For Those Who Blog..

Hi Everyone!
I'm sorry I don't post much - we have had a surprisingly busy April and May and are gearing up for the craziness of summer in West Michigan. We bought our log inn in September, 2014, but just began serving breakfast in April after finishing our "Breakfast Barn". It has been going great and we have met some wonderful people - we have even had multiple repeat guests already!
My question now is about starting a blog or newsletter - I think most people would be interested in updates and upcoming events/deals, etc. However, I don't want to irritate people with a bunch of email posts either. I'm not sure what the etiquette is. Here are my questions:
Do you automatically email your blog/newsletter to your guests or do you have a signup sheet or something for those who want to be included?
How often do you post to your blog and does it get sent right to guests?
Do guests seem to appreciate your blogs?
I apologize if these are things I should already know - I am an old-school writer and have a hard time with webs and clouds and anything cyber. But I am learning...
Thanks for the info!
Anne

Anne, some have a newsletter they send out either monthly or quarterly and many have a blog (including me) that is part of their web page (mine) or is linked to their web page but is on a blog site. I just post to my blog page and the lookers see it. Joey Bloggs is the blog queen. Follow her advice. Morticia does a great newsletter so listen to her on that. I am an old innmate who is a non-techie - hard to believe since in my former life I was in computers, but mainframes which is a different world.

Blog everything. You can sit down and write a bunch of posts and have them set up to post on different days, so they don't all show up at once. Your guests can sign up to receive notifications (on some blogging services) or you can let them know you are writing a blog and give them the link.
I haven't been blogging in awhile, but it's good to do 2-3 blog posts/week. That's why I suggested writing when you have time and scheduling the posts to appear every few days.
Guests here receive an email thank you with a link to sign up for our once/month email newsletter. In that email there are links to various posts on the blog. A recipe, something to do while here, things we've been up to lately (that has included Gomez's spectacularly ill-timed motorcycle accident, our vacation photos, things we've been working on around the house, etc), pretty much anything. It's a good way to keep your place in the guest's mind when they're home. Let them sign up for it themselves. (You can use an email service for this to make sure your emails get thru.)
I do (when I can) a long blog post with lots of photos showing guests places to visit and a shorter post with a quickie bit of info - today's breakfast, the local cat in a tree, oddball things.
Take photos. If your photos aren't wonderful, use photo software to stylize them. (B&W, sepia tones, things like that)

Another issue is, that I noticed on some B&B blogs/social media, they start off in a torrent with a lot to say (excited). Then the posts get shorter and less frequent. Then you start seeing gaps of weeks or months (even years) on their blog.
I find this makes them look bad, disinterested or unorganized.
If you start publishing, don't kill yourself with lengthy content and 3x a day posts. It consumes a lot of time, and is not critical.
Just publish modest amounts of very interesting content a few times a week, so you don't burn yourself out on it. The 80-20 rule. You have plenty of other things to worry about., and time+energy is precious
And if you are using multiple social media, use something like Hootsuite or other utility that can publish the same message to multiple places.

Thank you for the input - I like Morticia's idea of the link to the newsletter within the thank you note, and Gillum's suggestion of the blog being selectable on the website. I will definitely do a monthly newsletter.
2 or 3 posts a week for a blog sounds reasonable and achievable. We do have a Facebook page as well which has served as a type of blog at this point.
I have noticed that sometimes posting on blogs dwindles, but I have never thought it makes people look bad - just busy. I guess I look at blogs as kind of a bonus for people, not necessarily a commitment. Maybe I'm wrong?
Thanks again.

Blogging can be pretty time consuming and like the others have said it becomes kind of obvious when you stop blogging and posts trickle in. You should include an unsubscribe option in your blog that way only the people that are interested will keep getting it. I think once a week is totally fine and like Morticia said you can write a few at a time and schedule when they go out.
If you post recipes make sure you give credit on what you based your recipe on and please if using someone else's recipe please change it enough to make it your own and rewrite the directions in your own words.
Email newsletters are a little less intimidating. You can do a weekly, a monthly or even quarterly. And people don't want you to flood their inbox. So an occasional newsletter might be less time consuming. And again you can write it ahead of time and schedule when it goes out.
If you take pictures of your food your best bet is to shoot in natural light from a window while the food is still fresh and delicious looking. Remove any clutter from the background, put the plate on a neutral setting and close in on the food and make sure it's the star. Busy dishes don't help. White plates or neutral colors work best. Add a cute napkin and a fork. Watch out for weird shadows and fell free to fluff the lettuce or move a cranberry for a better shot. Take ten different shots. It's better to have more to choose from and they will look different on the computer when you upload. If you don't have a good 35mm camera don't be afraid to use your phone or iPad. Newer phones take pictures better than some cameras because most of the settings are automatic.
Make sure you set aside the time to do it and do it well. Typos and misspellings reflect on you. Have another set of eyes look over it or wait another hour and read it once more. Cutting a few things might not be a bad idea.
Have fun with it!

It is also easy enough to either compile a newsletter from a group of blog posts, or take some blog posts and construct a newsletter. That way you reach both your guests who read emails and your guests who follow blogs with the same information, and without much extra work from you. The blog posts also live forever on your website, which is good for recipes, restaurant information, etc.
In our town, there is one well-loved restaurant that has no web presence - no website, no facebook page, nothing. They say they are busy enough without one, and the couple who own just aren't interested in that. I had a review of them on our blog, and described some dishes - we got lots of web traffic to our own B&B page from people searching for the restaurant, and some converted to guests - for years after we posted that blog.

rusticinn said:

Thank you for the input - I like Morticia's idea of the link to the newsletter within the thank you note, and Gillum's suggestion of the blog being selectable on the website. I will definitely do a monthly newsletter.
2 or 3 posts a week for a blog sounds reasonable and achievable. We do have a Facebook page as well which has served as a type of blog at this point.
I have noticed that sometimes posting on blogs dwindles, but I have never thought it makes people look bad - just busy. I guess I look at blogs as kind of a bonus for people, not necessarily a commitment. Maybe I'm wrong?
Thanks again..

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You might interpret dwindling posts as busy people, but if you research the internet on social media/blogs, you will find all sorts of interpretations, and it is rarely positive. I have seen many blogs that have been inactive for 1-2 years.

rusticinn said:

Thank you for the input - I like Morticia's idea of the link to the newsletter within the thank you note, and Gillum's suggestion of the blog being selectable on the website. I will definitely do a monthly newsletter.
2 or 3 posts a week for a blog sounds reasonable and achievable. We do have a Facebook page as well which has served as a type of blog at this point.
I have noticed that sometimes posting on blogs dwindles, but I have never thought it makes people look bad - just busy. I guess I look at blogs as kind of a bonus for people, not necessarily a commitment. Maybe I'm wrong?
Thanks again..

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More stuff to learn - when you create your blog, have the domain name your website (blog.rusticinn.com or something like, fit some keywords in there instead of 'blog' NorthWoods.rusticinn.com if guests would search for North Woods to find you) so your website gets all the link love. If you have a WordPress website then you can blog right from there and it's all happiness. But do the same thing renaming it from 'blog' if you can.

muirford said:

It is also easy enough to either compile a newsletter from a group of blog posts, or take some blog posts and construct a newsletter. That way you reach both your guests who read emails and your guests who follow blogs with the same information, and without much extra work from you. The blog posts also live forever on your website, which is good for recipes, restaurant information, etc.
In our town, there is one well-loved restaurant that has no web presence - no website, no facebook page, nothing. They say they are busy enough without one, and the couple who own just aren't interested in that. I had a review of them on our blog, and described some dishes - we got lots of web traffic to our own B&B page from people searching for the restaurant, and some converted to guests - for years after we posted that blog..

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muirford said:

It is also easy enough to either compile a newsletter from a group of blog posts, or take some blog posts and construct a newsletter. That way you reach both your guests who read emails and your guests who follow blogs with the same information, and without much extra work from you. The blog posts also live forever on your website, which is good for recipes, restaurant information, etc.
In our town, there is one well-loved restaurant that has no web presence - no website, no facebook page, nothing. They say they are busy enough without one, and the couple who own just aren't interested in that. I had a review of them on our blog, and described some dishes - we got lots of web traffic to our own B&B page from people searching for the restaurant, and some converted to guests - for years after we posted that blog.

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Yes, to all of this. One of our highest trafficked pages is one of the blog posts.
This may no longer be true, but if it is you don't want to fall into this trap... if you post about an event that happens every year you can update the same blog post from eons ago to do that (rather than creating a new post every year). The older the post history the more Google likes it. Or so it used to be. So DON'T change the posting date to today! Leave the posting date from eons ago and just update the content. Hit 'Update' and you're golden.

We are gearing up for our social media campaign and that will include our blog. We have hired a local influencer to help us launch because we have been so busy and really just can't wait until we have more time this fall to get it going. One of the things we are going to do is to preload blog posts from three or four personas that will go out every week at predetermined times. We intend to create dozens when we have time and then we can let them roll out over time when we don't have the time. The same will apply to Twitter etc.
More coming soon on this

One of the more interesting seminars I took at the PAII conference was the blogging class. I had already intended to blog, but I was going about it blind. I learned a lot there and am looking at starting a second blog to monetize as a second income. That's down the road, though.
Good luck.

happykeeper said:

We are gearing up for our social media campaign and that will include our blog. We have hired a local influencer to help us launch because we have been so busy and really just can't wait until we have more time this fall to get it going. One of the things we are going to do is to preload blog posts from three or four personas that will go out every week at predetermined times. We intend to create dozens when we have time and then we can let them roll out over time when we don't have the time. The same will apply to Twitter etc.
More coming soon on this.

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there is a hotel in the UK who runs their bookings entirely from their mailing list, facebook and blog - they have interviewd the owner about it - if anyone wants the link let me know.

Joey Camb said:

happykeeper said:

We are gearing up for our social media campaign and that will include our blog. We have hired a local influencer to help us launch because we have been so busy and really just can't wait until we have more time this fall to get it going. One of the things we are going to do is to preload blog posts from three or four personas that will go out every week at predetermined times. We intend to create dozens when we have time and then we can let them roll out over time when we don't have the time. The same will apply to Twitter etc.
More coming soon on this.

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there is a hotel in the UK who runs their bookings entirely from their mailing list, facebook and blog - they have interviewd the owner about it - if anyone wants the link let me know.
.

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I would- I wonder if it is that small chain of 6 hotels that I saw the webinar on that is using SM and their website to get off the OTA treadmill.

If you go to blogger *any blog you find - up in the right corner it will say create blog.
Just do it, go for it.
You don't have to make it public, fool around until you find your sweet spot. Post lots of photos and innside innformation. Share your neck of the woods with the world, whatever is your forte, go for that, whether it be people, or flora and fauna.
Allow me to share with you the best part of blogging...listen carefully, as some here miss the point. It gets you out to see what is right in front of you. Looking at things through a lens, and writing about them (as a writer you know this) will enhance what you already have to offer, and you yourself will get the biggest benefit from blogging.
My second really important point
If you are blogging only to sell rooms, then forgettabout it. If you are using your blog as a marketing tool, only, then don't even bother. Your heart needs to be in it, it is not an appointment with the proctologist. It is something that can help you see your inn, your guests, your community and surrounds in a new light.
Here is your assignment should you choose to accept it:
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Your Town (or area)
I went to your website: Beaches, galleries, shops (but which ones? Don't be afraid to be the expert on your area!) and most of all HAVE FUN!

Thank you all for the great advice!
Joey, I am working on your assignment My intent was not to use it specifically for marketing, but more as communication with my guests who have asked about keeping updated with what's going on around the inn and the area. Which I guess sort of translates into marketing somewhat. I guess I look at it more as a shared journal type of thing. I will definitely be doing a monthly newsletter.

rusticinn said:

Thank you all for the great advice!
Joey, I am working on your assignment

My intent was not to use it specifically for marketing, but more as communication with my guests who have asked about keeping updated with what's going on around the inn and the area. Which I guess sort of translates into marketing somewhat. I guess I look at it more as a shared journal type of thing. I will definitely be doing a monthly newsletter..

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I would suggest you reconsider this a bit. I think, and hope, that JB was not suggesting that you do not use it specifically for marketing. I think the message was that whatever you come up with needs to be meaningful and genuine. Yet, if you are going to spend the time and effort to do this, you must have a marketing plan. It is marketing- that is why you are doing it- and marketing is intended to sell you, your property, and your brand.

rusticinn said:

Thank you all for the great advice!
Joey, I am working on your assignment

My intent was not to use it specifically for marketing, but more as communication with my guests who have asked about keeping updated with what's going on around the inn and the area. Which I guess sort of translates into marketing somewhat. I guess I look at it more as a shared journal type of thing. I will definitely be doing a monthly newsletter..

Click to expand...

rusticinn said:

Thank you all for the great advice!
Joey, I am working on your assignment

My intent was not to use it specifically for marketing, but more as communication with my guests who have asked about keeping updated with what's going on around the inn and the area. Which I guess sort of translates into marketing somewhat. I guess I look at it more as a shared journal type of thing. I will definitely be doing a monthly newsletter.

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Yes, it is all marketing in the end. But don't think of it purely that way, or it will get in the way and become a burden. Enjoy it, let your flair lead what you write about, or it will feel forced, and no one will read it and it will all be a waste of time.
Don't blog to make money, to get followers, blog as a part of who you are as an innkeeper, and you will get a great benefit from it in your own life. That is my story and I'm stickin' to it!
Part 2 - it is an extension of your site. A place to slap fun and funky photos, those that really don't belong on your website, not the perfect, staged images. Just fun stuff...people will see you are fun, what you have to offer is fun, and like that you are real people. Good people.

happykeeper said:

rusticinn said:

Thank you all for the great advice!
Joey, I am working on your assignment

My intent was not to use it specifically for marketing, but more as communication with my guests who have asked about keeping updated with what's going on around the inn and the area. Which I guess sort of translates into marketing somewhat. I guess I look at it more as a shared journal type of thing. I will definitely be doing a monthly newsletter..

Click to expand...

I would suggest you reconsider this a bit. I think, and hope, that JB was not suggesting that you do not use it specifically for marketing. I think the message was that whatever you come up with needs to be meaningful and genuine. Yet, if you are going to spend the time and effort to do this, you must have a marketing plan. It is marketing- that is why you are doing it- and marketing is intended to sell you, your property, and your brand.
.

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happykeeper said:

I would suggest you reconsider this a bit. I think, and hope, that JB was not suggesting that you do not use it specifically for marketing. I think the message was that whatever you come up with needs to be meaningful and genuine. Yet, if you are going to spend the time and effort to do this, you must have a marketing plan. It is marketing- that is why you are doing it- and marketing is intended to sell you, your property, and your brand.

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Some things in life have to be more...about more, not about purely the business. That is what I am sharing here re blogging. It can be something immeasurable in your life. You know the old saying "never turn your hobby into a business lest you end up hating your hobby" it is the same thing. Have fun, and be who you are and then it will make a difference.
Back to your comments Haps, anything you post via your business profile is marketing, so yes I agree with you. But those starting out look at it as a chore, and it can be fun!

Joey Bloggs said:

happykeeper said:

rusticinn said:

Thank you all for the great advice!
Joey, I am working on your assignment

My intent was not to use it specifically for marketing, but more as communication with my guests who have asked about keeping updated with what's going on around the inn and the area. Which I guess sort of translates into marketing somewhat. I guess I look at it more as a shared journal type of thing. I will definitely be doing a monthly newsletter..

Click to expand...

I would suggest you reconsider this a bit. I think, and hope, that JB was not suggesting that you do not use it specifically for marketing. I think the message was that whatever you come up with needs to be meaningful and genuine. Yet, if you are going to spend the time and effort to do this, you must have a marketing plan. It is marketing- that is why you are doing it- and marketing is intended to sell you, your property, and your brand.
.

Click to expand...

happykeeper said:

I would suggest you reconsider this a bit. I think, and hope, that JB was not suggesting that you do not use it specifically for marketing. I think the message was that whatever you come up with needs to be meaningful and genuine. Yet, if you are going to spend the time and effort to do this, you must have a marketing plan. It is marketing- that is why you are doing it- and marketing is intended to sell you, your property, and your brand.

Click to expand...

Some things in life have to be more...about more, not about purely the business. That is what I am sharing here re blogging. It can be something immeasurable in your life. You know the old saying "never turn your hobby into a business lest you end up hating your hobby" it is the same thing. Have fun, and be who you are and then it will make a difference.
Back to your comments Haps, anything you post via your business profile is marketing, so yes I agree with you. But those starting out look at it as a chore, and it can be fun!

.

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Joey Bloggs said:

Some things in life have to be more...about more, not about purely the business.

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Who would argue with that? No one would suggest that blogging is "purely" about the business, but it is absolutely a part of your business and should be treated accordingly.

Joey Bloggs said:

You know the old saying "never turn your hobby into a business lest you end up hating your hobby" it is the same thing. Have fun, and be who you are and then it will make a difference.

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I have never heard this old saying. More often I hear that those of us that turn our passion into a successful career are the lucky ones. Then you can truly be who you are, have a ton of fun, and make a difference in the lives of others.

Joey Bloggs said:

Back to your comments Haps, anything you post via your business profile is marketing, so yes I agree with you. But those starting out look at it as a chore, and it can be fun!

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You make it sound as if they are mutually exclusive. The fastest way to make your blog a chore is to not have a marketing plan that shows you the benefits of why you are spending all this time blogging. That doesn't mean it can't be meaningful and fun.