Hotel marketing: how do I start?
Hotel marketing. Maybe not something you're interested in or even want to think about. But it is important for your hotel or B&B. And the fundamentals of hotel marketing are actually quite easy… Want to know more?
Hotel marketing is often associated with large hotel chains, billboards along the highways or manipulation strategies (and these do exist!). But, the fundamentals of hotel marketing are easy and it actually starts with someone you know. Or someone you should know…
The fundamentals of hotel marketing start with your typical guest. Based on the guest you typically welcome in your hotel, you can start with hotel marketing. Because hotel marketing actually stands for selling the right room on the right moment and the right place for the right price to the right guest.
Roadmap: How to start with Hotel Marketing
Step 1. The right guest
Wat type of guests are visiting your hotel or B&B? Do you often welcome business guests from New York, parents with two kids or a couple who loves to city trip? Get insight in the type of guest you typically welcome and respond to them accordingly.
A business guest, who's rather interested in the Wi-Fi-connection than the room rate, goes to a conference.
Step 2. The right room
Every hotel or B&B has different room types - a room with a sea view or a room with a shared bathroom. As hotelier, you should match the right room with the right guest.
A purely functional room that is centrally located, with an option to have breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Step 3. The right moment
Timing is everything… When does your guest starts looking for an accommodation? Is this one week or maybe two weeks in advance? By having this information, you can alter the room price to boost revenue.
In two weeks, a conference takes place near your hotel. Normally, people book two weeks in advance: time to adjust the room rate.
Step 4. The right place
Future guests have to find your rooms, so thinking about the perfect place to distribute your hotel rooms seems like a good idea. Normally, it's best to realize a good balance between OTA's and the Booking Engine on your own website, but keep in mind: where does your guest go? Which reservation websites does he or she uses?
When you have the business guest in mind, it's better to distribute your room on Booking.com instead of AirBnB.com.
Step 5. The right price
You've set up a guest profile and a room that fits that profile. You also know when the guest is booking and on what places he's looking for a room. The only thing left to do is: setting the right price. You can do this by integrating a hotel price strategy.
Two weeks before the conference starts, you set the price to €200 for the purely functional room, that you envisioned for your business guest.
Conclusion
Hotel Marketing is easier than you may thought. Start with your guest and try to create the best experience possible. With this, positive reviews will follow and new visitors will follow too.
About RoomRaccoon
RoomRaccoon is an innovative all-in-one Hotel Management System that provides hoteliers with all the tools they need to manage their property at the click of a button. Designed by hoteliers, the cloud-based system comes with a host of exciting native tools that work together seamlessly to unlock new ways to generate revenue, streamline property operations, and enhance the guest experience. And with its extensive marketplace, hotels can easily integrate with their favourite tools and applications. In 2020 and 2021, RoomRaccoon was awarded as the All-in-One Best Hotel Management System in the World at the HotelTechAwards. For more information visit: https://roomraccoon.us/.
