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Video is so powerful online. No one will argue with that. Just look
at the success the Web 2.0 sites such as YouTube have had. Of
course, Google is all about video right now. Search results are
showing up on a regular basis that are videos.
We are now doing a weekly video cast in several areas and posting
them on different sharing sites across the net. We are using them
on our newly launched booking portal, BookDaytonaBeach.com.
This is a very effective way to promote hotels by using daytona beach videos. You can see Daytona Beach hotel
specials and news. |
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In today's Wall Street Journal there is a large article called
'The Subprime Summer Vacation'. The article's title
made me say OUCH.
A few of their observances do not reflect what we see with our
hotel clients but many are reflective of what we are seeing.
-The Journal - "Close-to-home destinations like suburban water
parks and regional resort towns say they're bracing for a spike
in business as Americans look for fun things to do that don't
require much travel"
- AI - We see a more ominous trend. Americans maybe going to water
parks but we see a significant trend of day trips and shorter
stays. They maybe going to close to home destinations but they are
holding onto their money when it comes to hotel rooms.
- The Journal - 17% of respondents said they would stay closer to
home. This summer, resorts that are selling well are all
inclusives. The advance booking window has dropped in half.
- AI - We are seeing a significant decrease in how far in advance
people are booking. We saw the same trends after 9/11. We feel it
is an uncertainty that often shortens this window. This coupled
with the fact that people are looking for last minute deals.
What can you as a hotelier do?
Make sure you are in regular contact with you prior guests. Email
newsletters are a great way to announce last minute specials. If
that is what the American public is looking for, make sure those
that have stayed with you previously will come back
Give them a reason to stay longer. Work with local attractions.
Offer an 'Add a Day' special at time of check in. Offer
length of stay discounts.
Most of you are seasoned pros. You know what to do. Now is the time
to implement all the rate strategy that you have come to hate. I
know your competition is.
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When you do a search on Google for your hotels in your geographic
location (ie, hotels Indianapolis Indiana or hotels Miami Beach)
you will probably be shown a map of the area plus a listing of 10
hotels. Each hotel will have a letter beside it that corresponds to
the location of the property on the map.
Do you see your property? Is the information correct? If not it is
time to do some Google housekeeping.
First you will need to be registered with Google. If you are not,
simply go to Google. Up in the right hand side of the screen you
will see either a sign in link if you have previously registered.
If you have not registered, go ahead and do so. In today's
Google dominated world you almost must be registered if you do
business online.
After you register, go back to the map. Find your listing and click
on more information. A bubble of information about your listing
will appear. Don't worry if you see information that is not
correct. You can correct it yourself in the next few steps.
In the bubble you will see one of several options. You can claim
you business, add your business or edit your business. Click on the
link. You will be presented with a fill in the blank series of
questions. You will also be able to upload photos and videos!
When you finally complete all the information, there is a
verification process. They will either call your main phone number
immediately or send you a post card that takes 2 to 3 weeks. If you
do not have an automated answering system on your primary phone
number then I suggest that you use the phone method. If for some
reason you cannot answer the phone request the postcard.
That will get you listed. What's next? Get your guest to leave
reviews just like they do on Trip Advisor. Google will pull reviews
from Trip Advisor and add them to your listings here.
If you do any paid advertising with Google Adwords, you can also
pay for local listings.
Hope this helps.
Michelle Herrin
Alternate Image, Inc.
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