Positive and negative
are directions.
Which direction do you choose?
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"Say something nice," that's a term that seems to have been forgotten in the internet world these days, where negative "reviews" tap into the down side. Sharing positive guest testimonials is guaranteed to promote your business, not detract from it or cause you undue stress dealing with something that might in fact be out of your control, like a guest's personal issues, or simply their bad mood. It was once said, " Say and do something positive that will help the situation; it doesn't take any brains to complain. " - Robert CookTo feature your Positive Guest Comments on your LanierBB.com listing, simply follow these 3 steps:
- Log-in to your LanierBB.com listing. Forgot your password?
- Click the Testimonials button.
- Input an unlimited number of quotes from which 3 will be randomly displayed at any time.
Positive referrals are the best way to build your business, one satisfied customer at a time. We look forward to supporting your success.
Want to learn more about innkeepers' experiences with reviews? Click here for an ongoing forum by PAII where you may share your feelings on the subject.
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SEO for Innkeepers, Part 8:
Online Word of Mouth
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Co-Authored by Thomas Brown, SEO Expert and Psychologist
About
This Series: SEO stands for "search engine optimization." Google is the
world's best-known search engine, but there are others, including Yahoo
and MSN. SEO is the art of designing the content of a web page for
optimal find-ability by a search engine - designing it in a way that
makes it easy for a user to find, using a search engine. For
innkeepers, SEO means designing an inn's site in a way that makes it
easy for a potential guest to find it, using a search engine like
Google, Yahoo, MSN, Ask, or any other.
The
following article outlines the 8th ongoing installment of 10 ways to
design websites for maximum search engine optimization in the long term. Online Word of Mouth
Word of mouth still remains the #1 best marketing in any
business, be it a brick and mortar business or online business. Word spreads fast on the internet and you want
as much play as possible.
- Post quotes from
your guestbook on your website informing viewers what others have said about
your business. Adding 10-30, hard coded,
reviews each month will excite the search engines and give you more exposure. Do not upload everything you have at once,
take it in stages as search engines like to see changes to your website, even
if minor.
Read the previous 7 ways to design your website for maximum SEO.
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Featured B&B Cities:
Powerful Destination Marketing
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Our twice-monthly B&B Travel Newsletter goes out to thousands of opt-in subscribers, recommending cities, things to do, what to eat and so much more. Most importantly, we take great lengths to feature member properties, highlighting your current specials. Our featured destinations are in-depth, helpful and one of the most popular sections of LanierBB.com Our most recent issues featured these International, Canadian and U.S. destinations:
Contact us to consider your area as a Featured Destination and inclusion in an issue of
the B&B Travel Newsletter. We'll get your inn's name in front of
thousands of potential guests who have requested to hear about B&B getaways and specials (we throw in a few recipes for fun). We'd like to know what makes your location special and a few things to do or see that you recommend.
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Ask Marie
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I haven't found a way to "Go Green" without spending more money. How can I save money and attract more guests?
- Eddie Stone, Innkeeper
Dear Eddie, Yes, "Going Green" CAN save you money while attracting guests that want to support an Eco-Friendly B&B. Here are a few quick ideas to get you started on this positive path: - Recycle your guest's books and magazines, providing a bin in their room and in a common area to encourage their recycling.
- Create a simple, inexpensive pop up tent for your bathroom and on the bedside table that asks guests to help you conserve, for example: "We're doing all we can do conserve our natural resources, please help us by hanging towels you do not need cleaned and informing us when you need your sheets changed. Together we can make a positive impact on our planet."
- Use organic, fresh ingredients in your breakfast service. Support your local Farmer's Market and encourage guests to visit during their stay.
- Loan or rent bikes to guests to encourage this form of transportation.
- Switch to Green cleaning products, providing your guest's with a list of products you recommend, in case they ask.
- Send follow up postcards to guests offering an incentive to return to your property on recycled paper.
"We have probably reduced our towel laundry for
stayovers by something like 2/3rds by simply putting up the "Green"
Hotels sign in the bathrooms. We should have done this a decade ago."
- Bob & Stephanie Melvin, Innkeepers at Westchester House B&B
Web sites that might interest you:
Tree Hugger "How to Green Your Cleaning"
Grist "Good, Clean Fun"
GreenBiz.com Green Cleaning News
Thanks for writing in Eddie! There are so many ways to "Go Green," I'd really enjoy hearing more about what you come up with, please keep in touch.
All my best,
Marie Lanier
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Need to speak with a Lanier staff member?
Please contact us by email:
lanier@travelguides.com
or by phone:
707-763-0271 (USA and Canada)
001-707-780-3338 (International)
We look forward to helping you in any way we can.
The Lanier Team
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