S7 Ep3: Brand & Platform | How to Start a Bed and Breakfast Business

How Bed and Breakfasts, Guest Houses and Inns Can Make More Money with Less Work

Hello I’m Yvonne Halling and in this video I’m going to talk you about how to use two simple and timeless strategies that will have you standing out from the crowd, and attracting more of the guests you want to attract, without listing on any more of the big online travel agents. So if you’ve been wondering how you can be seen and heard among all the competition out there, then this video will help you.

First, let’s look at why you’re not being seen or heard.

When you list with the online travel agents, you upload photos, create a listing and determine your price.

All the online platforms follow this procedure, and it’s pretty easy to do.

But how do you differentiate yourself from everyone else?

How do you get to stamp your personality on your listing, on those sites?

And how do you convey your unique value to the guests who are looking for you, on those sites?

The answer is you can’t.

And because you can’t do this, your potential guests don’t know who to choose, so they look for the best price or the best deal.

So you’ll be chosen on price.

This makes for a very empty experience for both you and your guests.

So what do you do?

Two simple things:

You need a brand and a platform.

Let me explain.

Your brand is not just your logo, it’s a combination of your logo, colours, images, your message and your values. It’s what you stand for, in terms of what you offer and for whom.

One you’ve got your brand sorted, you can then wave your flag all over the internet and it will carry with it the message and the experience you offer for a particular group of people who would love to stay with you, because of who you are and what you represent.

You’re creating an asset that will do your work for you, while you’re doing something else.

Next is your platform.

Once you have your brand, you’ll need a platform. This means a place from which you convey your brand. It will consist of all your social media accounts from where you’ll build your very own customer list.

Just having your customer list in your online booking system is not enough, because you cannot email to them, make offers to them or communicate with them when you want to.

You’re going to need a CRM system or Customer Relationships Management system, a place from which you gather people, communicate with them, build relationships with them and make offers to them.

My prediction is that B&Bs, guest houses, inns and small hotels without a brand or a platform will die off in the next few years as those that do pick this up, run with it and thrive.

There’s still time left, and you can find out more on how to do this easily and quickly by joining me on my next Masterclass by clicking on the link below.

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