Tips for working as a free tour guide
Whether you’re just starting out as a free tour guide or have already been doing this for a while, delivering the best at all times is paramount to your success as a tour guide. Here are some actionable tips for working as a free tour guide.
1. Always plan ahead
Prepare what you’re going to say beforehand. You may not have enough time to discuss or show every historic site or attraction site in the city, so plan your route ahead and have a list of what to mention.
2. Engage your guests
Nobody likes a hostile or frowning tour guide. Learn how to read the body language of people. Insert jokes and tell them funny stories about a place. Always give room for questions to get feedback from your guests.
3. Do your research
The chances are high that you’re working as a tour guide in a city you’re already familiar with. Regardless of that, there’s always something new to learn. Go online and look up interesting facts about your city.
4. Know your audience
When you know who you’re talking to, you can provide them with a personalized tour. During the sign-up process, you can ask for details like their occupation or where they’re from to get an idea of who you’d be talking to.
5. Follow-up after the tour
Improve your reputation and build customer relationships by following up after the tour. A simple “thank you” email is enough. You can also use the opportunity to ask them to rate your tour and provide a questionnaire asking for areas that need improvement.
