Commission Timing? Charging Fees? Switching Hosts?

This week for the Friday 15, Shayna co-hosts with Carolyn Orf of KHM Travel! This week we’ve got a bunch of great questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us!

1. I understand some suppliers don't pay the host until after the travel date, but I've found some suppliers pay the month after the sale or after the final payment it's made. I also know some host agencies pay out to their agents weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly. I'm curious to know the industry standard for how soon after receipt of commission from the supplier would a host agency pay the independent agent.
2. I would love continued conversations about how to execute charging fees when different trips take such a different amount of time. Some people know what they want - some don't. I've been experimenting and every person I've told an hourly fee (I've tested it at $75 and $100 and gave my estimated timeline, they've passed on my services.) So, I haven't gotten any fees in the 6 months I've been working on this. I've had some great success, but I have also wasted a ton of time with people shopping me and then taking my itinerary and booking it elsewhere to save $20. (especially on FIT trips) I've got to take control of my time and energy and make sure I'm spending time with the right people. But I have no idea how to actually implement fees and what a reasonable rate/package is. And I don't want to scare off people who could become great clients.
3. What is the process of switching host agencies? I am unsure if my current one is a good fit, but I do have trips booked while using them, and am unsure if I can bring them to a new host.

RESOURCES:

➡️This article will be very helpful, it’s the full picture of ‘travel agent commissions explained - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-commissions

➡️We have a full article on commission plans and differences between using a host v not and different hosts - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/host-agency-commission-plan-comparison-calculator

➡️We have a full guide to charging fees - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agents-guide-to-charging-fees

➡️From our annual advisor report, last year 20% of a hosted advisor’s income was accounted for by fees, so not something to sleep on - https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-market-research-reports

➡️We have an article on switching host agencies and the questions you should be asking your new potential host - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/gifted-q1-2020

➡️5 main things to consider when switching hosts - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/switching-host-agencies-5-things-to-consider

➡️Tech Week! Registration is open for HAR*Wired! | Host Agency Reviews: https://hostagencyreviews.com/page/tech-week

➡️Call for Host Week Speakers - https://hostagencyreviews.com/page/speakers