At TrustYou, we talk a lot about the importance of reviews and online reputation management, from understanding the semantics of reviews to our revamped definition of SEO to how your reputation impacts your bottom line, and everything in between. And we know we aren’t the only ones. Almost daily, great new stats are released that affirm our point … ▸ Read more
While I’m on the topic of generational marketing, let’s talk for a minute about Baby Boomers (49-67 years old). While Millenials may outnumber them, Baby Boomers are one big and busy generation. Marketing travel to retirees is a whole different ball game now, because it’s clear Boomers don’t know what old school retirement is. Many … ▸ Read more
Last week, Marriott announced plans to import a European hotel chain aimed specifically at Millenials to the United States. I was actually thinking about Millenials when I was writing about TripAdvisor last week, and Marriott’s announcement just drives home my feelings about the future landscape of hotel social media. Most of the people I know on … ▸ Read more
Yes, you can. That is, yes, you CAN make a difference in your hotel’s TripAdvisor profile. There are plenty of places that will give you a checklist of things to do, so I’m not going to reinvent the wheel… I’m just going to give you my top three suggestions for super easy hotel marketing on … ▸ Read more
Yesterday I was doing some research, and I ran across a fellow travel/social media blogger who argued that TripAdvisor isn’t all that useful. For me, that one’s a head scratcher. He argued that travelers have different measures of what makes a good hotel and that there are false reviews. While it’s true that one traveler’s … ▸ Read more
Today I’m pulling out some hotel social media examples that are relevant to all this talk about improving relationships with guests. Example A: Approachable Management Talk about charming management. The Hotel Monaco Portland posted this image of their GM from Easter. He doesn’t seem stiff at all. In fact, as a prospective guest, he looks … ▸ Read more
I guess I’m feeling all warm and fuzzy lately with all this talk about saying Thank you and being genuine. Seems so basic, doesn’t it? It’s just that reputation management really does start with the way you and your hotel’s staff interact with guests. Before, during, and after their stay. On- and offline. Something I … ▸ Read more
Several years ago when I was doing research for a trip to Tuscany, I was surprised to find that the hotel with an impeccable, full-five-circle rating was a four-room bed and breakfast. Seriously, there wasn’t a single disparaging comment. Sure, the views were amazing and the rooms were spacious and well decorated, but what stood … ▸ Read more
When my son was two, he said thank you a hundred times every day. Seriously. It was among his first—and favorite—phrases. And I loved the enthusiasm with which he said it. As a society we work really hard at teaching our children to be polite—yet somewhere along the way we lose sight of this very … ▸ Read more
I’m a big proponent of prioritizing your hotel’s online marketing efforts. Clearly, a regional manager of multiple two-star hotels has far fewer resources to dedicate to online marketing than a five-star hotel with dedicated marketing staff. That said, there is very little reason for any hotel not to be taking advantage of EVERY opportunity to … ▸ Read more