First Impressions could not be more important for a Tour Guide or Tour Manager
Arguably one of the first tests you have to pass.
Unfortunately, many tour leaders, even with professional training, lose credibility before they even open their mouths! This week’s Q&A focuses on how we can all put our best foot forward and really make a strong impression right from the get-go.
We’ll also spend a humorously large amount of time discussing the pros and cons of mustard stains… well folks, the jury is finally in.
Up for it?
-Kelsey T
Done Watching?
Let me know in the comments where and how you have seen other tour leaders and guides lose credibility before their tours even started! What is the absolute worst way to start a tour? …and let’s keep those posts P.G. my friends. = )
Want to submit a question for the Be a Better Guide Q&A? Well here in the comments is a perfect spot, or by Twitter or email!
Transcript:
Hi, everyone. I’m Kelsey from Be a Better Guide, and today’s community Q&A question is: how can I as a tour leader build credibility before the tour even start? That’s a pretty common question that I get asked.
And secondly, I’ve been on a lot of tours where people are losing credibility before they even get started. So, we’re going to dive in right now. The first thing to be aware of is to dress like you know your stuff.
Did you know that in Cambodia if you go on a tour, of the famous Angkor Wat temples, every single guide is licensed by the government, and they have to wear a pleated shirt? It needs to be ironed. It needs to be buttoned up.
They need to have pleated pants, a belt, and a name tag with the officially sanctioned guide association. It is their uniform, so to speak. They do this to build credibility and separate them out as people with authority.
Okay, Okay. I hear what you’re saying, “No, no, no, I’m a fly fishing guide,” or “I’m a hiking guide, this doesn’t apply to me.” I’m not saying that everyone needs to wear a uniform, but your dress should be professional and practical to what you’re doing.
However, there are some ways that you can really mess this up. Examples of being ripped or tattered clothing, jeans with holes in them, and shoes that are like that thing fell off.
Just general unhygienic clothing stuff, or mustard stains, sweat stains, like an old sweat stains. The worst is really mustard stains in your sweat stains because that’s kind of like a rock bottom. It’s time to do laundry.
Okay. So, once you’ve got your mustard stains all sorted out, the second thing you can focus on is smiling. Now, as a tour guide, you’re definitely expected to smile.
And before you even open your mouth, people are sizing you up to see whether or not they think you’re going to be a good tour leader, and having a smile on will let them know that you’re friendly and that you’ve got a good energy.
I’m not saying you got to go all Barbie and plaster your pearly whites, but you should have a nice pleasant smile on your face before you’re even speaking. It just comes with the territory and is generally expected.
Another way that you can lose credibility is by starting your tour late. This is such a pet peeve of mine and you know that we’ve all been guilty of it from time to time.
Really, really make an effort to get your tour started on time or if it’s a longer, sort of week long, or weekend type experience, if you say you’re going to be there, be there and be ready to go.
In other episodes, in other training, we’ll talk about what systems you can put in place. But make sure that your tour is leaving on time that you, as a tour leader, are ready to rock and roll.
And that brings us to today’s Q&A tweetable. “Tour Guides: if your shirt has mustard stains OR sweat stains, it’s time for laundry. If you have mustard stains in your armpit, it’s time to change the way you eat hotdogs.”
So, those are my answers today to the question: how can you lose credibility before you even start your tour? So, keep that in mind and build your cred by dressing professionally, showing up on time, and smiling.
Okay. I’m so glad that you made it out today. If you’re inspired, show that tweetable, subscribe, and I’ll see you next time.
