts every timeTaylor Swift Moment 🎶Lyric: “I can change everything about me to fit in”Song: Mirrorball — folklore(And why we’re done doing that.)Links & Resources👉 Get your free Wanderlust Campus account:https://wanderlust-ceo.com👉 Follow me on Instagram for daily marketing insight:https://www.instagram.com/kellihayessmith✨ If this episode resonated, please leave a quick review — it helps this show reach more advisors who need to hear it.Podcast Chapters00:00 – Real life, real marketing (and why views aren’t the enemy)01:10 – When trends become useless02:05 – The 4 questions every post should answer03:20 – Why instant gratification keeps us stuck04:45 – Do you want to be liked… or hired?06:50 – Showcasing value without proving worth08:55 – The follower myth (and why it’s outdated)10:40 – What client content actually looks like13:00 – Storytelling, decision-making & real examples15:45 – Why validation-driven content feels hollow18:10 – Confidence vs. performance20:25 – How to shift your mindset before you post22:45 – Mirrorball, people-pleasing & showing up as you24:20 – Final thoughts + what to do next

January 6, 2026Episode 129 min

Why Likes and Followers Don’t Build Travel Businesses

Episode SummaryA lot of travel advisors think their marketing isn’t working — when really, their expectations are off.In this episode of Social Takeoff, we reset how social media actually fits into your business, why checklist marketing is holding you back, and what it really takes to build trust, community, and momentum online.This conversation is about letting go of pressure, unrealistic metrics, and comparison — and replacing them with clarity, perspective, and intention.If you’ve been posting, following the rules, and still feeling frustrated… this episode is for you.In This Episode, We Talk About:Why “posting more” doesn’t equal bookingsThe unrealistic expectations most advisors place on social mediaWhy likes, views, and followers don’t measure successHow checklist marketing creates burnout and false failureThe real role social media plays as a gap closer in your businessWhy perspective builds trust more than facts ever willHow your language (even one word) can shrink or strengthen your valueWhy community changes businesses — and virality doesn’tA healthier way to look at metrics without letting them control youHomework from This Episode:You’re allowed one data day per month.That’s it.One day to review metrics as data, not validation — and then you get back to building with clarity and confidence.Links & Resources➡️ Get your free Wanderlust Campus account: https://wanderlust-ceo.com➡️ Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellihayessmith🎧 New full episodes of Social Takeoff drop every Tuesday🧼 Bonus Friday episodes: The SoapboxSong: You’re On Your Own, KidLyric: “Everything you lose is a step you take.”Let go of pressure. Let go of comparison. Let go of checklist marketing.Clarity comes next.

January 1, 202612 min

Why Likes, Views, and Trends Are Lying to Travel Advisors

Most travel advisors aren’t “bad at marketing.”They’re letting platforms decide whether their marketing is working.In this final Reset Episode, we’re talking about what happens when you let algorithms, trends, and engagement metrics dictate your confidence, your content, and your strategy — and why that approach quietly steals momentum from your business.We’ll talk about:Why likes, views, and comments are not real KPIsHow reacting to trends and algorithm chatter pulls you off-centerThe difference between content that’s “good for Instagram” and content that’s good for your businessWhy proactive marketing creates clarity, confidence, and compounding growthHow to identify the conversations and lanes you actually want to leadAnd I’ll leave you with one clear action to reset how you approach content moving forward — without chasing trends, burning out, or second-guessing yourself.✨ This episode is part of the Reset Series, all tied to the Taylor Swift song This Is Me Trying — because showing up, recalibrating, and choosing clarity counts.Resources & LinksCreate your free Wanderlust Campus account: https://wanderlust-ceo.comFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellihayessmith🎧 New full episodes drop Tuesdays.🔥 Bonus mini-episodes (The Soapbox) drop Fridays.

January 1, 202615 min

Why Marketing Feels So Overwhelming for Travel Advisors

Welcome back to Social Takeoff — and to reset episode two.If marketing has felt overwhelming, frustrating, or like one more thing on an already full to-do list, this episode is for you.In this reset, we talk about why marketing feels so heavy for travel advisors — and why the problem usually isn’t effort, discipline, or motivation.It’s expectations.We’ve been taught that marketing should:work quicklycreate instant resultsreward consistency immediatelylook like what’s working for everyone elseAnd when it doesn’t, we assume we’re doing something wrong.In this episode, we unpack:Why marketing overwhelm is often caused by unclear expectationsHow comparison and constant consumption make marketing feel impossibleWhy doing more isn’t the answerHow to release pressure without giving up momentumWhat it looks like to reset instead of quitThis episode isn’t about fixing everything.It’s about understanding what marketing is actually responsible for — and what it’s not.👉 Get your free Wanderlust Campus account:https://wanderlust-ceo.com👉 Follow me on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/kellihayessmith

January 1, 2026Episode 121 min

Marketing Feels Heavy? A Reset Episode for Travel Advisors Starting Over

Welcome to Social Takeoff — and welcome to the reset.This episode is the first of a three-part reset series dropping on New Year’s Day, created for travel advisors who feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or discouraged by marketing.If marketing felt heavy last year…If you tried to learn all the things…If you showed up even when it was hard…This episode is for you.In this reset, we talk about why marketing feels so overwhelming, why trying harder isn’t the answer, and why the problem usually isn’t motivation or effort — it’s clarity and direction.This episode is about:Releasing the pressure to do everythingLetting go of perfection as the starting pointUnderstanding why progress matters more than polishGiving yourself permission to reset without guiltSeeing yourself and your voice as part of your marketingThis is not about throwing last year away.It’s about realigning, refocusing, and rebuilding intentionally.You showed up. That counts.Now let’s move forward with clarity.👉 Get your free Wanderlust Campus account:https://wanderlust-ceo.com👉 Follow me on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/kellihayessmith

August 22, 2023Episode 2823 min

Social Media Magic: 10 Surprising Hacks to Sparkle and Grow Your Travel Brand!

If growth on social media is important to you - listen up! These 10 practical ways to help grow your brand are tailor made for YOU the travel advisor!