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Build a social media strategy!
Promoting your accommodation business on websites/apps like Facebook, Instagram and Tik-Tok really does work and takes a lot less time than you might think. Define your goals, know your audience, choose platforms wisely, and create engaging content. It's important to interact with your followers and reply to comments. Regularly evaluate how successful your posts are, and note what's working and what isn't. Don't be afraid to adapt your approach if it isn't working!
23 Apr 2024 - Cait -
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Boost longer stays!
Getting customers to stay longer with you is great, even if you have good occupancy levels as it reduces the number of full room change cleans required. Reducing price and increasing minimum stays aren’t the only ways to increase length of stay. Offer multi-night and weekly rates to encourage longer stays or consider giving a discount or special offer on an extra night. Upgrading amenities and highlighting must-see sites, restaurants, or events nearby can encourage your guests to extend their stay too. If your accommodation feels like a second home, they’re more likely to extend their stay or stay longer the next time they visit.
17 Apr 2024 - Cait -
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Use email marketing!
Encourage repeat stays by sending twice weekly or monthly marketing emails to past guests. Sending email is free, is quick to do and gives a good return on your investment of time. Show off upgrades you've made, tell them about upcoming events over the next few months in your area, or draw their attention to new extra products and services you have to offer. To make your email more enticing, include an exclusive discount or promotion linked to the theme of your email. For example, when telling guests about the upcoming carnival a great promotion could be to offer free glowsticks or a free carnival bundle with the code CARNIVAL24. Make sure to include photos to really capture your readers attention!
3 Apr 2024 - Cait -
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Build a book direct strategy!
Given the high commissions that Online Travel Agents (OTAs) charge, it is essential to build a book direct strategy to maximise your profits. Start with ensuring you have a great looking and well performing website that is optimised for search engine positioning. Next make sure that you are encouraging guests to book direct by rewarding them to do so, either with a slightly reduced rate or some other incentive. Finally, fine-tune your operations so that the book direct message is effectively communicated to your guests eg by giving guests a small discount if they book direct with you next time. If you need help with your book direct strategy then freeonlinebooking is more than happy to help!
21 Mar 2024 - Nick -
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Offer a non-refundable option!
Whilst offering non-refundable rates at a small discount may cost you money, it will be money in the bank which you will not ever have to refund. Many properties offering non-refundable rates report occupancy rates exceeding 100% in busy periods due to the effect of cancellations. You may wish to recommend to customers to take travel insurance to mitigate the effect of customers being frustrated by not being able to cancel their booking.
13 Mar 2024 - Nick -
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Tell your customers about your local area!
Include a local area guide on your website and in folders in your rooms. Tell your guests how wonderful your town and region is, where the best places to eat are (for all budgets), the best activities (for all age groups), what to do on a rainy day etc. For your adventerous guests, include information about local trails, where to mountain bike, where to take their dogs, where to go fishing, best sunrise and sunset spots, and restaurants, the difficulty of each trail and how long the trail takes to walk. if your guests have an amazing time, they will thank you for giving them the ideas, and hopefully will return!
27 Feb 2024 - Cait -
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Upsell effectively!
It is important to always give guests the option to book your extra products and services at the time of booking. Combining multiple approaches to upselling is more effective though, so add these into your pre-stay email, in your general marketing emails, and post photos of them on your website and social media. If you want to go a step further, ask your guests at check-in whether they'd like any extras - if you have quite a few, create an extras menu and put it in your welcome pack!
23 Feb 2024 - Cait -
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Manage TripAdvisor intelligently!
Always respond to TripAdvisor reviews good and bad. Always thank guests for taking the time to leave a review and if a review is negative then make sure you appear sympathetic and keen to resolve any problems. Make sure you mention in your reply that your best rates can only be booked direct. A high proportion of guests will check TripAdvisor before booking and using this simple tip can greatly impact your direct bookings.
14 Feb 2024 - Nick -
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Update your photos!
Make sure you have up to date, high quality photos of your property as they are ESSENTIAL when customers are selecting where to stay. Pick a day with no clouds and blue, sunny skies. Include photos of the food and extras you offer, creating an immersive experience the guest simply cannot wait to dive into. Make sure your photos are reflective of your accommodation to build trust and be seen as authentic. Know your limits and hire a photographer if required.
8 Feb 2024 - Cait -
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Test your website!
A website full of glitches, bugs, and pages that won't load will no doubt put guests off booking diretly with you. Catch issues early by regularly testing your website. Make sure it works well on a mobile device and check your photos are high quality and up to date. Consider how visible your 'book now' buttons are too. If a guest can't see how to book, they may go somewhere else!
13 Jan 2024 - Cait -
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