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Discussion from JB - a while back someone posted a doily inn bashing article here, which is really funny since that is the same thing our so-called "better way to stay" decided to do to promote "better" bed and breakfasts, and got everyone's panties in a twist.
But what I want to share is perhaps people don't know any different? If everyone does the same thing, everyone sells the same thing, everyone says "this is who they all do it" and step in line, then they are all correct.
I think about a certain "Granny's House" on this forum. She is a granny, I think she should stop wrastlin' with that and be the granny. Granny's are warm lovable caring home-baked cookies, hugs and checks in your birthday card kind of people, they are not to be disdained, but adored.
Odd as I was actually typing this about Gillum I saw the comments from Maddie re called grandma's house... I was speaking of Gillum in actuality. Be the Grandma, use the force luke. If you have a persona of a grandma, go for it, use that in your marketing. Not every inn is a romantic destination along a bluff overlooking the Caribbean sea.
When we market to all demographics, and do not have any niche in mind, we lose. We can't be child friendly and non child friendly.
Now finding what we are is the hard part, we all struggle with it. I bet if some innmates came to stay they may be able to see the forest through the trees and help! I know we are all overtly sensitive about this subject, as we try to basically pay the bills and do the best we can do. But we can't attract everyone, we need to face those facts. We are spinning our wheels trying to paint all our marketing/websites/social media with a broad stroke, we need to focus.

Example: If you are in an area that everyone keeps asking for discounts, what the heck is wrong with you, play up to that, start marketing yourself to those people, they will stay with you! If you have people who want to have late checkouts, and you can swing a late check out fee as a package or promotion, go for it!
Try something different, get out of the rut. It may be rocky trying to get over the edge of that rut, but you will be fine. WE KNOW YOU CAN DO IT!
rut.jpg
 
Joey Bloggs said:
Discussion from JB - a while back someone posted a doily inn bashing article here, which is really funny since that is the same thing our so-called "better way to stay" decided to do to promote "better" bed and breakfasts, and got everyone's panties in a twist.
But what I want to share is perhaps people don't know any different? If everyone does the same thing, everyone sells the same thing, everyone says "this is who they all do it" and step in line, then they are all correct.
I think about a certain "Granny's House" on this forum. She is a granny, I think she should stop wrastlin' with that and be the granny. Granny's are warm lovable caring home-baked cookies, hugs and checks in your birthday card kind of people, they are not to be disdained, but adored.
Odd as I was actually typing this about Gillum I saw the comments from Maddie re called grandma's house... I was speaking of Gillum in actuality. Be the Grandma, use the force luke. If you have a persona of a grandma, go for it, use that in your marketing. Not every inn is a romantic destination along a bluff overlooking the Caribbean sea.
When we market to all demographics, and do not have any niche in mind, we lose. We can't be child friendly and non child friendly.
Now finding what we are is the hard part, we all struggle with it. I bet if some innmates came to stay they may be able to see the forest through the trees and help! I know we are all overtly sensitive about this subject, as we try to basically pay the bills and do the best we can do. But we can't attract everyone, we need to face those facts. We are spinning our wheels trying to paint all our marketing/websites/social media with a broad stroke, we need to focus.

Example: If you are in an area that everyone keeps asking for discounts, what the heck is wrong with you, play up to that, start marketing yourself to those people, they will stay with you! If you have people who want to have late checkouts, and you can swing a late check out fee as a package or promotion, go for it!
Try something different, get out of the rut. It may be rocky trying to get over the edge of that rut, but you will be fine. WE KNOW YOU CAN DO IT!
rut.jpg
.
Click to expand...
Thank you. I also get that blog and when I read it I could not think of myself as above average. I just do what I do.
I think we each do "our own thang" without realizing what we do that IS special. IF I had to pick something, I guess it would be the "care package of muffins" or the rest of their bread bagged up in case they ask for it. I have scraped snow from cars and this winter loaned a 2-week guest a scraper/brush to keep in her rental car while she was here (she appreciated by leaving a LARGE tip). What I am trying to say is - we do what we think we would appreciate, whatever that may be. We do it because we just do, not because we are thinking of being average or above average. PLUS those terms are subjective. What is above and beyond for many is only what is expected by others (think of the "Entitled")
 
I always say this to new owners round me when they ask for advice on things like decorating and so on
"its your place - you are the one that has to sell it, show people to rooms and feel confident that you are providing a good service not anyone else" I do however put in a caveat that bright orange everywhere may not be a plan.
the whole point is its your business and your decision about everything down to what flavours of jam you would like to serve
 
Gillum, I also do, what I do. Cuz, well, its just what I do! I am me, I love people, I love on people, but also know when to leave them alone. I know I could use some marketing courses, thats my BIGGEST weakness. I read all the marketing blogs, and do get some ideas from them. But really, when I think about it, what do all my guests comment on? what do they say when they leave, or write in the guest book? or on T A? They loved the hospitality, and the food. Both are me, just being me!
I've struggled with trying to figure out 'my niche'. We get EVERYONE here. Old, young, sophisticated, down to earth, bicyclists, theater goers, people celebrating their anniversaries, people looking for peace and quiet. And its all about equal numbers. So no one group stands out more than another (ok, maybe 48-68 is our biggest age group of who stay here).
We just had someone call and "INCREASE" their reservation,(cancelling their reservation at our competitor down the street. They were splitting their vacation between the two places) because they really liked our website, the way our place looked, and they person they spoke to on the phone when making their reservation (me)!
 
Ugh, so right. I have a new bookkeeping client that is very average, very scattered and very much turning out to be a PITA waste of my time. Waiting to see if he pays his first invoice before I proceed...
 
Sunshine said:
Gillum, I also do, what I do. Cuz, well, its just what I do! I am me, I love people, I love on people, but also know when to leave them alone. I know I could use some marketing courses, thats my BIGGEST weakness. I read all the marketing blogs, and do get some ideas from them. But really, when I think about it, what do all my guests comment on? what do they say when they leave, or write in the guest book? or on T A? They loved the hospitality, and the food. Both are me, just being me!
I've struggled with trying to figure out 'my niche'. We get EVERYONE here. Old, young, sophisticated, down to earth, bicyclists, theater goers, people celebrating their anniversaries, people looking for peace and quiet. And its all about equal numbers. So no one group stands out more than another (ok, maybe 48-68 is our biggest age group of who stay here).
We just had someone call and "INCREASE" their reservation,(cancelling their reservation at our competitor down the street. They were splitting their vacation between the two places) because they really liked our website, the way our place looked, and they person they spoke to on the phone when making their reservation (me)!.
Click to expand...
marketing is just an arm to make people aware of your existence - that is the key.
 

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