A couple of articles I've written on this topic may be useful. They are located at http://www.abouttheinn.com/2009/11/does-that-directory-deserve-your-money/ and http://www.abouttheinn.com/2009/12/does-that-directory-deserve-your-money-part-2/.
If you're the only thing showing up when you do a search for lodging in your town, good for you!After doing a search, there is only 1 that really showes up. What is showing up alot are my blogs and tweetes and facebook. Hmmmmmmm maybe directories are a thing of the pass??? And welcome Scott..
What type of search terms are you using? Be sure you do searches for not only your town, but also region. Use key words that are not just b&b terms, but terms like "lodging", "accommodations". Try to use any and all key words that you think someone not familiar with your specific area would use. If you have a landmark like a river or fed/state park, try using those terms "XYZ river accommodations", Mt. XYZ bed and breakfast", etc.After doing a search, there is only 1 that really showes up. What is showing up alot are my blogs and tweetes and facebook. Hmmmmmmm maybe directories are a thing of the pass??? And welcome Scott..
Thx!A couple of articles I've written on this topic may be useful. They are located at http://www.abouttheinn.com/2009/11/does-that-directory-deserve-your-money/ and http://www.abouttheinn.com/2009/12/does-that-directory-deserve-your-money-part-2/.
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A couple of articles I've written on this topic may be useful. They are located at http://www.abouttheinn.com/2009/11/does-that-directory-deserve-your-money/ and http://www.abouttheinn.com/2009/12/does-that-directory-deserve-your-money-part-2/.
Welcome to the forum, thanks for sharing these!Scott said:A couple of articles I've written on this topic may be useful. They are located at http://www.abouttheinn.com/2009/11/does-that-directory-deserve-your-money/ and http://www.abouttheinn.com/2009/12/does-that-directory-deserve-your-money-part-2/
After doing a search, there is only 1 that really showes up. What is showing up alot are my blogs and tweetes and facebook. Hmmmmmmm maybe directories are a thing of the pass??? And welcome Scott..
Are you searching "Your town B&B" and "B&B your town" ? You are the only one coming up? How small is your town?Ice said:After doing a search, there is only 1 that really showes up. What is showing up alot are my blogs and tweetes and facebook. Hmmmmmmm maybe directories are a thing of the pass??? And welcome Scott.
Since so many don't say where or who they are, I did not know ICE was in a village of 44. Then I would search "Myarea B&B" or "my county B&B" to find out what comes up.The B&B is in a village. 44 people! LOL I go with the area's name. Trust me it is different!!!.
I think those links help you more in the searches than bookings perhaps. I know I get hits on my site from the local places that link to me. I think all the links I have help keep me in the top 10 in searches.I've had the best luck with BNB.com, bbonline, and I love inns. My problem is advertising locally. I advertise 3 times a year in the local guide (and receive a free listing on their website) and get nothing in return. Zero. But I am reluctant to stop because I feel it's so important to support local tourism and the people who work there do work really hard. But whoever they are attracting to this area are not staying with me..
As Guillum pointed out, the link may be helpful in other ways than direct bookings. I am in the same boat with you about the local tourism commission. Ours is totally free (well I say free but I as well as everyone pays for this through property taxes) so I can not balk about cost for no business. I also think that the link does do well for our web ranking.I've had the best luck with BNB.com, bbonline, and I love inns. My problem is advertising locally. I advertise 3 times a year in the local guide (and receive a free listing on their website) and get nothing in return. Zero. But I am reluctant to stop because I feel it's so important to support local tourism and the people who work there do work really hard. But whoever they are attracting to this area are not staying with me..
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