The Network of Entrepreneurs Selling Travel (NEST) recently launched an upgraded direct-mail program and an improved Agent Extranet (www.inthenest.com) offering the group’s home-based agencies expanded online tools in an easy-to-navigate format.
"We carefully analyzed what home-based agents most need and have added several new features to our Agent Extranet to meet those needs," said Nicole Mazza, chief marketing officer for NEST. "The online community is a key link in the everyday business lives of the home-based channel. It functions as their lifeline to suppliers, corporate headquarters and the industry at large."
Topping the list of developments at InTheNest.com is the live launch of the MYOB (Market Your Own Business) marketing program which integrates online and offline initiatives. At the Promotion Corner of this virtual community, agents can find NEST’s Lifestyle Marketing niche travel brochures and other flyers that feature exclusive preferred supplier offers and are automatically customized with agencies’ contact information. At The Print Shop, graphic design services are available, including business cards, stationery, and logos.
In addition to the MYOB, the entire NEST Agent Extranet has been redesigned with a more intuitive look-and-feel, including new drop-down menus on the home page. The NESTHotels booking engine also offers 76,000 properties worldwide that are now bookable online without a GDS.
Meanwhile, NEST’s direct mail program has gone virtual, allowing agencies to manage their marketing campaigns online 24/7 and maintain full control over customer databases. A key development in the program is that NEST works directly with a third-party service to keep the databases up to date.
To find out more about the NEST, home-based agents can visit www.jointhenest.com or contact Andrew Wainer at [email protected] or 888-245-6378 ext. 3008.
