Inn Videos

[JBanczak]

Hey guys - back from my mini-vacation and a 7hr delay in LAX! First time I read a book cover-to-cover in basically one sitting. I generally agree with all the comments made. In terms of videos - keeping it short and to the point seems to be the key. Also releasing it wherever you can is critical. We chose to do a deal with Turn Here for a lot of reasons - for starters the price is a fraction of anyone else. On top of that, you own the video so you can do whatever you like with it. Post it on your website, BB.com, Youtube - you name it. Nice, simple, clean arrangement. You can choose to be in it or not. My own personal opinion is that it is nice to have the innkeeper in the video, or at least speaking for a little while (10-20 seconds), but there is nothing wrong with having only the property in the video.
More interesting is the feedback from the customer survey that Jay mentioned. This is the same type of feedback we have heard for years. Only 4% of consumers have tried a B&B? Why? The risk certainly is part of it - that is why we have been so heavily promoting consumer reviews. Consumer reviews take away a big part of the risk. Same goes with photos, and now videos, not to mention professional websites. Another big one is online reservations. It says something about a property if they don't have a system that can take a booking online. Over 25% of the 4000 customers who took our survey said they would not book a room unless it was a real-time confirmed reservation, and another 25% said they likely would not book.
In order of importance, a professional website, good photos, online booking engine, and lots of consumer reviews are critical - and we'll probably be saying that about videos soon enough given the Youtube generation that is emerging. Even just a few months ago the prices we were seeing for professional videos seemed to be in the $2000 range - now that they are $499 it certainly makes it a lot more affordable and at that price it makes a lot of sense.

 

[EmptyNest]

Hi everyone. Allow me to chime in please.
We just did some consumer research with TripAdvisor, and the results show that the NUMBER TWO reason why people DON'T stay at B&Bs is the risk factor - they don't know what they're going to get at whatever B&B they're looking at.
So, how do you minimize the risk factor for a potential guest looking at your web site? Good, quality photos is a must. I agree with Sandy and Swirt. If you have few photos, or worse yet of none of the rooms, you're turning away a lot of people who don't feel comfortable booking a stay with you. But, that doesn't go far enough, if you're interested in being the obvious choice for someone checking out B&Bs in your area. The number two most important thing, in my opinion, these days in minimizing risk is having reviews - and an ample amount. Five or six reviews over a 2 year period won't cut it. Even though they might only read four or five reviews, travelers want to see that you have lots of them. It makes them feel more comfortable that this is a legitimate business that must be pretty darn good if they have all these reviews. Again, the risk factor starts to go away.
Then...after or simultaneous with making sure you've got reviews is adding video. There was a reason there were three video companies on the Innkeeping Show floor in Atlanta, and why BedandBreakfast.com has partnered with a video company...it's what consumers want or at least are showing strong signs that they're wanting more and more. Our own research with Texas Tech in 2008 showed that consumers who visited B&B web sites placed a much higher importance on wanting to see videos than did innkeepers who ran the B&Bs. There is currently a disconnect - consumers want it, but innkeepers think it's not important to have on their web sites.
A video might be a pebble on one person's shoe, but it very well could be the deciding factor for another traveler considering a B&B...especially for the first time!
Jay.

There is currently a disconnect - consumers want it, but innkeepers think it's not important to have on their web sites.
There is a disconnect, but I think it strongly depends on how the survey was done. People will say they want video, but that didn't say that if they find video they are more likely to book nor that if they don't find video that they are less likely to book (in terms of actual behavior, not just what they say).
Many of the videos I run across are either simply Ken Burn's type panning effects with existing photos that are already found elsewhere on the site, or a shaky hand cam on the innkeeper's hand as they pan shakily around their place.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not arguing against video, but you have to also keep it in perspective with other website features. For example, did your research compare preference for video over 360 panoramas or enhanced virtual tours? Did it compare 2 pictures and one video to 12 pictures and no video?
Where I see video as filling a bigger void is in social sharing/viral like YouTube allows. Then your promotional video could find its way onto forums, local travel blogs and other places where it can end up drawing a lot of people in. On the youTube venue people are more forgiving if the video is shaky or less than professional. Some examples:


The example that Gillum House showed for West Virginia would be a lot more powerful if they released it to YouTube and promoted the video rather than just sitting on the ShinnstonWV site. It would carry a little more value than this one...though this one is not without value too, in its own home grown kind of way. (viewed 965 times!)
.

I don't want to see shaky video for inns. The links I was pointing to in innvideo were the HIGH quality ones that should be used or similar. And since they put them on YOU TUBE as well is a good thing as you say.

 

[gillumhouse]

Hi everyone. Allow me to chime in please.
We just did some consumer research with TripAdvisor, and the results show that the NUMBER TWO reason why people DON'T stay at B&Bs is the risk factor - they don't know what they're going to get at whatever B&B they're looking at.
So, how do you minimize the risk factor for a potential guest looking at your web site? Good, quality photos is a must. I agree with Sandy and Swirt. If you have few photos, or worse yet of none of the rooms, you're turning away a lot of people who don't feel comfortable booking a stay with you. But, that doesn't go far enough, if you're interested in being the obvious choice for someone checking out B&Bs in your area. The number two most important thing, in my opinion, these days in minimizing risk is having reviews - and an ample amount. Five or six reviews over a 2 year period won't cut it. Even though they might only read four or five reviews, travelers want to see that you have lots of them. It makes them feel more comfortable that this is a legitimate business that must be pretty darn good if they have all these reviews. Again, the risk factor starts to go away.
Then...after or simultaneous with making sure you've got reviews is adding video. There was a reason there were three video companies on the Innkeeping Show floor in Atlanta, and why BedandBreakfast.com has partnered with a video company...it's what consumers want or at least are showing strong signs that they're wanting more and more. Our own research with Texas Tech in 2008 showed that consumers who visited B&B web sites placed a much higher importance on wanting to see videos than did innkeepers who ran the B&Bs. There is currently a disconnect - consumers want it, but innkeepers think it's not important to have on their web sites.
A video might be a pebble on one person's shoe, but it very well could be the deciding factor for another traveler considering a B&B...especially for the first time!
Jay.

There is currently a disconnect - consumers want it, but innkeepers think it's not important to have on their web sites.
There is a disconnect, but I think it strongly depends on how the survey was done. People will say they want video, but that didn't say that if they find video they are more likely to book nor that if they don't find video that they are less likely to book (in terms of actual behavior, not just what they say).
Many of the videos I run across are either simply Ken Burn's type panning effects with existing photos that are already found elsewhere on the site, or a shaky hand cam on the innkeeper's hand as they pan shakily around their place.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not arguing against video, but you have to also keep it in perspective with other website features. For example, did your research compare preference for video over 360 panoramas or enhanced virtual tours? Did it compare 2 pictures and one video to 12 pictures and no video?
Where I see video as filling a bigger void is in social sharing/viral like YouTube allows. Then your promotional video could find its way onto forums, local travel blogs and other places where it can end up drawing a lot of people in. On the youTube venue people are more forgiving if the video is shaky or less than professional. Some examples:


The example that Gillum House showed for West Virginia would be a lot more powerful if they released it to YouTube and promoted the video rather than just sitting on the ShinnstonWV site. It would carry a little more value than this one...though this one is not without value too, in its own home grown kind of way. (viewed 965 times!)
.

That WV video was in the home territory of both Cat Lady and me.
My question is how do I get my video on YouTube?
signed,
Clueless

 

[gillumhouse]

Hey guys - back from my mini-vacation and a 7hr delay in LAX! First time I read a book cover-to-cover in basically one sitting. I generally agree with all the comments made. In terms of videos - keeping it short and to the point seems to be the key. Also releasing it wherever you can is critical. We chose to do a deal with Turn Here for a lot of reasons - for starters the price is a fraction of anyone else. On top of that, you own the video so you can do whatever you like with it. Post it on your website, BB.com, Youtube - you name it. Nice, simple, clean arrangement. You can choose to be in it or not. My own personal opinion is that it is nice to have the innkeeper in the video, or at least speaking for a little while (10-20 seconds), but there is nothing wrong with having only the property in the video.
More interesting is the feedback from the customer survey that Jay mentioned. This is the same type of feedback we have heard for years. Only 4% of consumers have tried a B&B? Why? The risk certainly is part of it - that is why we have been so heavily promoting consumer reviews. Consumer reviews take away a big part of the risk. Same goes with photos, and now videos, not to mention professional websites. Another big one is online reservations. It says something about a property if they don't have a system that can take a booking online. Over 25% of the 4000 customers who took our survey said they would not book a room unless it was a real-time confirmed reservation, and another 25% said they likely would not book.
In order of importance, a professional website, good photos, online booking engine, and lots of consumer reviews are critical - and we'll probably be saying that about videos soon enough given the Youtube generation that is emerging. Even just a few months ago the prices we were seeing for professional videos seemed to be in the $2000 range - now that they are $499 it certainly makes it a lot more affordable and at that price it makes a lot of sense..

I know my thoughts do not count on this but it does seem weird that people will put down their money at the front desk of whatever hotel whrever without much thought about "what am I getting" BUT want to know everything and anything about a B & B because they do not know what they are going to get! GRrrrrrrr!!!

 

[JBanczak]

Hey guys - back from my mini-vacation and a 7hr delay in LAX! First time I read a book cover-to-cover in basically one sitting. I generally agree with all the comments made. In terms of videos - keeping it short and to the point seems to be the key. Also releasing it wherever you can is critical. We chose to do a deal with Turn Here for a lot of reasons - for starters the price is a fraction of anyone else. On top of that, you own the video so you can do whatever you like with it. Post it on your website, BB.com, Youtube - you name it. Nice, simple, clean arrangement. You can choose to be in it or not. My own personal opinion is that it is nice to have the innkeeper in the video, or at least speaking for a little while (10-20 seconds), but there is nothing wrong with having only the property in the video.
More interesting is the feedback from the customer survey that Jay mentioned. This is the same type of feedback we have heard for years. Only 4% of consumers have tried a B&B? Why? The risk certainly is part of it - that is why we have been so heavily promoting consumer reviews. Consumer reviews take away a big part of the risk. Same goes with photos, and now videos, not to mention professional websites. Another big one is online reservations. It says something about a property if they don't have a system that can take a booking online. Over 25% of the 4000 customers who took our survey said they would not book a room unless it was a real-time confirmed reservation, and another 25% said they likely would not book.
In order of importance, a professional website, good photos, online booking engine, and lots of consumer reviews are critical - and we'll probably be saying that about videos soon enough given the Youtube generation that is emerging. Even just a few months ago the prices we were seeing for professional videos seemed to be in the $2000 range - now that they are $499 it certainly makes it a lot more affordable and at that price it makes a lot of sense..

I know my thoughts do not count on this but it does seem weird that people will put down their money at the front desk of whatever hotel whrever without much thought about "what am I getting" BUT want to know everything and anything about a B & B because they do not know what they are going to get! GRrrrrrrr!!!
.

I know my thoughts do not count on this but it does seem weird that people will put down their money at the front desk of whatever hotel whrever without much thought about "what am I getting" BUT want to know everything and anything about a B & B because they do not know what they are going to get! GRrrrrrrr!!!

I think the hotel brand and price plays a big role though. You know what you are getting, more or less, at a Hyatt, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Comfort Inn, etc. You don't expect much at the low end, you do at the top, etc. The brand often is enough. But hey - Trip Advisor made their name on branded hotel reviews - so reviews matter a LOT for the big guys. B&B's just didn't have many, and often still do not. Plus, B&B's are priced on the upper-end of the range - so folks get the expectations that they cost a lot, and don't have a brand to convey quality.
With today's tools, I think it is easy for an individual B&B to overcome these problems though. With reviews prevalent, inexpensive websites, hosting, videos, software, photos are still a little pricey but worth it - B&B's can compete better than ever. Where we are losing is industry-wide. For every 1 B&B that does a great job, there are 2-3 more that don't have a good website, don't get reviews, have a bad photo - and we as an industry suffer as we all get lumped into the same boat.

 

[EmptyNest]

Hi everyone. Allow me to chime in please.
We just did some consumer research with TripAdvisor, and the results show that the NUMBER TWO reason why people DON'T stay at B&Bs is the risk factor - they don't know what they're going to get at whatever B&B they're looking at.
So, how do you minimize the risk factor for a potential guest looking at your web site? Good, quality photos is a must. I agree with Sandy and Swirt. If you have few photos, or worse yet of none of the rooms, you're turning away a lot of people who don't feel comfortable booking a stay with you. But, that doesn't go far enough, if you're interested in being the obvious choice for someone checking out B&Bs in your area. The number two most important thing, in my opinion, these days in minimizing risk is having reviews - and an ample amount. Five or six reviews over a 2 year period won't cut it. Even though they might only read four or five reviews, travelers want to see that you have lots of them. It makes them feel more comfortable that this is a legitimate business that must be pretty darn good if they have all these reviews. Again, the risk factor starts to go away.
Then...after or simultaneous with making sure you've got reviews is adding video. There was a reason there were three video companies on the Innkeeping Show floor in Atlanta, and why BedandBreakfast.com has partnered with a video company...it's what consumers want or at least are showing strong signs that they're wanting more and more. Our own research with Texas Tech in 2008 showed that consumers who visited B&B web sites placed a much higher importance on wanting to see videos than did innkeepers who ran the B&Bs. There is currently a disconnect - consumers want it, but innkeepers think it's not important to have on their web sites.
A video might be a pebble on one person's shoe, but it very well could be the deciding factor for another traveler considering a B&B...especially for the first time!
Jay.

There is currently a disconnect - consumers want it, but innkeepers think it's not important to have on their web sites.
There is a disconnect, but I think it strongly depends on how the survey was done. People will say they want video, but that didn't say that if they find video they are more likely to book nor that if they don't find video that they are less likely to book (in terms of actual behavior, not just what they say).
Many of the videos I run across are either simply Ken Burn's type panning effects with existing photos that are already found elsewhere on the site, or a shaky hand cam on the innkeeper's hand as they pan shakily around their place.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not arguing against video, but you have to also keep it in perspective with other website features. For example, did your research compare preference for video over 360 panoramas or enhanced virtual tours? Did it compare 2 pictures and one video to 12 pictures and no video?
Where I see video as filling a bigger void is in social sharing/viral like YouTube allows. Then your promotional video could find its way onto forums, local travel blogs and other places where it can end up drawing a lot of people in. On the youTube venue people are more forgiving if the video is shaky or less than professional. Some examples:


The example that Gillum House showed for West Virginia would be a lot more powerful if they released it to YouTube and promoted the video rather than just sitting on the ShinnstonWV site. It would carry a little more value than this one...though this one is not without value too, in its own home grown kind of way. (viewed 965 times!)
.

That WV video was in the home territory of both Cat Lady and me.
My question is how do I get my video on YouTube?
signed,
Clueless
.

JUst log on to YOU TUBE and follow their directions for posting..I think....though you probably have to register first. Have not done any but I am sure Swirt can fill you in.

 

[swirt]

Hi everyone. Allow me to chime in please.
We just did some consumer research with TripAdvisor, and the results show that the NUMBER TWO reason why people DON'T stay at B&Bs is the risk factor - they don't know what they're going to get at whatever B&B they're looking at.
So, how do you minimize the risk factor for a potential guest looking at your web site? Good, quality photos is a must. I agree with Sandy and Swirt. If you have few photos, or worse yet of none of the rooms, you're turning away a lot of people who don't feel comfortable booking a stay with you. But, that doesn't go far enough, if you're interested in being the obvious choice for someone checking out B&Bs in your area. The number two most important thing, in my opinion, these days in minimizing risk is having reviews - and an ample amount. Five or six reviews over a 2 year period won't cut it. Even though they might only read four or five reviews, travelers want to see that you have lots of them. It makes them feel more comfortable that this is a legitimate business that must be pretty darn good if they have all these reviews. Again, the risk factor starts to go away.
Then...after or simultaneous with making sure you've got reviews is adding video. There was a reason there were three video companies on the Innkeeping Show floor in Atlanta, and why BedandBreakfast.com has partnered with a video company...it's what consumers want or at least are showing strong signs that they're wanting more and more. Our own research with Texas Tech in 2008 showed that consumers who visited B&B web sites placed a much higher importance on wanting to see videos than did innkeepers who ran the B&Bs. There is currently a disconnect - consumers want it, but innkeepers think it's not important to have on their web sites.
A video might be a pebble on one person's shoe, but it very well could be the deciding factor for another traveler considering a B&B...especially for the first time!
Jay.

There is currently a disconnect - consumers want it, but innkeepers think it's not important to have on their web sites.
There is a disconnect, but I think it strongly depends on how the survey was done. People will say they want video, but that didn't say that if they find video they are more likely to book nor that if they don't find video that they are less likely to book (in terms of actual behavior, not just what they say).
Many of the videos I run across are either simply Ken Burn's type panning effects with existing photos that are already found elsewhere on the site, or a shaky hand cam on the innkeeper's hand as they pan shakily around their place.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not arguing against video, but you have to also keep it in perspective with other website features. For example, did your research compare preference for video over 360 panoramas or enhanced virtual tours? Did it compare 2 pictures and one video to 12 pictures and no video?
Where I see video as filling a bigger void is in social sharing/viral like YouTube allows. Then your promotional video could find its way onto forums, local travel blogs and other places where it can end up drawing a lot of people in. On the youTube venue people are more forgiving if the video is shaky or less than professional. Some examples:


The example that Gillum House showed for West Virginia would be a lot more powerful if they released it to YouTube and promoted the video rather than just sitting on the ShinnstonWV site. It would carry a little more value than this one...though this one is not without value too, in its own home grown kind of way. (viewed 965 times!)
.

That WV video was in the home territory of both Cat Lady and me.
My question is how do I get my video on YouTube?
signed,
Clueless
.

I guess part of it would have to depend on what your usage rights are. I know you "co-purchased" the video and so you own it in part. Was there any agreement at the time about what you could or could not do with it?
The nuts and bolts of it are that you'd need to create a www.YouTube.com account (free and easy) and then you would need to upload the video (you may need someone to help you with that as there are limits about file types and sizes). Once it is up there, then YouTube provides a link address and an embed code. I used the embed codes for the three videos in the previous post to have them display here instead of having people click on a link to go view them.
Some forums don't allow the embed and some do, so it helps to have just the link as well.
From there you do what you do best, shmooze and convince local people to put the video on their websites or blogs or whatever, link to it in regional forums ...
The nice thing about your video is that it is about the area in general, and only a wee bit about your B&B. This makes it a lot more likely that other people will reference the video. If it was all just a self promotion ad, it is less likely to get used as much virally.

 

[EmptyNest]

Hey guys - back from my mini-vacation and a 7hr delay in LAX! First time I read a book cover-to-cover in basically one sitting. I generally agree with all the comments made. In terms of videos - keeping it short and to the point seems to be the key. Also releasing it wherever you can is critical. We chose to do a deal with Turn Here for a lot of reasons - for starters the price is a fraction of anyone else. On top of that, you own the video so you can do whatever you like with it. Post it on your website, BB.com, Youtube - you name it. Nice, simple, clean arrangement. You can choose to be in it or not. My own personal opinion is that it is nice to have the innkeeper in the video, or at least speaking for a little while (10-20 seconds), but there is nothing wrong with having only the property in the video.
More interesting is the feedback from the customer survey that Jay mentioned. This is the same type of feedback we have heard for years. Only 4% of consumers have tried a B&B? Why? The risk certainly is part of it - that is why we have been so heavily promoting consumer reviews. Consumer reviews take away a big part of the risk. Same goes with photos, and now videos, not to mention professional websites. Another big one is online reservations. It says something about a property if they don't have a system that can take a booking online. Over 25% of the 4000 customers who took our survey said they would not book a room unless it was a real-time confirmed reservation, and another 25% said they likely would not book.
In order of importance, a professional website, good photos, online booking engine, and lots of consumer reviews are critical - and we'll probably be saying that about videos soon enough given the Youtube generation that is emerging. Even just a few months ago the prices we were seeing for professional videos seemed to be in the $2000 range - now that they are $499 it certainly makes it a lot more affordable and at that price it makes a lot of sense..

I know my thoughts do not count on this but it does seem weird that people will put down their money at the front desk of whatever hotel whrever without much thought about "what am I getting" BUT want to know everything and anything about a B & B because they do not know what they are going to get! GRrrrrrrr!!!
.

because people are familiar with the "BRAND NAMES" and have come to expect a certain standard from them for what they pay. They also know they probably have recourse if something is really bad.

 

[swirt]

Another video related suggestion for the bloggers out there: Search YouTube to see what is available for your area. You may find some videos that can be used as topics for blog posts. The content is there to be used and shared.
Example: in our region there is a yearly Blue Grass Festival called "Pickin in the Pasture." If I were going to create a blog post about it, this video would be a nice add-on to embed into the blog post.

 

[swirt]

Well done Gillum House!
Embedded:
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tQGAl9zZls

 

[happykeeper]

Well done Gillum House!
Embedded:
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tQGAl9zZls.

I just love it! We have been planning to do a video and almost went for it in April but had some scheduling bumps, so we put it off. Now we have way more information to work with and a ton of examples of the good, the not tooo bad, and the ugly. Thank you - thank you - thank you!

 

[gillumhouse]

Well done Gillum House!
Embedded:
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tQGAl9zZls.

Thank you, All.
Tee hee - I am fortunate enough to have some friends who are smart. I keep telling you guys, I have discovered I am a collector of people and am blessed with the people I collect!

 

[Penelope]

Well done Gillum House!
Embedded:
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tQGAl9zZls.

That is very cool