How is your branding?

With so many dyi websites out there, I am wondering if you are paying as much attention to your other social media? If you have a Facebook page, shouldn't it be spit shined?
The beauty of today, is right now we can create and change all of these things ourselves and not have to pay anyone to do it. Not typesetting, no printing presses, no charge! Now that is truly beautiful. But if you put inferior photos on your Facebook header then you might as well take in the welcome mat from your inn.
I have no idea who is on this forum, but I will be danged if I didn't see one that was just awful a moment ago. I don't think they are here, and I won't share it, but it was almost scary.
Your storefront is your social media presence. Share political slams, aka jokes or news, tmi about your guests or personal life, etc etc then you will never know who does NOT book a room with you.
Terrible personal story from yesterday from me: Caller during breakfast, we had a room open up so DH took it and walked into the other room (office). About that time our loud-mouth cat decided it was time for a pat on the head and went in and began scream-meowing. She could break glass when she does this, he was mid speech when he heard the call drop. Great, real professional. I would have hung up too. So we lost a booking because of the unprofessionalism of a family member, the cat. We were not pleased, we work too hard to let something so small run off business! So the same applies to our social media, if we aren't branded per se, we can at least appear professional. NO CATS ALLOWED!

NO CATS ALLOWED! haha ... I get it.
NO DOGS ALLOWED either. I have had recent eye surgery and do a lot of work from home. It was quiet, so I decided to return a few business calls. The two little dogs owned by my housemates were contentedly sleeping in another part of the house. Suddenly all hell broke loose when a bluejay divebombed a neighbor's cat that took refuge on the front porch. The two house cats took up the alarm, the dogs started barking and racing around, a pile of files and papers was thrown off a desk when one of the cats jumped on it from who knows where scattering things everywhere ... one of the dogs got caught in a floor lamp wire and brought it crashing down and I took refuge in the bathroom to try to end the call professionally. Must have sounded like an earthquake in the house.
Epic Fail.

I fully agree, yet life happens, that's part of the difference between mom and pop and a large property with a dedicated office/front desk, some of those same life events will happen whan guests are in residence. Fortunately have a quiet cat and no dogs, but walk to the mailbox or stop to change clothes, well of course he phone rings, that's life.
Facebook, even on personal page I try to limit certain things as nothing on the internet ever dies and these days everything offends someone, but again life happens at times.

seashanty said:

NO CATS ALLOWED! haha ... I get it.
NO DOGS ALLOWED either. I have had recent eye surgery and do a lot of work from home. It was quiet, so I decided to return a few business calls. The two little dogs owned by my housemates were contentedly sleeping in another part of the house. Suddenly all hell broke loose when a bluejay divebombed a neighbor's cat that took refuge on the front porch. The two house cats took up the alarm, the dogs started barking and racing around, a pile of files and papers was thrown off a desk when one of the cats jumped on it from who knows where scattering things everywhere ... one of the dogs got caught in a floor lamp wire and brought it crashing down and I took refuge in the bathroom to try to end the call professionally. Must have sounded like an earthquake in the house.
Epic Fail.

.

Click to expand...

Sounds like a Rube Goldberg short.

JimBoone said:

I fully agree, yet life happens, that's part of the difference between mom and pop and a large property with a dedicated office/front desk, some of those same life events will happen whan guests are in residence. Fortunately have a quiet cat and no dogs, but walk to the mailbox or stop to change clothes, well of course he phone rings, that's life.
Facebook, even on personal page I try to limit certain things as nothing on the internet ever dies and these days everything offends someone, but again life happens at times..

Click to expand...

JimBoone said:

Facebook, even on personal page I try to limit certain things as nothing on the internet ever dies and these days everything offends someone, but again life happens at times.

Click to expand...

More than that Jim, these days people try to offend someone. I have a couple relatives who wonder why they never hear from me...

seashanty said:

NO CATS ALLOWED! haha ... I get it.
NO DOGS ALLOWED either. I have had recent eye surgery and do a lot of work from home. It was quiet, so I decided to return a few business calls. The two little dogs owned by my housemates were contentedly sleeping in another part of the house. Suddenly all hell broke loose when a bluejay divebombed a neighbor's cat that took refuge on the front porch. The two house cats took up the alarm, the dogs started barking and racing around, a pile of files and papers was thrown off a desk when one of the cats jumped on it from who knows where scattering things everywhere ... one of the dogs got caught in a floor lamp wire and brought it crashing down and I took refuge in the bathroom to try to end the call professionally. Must have sounded like an earthquake in the house.
Epic Fail.

.

Click to expand...

Reminds me of what happened when Carol married Mike Brady.
Yikes!!!!

JBloggs said:

JimBoone said:

I fully agree, yet life happens, that's part of the difference between mom and pop and a large property with a dedicated office/front desk, some of those same life events will happen whan guests are in residence. Fortunately have a quiet cat and no dogs, but walk to the mailbox or stop to change clothes, well of course he phone rings, that's life.
Facebook, even on personal page I try to limit certain things as nothing on the internet ever dies and these days everything offends someone, but again life happens at times..

Click to expand...

JimBoone said:

Facebook, even on personal page I try to limit certain things as nothing on the internet ever dies and these days everything offends someone, but again life happens at times.

Click to expand...

More than that Jim, these days people try to offend someone. I have a couple relatives who wonder why they never hear from me...
.

Click to expand...

Heck I unfollowed my own sister for the crap she posts on FB

seashanty said:

NO CATS ALLOWED! haha ... I get it.
NO DOGS ALLOWED either. I have had recent eye surgery and do a lot of work from home. It was quiet, so I decided to return a few business calls. The two little dogs owned by my housemates were contentedly sleeping in another part of the house. Suddenly all hell broke loose when a bluejay divebombed a neighbor's cat that took refuge on the front porch. The two house cats took up the alarm, the dogs started barking and racing around, a pile of files and papers was thrown off a desk when one of the cats jumped on it from who knows where scattering things everywhere ... one of the dogs got caught in a floor lamp wire and brought it crashing down and I took refuge in the bathroom to try to end the call professionally. Must have sounded like an earthquake in the house.
Epic Fail.

.

Click to expand...

I've had 3-4 fire and police vehicles go by I don't know how many times. Lawn mower guy right outside the window with the leaf blower.
Yeah, quiet, small town location.
Better still is when I answer the phone and everyone is laughing in the background.

Morticia said:

seashanty said:

NO CATS ALLOWED! haha ... I get it.
NO DOGS ALLOWED either. I have had recent eye surgery and do a lot of work from home. It was quiet, so I decided to return a few business calls. The two little dogs owned by my housemates were contentedly sleeping in another part of the house. Suddenly all hell broke loose when a bluejay divebombed a neighbor's cat that took refuge on the front porch. The two house cats took up the alarm, the dogs started barking and racing around, a pile of files and papers was thrown off a desk when one of the cats jumped on it from who knows where scattering things everywhere ... one of the dogs got caught in a floor lamp wire and brought it crashing down and I took refuge in the bathroom to try to end the call professionally. Must have sounded like an earthquake in the house.
Epic Fail.

.

Click to expand...

I've had 3-4 fire and police vehicles go by I don't know how many times. Lawn mower guy right outside the window with the leaf blower.
Yeah, quiet, small town location.
Better still is when I answer the phone and everyone is laughing in the background.
.

Click to expand...

Morticia said:

I've had 3-4 fire and police vehicles go by I don't know how many times. Lawn mower guy right outside the window with the leaf blower.
Yeah, quiet, small town location.
Better still is when I answer the phone and everyone is laughing in the background.

Click to expand...

Oh yeah then there is that. As we say as they fly past with sirens blaring "Volunteers"... children laughing in the park, church bells ringing...it is all just so annoying isn't it. Not. Actually the church on our corner had their bells mixed up and it was ringing at night and off hours, confused the whole town.

Life sounds are good. And understandable. Cats and dogs screeching and barking, things crashing and breaking, not so good when I was likely assumed to be in 'the office'

JBloggs said:

Morticia said:

seashanty said:

NO CATS ALLOWED! haha ... I get it.
NO DOGS ALLOWED either. I have had recent eye surgery and do a lot of work from home. It was quiet, so I decided to return a few business calls. The two little dogs owned by my housemates were contentedly sleeping in another part of the house. Suddenly all hell broke loose when a bluejay divebombed a neighbor's cat that took refuge on the front porch. The two house cats took up the alarm, the dogs started barking and racing around, a pile of files and papers was thrown off a desk when one of the cats jumped on it from who knows where scattering things everywhere ... one of the dogs got caught in a floor lamp wire and brought it crashing down and I took refuge in the bathroom to try to end the call professionally. Must have sounded like an earthquake in the house.
Epic Fail.

.

Click to expand...

I've had 3-4 fire and police vehicles go by I don't know how many times. Lawn mower guy right outside the window with the leaf blower.
Yeah, quiet, small town location.
Better still is when I answer the phone and everyone is laughing in the background.
.

Click to expand...

Morticia said:

I've had 3-4 fire and police vehicles go by I don't know how many times. Lawn mower guy right outside the window with the leaf blower.
Yeah, quiet, small town location.
Better still is when I answer the phone and everyone is laughing in the background.

Click to expand...

Oh yeah then there is that. As we say as they fly past with sirens blaring "Volunteers"... children laughing in the park, church bells ringing...it is all just so annoying isn't it. Not. Actually the church on our corner had their bells mixed up and it was ringing at night and off hours, confused the whole town.
.

Click to expand...

I love the church bells! I know what time it is wherever I am.
Speaking of small town bells - my dad was the only person who knew how to reset the timer on the firehouse for the noon alarm. It's all electronic now. Dad still talks about it, tho.

I went to a seminar yesterday given by digital Scotland about technology trends in tourism. I went in thinking I was relatively up on these things and came out with my brain trying to escape out my ears.
google+, fb, twitter, instagram, pinterest, snapchat, ....... it's just goes on and on. I could spend my whole day just managing my online presence and forget about making beds and cooking breakfasts. However as a friend pointed out who also has a B&B, we've been pretty much fully booked since 1st may and haven't had a day off in 8 weeks, how much more do we need to do.
Interesting ds's next seminar is about developing a social media strategy, will definitely get myself on that course.

Highlands John said:

I went to a seminar yesterday given by digital Scotland about technology trends in tourism. I went in thinking I was relatively up on these things and came out with my brain trying to escape out my ears.
google+, fb, twitter, instagram, pinterest, snapchat, ....... it's just goes on and on. I could spend my whole day just managing my online presence and forget about making beds and cooking breakfasts. However as a friend pointed out who also has a B&B, we've been pretty much fully booked since 1st may and haven't had a day off in 8 weeks, how much more do we need to do.
Interesting ds's next seminar is about developing a social media strategy, will definitely get myself on that course..

Click to expand...

Highlands John said:

However as a friend pointed out who also has a B&B, we've been pretty much fully booked since 1st may and haven't had a day off in 8 weeks, how much more do we need to do.

Click to expand...

Booking up for the high season is "relatively" easy; it's the shoulder and off seasons when one has to work at it, and it's those times that could (potentially) make or break a business...

OnTheShore said:

Highlands John said:

I went to a seminar yesterday given by digital Scotland about technology trends in tourism. I went in thinking I was relatively up on these things and came out with my brain trying to escape out my ears.
google+, fb, twitter, instagram, pinterest, snapchat, ....... it's just goes on and on. I could spend my whole day just managing my online presence and forget about making beds and cooking breakfasts. However as a friend pointed out who also has a B&B, we've been pretty much fully booked since 1st may and haven't had a day off in 8 weeks, how much more do we need to do.
Interesting ds's next seminar is about developing a social media strategy, will definitely get myself on that course..

Click to expand...

Highlands John said:

However as a friend pointed out who also has a B&B, we've been pretty much fully booked since 1st may and haven't had a day off in 8 weeks, how much more do we need to do.

Click to expand...

Booking up for the high season is "relatively" easy; it's the shoulder and off seasons when one has to work at it, and it's those times that could (potentially) make or break a business...
.

Click to expand...

OnTheShore said:

Highlands John said:

However as a friend pointed out who also has a B&B, we've been pretty much fully booked since 1st may and haven't had a day off in 8 weeks, how much more do we need to do.

Click to expand...

Booking up for the high season is "relatively" easy; it's the shoulder and off seasons when one has to work at it, and it's those times that could (potentially) make or break a business...

Click to expand...

Yes, and I guess where the "building a strategy" seminar comes in, which I definitely need to get to.

Highlands John said:

I went to a seminar yesterday given by digital Scotland about technology trends in tourism. I went in thinking I was relatively up on these things and came out with my brain trying to escape out my ears.
google+, fb, twitter, instagram, pinterest, snapchat, ....... it's just goes on and on. I could spend my whole day just managing my online presence and forget about making beds and cooking breakfasts. However as a friend pointed out who also has a B&B, we've been pretty much fully booked since 1st may and haven't had a day off in 8 weeks, how much more do we need to do.
Interesting ds's next seminar is about developing a social media strategy, will definitely get myself on that course..

Click to expand...

Highlands John said:

I went to a seminar yesterday given by digital Scotland about technology trends in tourism. I went in thinking I was relatively up on these things and came out with my brain trying to escape out my ears.
google+, fb, twitter, instagram, pinterest, snapchat, ....... it's just goes on and on. I could spend my whole day just managing my online presence and forget about making beds and cooking breakfasts. However as a friend pointed out who also has a B&B, we've been pretty much fully booked since 1st may and haven't had a day off in 8 weeks, how much more do we need to do.
Interesting ds's next seminar is about developing a social media strategy, will definitely get myself on that course.

Click to expand...

If you are only open 8 weeks a year then you have 100% occupancy. But that leaves another 44 weeks in the year.
I spoke to someone who said "they don't need any marketing as they are 100% full all summer" Correct don't waste money to advertise to people who are already staying with you.
If you are full every weekend, what about those 4-5 other days midweek? That is a good time to market to pensioners/retirees who like to travel midweek with less crowds, better savings.

OnTheShore said:

Highlands John said:

I went to a seminar yesterday given by digital Scotland about technology trends in tourism. I went in thinking I was relatively up on these things and came out with my brain trying to escape out my ears.
google+, fb, twitter, instagram, pinterest, snapchat, ....... it's just goes on and on. I could spend my whole day just managing my online presence and forget about making beds and cooking breakfasts. However as a friend pointed out who also has a B&B, we've been pretty much fully booked since 1st may and haven't had a day off in 8 weeks, how much more do we need to do.
Interesting ds's next seminar is about developing a social media strategy, will definitely get myself on that course..

Click to expand...

Highlands John said:

However as a friend pointed out who also has a B&B, we've been pretty much fully booked since 1st may and haven't had a day off in 8 weeks, how much more do we need to do.

Click to expand...

Booking up for the high season is "relatively" easy; it's the shoulder and off seasons when one has to work at it, and it's those times that could (potentially) make or break a business...
.

Click to expand...

OnTheShore said:

Highlands John said:

However as a friend pointed out who also has a B&B, we've been pretty much fully booked since 1st may and haven't had a day off in 8 weeks, how much more do we need to do.

Click to expand...

Booking up for the high season is "relatively" easy; it's the shoulder and off seasons when one has to work at it, and it's those times that could (potentially) make or break a business...

Click to expand...

Yes!
There is a town near us that B&B's open every year, last one or two "seasons" and then shut down. They can't pay the mortgage year round on what they make in the peak season.

Morticia said:

seashanty said:

NO CATS ALLOWED! haha ... I get it.
NO DOGS ALLOWED either. I have had recent eye surgery and do a lot of work from home. It was quiet, so I decided to return a few business calls. The two little dogs owned by my housemates were contentedly sleeping in another part of the house. Suddenly all hell broke loose when a bluejay divebombed a neighbor's cat that took refuge on the front porch. The two house cats took up the alarm, the dogs started barking and racing around, a pile of files and papers was thrown off a desk when one of the cats jumped on it from who knows where scattering things everywhere ... one of the dogs got caught in a floor lamp wire and brought it crashing down and I took refuge in the bathroom to try to end the call professionally. Must have sounded like an earthquake in the house.
Epic Fail.

.

Click to expand...

I've had 3-4 fire and police vehicles go by I don't know how many times. Lawn mower guy right outside the window with the leaf blower.
Yeah, quiet, small town location.
Better still is when I answer the phone and everyone is laughing in the background.
.

Click to expand...

I have heard people complain about the sound of the fog horn.
I LOVE that sound!

Sounds are interesting ... I have a friend with a beautiful home in the flight path of a small airport. I cower every time a plane roars overhead while she sits there calmly doing yoga.
Know what sound keeps me awake? Crickets! Yup, crickets. I have to bring my sound machine for white noise or other remedy to block out the sound of crickets. Some people love them.

Highlands John said:

I went to a seminar yesterday given by digital Scotland about technology trends in tourism. I went in thinking I was relatively up on these things and came out with my brain trying to escape out my ears.
google+, fb, twitter, instagram, pinterest, snapchat, ....... it's just goes on and on. I could spend my whole day just managing my online presence and forget about making beds and cooking breakfasts. However as a friend pointed out who also has a B&B, we've been pretty much fully booked since 1st may and haven't had a day off in 8 weeks, how much more do we need to do.
Interesting ds's next seminar is about developing a social media strategy, will definitely get myself on that course..

Click to expand...

Highlands John said:

Interesting ds's next seminar is about developing a social media strategy, will definitely get myself on that course.

Click to expand...

I'm doing a webinar tomorrow on this.

JBloggs said:

OnTheShore said:

Highlands John said:

I went to a seminar yesterday given by digital Scotland about technology trends in tourism. I went in thinking I was relatively up on these things and came out with my brain trying to escape out my ears.
google+, fb, twitter, instagram, pinterest, snapchat, ....... it's just goes on and on. I could spend my whole day just managing my online presence and forget about making beds and cooking breakfasts. However as a friend pointed out who also has a B&B, we've been pretty much fully booked since 1st may and haven't had a day off in 8 weeks, how much more do we need to do.
Interesting ds's next seminar is about developing a social media strategy, will definitely get myself on that course..

Click to expand...

Highlands John said:

However as a friend pointed out who also has a B&B, we've been pretty much fully booked since 1st may and haven't had a day off in 8 weeks, how much more do we need to do.

Click to expand...

Booking up for the high season is "relatively" easy; it's the shoulder and off seasons when one has to work at it, and it's those times that could (potentially) make or break a business...
.

Click to expand...

OnTheShore said:

Highlands John said:

However as a friend pointed out who also has a B&B, we've been pretty much fully booked since 1st may and haven't had a day off in 8 weeks, how much more do we need to do.

Click to expand...

Booking up for the high season is "relatively" easy; it's the shoulder and off seasons when one has to work at it, and it's those times that could (potentially) make or break a business...

Click to expand...

Yes!
There is a town near us that B&B's open every year, last one or two "seasons" and then shut down. They can't pay the mortgage year round on what they make in the peak season.
.

Click to expand...

JBloggs said:

OnTheShore said:

Highlands John said:

However as a friend pointed out who also has a B&B, we've been pretty much fully booked since 1st may and haven't had a day off in 8 weeks, how much more do we need to do.

Click to expand...

Booking up for the high season is "relatively" easy; it's the shoulder and off seasons when one has to work at it, and it's those times that could (potentially) make or break a business...

Click to expand...

Yes!
There is a town near us that B&B's open every year, last one or two "seasons" and then shut down. They can't pay the mortgage year round on what they make in the peak season.

Click to expand...

We told lookie lous the other day that you can't spend spend spend in the summer when the money is rolling in, you have to save it up for the slow seasons.