Maximum Occupancy - The Book

[Linda_Griffin]

We really need to not be a catch-all B&B. We actually lose money trying to be one, we waste marketing time, energy and $$.
As she says "Marketing to everyone is marketing to no one"
.
That is what I call "shotgun" marketing - the Directory listings..

We really need to not be a catch-all B&B. We actually lose money trying to be one, we waste marketing time, energy and $$.
As she says "Marketing to everyone is marketing to no one"
.
That is what I call "shotgun" marketing - the Directory listings.

hmmmm...I don't consider the directories and shot gun. They are targeted to people specifically look for b&bs. Then once they get to your listing it's more refined. Expedia, etc is marketing to everyone and is shotgun.
.

Hi Everyone - I'm the book's author and I'm enjoying the lively discussion taking place here. Just a clarification - I absolutely agree that inns should be on the directory sites for guests who are specifically searching for a B&B. To attract the traveler who will love what you have to offer and who you will love to have as a guest, ensure that the content in the directory listing: the descriptions, the photos and the amenities you emphasize will appeal specifically to a certain type of guest. In the book, I call it your marketing to your perfect guest as opposed to marketing to everyone. It applies not just to directory listings but any marketing or promotions that you implement.

 

[Madeleine]

We really need to not be a catch-all B&B. We actually lose money trying to be one, we waste marketing time, energy and $$.
As she says "Marketing to everyone is marketing to no one"
.
That is what I call "shotgun" marketing - the Directory listings..

We really need to not be a catch-all B&B. We actually lose money trying to be one, we waste marketing time, energy and $$.
As she says "Marketing to everyone is marketing to no one"
.
That is what I call "shotgun" marketing - the Directory listings.

hmmmm...I don't consider the directories and shot gun. They are targeted to people specifically look for b&bs. Then once they get to your listing it's more refined. Expedia, etc is marketing to everyone and is shotgun.
.

Hi Everyone - I'm the book's author and I'm enjoying the lively discussion taking place here. Just a clarification - I absolutely agree that inns should be on the directory sites for guests who are specifically searching for a B&B. To attract the traveler who will love what you have to offer and who you will love to have as a guest, ensure that the content in the directory listing: the descriptions, the photos and the amenities you emphasize will appeal specifically to a certain type of guest. In the book, I call it your marketing to your perfect guest as opposed to marketing to everyone. It applies not just to directory listings but any marketing or promotions that you implement.
.

Hi Linda! Welcome.

 

[Tom]

I've ordered the book.
Drunks at 2 a.m. is one problem we don't have here: we have no bars and no taxi service!
Two problems we have here: no bars and no taxi service!.

I hate 3AM phone calls. We get them sometimes from people looking for an immediate room, but rarely. More often it's from people in France who mistake it for being evening here, instead of morning. +7 or -7 hours... which is it? Sorry, we didn't realize it was -7. (ie they called at 10AM their time and thought it was 5PM here, when it is really 3AM here.)
.

So then, your francophone partner get to answer the middle of the night calls?

 

[Generic]

I've ordered the book.
Drunks at 2 a.m. is one problem we don't have here: we have no bars and no taxi service!
Two problems we have here: no bars and no taxi service!.

I hate 3AM phone calls. We get them sometimes from people looking for an immediate room, but rarely. More often it's from people in France who mistake it for being evening here, instead of morning. +7 or -7 hours... which is it? Sorry, we didn't realize it was -7. (ie they called at 10AM their time and thought it was 5PM here, when it is really 3AM here.)
.

So then, your francophone partner get to answer the middle of the night calls?
.

Yeah... right, phone's next to me. Besides, I speak French too.

 

[BananaE29]

Ha! Just last night someone called about a room for the weekend and asked if we had a bar on site... As much as I wanted the business, I was thankful for being able to say no. I didn't even offer that he could BYOB because the way he addressed it I am sure he would have brought the bar here. I mentioned the casino hotel in a neighboring town - I am sure he will be happier there..!
It took me too long to realize that you just can't be all things to all people, so to speak..

Carnival Cruise Lines just reserved 1500 rooms in NOLA for the people who are disembarking in Mobile after the cruise to hell. Gotta wonder what they paid for that.
.

Carnival Cruise Lines just reserved 1500 rooms in NOLA for the people who are disembarking in Mobile after the cruise to hell. Gotta wonder what they paid for that.

I havent seen the news, in a nutshell what happened on the cruise?
.

Oddly, the news today said the people disembarked in Mobile and then either boarded a bus for Houston or stayed in Mobile. So, at this point, not sure what happened once they got off the boat. But it sounds like some people had to sleep on deck and others hardly noticed any problems other than having to wait in line for food and not having A/C.
.

Sorry, not Houston, Galveston.
.

Obviously, Carnival was not looking for B&Bs...I didn't get any calls

 

[Joey Camb]

think its a bit of a cheek to charge $3 for the shipping of an electronic book!.

K... it's a physical book, not electronic.
.

you can have either whichever suits

 

[Generic]

think its a bit of a cheek to charge $3 for the shipping of an electronic book!.

K... it's a physical book, not electronic.
.

you can have either whichever suits
.

Really? It didn't offer me a choice that I saw. I assumed since there was s&h that it was physical.

 

[Aussie Innkeeper]

I'm ordering the book and just 'liked' Linda's FB page (as myself and inn).

 

[Kay Nein]

I just read her free 11 page PDF. Much of this teaser is info we already know & discuss here, but free info is free info

I like the idea of Celebrity - make your Inn a Celebrity, make your guests a Celebrity...
You can get the teaser here: http://www.fullybookedinn.com/

 

[JBloggs]

I just read her free 11 page PDF. Much of this teaser is info we already know & discuss here, but free info is free info

I like the idea of Celebrity - make your Inn a Celebrity, make your guests a Celebrity...
You can get the teaser here: http://www.fullybookedinn.com/.

I just read her free 11 page PDF. Much of this teaser is info we already know & discuss here, but free info is free info

I like the idea of Celebrity - make your Inn a Celebrity, make your guests a Celebrity...
You can get the teaser here: http://www.fullybookedinn.com/

Yes we are ahead of the curve here!
But there were a couple things I found very interesting, and learned and am implementing. I was excited to see something different, some marketing techniques and view points.

 

[gillumhouse]

We really need to not be a catch-all B&B. We actually lose money trying to be one, we waste marketing time, energy and $$.
As she says "Marketing to everyone is marketing to no one"
.
That is what I call "shotgun" marketing - the Directory listings..

We really need to not be a catch-all B&B. We actually lose money trying to be one, we waste marketing time, energy and $$.
As she says "Marketing to everyone is marketing to no one"
.
That is what I call "shotgun" marketing - the Directory listings.

hmmmm...I don't consider the directories and shot gun. They are targeted to people specifically look for b&bs. Then once they get to your listing it's more refined. Expedia, etc is marketing to everyone and is shotgun.
.

Hi Everyone - I'm the book's author and I'm enjoying the lively discussion taking place here. Just a clarification - I absolutely agree that inns should be on the directory sites for guests who are specifically searching for a B&B. To attract the traveler who will love what you have to offer and who you will love to have as a guest, ensure that the content in the directory listing: the descriptions, the photos and the amenities you emphasize will appeal specifically to a certain type of guest. In the book, I call it your marketing to your perfect guest as opposed to marketing to everyone. It applies not just to directory listings but any marketing or promotions that you implement.
.

Welcome, Linda. Got my copy yesterday and since my computer is still at the doctor, read it yesterday. Easy read and good read. Some of it I am already doing but found some new thoughts to implement when I get my computer back.
To clarify what I mean by "shotgun" marketing as the Directories is that yes they are looking for a B & B but not a particular entity. With my target marketing I am listing on web directories catering to horses or bicycling or motorcycles - the things I cater to and have available to please that market. These directories or sites are far less expensive than the B & B listings. For example, my most productive horse directory costs $40 per year. Big difference from the $195 and up for the B & B Directories that go out for ALL interests (shotgun pellets).
I also agree with at least one of your featured inn choices - of course I am prejudiced as I have visited there. Great porch!

 

[Linda_Griffin]

We really need to not be a catch-all B&B. We actually lose money trying to be one, we waste marketing time, energy and $$.
As she says "Marketing to everyone is marketing to no one"
.
That is what I call "shotgun" marketing - the Directory listings..

We really need to not be a catch-all B&B. We actually lose money trying to be one, we waste marketing time, energy and $$.
As she says "Marketing to everyone is marketing to no one"
.
That is what I call "shotgun" marketing - the Directory listings.

hmmmm...I don't consider the directories and shot gun. They are targeted to people specifically look for b&bs. Then once they get to your listing it's more refined. Expedia, etc is marketing to everyone and is shotgun.
.

Hi Everyone - I'm the book's author and I'm enjoying the lively discussion taking place here. Just a clarification - I absolutely agree that inns should be on the directory sites for guests who are specifically searching for a B&B. To attract the traveler who will love what you have to offer and who you will love to have as a guest, ensure that the content in the directory listing: the descriptions, the photos and the amenities you emphasize will appeal specifically to a certain type of guest. In the book, I call it your marketing to your perfect guest as opposed to marketing to everyone. It applies not just to directory listings but any marketing or promotions that you implement.
.

Welcome, Linda. Got my copy yesterday and since my computer is still at the doctor, read it yesterday. Easy read and good read. Some of it I am already doing but found some new thoughts to implement when I get my computer back.
To clarify what I mean by "shotgun" marketing as the Directories is that yes they are looking for a B & B but not a particular entity. With my target marketing I am listing on web directories catering to horses or bicycling or motorcycles - the things I cater to and have available to please that market. These directories or sites are far less expensive than the B & B listings. For example, my most productive horse directory costs $40 per year. Big difference from the $195 and up for the B & B Directories that go out for ALL interests (shotgun pellets).
I also agree with at least one of your featured inn choices - of course I am prejudiced as I have visited there. Great porch!
.

Fabulous! I'm in total agreement on using web directories that cater to the type of guests you're trying to reach. It's a win-win because they're narrowly focused and less expensive. I'm happy you found a few new ideas to implement as well.

 

[Linda_Griffin]

We really need to not be a catch-all B&B. We actually lose money trying to be one, we waste marketing time, energy and $$.
As she says "Marketing to everyone is marketing to no one"
.
That is what I call "shotgun" marketing - the Directory listings..

We really need to not be a catch-all B&B. We actually lose money trying to be one, we waste marketing time, energy and $$.
As she says "Marketing to everyone is marketing to no one"
.
That is what I call "shotgun" marketing - the Directory listings.

hmmmm...I don't consider the directories and shot gun. They are targeted to people specifically look for b&bs. Then once they get to your listing it's more refined. Expedia, etc is marketing to everyone and is shotgun.
.

Hi Everyone - I'm the book's author and I'm enjoying the lively discussion taking place here. Just a clarification - I absolutely agree that inns should be on the directory sites for guests who are specifically searching for a B&B. To attract the traveler who will love what you have to offer and who you will love to have as a guest, ensure that the content in the directory listing: the descriptions, the photos and the amenities you emphasize will appeal specifically to a certain type of guest. In the book, I call it your marketing to your perfect guest as opposed to marketing to everyone. It applies not just to directory listings but any marketing or promotions that you implement.
.

Hi Linda! Welcome.
.

Thanks Madeleine, I'm happy to join the conversation.

 

[Arks]

We really need to not be a catch-all B&B. We actually lose money trying to be one, we waste marketing time, energy and $$.
As she says "Marketing to everyone is marketing to no one"
.
That is what I call "shotgun" marketing - the Directory listings..

We really need to not be a catch-all B&B. We actually lose money trying to be one, we waste marketing time, energy and $$.
As she says "Marketing to everyone is marketing to no one"
.
That is what I call "shotgun" marketing - the Directory listings.

hmmmm...I don't consider the directories and shot gun. They are targeted to people specifically look for b&bs. Then once they get to your listing it's more refined. Expedia, etc is marketing to everyone and is shotgun.
.

Hi Everyone - I'm the book's author and I'm enjoying the lively discussion taking place here. Just a clarification - I absolutely agree that inns should be on the directory sites for guests who are specifically searching for a B&B. To attract the traveler who will love what you have to offer and who you will love to have as a guest, ensure that the content in the directory listing: the descriptions, the photos and the amenities you emphasize will appeal specifically to a certain type of guest. In the book, I call it your marketing to your perfect guest as opposed to marketing to everyone. It applies not just to directory listings but any marketing or promotions that you implement.
.

Welcome, Linda. Got my copy yesterday and since my computer is still at the doctor, read it yesterday. Easy read and good read. Some of it I am already doing but found some new thoughts to implement when I get my computer back.
To clarify what I mean by "shotgun" marketing as the Directories is that yes they are looking for a B & B but not a particular entity. With my target marketing I am listing on web directories catering to horses or bicycling or motorcycles - the things I cater to and have available to please that market. These directories or sites are far less expensive than the B & B listings. For example, my most productive horse directory costs $40 per year. Big difference from the $195 and up for the B & B Directories that go out for ALL interests (shotgun pellets).
I also agree with at least one of your featured inn choices - of course I am prejudiced as I have visited there. Great porch!
.

I also agree with at least one of your featured inn choices - of course I am prejudiced as I have visited there. Great porch!

Love porches! Don't know why ALL hotels don't have a porch!!!

 

[Joey Camb]

am on page 26 - its been a loony bin here with the building work im either making numerous cups of tea or vacking and wiping everything! so havn't had chance to get cracked on!