Susie Flores, Cruise Planners Franchise Owner since 2025

For many travel advisors, using social media can feel like a lot of work without clear results. Posting often, learning new apps, and keeping up with trends can take a lot of time and feel overwhelming, especially when the main goal is to get bookings. But what really matters isn’t just being popular online. It’s about using social media to get more clients and make more money.

One Cruise Planners franchise owner shows how social media can really help travel advisors when it’s used as a business tool, beyond just fun or creativity.

Susie Flores has built an audience of over 100k followers on TikTok

Why TikTok Works When It’s Used with Intention

Often referred to as a “TikTok queen,” Susie Flores has built an engaged audience of more than 106,000 followers, with some videos reaching as many as 6.4 million views. More importantly for business owners, approximately 90 percent of her bookings now come directly from TikTok.

Flores describes TikTok as the modern Yellow Pages. Adults are not just scrolling for entertainment. They are actively searching for information, inspiration, and trusted recommendations. For advisors who show up consistently with useful content, the platform becomes a discovery channel for ready-to-book travelers.

The takeaway for advisors is simple. Social media performs best when it meets travelers where they already are and answers the questions they are already asking.

Education Converts Better Than Entertainment

Rather than chasing trends, Flores keeps her content intentionally informational. Her videos focus on room tours, cruise tips, destination guidance, and clear explanations of what clients receive when they book through a travel advisor.

This approach works because it positions the advisor as a resource, not an entertainer. Viewers learn something, feel more confident about their options, and begin to see the value of working with a professional.

Her authenticity plays a role as well. “All of my videos are unedited, so I fumble over my words,” Flores said. That one take style lowers the barrier for engagement and encourages viewers to comment, ask questions, and start conversations.

For advisors evaluating their own social media strategy, the lesson is not about production quality. It is about clarity, consistency, and usefulness.

Make It Easy for Interest to Become Action

Visibility and engagement only matter if there is a clear next step. Flores’ TikTok profile is designed to convert attention into leads. A Linktree in her bio directs prospective clients to an inquiry form, creating a simple path from discovery to contact.

Not every inquiry results in a booking, but the steady volume of submissions has made TikTok the primary driver of her business. Removing friction and clearly guiding travelers toward action is what turns social media from a branding exercise into a revenue channel.

Advisors who struggle to convert online interest often lack this step. Without a clear path forward, potential clients move on.

Teaching the Model, Not Just Living It

This blueprint was shared with peers at CruiseWorld 2025, where Flores led two sessions focused on turning social engagement into bookings.

In Scroll, Post, Profit: Social Media Made Simple for Travel Pros, she outlined practical ways advisors can use platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook to create content that stops the scroll and drives inquiries. She also moderated Creating Instagrammable Moments That Sell, a panel with suppliers that explored how shareable travel experiences can be highlighted and monetized.

The message was clear. Successful social media strategies are not accidental. They are built on repeatable systems that can be learned and applied.

Susie Flores, presenting at Cruise World 2025

What This Means for Advisors Considering Their Next Step

Susie Flores’ results are not presented as a one-off success story. They illustrate what becomes possible when advisors combine consistent marketing, clear positioning, and the infrastructure needed to support growth.

For those exploring how to build a scalable business, this is where structure matters. Training, tools, and ongoing support make it easier to turn online visibility into predictable bookings.

If you are ready to move beyond experimentation and build a travel business designed for growth, learning more about franchise ownership may be a natural next step. Cruise Planners offers built-in marketing and proven tools; no prior business ownership required. Explore how you can get started as a Cruise Planners franchise owner today.