Tuesday, June 9, 2015

PAII News You Can Use 6-9-2015


News You Can Use – our weekly cruise thru the issues and topics for the business of Innkeeping.

5 Unconventional Ways to Create Videos That Engage Facebook Fans tells us that video plays on Facebook is up 785% over last year – that’s not a typo! After admitting that a ‘con’ is the time commitment, the article does share tips for those of us with time and budget limitations.  Once again, I’ll recommend choosing from the ‘you might also like’ links: I especially liked “30 Magic Marketing Words You Should be Using”.  Some examples:  By using “you”, it’s as though you are speaking to the customer; “value” implies getting something, while “cost, price” implies losing money. “Best” is overused; try “our top seller” “most preferred” or “guest favorite”. 

Is It Too Late to Fight Back Against Airbnb?
We’re well aware of the issues: tax dollars, ethics, fairness, health/safety, insurance … and many of us are regularly meeting with local officials, and licensing agencies to advocate for equal treatment for all lodging providers.  What can we learn from airbnb to use in our business?  “The commentary and description of the rooms being sold reads like a storybook by people who truly care. They are not selling; they are trying to make your travel more interesting.”  Do your room descriptions have the focus on the guest?   “Moreover, the presentation is seamless on mobile, tablet or a laptop computer” – and you’ve certainly heard this before in this newsletter and from PAII conference presenters!

Millennials leading multigenerational travel
If your niche is ‘family friendly’ you’ll appreciate knowing that Millennials took an average of 2.6 trips with children in the past 12 months compared to two trips for baby boomers.  Those very couples who previously enjoyed B&Bs are now are traveling with their family, and the fastest way to a parent’s heart is to know their kids are welcome.  You’ll find a few tips for making families feel special at your inn.

Innkeeping Recipe
This week’s recipe is from the Bed & Breakfast Association of Virginia’s website – and we appreciate that Oaks Granola is gluten free, adaptable for vegans, and low in sugar.
‘til next week!

~Kris Ullmer, PAII Executive Director

Photo Contests:
Deadline for entering has been extended to June 15, 2015: Details and Contest Rules for the PAII Member’s Recipe Contest For Our Summer Innkeeping Now Magazine! http://paiiinnkeepers.blogspot.com/2015/05/paii-recipe-contest-for-our-summer.html and PAII Photo Contests For Our Summer Innkeeping Now Magazine! http://paiiinnkeepers.blogspot.com/2015/05/photo-contests-for-our-summer.html
Conference Update Vendor Spotlight:
Wynn Salisch of Casablanca Ventures says, “We are the America’s only credit card processing company founded by an actual hotelier and graduate of Cornell School of Hotel Administration!” Needless to say, they know hospitality. Read more aboutCasablanca Ventures at http://paiiinnkeepers.blogspot.com/2015/06/welcome-casablanca-ventures.html

News You Can Use:
Selfie Sticks Are the Latest Amenity at Instagram-Friendly Lodging
5 Unconventional Ways to Create Videos That Engage Facebook Fans

Industry News:
Hospitality Net - Is It Too Late to Fight Back Against Airbnb? http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4069479.html (a great article with great takeaways)
Millennials leading multigenerational travel

Social Media & SEO Changes Innkeepers Should be aware of:
Pinterest To Greatly Expand Advertising Solutions This Summer, Including A New Take On Video Ads

Featured Past PAII Webinar from our Archives:
Slow Food Living And Eating For Sustainability

Innkeeping Recipes:
From the Bed & Breakfast Association of Virginia http://www.innvirginia.com/
Oaks Granola from the kitchen of The Oaks Victorian Inn http://www.innvirginia.com/recipes.php?r=57

Upcoming Webinars (free for members)
Please register at http://www.innkeeping.org/?page=webinars (you will need to login to your PAII account)
Wednesday, June 10, 2015, 2:00 PM EST
The Innkeeper's Dilemma - to Renew or not Renew your Trip Advisor Business Listing

Wednesday, June 17, 2015, 2:00 PM EST
Reputation Management with a Channel Manager
Do you own the first page of Google Search results for your brand name? This webinar will focus on ways to manage your inn's online reputation. Learn how to use a channel manager to dominate the first page of Google for branded queries.

Wednesday, June 24, 2015, 2:00 PM EST
The 5 Greatest Marketing Challenges
In a recent survey, over 400 innkeepers let us know their biggest marketing challenges. We will present practical solutions for the top five: planning your social media strategy, tracking return on investment, working with OTAs, understanding SEO, and perfecting your photos.

Wednesday, July 1, 2015, 2:00 PM EST
Email + Social Media: Strategies & Tools
Let's be frank. It's tough being disciplined enough to send regular emails to your former guests and chat with them on social media. But studies consistently show that innkeepers who do enjoy more new guests and more repeat guests.This webinar will share with you some tools, strategies, and organizational tips you can use to hone your email and social marketing strategies.

Wednesday, July 15, 2015, 2:00 PM EST
Understanding the Guest Experience, presented by Liz Day
Ever wondered what your guests experience during the entire booking process? Join Liz Day from RezStream as she helps you market your property better by understanding how guests find your website on the search engines, what they want when they arrive on your website, and how to guide them through the booking process. Don’t forget about the analytical reporting review as she helps you understand what you need to look at and how to process that information.

Wednesday, August 12, 2015, 2:00 PM EST
Attracting Millennials to Your Bed and Breakfast
The younger generation frequents different online mediums and also looks for different things out of life and travel. Attracting younger people to your bed and breakfast is key to business growth and knowing what attracts them and where to find them is important to long term business stability and sustainability. Learn how to customize your marketing to appeal to the younger generation, where to find them and what drives and motivates them.               

Wednesday, August 19, 2015, 2:00 PM EST (Promo Webinar)
RezStream Cloud, presented by Josh Wise
Thinking of upgrading your reservation software? See why many hoteliers are talking about the RezStream Cloud. No longer do you need to be in the office to see what’s happening at the property, simply login to your account on your laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Learn about the benefits of the property management software and the features that helps you run your business better.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015, 2:00 PM EST
10 tax tips for B&Bs
We will discuss the tax treatment of Bed & Breakfasts and give 10 tax tips every B&B owner should know.  We will discuss entity selection, maximizing deductions, tax minimization strategies, and long-term planning for the B&B owner.

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