Do you need to learn WeChat?

WeChat is the social media app used by over 1 Billion people. It was developed in China in 2011 and is used daily by over 90% of Chinese. But why do tourism professionals need to learn it? Because it is how tour operators based in the US and China communicate. It is how your Chinese guests share pictures. And if you are interested in the China visitor market, it is how you will grow your business.

My introduction to the Chinese tourism market

My story might be like yours. I got a new job and one of my responsibilities was to get more Chinese visitors. It was intimidating! I didn’t know any of the tour operators, I didn’t speak Mandarin, and I had no idea how to convince them to send more visitors. So, like you, I made appointments to go to their offices, where I was greeted warmly. I met with several people who told me how much they liked the museum and that they would be sending more groups that year. Mission accomplished! It was easy! Except it didn’t happen.  The group business stayed at the same level.

So I went to the offices again. And again. And again. Then on one visit, the manager asked if I would like to go to lunch. I was nervous because I wasn’t that good with chopsticks, and was concerned about not knowing what kind of food I would be eating. We had a great meal, and Jack gave me some pointers on how to use chopsticks. He ordered for us and I tried everything that came to the table. That day I felt something shift. It was not just a business relationship anymore, it was becoming a friendship. And that was also the day we talked about some things I could add to a museum visit that would make them send more groups.

From that day on, I realized that the key to success in the market was not hard-sell tactics, and it was not a quick process. Chinese business people like to work with those they know, like and trust. So my strategy changed.

Enter WeChat

I first heard about WeChat from one of my favorite tour guides, who brought groups to the museum every week. He showed me how to download it and how to keep in touch with the other tour guides who were starting to use it way back in 2012. I quickly realized that this was a great way to get people to know, like and trust me in an efficient and easier way. It became easy to add tour operators as contacts at tradeshows and they were always so impressed that I knew how to use the app!

I was able to start building relationships with not only tour operators but others in the Chinese tourism community here in the U.S. that are influential. Using WeChat to keep in contact with everyone beyond the trade shows made it possible to gain new friends and to be invited to private dinners and people’s homes.

I then started building relationships with tour operators based in China because we could both use the ‘translate’ button on WeChat. Chinese tour business to the museum began to grow quickly and the museum’s reputation as a “must see” stop on an itinerary grew because now my tour operator friends were promoting me their clients.

WeChat can help you too

If you are interested in growing your Chinese visitor market, WeChat is the #1 sales tool to use. It will help you make contacts, grow relationships and have credibility in the market. Getting comfortable with using WeChat, while also continuing to make in-person calls and attend tradeshows will put you on a path to success. But how do you find time to learn it? That’s where I can help.

Let me be your guide to learning WeChat

I have been teaching WeChat to tourism pros like you for several years. People who have taken my sessions say that I make it easy to learn how to use WeChat and now they communicate easily with tour operators. Let me bring the training to you!

I have created an online course that has everything you need to be successful with WeChat. The course contains video training, workbooks, practice exercises and more. I include resources such as companies that can help you add WeChat pay to your cash registers, and checklists for posting to your WeChat account. The course is self-paced and you can go back to the resources time and time again to access the training.

The course will help you set up your account, and start connecting with others right away. You will be able to connect with me, and learn how to share stories and information about your destination or attraction. I will give you tips on how to remember who you connect with at tradeshows and sales missions. Once you learn WeChat, your sales calls and appointments will never be the same!

If your goal is to grow your presence in the China market this year, my WeChat ready course will be a valuable investment. It will help you find success faster and will make it easier to build relationships.

I am launching this course on February 25th for $197, but if you pre-purchase now, it is only $97.  Many of the videos and modules are already available and you can start learning today. Are you attending ActiveAmericaChina, or IPW? Planning sales calls or attending a sales mission to China? Let me help you feel confident, and start finding success in 2019. Join my course today!