A powerful marketing lesson from the new iPhone

A marketing lesson
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A powerful marketing lesson from the new iPhone[/h4]
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from Jim Connolly[/h4]
from JB - I hate to start out with a disclaimer, but every time I post something I think is very valuable someone says "it doesn't pertain to running an inn or the person doesn't market B&B's" and I always reply:
"When you find someone awesome who DOES market B&B's then we can share if they do that, if they share their stuff for free online...but until then, use the force luke. When you follow someone who really excels at marketing, no matter what service they are trying to sell, then you know you can glean valuable advice from them. Now, with that said, read this short blog article from Jim. I think you will find something valuable in it.
I believe those who have been dinged on TA lately and do not understand how in the world the reviewer cannot grasp the value in their lodging rate, may get a better glimpse toward the end of this article. It may even be an ah-ha moment with a bright light coming on. Perception and value and all of that fun stuff we deal with every day. Please come back and discuss when you are done. CHEERS.

I agree with the whole article. We've always tried to market to our target/niche audience. The problems we have are those few times we've attracted someone not in our target market and it's their expectations we can't live up to. We're not high end luxury, but every now and then we'll get someone with that expectation and it's not a good match.

Breakfast Diva said:

I agree with the whole article. We've always tried to market to our target/niche audience. The problems we have are those few times we've attracted someone not in our target market and it's their expectations we can't live up to. We're not high end luxury, but every now and then we'll get someone with that expectation and it's not a good match..

Click to expand...

We're very middle of the road and that's who we want. The guest who wants comfortable accommodations, good food and pleasant surroundings.
I don't use any buzzwords that indicate anything else.
Our problem arises like yours, when the wrong person either has no other option or compares us with something we never say we are.
We have a group coming in today who are so not our market that I'm sure they booked because no one else had availability. I've tried several times today to call to nail down some specifics but no one is returning my calls. I even referred them to another place because I didn't think they were a good fit. But they said they thought this would be fine.

Madeleine said:

Breakfast Diva said:

I agree with the whole article. We've always tried to market to our target/niche audience. The problems we have are those few times we've attracted someone not in our target market and it's their expectations we can't live up to. We're not high end luxury, but every now and then we'll get someone with that expectation and it's not a good match..

Click to expand...

We're very middle of the road and that's who we want. The guest who wants comfortable accommodations, good food and pleasant surroundings.
I don't use any buzzwords that indicate anything else.
Our problem arises like yours, when the wrong person either has no other option or compares us with something we never say we are.
We have a group coming in today who are so not our market that I'm sure they booked because no one else had availability. I've tried several times today to call to nail down some specifics but no one is returning my calls. I even referred them to another place because I didn't think they were a good fit. But they said they thought this would be fine.
.

Click to expand...

Do not you find saying it will be fine an amber light flashing. I do not like it when ones says it will be fine, fine is not good enough for me. Hence' my signal I will do extra in hopes fine is changed to Great ! does it always work ? No but one has to try . Good luck I hope they are amazed with what they have

Flower said:

Madeleine said:

Breakfast Diva said:

I agree with the whole article. We've always tried to market to our target/niche audience. The problems we have are those few times we've attracted someone not in our target market and it's their expectations we can't live up to. We're not high end luxury, but every now and then we'll get someone with that expectation and it's not a good match..

Click to expand...

We're very middle of the road and that's who we want. The guest who wants comfortable accommodations, good food and pleasant surroundings.
I don't use any buzzwords that indicate anything else.
Our problem arises like yours, when the wrong person either has no other option or compares us with something we never say we are.
We have a group coming in today who are so not our market that I'm sure they booked because no one else had availability. I've tried several times today to call to nail down some specifics but no one is returning my calls. I even referred them to another place because I didn't think they were a good fit. But they said they thought this would be fine.
.

Click to expand...

Do not you find saying it will be fine an amber light flashing. I do not like it when ones says it will be fine, fine is not good enough for me. Hence' my signal I will do extra in hopes fine is changed to Great ! does it always work ? No but one has to try . Good luck I hope they are amazed with what they have
.

Click to expand...

Fine is ok. I know they're never coming back so as long as they are happy while they're here it's fine. Given what I am guessing they are used to, this is the lowest rent district they've ever been in.

Flower said:

Madeleine said:

Breakfast Diva said:

I agree with the whole article. We've always tried to market to our target/niche audience. The problems we have are those few times we've attracted someone not in our target market and it's their expectations we can't live up to. We're not high end luxury, but every now and then we'll get someone with that expectation and it's not a good match..

Click to expand...

We're very middle of the road and that's who we want. The guest who wants comfortable accommodations, good food and pleasant surroundings.
I don't use any buzzwords that indicate anything else.
Our problem arises like yours, when the wrong person either has no other option or compares us with something we never say we are.
We have a group coming in today who are so not our market that I'm sure they booked because no one else had availability. I've tried several times today to call to nail down some specifics but no one is returning my calls. I even referred them to another place because I didn't think they were a good fit. But they said they thought this would be fine.
.

Click to expand...

Do not you find saying it will be fine an amber light flashing. I do not like it when ones says it will be fine, fine is not good enough for me. Hence' my signal I will do extra in hopes fine is changed to Great ! does it always work ? No but one has to try . Good luck I hope they are amazed with what they have
.

Click to expand...

A guest referred to this morning's breakfast as "fine". I was in the kitchen and yelled out, "Fine!? That's all I get?" met with silence... oh well