Interesting Twist

[Breakfast Diva]

Marketing blogger Jim Connolly has done it again. He makes you think in a different way. When I first saw his latest blog titled "Seek Out the Dissatisfied", my first thought was, ugh, I have to delve into the PITAS and see how I can do better with them.
But wait! It's not that at all. I'm not quite sure how to go about doing what he's suggesting, but I think it's a good topic of discussion for us.

 

[Madeleine]

He has an excellent point. Not trying to change the people who didn't like your place to start, but trying to meet the needs of those unsatisfied with what they've experienced elsewhere.
How I would do that? Read the reviews of places nearby and market the heck out of what you're doing right that the other places aren't. Those people are looking for an experience in your area, just not at those places again.

 

[undersea]

I think one way to learn, is to sit down and focus on the really negative reviews on Yel p or TA regarding one's competitors (such as BnBs). I have done that for salons (as we intend to have maybe a 2-seat salon). It is amazing how often the same theme repeats. For salons, you keep seeing how loud/rude/inattentive the receptionist is, or that the stylists didn't seem to know the latest fashions or were pushy about selling products, or that the masseuse would ask about problem areas up front and then not address them or many other things.
Read 200-300 negative BnB reviews on TA or Yel p, and you will learn a ton about things not to do!

 

[happykeeper]

"Seek out the dissatisfied" is something many of us "niche builders" are already hard at work at. We would rarely have the discussion with our perfect guests, but they occasionally include the comparison in their compliments to us or when chatting with other guests.
"We just can't get this at the such and such resort." "We so glad we found a place that blah blah blah."
Does your website serve this purpose? Do your reviewers say the things that will attract them?
If your answer is yes, then you are reaching out to those that have not been satisfied with what others offer and see the chance that you may give them what they want?

 

[JBloggs]

Thank you for sharing, wise words indeed.
When we first moved here and realized the dream was a bust and we would have to seek outside employment to stay afloat, one of the places DH called (without them posting a help wanted ad of sorts) told him they are quite happy with who they have now and no openings, they would keep his CV and let him know if anything changed.
it did.
He went to work for them (after saying anything else he could get to pay the bills interim), good jobs are harder and take longer to get.
When he began to make changes there and is a top hand, they said to him "they never realized how much they were missing with the old employee"
I read Jim's blog the same way as that. People don't know what they are missing, that there is much better out there, unless they don't have it and have to replace it.
So for that I market our porch quite a bit - and it hurts me to say that another long weekend with ne'r a soul sitting on that porch. I want those who stay at B&B's elsewhere - I can count 5 off the top of my head that are within an hour with no porch. Are we full? No, but it is something I think about when I think about what makes us unique and what i feel people would like in a B&B (romantic getaway, anniversary celebration, girlfriend getaway etc)

 

[gillumhouse]

Thank you for sharing, wise words indeed.
When we first moved here and realized the dream was a bust and we would have to seek outside employment to stay afloat, one of the places DH called (without them posting a help wanted ad of sorts) told him they are quite happy with who they have now and no openings, they would keep his CV and let him know if anything changed.
it did.
He went to work for them (after saying anything else he could get to pay the bills interim), good jobs are harder and take longer to get.
When he began to make changes there and is a top hand, they said to him "they never realized how much they were missing with the old employee"
I read Jim's blog the same way as that. People don't know what they are missing, that there is much better out there, unless they don't have it and have to replace it.
So for that I market our porch quite a bit - and it hurts me to say that another long weekend with ne'r a soul sitting on that porch. I want those who stay at B&B's elsewhere - I can count 5 off the top of my head that are within an hour with no porch. Are we full? No, but it is something I think about when I think about what makes us unique and what i feel people would like in a B&B (romantic getaway, anniversary celebration, girlfriend getaway etc).

I know exactly what you mean. As I type, our guests are on the porch (second night here, second night on the glider) with tiki lights lit, and chatting with Himself. I was part of the chat until I came in to e-mail a reporter who wants to get a quote for an article we are going to be featured in. She has been here 3 times now (first was with Mom) and him twice. He was talking about their anniversary being in October for a return for leaves but she pointed out they are going to Canada - a trip that has been discussed for a few years. My bet is they will be back - and they love my porch.