Mastering Social Media: How This Couple Transformed their Agency with YouTube

Just over six years ago, high-school sweethearts Matt and Chelsy Hoffman made a bold choice to leave their established careers and pursue their shared passion for travel. At the time, Matt had recently started working at Walt Disney World, while Chelsy was a schoolteacher. Living in a small rural town, they faced challenges growing their business, so Chelsy suggested they try something new: expanding their reach through social media, particularly YouTube. 

Matt admits that he hesitated at first.  He says, “I didn’t honestly believe that people would book with a travel agent that they just saw online in videos, and I’ve never been happier to be more wrong in my entire life.”

Chelsy says their goal early on was simple, “Let people know all these experiences you could have and just show the fun that we have when we travel.”  Since then, their strategy has evolved to include more informative content like ship, resort, and room tours, providing a mix of entertainment and information to their audience. 

Chelsy credits the proprietary technology provided by Cruise Planners as having played a pivotal role in helping them grow their YouTube channel to over 25k subscribers by offering valuable data insights. As Chelsy explains, “We’ve been able to check the analytics of Cruise Planners alongside YouTube to see how they’re matching up, helping us determine what’s successful and what might not be worth our time.”

Through fun and informative content, they have connected with thousands of viewers, many of whom have become loyal clients. One unexpected benefit of their YouTube channel has been the trust it fosters with potential clients.

“As a result of our YouTube channel, people feel like they already know us before we even make contact. They've seen the fun we have, which builds an element of trust right from the start. Plus, with our informative videos, we've already answered some of their questions before they even ask, which puts them at ease. It gives us a strong footing from the very beginning,” Matt explains.

With Cruise Planners’ best-in-industry resources, like the CP Maxx system and Soar Dashboard, they were able to streamline their operations and focus on what truly matters—building unforgettable experiences for their clients.

“We realized early on that to stand out, we needed to offer something beyond great customer service,” says Matt. “Social media has been a game-changer for us—it’s helped us connect with travelers in a more personal way and has become an essential part of how we run our business.”

By leveraging their passion for travel and social media savvy, the Hoffmans have built a flourishing business that allows them to work from anywhere, travel frequently, and spend more time together—a dream come true for many travel advisors.

Their journey with Cruise Planners is a perfect example of how modern travel advisors can blend traditional client service with digital innovation. For those considering the travel industry, the Hoffmans’ story highlights the endless opportunities to make a meaningful impact, both for clients and in your own life.

Ready to transform your agency with social media like Matt and Chelsy? Download our eBook, From Travel Advisor to Travel Influencer: How to Transform Your Agency with Social Media here, and discover how you can leverage social platforms to grow your business, build client relationships, and create new revenue streams.