Shop Small Book Direct

I put this note in our in-room info books. I realize I am only reaching a market that is already in my house, but it's a small step. Next year, I will put similar language in my brochures and I will also be putting it on my website.
Shop Small! Shop Local!
Make B&B Reservations directly with the B&B.
Skip the on-line travel agencies.
By Shopping Small and Booking Direct:

• You get more accurate and specific information about the inn
• You get more accurate and specific information about the rooms.
• You get more choices of rooms available.
• You know that your rate is going directly to the small business owner.

By Using On-Line Travel Agencies:

• You don't get complete or accurate descriptions of the inn or rooms.
• You don't get to choose from all available rooms.
• You cost the small business owner a % of your room rate.

Shop Small!
When choosing lodging - Book Direct!
Next time, book direct at www.ourwebsite.com Use coupon code 10%off for 10% off.
Enjoy your visit to Our Town and Our Inn!

You cost the small business owner a % of your room rate.
Change that to YOU, the guest save money. (They do not care about how much you get, only what it costs them.)

The whole idea behind the 'shop small' movement is to keep the small business owner in business. I think it's valid.
I DID actually change the bullets from objective to subjective - one draft had 'the OTA doesn't give accurate info....' and changed it to 'You don't get accurate info....' I think it was an improvement and, to your point, made the bullets about the reader and not the objective, unknown OTA.

TheBeachHouse said:

The whole idea behind the 'shop small' movement is to keep the small business owner in business. I think it's valid.
I DID actually change the bullets from objective to subjective - one draft had 'the OTA doesn't give accurate info....' and changed it to 'You don't get accurate info....' I think it was an improvement and, to your point, made the bullets about the reader and not the objective, unknown OTA..

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I like it!
I also have a problem, as the guest, with the last one - sounds like you're blaming the guest.
To fix that take out the 'you cost' and make it 'it costs'. Removes that waggy finger.

We put business cards in the rooms by the beds and give them out to them as they check out with a comment about here's our cards so you can book direct and save money. Most of the time they already have one in their pocket from the room. Its another quiet reminder to book directly. Also if they want someone to take a picture of them, try to get the inn's name in the picture somehow...perfect for their face book, twit ter, etc. accounts!

Guest checking out yesterday stopped to say, "And next time we will book direct! I had no idea until I saw your note."
I reinforced it by telling him the OTA's have incorrect information and don't know us at all. I said, "We've had people check in expecting an elevator!"
I guess that's one down, a few million to go.

TheBeachHouse said:

Guest checking out yesterday stopped to say, "And next time we will book direct! I had no idea until I saw your note."
I reinforced it by telling him the OTA's have incorrect information and don't know us at all. I said, "We've had people check in expecting an elevator!"
I guess that's one down, a few million to go..

Click to expand...

Good for you! And all of us!