Hey all,
Just got back from an international innkeeping conference.
Met a few folks who were waaaaay more up to speed on the internet than me (not hard, really-- you all know I'm a baby at this).
Thing is, most innkeepers are still learning about social media (that's what I was there to speak on, in part. Specifically, online travel reviews).
But I wound up getting a HUGE introduction to how a few innkeepers are taking this to the next level.
Specifically:
-One inn that has their kitchen cam on all the time. People tune in to see her make breakfast-- and even IM to ask questions ("What ingredient did you just use?"). She has a bluetooth headset so she can answer the questions/narrate the video when necessary.
-Another Inn is owned/operated by a guy whose previous life was working w/web stuff. So he's split testing virtually everything he puts online (something I wanted to do 2 years ago, but could find no inn web designers/hosts that knew how to do this).
Examples:
-He's got separate blogs that links back and forth to his web page. One is dedicated to beer and microbrews, the other is a "local area" blog that highlights stuff to do when you stay at their inn or visit the area.
-He's got videos on his blog, and on his webpage, and plans to have more.
-He interviews local business owners (e.g., chocolate factory tour) and videos them for his blog.
-He split tests placement of things like the "book now" button, and wording ("About us", "info", etc).
-He also split tests photos that he's using on his web page-- say, 3 different main image photos-- to see which has the lowest bounce rate.
-He has his facebook and twitter pages for the Inn linked, so when he posts, both update.
. . . I could go on, but you get the idea.
Thing is, I know so many of you have been working on (and talking about) this kind of stuff since the fastlane went live. And I could see a little bit how these things could be used.
But meeting a couple of Innkeepers who are actually using it-- and seeing how they're doing it-- has really got my head going.
Here is their B&B website.
Here is one of his blogs.
************************
I've got a video crew coming in here in a few weeks to shoot some stuff-- so I'm trying to come up w/a list of topics for the videos.
A few ideas so far:
1. Napa-- My town (1-2 min video on what it's like to visit Napa, from a local's perspective)
2. First time at a B&B? (30-60 sec video on differences between B&Bs and hotels)
3. Old World Inn (overall 30-60 sec video of our Inn)
4. Making breakfast (either shooting a whole breakfast, and editing it down, or just showing an innkeeper doing one of our delicious recipes-- and post it as a printed recipe as well).
5. How to taste wine (without getting snockered!) Using the 6 S's (Swirl, Sniff, Sip, Swish, Spit and Swallow) to taste wine.
6. Favorite gourmet grocery spots.
7, 8. The Silverado Trail and Hwy 29 (2 separate videos, each on our major wine roads)
9. Backroads (wineries off the beaten track)
. . . you can see how the ideas are flowing!
I just wanted to share this all w/you--and to ask, in all humility, for your ideas and guidance as I learn how to integrate and apply these things.
Any feedback is welcomed.
-Russ H.
Just got back from an international innkeeping conference.
Met a few folks who were waaaaay more up to speed on the internet than me (not hard, really-- you all know I'm a baby at this).
Thing is, most innkeepers are still learning about social media (that's what I was there to speak on, in part. Specifically, online travel reviews).
But I wound up getting a HUGE introduction to how a few innkeepers are taking this to the next level.
Specifically:
-One inn that has their kitchen cam on all the time. People tune in to see her make breakfast-- and even IM to ask questions ("What ingredient did you just use?"). She has a bluetooth headset so she can answer the questions/narrate the video when necessary.
-Another Inn is owned/operated by a guy whose previous life was working w/web stuff. So he's split testing virtually everything he puts online (something I wanted to do 2 years ago, but could find no inn web designers/hosts that knew how to do this).
Examples:
-He's got separate blogs that links back and forth to his web page. One is dedicated to beer and microbrews, the other is a "local area" blog that highlights stuff to do when you stay at their inn or visit the area.
-He's got videos on his blog, and on his webpage, and plans to have more.
-He interviews local business owners (e.g., chocolate factory tour) and videos them for his blog.
-He split tests placement of things like the "book now" button, and wording ("About us", "info", etc).
-He also split tests photos that he's using on his web page-- say, 3 different main image photos-- to see which has the lowest bounce rate.
-He has his facebook and twitter pages for the Inn linked, so when he posts, both update.
. . . I could go on, but you get the idea.
Thing is, I know so many of you have been working on (and talking about) this kind of stuff since the fastlane went live. And I could see a little bit how these things could be used.
But meeting a couple of Innkeepers who are actually using it-- and seeing how they're doing it-- has really got my head going.
Here is their B&B website.
Here is one of his blogs.
************************
I've got a video crew coming in here in a few weeks to shoot some stuff-- so I'm trying to come up w/a list of topics for the videos.
A few ideas so far:
1. Napa-- My town (1-2 min video on what it's like to visit Napa, from a local's perspective)
2. First time at a B&B? (30-60 sec video on differences between B&Bs and hotels)
3. Old World Inn (overall 30-60 sec video of our Inn)
4. Making breakfast (either shooting a whole breakfast, and editing it down, or just showing an innkeeper doing one of our delicious recipes-- and post it as a printed recipe as well).
5. How to taste wine (without getting snockered!) Using the 6 S's (Swirl, Sniff, Sip, Swish, Spit and Swallow) to taste wine.
6. Favorite gourmet grocery spots.
7, 8. The Silverado Trail and Hwy 29 (2 separate videos, each on our major wine roads)
9. Backroads (wineries off the beaten track)
. . . you can see how the ideas are flowing!
I just wanted to share this all w/you--and to ask, in all humility, for your ideas and guidance as I learn how to integrate and apply these things.
Any feedback is welcomed.
-Russ H.
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