The Social Takeoff Podcast with Kelli Hayes Smith
The Social Takeoff Podcast with Kelli Hayes Smith

The Social Takeoff Podcast with Kelli Hayes Smith

Kelli Hayes Smith

Overview
Episodes

Details

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.

Recent Episodes

The Travel Marketing Questions That Make Clients Book Themselves
FEB 10, 2026
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.
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32 MIN
The Psychology Behind Why People Book (And How to Post for It)
FEB 3, 2026
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
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37 MIN
Client Content vs. Trend Content (And Why It Matters)
JAN 13, 2026
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
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31 MIN