As we travel to work with Innkeepers this spring, we are hearing the same from everyone. Advance bookings are down. So, what are we suggesting that Innkeepers do? It gets back to the basics. We all know what they are, but it does not hurt to step back and think about them again:

• Market to existing customers – they do want to hear what is happening at the Inn and what specials you may be offering. Keep your Inn fresh in their mind.
• Cherish your repeat guest – the best marketing you can do is to the guest currently staying at your Inn. Also, it is less expensive to keep a current guest than to obtain a new guest.
• Listen to what your guests are not saying – it is not always what they say, but what they do not say. They rave about the bed, but you never hear nothing about your pillows? That was always our case and I knew what the problem was. Listen to what your guests are not speaking about, you may be surprised!
• Nothing beats a clean Inn – look up, down, behind doors, inside closets, going up stairs, everywhere! Do not forget to clean the vents in the bathroom. Amazing how disgusting a dirty vent can be and a guest will not return to a dirty Inn.
• Stand out from the crowd and do something memorable – whether you are giving away a weekend stay to someone that has been laid off or doing that one additional item to make your house guest remember you, stand out and be noticed. A small gesture goes a long way!
• Breakfast is the last meal guests enjoy before departing so make it memorable – it may have been a lovely dinner along with a great Jacuzzi, but how was breakfast? If a guest can not remember your breakfast, then they may not remember everything else either. This is the last chance to make a winning impression.
• Blog, Blog, Blog with a twist of Twitter – Social Media Marketing is not going away! Embrace it and keep up with the rest of the world!

A little refresher course is great for everyone. Have a great season!

Tweet This Post  Delicious This Post  Digg This Post  Ping This Post  Reddit This Post  Stumble This Post