Marketing Today
I've created this site as a tool for the hospitality industry to keep up with web marketing trends. So much of the marketing I do as a REALTOR can be applied to the way hotels, inns, bed and breakfasts, restaurants and other recreational businesses perform their marketing too. We're both selling something - what I'm selling is just longer term. We both try to showcase the real estate or property but as important and sometimes even more important is the area surrounding the property. So over the past couple years, as I transitioned from Innkeeper to Lodging Broker, the time I've spent in online marketing research has been an invaluable learning tool that I wanted to share with those already in the hospitality business or those looking to get into it. Besides, it's easier to point someone to my website than to explain on a constant basis. I taught a course in Social Media for the Maine Association of Realtors and really enjoy sharing what I learn. When you are passionate about what you do, you're excited to share it with others.
Today's marketing involves a mix of the standard static website presence (and some print) but has really turned to dynamic marketing. Also imperative is Push-Pull Marketing; what information you push out to show what you have to offer is Push Marketing and what information users need from you (consumer demand) is Pull Marketing. Social Media is an ideal way to perform Pull Marketing. You engage and watch what your networking contacts need and respond accordingly.
Blogs are dynamic while websites are static. A website is necessary to provide information which does not change (or changes infrequently); a lodging property's website displays information about the inn, room information, photos and rates, availability, amenities, etc. But a blog from the lodging establishment is dynamic - and changes with every blog post.
I hear comments from people that they feel they don't have anything to blog about. Keep in mind that you're accustomed to living in the area where your guests anticipate vacationing but they wait with great anticipation until they can take time off work. They would love to read about what's happening in town, or more importantly, see visually what's going on, through video and photographs. One of the easiest blogs to maintain is a photo blog and you don't have to be a writer. Post a sunrise or sunset photo, or a photo from your last hike where your guests would always visit; simple photographs bring your property and your area to your guest. Post a recipe once a week of a guest favorite cookie (preferrably with a clear photograph as food photos do wonders for your business) or a beautiful breakfast. If you're doing renovations at the inn, post the before and after or the progress pictures. A blog is also a great way to post specials or upcoming events.
Just keep one thing in mind when you commit to starting a blog, you must keep it current, even if you only post once a week or so. Once you've gotten past the setup process, it's easy to fit into a regular schedule. I do the majority of my daily posting in the morning over coffee or on the occasional evening. Once you begin to feel the effects of your efforts it will become second nature. And when you learn the tools to help streamline how information is posted, it will take you less time than you think.
On a Personal Note...
I wrote, photographed and published my first cookbook June 2011 by Down East Publications titled "The Art of Breakfast"!
During my innkeeper years, guests would ask regularly if I had a cookbook, and my answer was always "not yet" as I hoped to write one some day. That some day was May 2010 when Down East asked me to write one with their publishing team behind it! Much of that came about from social media and my food photos and food blogging...
It's available on Amazon and on my website, Art of Breakfast. Thanks for looking!
During my innkeeper years, guests would ask regularly if I had a cookbook, and my answer was always "not yet" as I hoped to write one some day. That some day was May 2010 when Down East asked me to write one with their publishing team behind it! Much of that came about from social media and my food photos and food blogging...
It's available on Amazon and on my website, Art of Breakfast. Thanks for looking!
I welcome comments and suggestions, since I fully believe in engaging, networking and building and maintaining relationships.
