WINNER WINNER!
$25 Monthly Bonus
Winner for May is
.....(drum roll).....
Pelican Path by the Sea
FBBI will credit $25 towards your next quarterly Dues. Congratulations.
As a Member Inn you can simply reply to FBBI letting us know you have read the monthly newsletter. By doing this, we are entering your Inn into a monthly pool where you can win a $25 Credit towards your next dues payment. You can win monthly. A drawing from all Inns who reply that month, will be taken and announced in the next Newsletter. So, stay tuned and good luck to see who our next winner will be.!! Click here to win!
Mention Contest in the subject and enter your Inn Name, contact name, and phone number.
Good Luck!
__________________________
YOU MIGHT BE AN INNKEEPER.....
if
If all your free time falls between noon and three.
________________
Clean'Inn Tip of the Month
Not so much a cleaning tip, but more of an organizing tip. Tidy up a linen closet. Try this method...Slip each set of sheets into one of its pillowcases, and store the sets by size--twin, full, and so on--with colors, trim, or other defining details clearly visible.
___________________
WELCOME NEW MEMBER
Video Profile
Brad Bellingrath
Global Presentations LLC
Suite 101
8130 Baymeadows Way West
Jacksonville, FL 32256
Voice: (904) 730-8111
Fax: (904) 730-8110
Video: (904) 730-0855
_____________________
Recommended standards for the bedroom Florida Bed & Breakfast Inns should follow:
*Lighting on both sides of primary bed at an appropriate height for reading while propped up in bed
*Dresser or other adequate
drawer space
*Window coverings should provide privacy and some light control and should be clean with no excessive fading.
*Bedside table on each side of primary bed except in specific decorative situations and/or adequate shelf space
*Flashlights or emergency lighting provided in each room (in sight, not in a drawer)
Preferred Amenities
*Facial tissue
*Alarm clock
*Lined wastebasket
_______________________
FBBI Website Events
Help us to create a better event calendar for our FBBI website.
We want all our Member Inns to post area events on the FBBI site so that potential guests can search for events in your area.
The more events that are listed on the site, the better the chance potential guests will have to find you. This is a great opportunity for you to reach out to potential guests.
The FBBI Board has talked about adding an "Event Calendar" which will show all dates that events are happening so the potential traveler can easily see the "dates" the events are happening.
We can't do that until our Member Inns utilize our existing "Events" on our Travel Planner section of the website. Most of our member Inns have not taken advantage of this Event listing on our site, so please take a minute and add those events you know are upcoming.
Be proactive and let our guests know what's happening in your area. Simply login to your FBBI website listing and add an event
- you'll see a difference.
Pattie Detwiler, President - FBBI
______________________
New Brochures
are available for our member inns!
To request new brochures to be delivered to your door,
______________________
ADVERTISING Opportunities are AVAILABLE on our Website and our Monthly Newsletter
Click here for more information!
____________________
Gift Certificates
Member Inns receive 100% of value of all Gift Certificates!
Now Redeemable at:
106 S. 4th Avenue
Wauchula, FL 33873
* Gift Certificates must be mailed in 30 days from date of receipt and within 30 days of their expiration date.
New Invoicing
Starting April 1, 2009, all invoices for quartley dues with be sent by email. FBBI is on the fast track to implement "going green", promoting the environment and saving costs. You may pay dues online at www.florida-inns.com or send payment to 106 South 4th Avenue Wauchula, FL 33873. ________________________
Quick Links
Florida Bed & Breakfast Inns
106 South 4th Avenue
Wauchula, Florida 33873
www.florida-inns.com
admin@florida-inns.com
Patricia Detwiler, President
863.767.8989 |
|
THINKING & PLANNING AHEAD
This monthʼs feature article focuses on how to write a marketing plan. With only 6 months until the calendars turn to 2010, it is time to start thinking about new strategies and partnerships to make your Bed & Breakfast business more of a success. Follow our outline and you will have a leg up on your competition.
Use this Summer to concentrate on your strategy for next year. In the Fall you will be busy with holiday weddings, gift shopping for your family and making New Yearʼs resolutions until you realize you have not made any resolutions for your Bed & Breakfast business. Just as we set goals for ourselves (quit smoking, loose 5 pounds, etc), businesses need new goals to reach too (increase monthly revenue by ten percent, start a company blog, etc). A marketing plan will help you reach your business goals, but you will have to start writing it now so it can be implemented on January 1st.
Why do I need a marketing plan?
A marketing plan is your to-do list or action plan for the year. Analyze internal factors such as your companyʼs market share, profit margins, budgets, financial analysis and external factors like demographic changes, emerging technology and cultural trends. Your marketing plan addresses how your business will position itself in the competitive marketplace and the operational methods that will allow it to achieve and maintain that positioning.
How do I write a marketing plan?
Now that you know why you need one, you will need to know what information to include. Here are the standard sections included in a marketing plan:
1.Executive Summary- This is exactly what it sounds like- a short overview of your plan.
2.The Challenge- A detailed description ofyour business goals so you know exactly what you want to achieve.
3. Situation Analysis- A breakdown of your company, customers, and competitors, as well as something called a "SWOT": a list of your companyʼs strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. This helps you set realistic goals and methods to reach them.
4. Market Segmentation- Clearly define whoin the Bed & Breakfast market you are trying to reach. Understanding what each type of customer wants.
5. Selected Marketing Strategy- Devise the right mix of the 4 Pʼs of Product, Price, Place (distribution) and Promotion. See the Chart 1 for the variables
to consider. What is the right combination for your strategy?
SUMMARY OF MARKETING MIX DECISIONS
PRODUCT PRICE PLACE PROMOTIONS
Functionality List Price Channel Members Advertising
Appearance Discounts Channel Motivation
Personal selling
Quality Allowances Market Coverage Pubic
Relations
Packaging Financing Locations
Message
Brand Logistics Media
Budget
6.Short and Long-Term Projections- How will your marketing affect your goals one month after implementation? Six months? One year from now? It is important to build your strategy across set time periods so you know you are on the right track to reach the final goal.
7.Conclusion- Summarize your main points. If you cannot do that in a few sentences refocus your goals.
Writing a marketing plan may sound too time consuming and unnecessary, especially if your Bed & Breakfast business is a one man (or woman) operation, but while it will take a concerted effort to organize the document, itsʼ value will be seen in results throughout the year. A company without a strategy is blindly betting on a game of poker while its competitors can see all the cards. Donʼt gamble your future success by not being ready for 2010.
____________________________________________________________ FBBI Announces...
Our Video Profile program on the FBBI On-Line Directory.
FBBI is pleased to announce the upcoming availability and opportunity to insert Video Profiles on-line in the FBBI Inn Directory. A Video Profile will allow you to reach out to perspective guests, allowing them the opportunity to meet you right at the moment of their interest. Through you're your Video Profile and greeting you will be able to:
Personally connect and share the passion you have for your Inn
Personally take a perspective guest through the unique features and amenities of your property
Allow your guest to instantly ask questions and complete surveys about their interests
Allow your guest to experience other related venues near your Inn
FBBI is excited about this capability! FBBI is introducing our new vendor member Global Presentations who will champion the effort to capture the essence of you and your Inn. Through this program you will be able to communicate.
Through Video - You are the ambassador! Welcome your prospective guest; make them feel comfortable with you and the Inn long before they come for a visit...
Through PowerPoint - Communicate the features and benefits of your property through powerful slides and talking points that reinforce your video message.
You need to do nothing...Global Presentations will reach out to you!
Three packages are available
Global will contact you to field any questions
Global handles all of the production and technical details
If you already have a video, you will be able to link it to your FBBI site. The Video Icon will be available in about two weeks and we will email all of our Member Inns to let you know the date you can start your link to the video you already have.
Your FBBI Board is continually working to help me your Inn more visible to potential guests.
Best wishes for this summer season.
Pattie Detwiler, President
|
|
|
Getting Inside Your Customer's Head
PAII Notes
Byron McCutchen
There are three critical impacts from your guests that are affecting the way you are perceived and found as a place of choice. First is technology and the degree to which consumers are connected through the internet. Second is special values, discounts, comparative prices and bargains for which many consumers are searching. And finally demographics or the nature of the guests your Inn should be targeting
In 1996, 11% of US households had internet access compared to current estimates of greater than 70%. Travelers interviewed indicate they use the internet 59% of the time to select lodging, travel agents 24% after internet browsing and only 8% use travel agents without internet involvement. Primary purpose for using travel agents is time savings. Surveys indicate that nearly 2/3 of all travelers use the internet for at least some part of their travel planning and execution. Nearly 56% say that they book online using only the internet.
The top four traveller uses for internet activity are : 88% - ability to compare and find best pricing; 81% - easy booking capability (no personal contact); 68% - utilize and review photos; and 66% - review destinations and obtain maps. Meta search engines are growing to comparison shop for consumers by sending out spiders to scrape pricing off of all listing for the service requested. Already utilized significantly for airfare where there are an estimated 23,000 changes in fares daily! Getting the best bargain is a highly touted bragging right.
As consumers focus on value and comparative price searches, brand loyalty is declining. When asked about preference for airlines, consumers surveyed indicated a 21% preference for legacy carriers, 26% for low fare, and an overwhelming 53% had no preference. In lodging preferences, 57% thought the brand important in 2006, but only 51% in 2008. Brand clarity is important and consumers are highly suspicious of in-house information on experiences. As a result 20-25% now read blogs and reviews, and nearly 1/3 of nextgen consumers have written reviews.
Mobility and cell phone usage as information centers and resources is growing. Land lines have declined with nearly 17% of households now having no land line connection. This is shifting the gap in timing and flexibility for consumers to locate what they want, compare pricing, read reviews and take specific action in booking travel. It also leads to opportunities in "intercept marketing" where consumers can be reached and marketed to whenever and wherever there cell phones are active. Personalization of services is a leading trend whether in phone rings, internet options, Macroni Grill's make your own pasta menu, or choice of netflix movies mailed to your door.
Multigenerational travel is a significant trend with the percentage of couples bringing children having increased from 25% in 2000 to 38% in 2008. Three generations traveling together has become a way to both vacation and add to grandparent time with the children as well as provide built in baby sitters for the primary couple. More than half of all vacations are now less than four day stays and weekend trips represent nearly 63% of activity in 2008 versus just 46% in 2000. One definition of this trend is "speed vacations" where one can hurry up to relax!
Opportunities abound to help these impatient travelers find what they want, bundle activities and benefits and tailor their stay. Consistently marketing your brand, creating packages that presume discounting or special value and providing many options can all get more attention and business for your Inn. However, never forget that value is king, the average traveler's free cash flow for travel has declined, and 90% of travelers no longer believe they ever need to pay full price.
|
CEDAR HOUSE EGGS BENEDICT
These Eggs are fairly easy you just have to be careful with the temperature of the butter when making the sauce it can turn to water if the butter is too hot or you add too much lemon.
Supplies:
1 12 pocket size muffin tin
1 cookie sheet to keep English muffins with Canadian bacon hot while eggs are cooking
Blender 
Sautee pan for Canadian bacon
14 large eggs
6 English Muffins sliced
12 slices of Canadian bacon
5 sticks of Land O'Lakes salted butter (made into Clarified butter*)
Juice from a 1/2 lemon
*Melt butter at low temperature until fat separates from milk residues. Skim foam to get only drawn butter.
Preheat oven to 350*. Spray muffin tin with butter cooking spray ( I use Crisco spray). Crack an egg into each pocket until all 12 are filled.
Place in oven for 10 minutes.
Lightly toast all your English muffins and place on cookie sheet. Sautee bacon just until warm and place on top of muffins.
Keep warm.
Add 2 eggs (whites and yolks) into blender and add lemon juice. Turn blender on and start pouring clarified butter heated at 160f, (if you do not have a food thermometer put 1 finger in the butter, if you can't keep it in more than 2 or 3 seconds it's too hot. If you can keep it in for more than 6 or 7 seconds it is too cold.) Your sauce should be creamy. Add salt and pepper if needed.
Gently remove egg from muffin tin with a butter knife and place one on each muffin. Place two muffins on individual plates and cover each egg with 1 and 1/2 tbs of Hollandaise sauce. Serve immediately.
Sautéed potatoes are great with eggs benedict too! |
|
|
