The document provides tips for hiring affordable help for travel publishers, including interns who can assist with writing, social media, and research; virtual assistants located overseas who can perform tasks such as updating social media and fixing website links; and salespeople who can sell advertising packages and keep track of inquiries and follow-ups to generate revenue. Managing these helpers effectively involves providing clear expectations and assignments, offering mentoring, and maintaining regular communication to keep them engaged in their roles.

2. Delegate!
Creative Solutions for Travel Publishers
Max Hartshorne, Editor, GoNOMAD.com

3. Three Ways to Hire Help You Can Afford
Internships
Virtual
Assistants
Salespeople

4. Interns

5. Recruit at Universities
It’s a Two Way Street
Writing is Key
Give to Get
Have Fun!
Managing Interns for SUCCESS

6. Benefits of Having Interns
A New Set of Eyes (Younger!)
Increase Employee Retention
Contribute to Society
Test Drive Talent
Local is BEST Intern Andy Castillo on a press trip to Sweden!

7. Past Intern Profile
Massachusetts Daily Collegian as a writer, and online startup magazine, Amherst Wire, as
the travel editor.
Dan’s journalistic experience includes a stint as a freelance writer for the Billerica
Minuteman in Billerica, MA, and multiple internships including a social media internship
for UMass Civic Engagement and Service Learning and GoNOMAD .com. Dan now works
at Skift.
Dan Peltier has always loved to travel, but it was during his
four years studying Journalism and Political Science at the
University of Massachusetts Amherst, that he discovered travel
writing. In addition to studying abroad in Rome, Dan has
worked for numerous publications as a writer, plus doing
research and social media. He graduated in 2014 from UMass,
where he worked for both campus publications, the

8. Our internships require a 15 hour weekly
time commitment
We ask that interns take no more than 4 classes
in addition to the internship
The interns work in our offices 4 hours per week
Plan ahead for next semester
Make them write a sample!
Listing the Position
UMass Amherst

9. Compliance–the RULES
Employers should make sure that the internship opportunity meets each of the six following
guidelines developed by the U.S. Department of Labor
1. The training, even though it includes actual operation of the facilities of the employer, is similar to what
would be given at a vocational school or academic educational instruction
2. The training is for the benefit of the trainees
3. The trainees do not displace regular employees, but work under their close observation
4. The employer that provides the training derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the
trainees, and on occasion the employer's operations may actually be impeded
5. The trainees are not necessarily entitled to a job and the conclusion of the training period
6. The employer and the trainees understand that the trainees are not entitled to wages of the time spent in
training

10. Hiring two interns who can both come at the same
time in the week is productive
Consistent attendance is encouraged since they
travel here to South Deerfield in one car
Fewer absences and better team building when
they come together
They network and make good friends in the
process!
Team Up, RideShare

11. Keeping Interns Engaged
Prepare for the Weekly Visit
Send Them on Press Trips
Keep the Tasks Fun!
Create Clear Tasks
Give Lessons

12. Assignments: At Least 3 per Week
We ask each intern to take over a specific part of our work, ie, Facebook, Pinterest,
Instagram or Twitter
At semester’s end they must write a report with all the best practices. Measure how many
fans / followers you have and challenge them to grow the numbers
Book excerpts are great ways to create fresh content. Use press releases to come up with
story ideas and tailor them to your publication
Send them on trips as often as you can
Make sure to give them at least three assignments due the following week

13. Virtual
Assistants

14. Benefits of Having a Virtual Assistant
Advertise for a virtual assistant on Craig’s List Mexico or other North American job sites.
Time zone is really important
Clearly spell out what you need to be done, including pricing
We pay $3.50 per hour for a top-notch assistant who is undaunted by the banality of the tasks
Advertise $200 to $300 per month
Make the list of tasks long enough that he or she can finish them.
Keep good records

15. Beth’s Red Flags for VAs
Beth Whitman uses two VAs for her tour business and Wanderlust and
Lipstick, an online travel site. She says she would never be able to do
what she does without them. They’re invaluable.
1. No experience in tasks including social media
2. No interest or experience in travel
3. Late responding to emails
4. A bad personality
5. Poor English
Beth Whitman

16. Advertising for a VA

17. What to Look for in a VA
Many respondents will have skills and abilities you don’t
need like programmers or CPAs
A certain type of person is a social media wiz. Outgoing
and facile at chat and banter and well versed in common
English
Personality = GOOD! Not too shy, and web savvy
Find out how many other jobs they have!
Team up with a colleague to keep the VA engaged, busy
and well paid!
Paty Ramos, Virtual Assistant for the
360Travel Network, Guadalajara, Mexico

18. What Do They Do?
Update our Facebook page with photos and links of new and old stories
Finds other Facebook pages to post relevant links from the site on
Place text (story titles) on top of photos to post to Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram
Fix broken links on blogs and our site
Log all of our social media campaigns for deliverables with screenshots
Other tasks that are teachable and time consuming, ie building links
Retweet our brands from one account to another

19. Salespeople

20. The Benefits of Having a Salesperson
Our sales person replies to people who want blog posts
She logs and keeps track of all inquiries, replies, and then follows up
Sell packages of social medial, editorial and display . . . Larger ticket items
Keep them engaged and pay a generous 20% commission

21. Managing Sales People
Praise is key, can’t say that enough. Recognize sales and actively be in touch via email
Pay as soon as sales are complete. Keep them happy with results
Offer incentives or over pay to increase loyalty
Don’t leave them hanging–answer their questions quickly and stay in constant touch with them
Keep sending emails about prospects, keep them engaged or you will lose them
Give them a great and easy to explain advertising package to sell.
Do the price combinations, so all they have to do is spread the word

22. Share Salespeople
Ask colleagues for a referral.
Salespeople are not going to be found in Manila–too difficult of a job
Let the salesperson handle all client contact including sharing the published link
Use Doubleclick for Publishers for display campaigns for accurate stats for advertisers
and salespeople
Tim Leffel and I share our salesperson.
This keeps them busy with work so they won’t take another position

23. What would you do if you were a successful guy like this?