Bonus's for referring people

Bed & Breakfast / Short Term Rental Host Forum

Help Support Bed & Breakfast / Short Term Rental Host Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

Jcam

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 4, 2015
Messages
1,170
Reaction score
1
Am trying to figure out a way to reward people who refer other people - am trialing an idea but everyone feel to chime in with ideas also
I discount coupon for the "friend" which also has a place on the back to write the name of the person refering so the get say a fixed amount £2 off their next stay per referal which they can either save up for a free stay or use as an extra discount
Am worried this is too complicated? what do people think?
 
How are you going to "track" the referrals given by a person? Will you keep the returned cards in a folder? or will you have extra paperwork to enter the referral into a spreadsheet with the names of people giving the referral?
 
Been there, done that, it's a pain and it's not worth it and more importantly, didn't generate much new business. For a few years we tried a program that the previous owners used...12th night free. stay 11 nights (could add them up over the years) and 12th was free. I found that they were staying here because they really liked being here.
 
Been there, done that, it's a pain and it's not worth it and more importantly, didn't generate much new business. For a few years we tried a program that the previous owners used...12th night free. stay 11 nights (could add them up over the years) and 12th was free. I found that they were staying here because they really liked being here..
Breakfast Diva said:
I found that they were staying here because they really liked being here.
This!
Our experience is that guests will recommend your place to others because the like it, regardless of what other incentives you might offer (our guests just don't seem to be interested in a referral bonus; we did try it one year with no takers).
 
How are you going to "track" the referrals given by a person? Will you keep the returned cards in a folder? or will you have extra paperwork to enter the referral into a spreadsheet with the names of people giving the referral?.
Was going to do a spreadsheet or my PMS system can add notes to each customer which is better as is right there with the name - I am fully aware it will be a faff to run but often people tell me they were recommended by someone say in the Postoffice queue and wondered if it would be easier if they had something to hand out which they would hold onto say in their handbag so the details given were remembered
ie how many times have we all said I stayed at so and so you should go there but you can't remember the name properly or street address etc - figures its worth a batch of business cards to give it a try - just about encouraging people to spread the word - all go B&B!
 
How are you going to "track" the referrals given by a person? Will you keep the returned cards in a folder? or will you have extra paperwork to enter the referral into a spreadsheet with the names of people giving the referral?.
Was going to do a spreadsheet or my PMS system can add notes to each customer which is better as is right there with the name - I am fully aware it will be a faff to run but often people tell me they were recommended by someone say in the Postoffice queue and wondered if it would be easier if they had something to hand out which they would hold onto say in their handbag so the details given were remembered
ie how many times have we all said I stayed at so and so you should go there but you can't remember the name properly or street address etc - figures its worth a batch of business cards to give it a try - just about encouraging people to spread the word - all go B&B!
.
You have an entirely different kind of clientele - Conference attendees for one. IF you have figured out how to track it, I would go for it. Nothing to lose actually. I would hang on to the cards that are turned in though in case there is a misunderstanding along the way of a "count" that did not get added in. A biz card does not take up a lot of space.
 
Way back in the early 2000's I took a b&b seminar for how to run a b&b - it was a weekend long. (the same folks still run them) I don't recall all the terms they used but one was 'booster' ... someone who promotes your place and prompts others to come and stay ... just because they love your place.
I only had two people like that and I did reward them with an extra night free when they stayed with me for more than one night at a time. I honestly don't know how you'd track it - unless you were trying to run a promotion. I guess if loads of guests were calling or telling me they'd been referred by someone. But, as I said, it was just these two people who each sent about 5 bookings my way in summer. One man declined the freebee and then sent me a gift ... :)
 
I just sent out 172 postcards this morning from the mailing list of the fifties diner (I retired and closed that two years ago) telling them of our new venture and that they could use the postcard or give it to a friend or family member for a 15% discount and they (up to two people) could join the guests for breakfast.
This is mostly local customers that already know my breakfasts, so I thought it might help spread the word and I could see them again when they have company coming to town and not enough room for them.
My next step is to take or mail the brochure to local funeral homes, realtors, and colleges (we have four within 12 miles of us). I'm thinking of a deal for people who need to come in for funerals but I haven't decided what yet. Any ideas?
 
Way back in the early 2000's I took a b&b seminar for how to run a b&b - it was a weekend long. (the same folks still run them) I don't recall all the terms they used but one was 'booster' ... someone who promotes your place and prompts others to come and stay ... just because they love your place.
I only had two people like that and I did reward them with an extra night free when they stayed with me for more than one night at a time. I honestly don't know how you'd track it - unless you were trying to run a promotion. I guess if loads of guests were calling or telling me they'd been referred by someone. But, as I said, it was just these two people who each sent about 5 bookings my way in summer. One man declined the freebee and then sent me a gift ... :).
We've pretty much seen the same thing - only a couple of people, who come back several times/year so we know they like it, have sent friends and family to us.
The best one was a teacher who came with a group from Italy. She was going off to meet a professor of mine from college. The woman leading the group was somehow related to me. (So many connections that day!)
The professor from Italy took our brochures as a souvenir. Later that summer we had a couple show up who said that professor was showing it all around town - in Italy!
Otherwise? I can count on one hand the number of guests who have said they were referred by sometime who stayed here. And most of them? Never heard of them! Don't have their names on file anywhere!
It really depends, I think, on where you're located.
 
I just sent out 172 postcards this morning from the mailing list of the fifties diner (I retired and closed that two years ago) telling them of our new venture and that they could use the postcard or give it to a friend or family member for a 15% discount and they (up to two people) could join the guests for breakfast.
This is mostly local customers that already know my breakfasts, so I thought it might help spread the word and I could see them again when they have company coming to town and not enough room for them.
My next step is to take or mail the brochure to local funeral homes, realtors, and colleges (we have four within 12 miles of us). I'm thinking of a deal for people who need to come in for funerals but I haven't decided what yet. Any ideas?.
Good idea with the postcards to people who already know you!
Funerals - I think you'll find hotels do pretty steep discounts for that. I'd call anyone near you to ask if they have a discount just to see what it is.
Colleges - contact the alumni office and the parents organization. They're the ones looking for rooms all the time. Then find out who does the visiting pooh bah arrangements.
 
Way back in the early 2000's I took a b&b seminar for how to run a b&b - it was a weekend long. (the same folks still run them) I don't recall all the terms they used but one was 'booster' ... someone who promotes your place and prompts others to come and stay ... just because they love your place.
I only had two people like that and I did reward them with an extra night free when they stayed with me for more than one night at a time. I honestly don't know how you'd track it - unless you were trying to run a promotion. I guess if loads of guests were calling or telling me they'd been referred by someone. But, as I said, it was just these two people who each sent about 5 bookings my way in summer. One man declined the freebee and then sent me a gift ... :).
We've pretty much seen the same thing - only a couple of people, who come back several times/year so we know they like it, have sent friends and family to us.
The best one was a teacher who came with a group from Italy. She was going off to meet a professor of mine from college. The woman leading the group was somehow related to me. (So many connections that day!)
The professor from Italy took our brochures as a souvenir. Later that summer we had a couple show up who said that professor was showing it all around town - in Italy!
Otherwise? I can count on one hand the number of guests who have said they were referred by sometime who stayed here. And most of them? Never heard of them! Don't have their names on file anywhere!
It really depends, I think, on where you're located.
.
plus I think its a bit different in the UK - we are in the middle so you can pretty much drive to us from anywhere within 4 hours - london on the direct train is 2 and a half hours so a weekend break is no way out of the question.
We do pretty well out of referrals just trying to think of ways to maximize that and to show the people that are our ambassadors that we appreciate it.
 
I just sent out 172 postcards this morning from the mailing list of the fifties diner (I retired and closed that two years ago) telling them of our new venture and that they could use the postcard or give it to a friend or family member for a 15% discount and they (up to two people) could join the guests for breakfast.
This is mostly local customers that already know my breakfasts, so I thought it might help spread the word and I could see them again when they have company coming to town and not enough room for them.
My next step is to take or mail the brochure to local funeral homes, realtors, and colleges (we have four within 12 miles of us). I'm thinking of a deal for people who need to come in for funerals but I haven't decided what yet. Any ideas?.
Good job! Keep good relationships with your next door neighbors. We found that they book rooms for family and friends with us. Also check in with hospitals and nursing homes. In bad weather they need places for nurses and doctors to go between shifts. Make friends with other B&Bs near you for when you are full or they are full... they'll send their extras to you.
Our one college and army base charges a fee to be on their listing and won't let any brochures on campus. So you might want to call first.
 
The thing is it's your business. You want to try incentives and rewards, then do! It could work for you.
 
I just sent out 172 postcards this morning from the mailing list of the fifties diner (I retired and closed that two years ago) telling them of our new venture and that they could use the postcard or give it to a friend or family member for a 15% discount and they (up to two people) could join the guests for breakfast.
This is mostly local customers that already know my breakfasts, so I thought it might help spread the word and I could see them again when they have company coming to town and not enough room for them.
My next step is to take or mail the brochure to local funeral homes, realtors, and colleges (we have four within 12 miles of us). I'm thinking of a deal for people who need to come in for funerals but I haven't decided what yet. Any ideas?.
Good job! Keep good relationships with your next door neighbors. We found that they book rooms for family and friends with us. Also check in with hospitals and nursing homes. In bad weather they need places for nurses and doctors to go between shifts. Make friends with other B&Bs near you for when you are full or they are full... they'll send their extras to you.
Our one college and army base charges a fee to be on their listing and won't let any brochures on campus. So you might want to call first.
.
Good idea about hospitals and nursing homes. We just got our first referral from another Inn and she booked for May! Yea! And our colleges put out a plea for open homes for parents weekends and graduations, so we should be okay there.
 
I just sent out 172 postcards this morning from the mailing list of the fifties diner (I retired and closed that two years ago) telling them of our new venture and that they could use the postcard or give it to a friend or family member for a 15% discount and they (up to two people) could join the guests for breakfast.
This is mostly local customers that already know my breakfasts, so I thought it might help spread the word and I could see them again when they have company coming to town and not enough room for them.
My next step is to take or mail the brochure to local funeral homes, realtors, and colleges (we have four within 12 miles of us). I'm thinking of a deal for people who need to come in for funerals but I haven't decided what yet. Any ideas?.
Good idea with the postcards to people who already know you!
Funerals - I think you'll find hotels do pretty steep discounts for that. I'd call anyone near you to ask if they have a discount just to see what it is.
Colleges - contact the alumni office and the parents organization. They're the ones looking for rooms all the time. Then find out who does the visiting pooh bah arrangements.
.
Thank you, Mortica. Our colleges look for extra rooms for parents weekends and graduation so we should do well then. I think I'll hold off on funeral specials for the time being.
 
I just sent out 172 postcards this morning from the mailing list of the fifties diner (I retired and closed that two years ago) telling them of our new venture and that they could use the postcard or give it to a friend or family member for a 15% discount and they (up to two people) could join the guests for breakfast.
This is mostly local customers that already know my breakfasts, so I thought it might help spread the word and I could see them again when they have company coming to town and not enough room for them.
My next step is to take or mail the brochure to local funeral homes, realtors, and colleges (we have four within 12 miles of us). I'm thinking of a deal for people who need to come in for funerals but I haven't decided what yet. Any ideas?.
Good job! Keep good relationships with your next door neighbors. We found that they book rooms for family and friends with us. Also check in with hospitals and nursing homes. In bad weather they need places for nurses and doctors to go between shifts. Make friends with other B&Bs near you for when you are full or they are full... they'll send their extras to you.
Our one college and army base charges a fee to be on their listing and won't let any brochures on campus. So you might want to call first.
.
Good idea about hospitals and nursing homes. We just got our first referral from another Inn and she booked for May! Yea! And our colleges put out a plea for open homes for parents weekends and graduations, so we should be okay there.
.
GREAT!!!!!!!!
regular_smile.gif
thumbs_up.gif

 
I just sent out 172 postcards this morning from the mailing list of the fifties diner (I retired and closed that two years ago) telling them of our new venture and that they could use the postcard or give it to a friend or family member for a 15% discount and they (up to two people) could join the guests for breakfast.
This is mostly local customers that already know my breakfasts, so I thought it might help spread the word and I could see them again when they have company coming to town and not enough room for them.
My next step is to take or mail the brochure to local funeral homes, realtors, and colleges (we have four within 12 miles of us). I'm thinking of a deal for people who need to come in for funerals but I haven't decided what yet. Any ideas?.
I have a "bereavement rate". I am across the street from a funeral home that finally - after 14 years - sent me a guest. I was told by a minister of the verbal shellacking a widower gave them when he found out about me because they did not tell him we were here. He had a room in a hotel about 10 miles from here back then, driving a narrow, twisty road in the dark after the wake was over.
As I increased my rates, that rate has gone up also. I now charge $80 + tax whichever room - I tell them it is because we do not plan a funeral and it usually happens when we can least afford it. I always ask what funeral home (there are 2 in city limits and 1 just outside limits) and who is the deceased so I can verify.
 
I just sent out 172 postcards this morning from the mailing list of the fifties diner (I retired and closed that two years ago) telling them of our new venture and that they could use the postcard or give it to a friend or family member for a 15% discount and they (up to two people) could join the guests for breakfast.
This is mostly local customers that already know my breakfasts, so I thought it might help spread the word and I could see them again when they have company coming to town and not enough room for them.
My next step is to take or mail the brochure to local funeral homes, realtors, and colleges (we have four within 12 miles of us). I'm thinking of a deal for people who need to come in for funerals but I haven't decided what yet. Any ideas?.
Good idea with the postcards to people who already know you!
Funerals - I think you'll find hotels do pretty steep discounts for that. I'd call anyone near you to ask if they have a discount just to see what it is.
Colleges - contact the alumni office and the parents organization. They're the ones looking for rooms all the time. Then find out who does the visiting pooh bah arrangements.
.
Thank you, Mortica. Our colleges look for extra rooms for parents weekends and graduation so we should do well then. I think I'll hold off on funeral specials for the time being.
.
Figurehead said:
Thank you, Mortica. Our colleges look for extra rooms for parents weekends and graduation so we should do well then. I think I'll hold off on funeral specials for the time being.
When you get first time parents be sure you already know when graduation is for the next few years. They often don't realize that all the rooms are gone right after the schedule comes out in August. (You can always tell who had kids who went to summer camp where the parents were on waiting lists for places to stay for visiting.)
Be thankful for these guests. We used to have the college calling looking for rooms. Now we have 600 more hotel rooms around the colleges and the parents have a lot of options.
 
I just sent out 172 postcards this morning from the mailing list of the fifties diner (I retired and closed that two years ago) telling them of our new venture and that they could use the postcard or give it to a friend or family member for a 15% discount and they (up to two people) could join the guests for breakfast.
This is mostly local customers that already know my breakfasts, so I thought it might help spread the word and I could see them again when they have company coming to town and not enough room for them.
My next step is to take or mail the brochure to local funeral homes, realtors, and colleges (we have four within 12 miles of us). I'm thinking of a deal for people who need to come in for funerals but I haven't decided what yet. Any ideas?.
Good job! Keep good relationships with your next door neighbors. We found that they book rooms for family and friends with us. Also check in with hospitals and nursing homes. In bad weather they need places for nurses and doctors to go between shifts. Make friends with other B&Bs near you for when you are full or they are full... they'll send their extras to you.
Our one college and army base charges a fee to be on their listing and won't let any brochures on campus. So you might want to call first.
.
We have a base here for 16-18 year olds - they have massive family days, graduation etc and as long as you do a bit of a discount for the families they are happy to advertise you. No college or university though :(
 
Back
Top