5 Mistakes to Avoid When Onboarding Independent Contractors as Travel Advisors

Bringing new independent contractors (ICs) into your travel agency should feel exciting - it’s a chance to grow your team, serve more clients, and expand your impact. But let’s be honest: onboarding ICs can also feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to balance compliance, consistency, and confidence.

After mentoring advisors for 12+ years and leading my own agency for nearly a decade, I’ve seen the same pitfalls pop up again and again. The good news? With a little clarity and structure, you can avoid these mistakes and create an onboarding process that supports both you and your advisors.

Mistake #1: No Written Process

If your onboarding only lives in your head, or in scattered notes, you’re spending hours repeating yourself. Without documentation, new ICs may miss steps, creating confusion and inconsistency.

Pro Tip: Write out your onboarding roadmap. Even a simple checklist is better than reinventing the wheel each time.

Mistake #2: Confusing Training with Learning

Independent contractors aren’t employees, which means traditional “training” language doesn’t always fit. Instead, focus on creating learning pathways- resources they can work through independently while still aligning with your agency’s expectations.

Pro Tip: Use self-paced learning modules to keep things IC-compliant and stress-free.

Mistake #3: Information Overload

Trying to give new advisors everything at once is a recipe for overwhelm. They’ll retain very little - and you’ll feel like you wasted your energy.

Pro Tip: Break your onboarding into phases. Start with essentials, then layer in additional resources as they settle in.

Mistake #4: Skipping Agency Culture

Onboarding isn’t just about systems—it’s about connection. If ICs don’t understand your agency’s values, mission, and expectations, they may struggle to feel part of the bigger picture.

Pro Tip: Share your “why” alongside the “how.” A strong cultural introduction helps ICs feel aligned from the start.

Mistake #5: Doing It All Yourself

One of the biggest drains on agency owners is trying to deliver onboarding entirely by phone or one-on-one meetings. It’s not scalable, and it leaves you exhausted.

Pro Tip: Leverage tools, templates, and pre-built learning systems that take the load off you while still offering a high-quality experience.

Onboarding independent contractors doesn’t have to feel like a juggling act. By avoiding these five mistakes, you’ll save time, reduce stress, and give your advisors the clarity they need to succeed.

And if you’re ready for a complete plug-and-play solution? That’s exactly why I created the Core Framework Program - a nine-module, fully editable learning system designed to help agency owners onboard ICs with confidence, clarity, and ease.

Learn more about the Core Framework Program here.