A Few Good Messages
Written by Jay Karen on July 10, 2008 – 1:15 pmKudos to our friends at BedandBreakfast.com, bnbfinder.com and ILoveInns.com for their efforts in trying to stimulate some traffic in our industry’s direction with recent PR efforts.
BedandBreakfast.com’s release focuses mostly on why a stay at a B&B is more valuable than a stay elsewhere. In particular, I liked how they draw attention to the “free” value-added services, which would not likely be free when staying at a hotel:
- Free breakfasts for two (all B&Bs): $25
- Free Wi-Fi access and/or guest computers (nearly 90% of B&Bs): $10
- Free afternoon refreshments, wine and cheese and/or evening dessert for two (94% of B&Bs): $20
- Tip-free help with luggage and concierge services (over 65% of B&Bs): $5
- Free local telephone calls (75% of B&Bs) plus free long distance calls (25% of B&Bs): $5
- Free parking (over 95% of B&Bs): Up to $25
bnbfinder.com helped to jump start industry promotions recently that focused on saving gas. The “One Tank Trip” promotion is a neat idea, reminding people that a commute to a wonderful vacation spot doesn’t have to cost a lot of time or money. I particularly like how they listed the number of B&Bs within about a half-tank drive (175 miles) from some major destinations. It’s amazing that over 400 B&Bs are within a half tank from Boston.
Their efforts have paid off with a good bit of media pick up. Check out media results from BedandBreakfast.com and bnbfinder.com.
A press release from ILoveInns.com also highlights the soaring gas prices and how staying at B&Bs can be a great choice for saving at the pump. I like the term “staycation” as the idea of staying closer to home, but still vacationing (that’s very appealing to folks like me with little children staying at home with the sitter while we’re away). Who coins phrases like “staycation”? I really like the Thomas Shephard Inn promotion they spotlight, which pitches the idea of parking your car at the inn and leaving it parked there until you’re checking out, because there is so much to do within walking or biking distance of the inn.
Innkeepers should follow their lead and develop your own message on why staying at your inn is a fantastic value versus alternatives…and if you can come up with creative ways to show potential guests they’ll save on gas by staying at your inn, I think an email marketing campaign would be timely! Take the guess work out for your customer.
Happy Summer.
Jay
Tags: Industry PR, Marketing
Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments »
Jay Karen, President & CEO of the 
July 15, 2008 at 11:29 pm...
Dear Jay,
I read with interest the things that innkeepers are doing about the ‘gas’ situation. Ironically I have worked on that myself for our website. We have Mrs. B’s Historic Lanesboro Inn in Lanesboro, MN. We are experiencing a slow booking time…not that we are not getting the reservations, but people seem to be thinking hard about money issues, were to spend, and that is certainly very understandable. Lanesboro has so much to offer within walking and biking distance the I finally began to write about it on the side of our front page. No car needed in most places one may want to go. Just park the car and walk or bike. I was sure other innkeepers must be doing the same type of advertising.
We also comment on our terrific full breakfasts, included in the room rates.
Thank you for posting the information on your Blog page. In fact…thank you for all you do!
Sincerely,
Ginger
July 26, 2008 at 2:03 am...
Dear Jay,
Thank you for pointing out some of the good work that is being done to help, by our partners in this crazy profession! We are very happy to see all the stories and are happy to say that while things are a bit off from last year, at least folks in the industry are being creative with "one tank" trips or my personal favorite at our inn…the pay the temperature price when it goes over 100 degrees outside–we are calling it the "Some Like It Hot" special at the Albert Shafsky House B&B.
July 26, 2008 at 2:03 am...
Dear Jay,
Thank you for pointing out some of the good work that is being done to help, by our partners in this crazy profession! We are very happy to see all the stories and are happy to say that while things are a bit off from last year, at least folks in the industry are being creative with "one tank" trips or my personal favorite at our inn…the pay the temperature price when it goes over 100 degrees outside–we are calling it the "Some Like It Hot" special at the Albert Shafsky House B&B.