Last Monday we looked at the signs that a conversation could turn into a client: dates, travelers, an occasion, a problem they can't solve.

Did you spot any in your DMs this week?

If you did, this issue is for you.

Once someone has shown real interest, the next move is simple. Help them take the next step in your normal sales process.

That might be an inquiry form, an email, or a short consultation. Whatever you already use works.

The trick is keeping the jump small.

Someone who has traded three messages with you isn't ready for a long sales call. Match the next step to where the conversation is.

Here are five things that help.

Instagram doesn't need its own sales system. Move the person into the place where you normally handle serious inquiries.

"Fill out my form" leaves them guessing. Try: "The form helps me understand who's traveling, your dates, and what matters most to everyone before we talk." One sentence is enough.

"Let me know if you need anything" sounds friendly, but it hands the work back to them. "Send me your email and I'll send you my inquiry form" tells them exactly what to do.

If you've been warm and direct for five messages, the sixth should sound the same. Moving toward business doesn't mean switching into sales language.

Make the invitation once. If they're not ready, you can say: "No problem. Enjoy the planning, and if the trip starts taking shape, you know where to find me." That keeps the door open without any pressure.

A good time to move off Instagram is when dates, travelers, trip length, budget and a planning problem start showing up together.

Here's how that sounds in practice.

Someone tells you they have twelve days in France next September for an anniversary and want food, wine and some countryside. You could answer: "That sounds like the kind of trip where the order of the stops really matters. If you want, send me your email and I can tell you the best next step for looking at the trip properly."

One more thing.

Some advisors keep answering travel questions forever because it feels easier than saying "this is something I can help you with professionally." But a person who has described a real trip may be waiting for you to tell them what happens next. Being clear about that helps them too.

If you know the conversation should move forward but the wording feels clumsy, give AI the conversation, what you know about the trip, and your normal next step. Then ask:

"Read this Instagram conversation and help me move it toward the next step naturally. My normal next step is [inquiry form / email / consultation]. Suggest two short replies that explain why this step would be useful and make it clear what the person should do next. Keep the tone warm, direct, and consistent with the conversation. Do not make the message sound pushy."

Pick the reply that sounds most like you, then make it yours. AI can help with the wording. You decide when to make the invitation.

Next Monday: how to build a weekly Instagram habit small enough to keep.

Want 5 ready-to-use transition scripts, organized by situation? Reply CONTENT and I'll send them over.

If you'd rather hand the whole thing off, my team runs social media for a small number of luxury travel advisors at a time. Reply SOCIAL and I'll tell you how it works.

See you next Monday.

Alex

📩 Share this email with your colleagues and invite them to join our expanding community of luxury travel professionals.

📫 If you received The Expert’s Guild Weekly from a friend and would like to subscribe, please do so here: