A few ideas for those who are just starting up

No matter how excellent your accommodation maybe, if nobody knows about your establishment it will remain empty. Promotion is therefore a crucial element of your marketing plan.

Set up or overhaul your website. The Internet is the best place to tell the world about your accommodation. It will increase your marketing reach even for the smallest bed and breakfast. Revamp flyers and brochures. Good photography and some inviting words are key when making an impact to potential customers. Using a website means you can use unlimited amounts of photographs. Remember visual advertising counts.

Keep in constant touch with your Tourism Information Centre (TIC) ensuring they know when you have available bedrooms. Also consider hosting press familiarisation trips or local paper write up’s. Unique selling point? Is it your breakfast, your location, your prices? Focus on these and make sure the message is out in the open for everyone to take note.

If you consider following the more conventional route of advertising in publications, ring around those who have already used the publication. Did they get any business following the advert, who reads it and how many copies are published? Is there a cheaper publication to use which could result in better returns? These are all important issues to consider before you depart with your cash.

Beware, marketing and advertising can be expensive. Be careful not to get carried away as there a many companies wanting your money. They will promise you this and promise you that at a price – a little bit of research will help you tremendously and could save you money.