Creating a Buzz this Summer

I recently participated in a social media survey created by the Public Relations Department of Syracuse University on how social media is used on a day to day basis. As my Facebook friends will tell you, I have no shame about using my social networking platforms when I’m in the office. Having an outlet for immediate and exciting news has become an integral part of running a business and keeping up with the hospitality industry, as innkeepers around the world will attest to. Social networking savvy has become a highly valuable skill, and one that can be used to the greatest extent for keeping a pulse on the trends of the industry, as well as being priceless when it comes to staying in touch with clients, guests, other inns, and innkeepers.


We have seen social media take off in the past ten years, going from a pass time to a fierce marketing tool, if used correctly. The instant connection and highly relevant audience social media is able to produce is unparalleled in any other platform. The way that businesses are able to see for themselves the services their customers want, and then ultimately deliver, is a highly effective tool to market your B&B to guests that are essentially already looking for your inn. As with every new venture, however, there is a learning curve. Here are some tips and tricks that have been most valuable in incorporating social networking into the way I like to communicate with both B&B innkeepers and guests.

• Have a solid foundation – It is important to have a presence online, and to be familiar with the big players, like Facebook , Twitter , and YouTube. This is where most people will go first to search you out (it is where I go to find B&Bs I want to talk about online!) and there is a wealth of information you can provide via just these three sites. Once you have a solid foundation, find more specialized sites that work with that you want to be doing, like Blogger for posting blogs and updates, or Tumblr for short updates and posting pictures.


• Daily checkups – Using social media platforms daily, or nearly daily, is really the trick to making it work for your business as well as your guests. This does not mean spamming your twitter feed with the same special or event information, but interacting with your users – commenting on pictures, writing on guest’s walls, messaging event attendees, and providing interesting information, from articles and pictures to blogs or places of
local interest


• Set goals – setting an achievable goal in your marketing strategy should definitely spill over into your online universe. This can start small, with getting 200 people to like your Facebook page, or uploading a video onto YouTube. As with other goals, measure your effectiveness and create new ones as your presence online becomes greater.

• Cross promote – The beautiful thing about social media is that people are expecting you to talk about yourself – which is really why it can be used to such an advantage by savvy businesses and marketers. Take advantage of your presence in one arena to promote one in which you may be lacking. If you have been on twitter for a while and have a good number of followers, tell them about your new blog. Tell your Facebook friends about your last minute twitter specials. Talk about your website in a YouTube video. Make sure every branch of your Inn that is online is connected, so people can find, friend, and follow you with ease.

• Pics please – Especially for a hospitality property, the proof is in the pictures. Guests want to see their rooms, the grounds of your property, even their innkeeper’s smiling faces. Take time to keep your photos up to date and upload pictures from recent events or renovations. While professional pictures are a great way to get all the details of a room to your guests, candid shots of the inn can be just as alluring and persuasive to curious guests!


Social networking is not only a valuable tool for innkeepers and guests to connect, but also a way to express your inn’s individuality and uniqueness. Don’t be afraid to work outside the box and create a place that is fun and a reflection of your inn. Whether this means sharing your world famous recipes every once and a while over the Facebook feed, having a special picture spot that gets updated regularly with new guests, or setting up a weekly YouTube vlog from your inn that may feature you and your guests, following your passion of hospitality is the ultimate goal of using social media for innkeepers.


Until I see you on Facebook, best wishes!


Pamela


Romaine Orange Salad from The Irish Inn



Ingredients:


1/4 cup extra virgin oil
1 large onion, peeled and diced
2 tbsp sugar
3 tbsp white vinegar
1 tsp chopped fresh basil
1 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
1/2 cup raw cashews
1 can drained Mandarin orange sections
1 head very fresh romaine lettuce
1/2 small ball fresh mozzarella cheese
1 large tomato, diced


Instructions:
Heat olive oil until hot, but not smoking. Add
onions, and cook until translucent and aromatic.
Add raw cashews and soy sauce, and cook until they
turn light brown. Sprinkle sugar, basil, and
vinegar over mixture in pan, turning quickly.
Remove from heat, and chill for one hour. Mix
with romaine, tomato, and Mozzarella salad
thoroughly. Add Mandarin oranges, and toss once
more lightly before serving.

Notes:
This cool, crisp, and delightful Romaine Orange
Salad is a great addition to any menu. It sets
high expectations for the meal to come if serving
in American sequence.


Hoboken Cheesecake from The Lillagaard Inn Bed & Breakfast

Cook Time: 1 hr 20 min Prep Time: 5 min
Yield: 20 servings

Ingredients:
1 dozen eggs, 1 & 1\2 cups sugar, 3 lbs. ricotta cheese, 2 Tbs. either vanilla, orange, Etc.

Instructions:
Mix eggs, then put in sugar, add flavor, mix with hand wisk, and then fold in ricotta cheese
with hand wisk, spray 9 X 13 pan with Pam. Bake at 350 for 1 1/2 hours or more, until the top is light brown. DO NOT USE HAND MIXER. After it cools put in fridge with clear wrap. It is very rich so you can make small pieces or large ones. You can put fruit on top if you wish and powdered sugar. It is even better after a few days. Enjoy. Yes, you can freeze it. Have Fun.

Guest’s Greatest Pick Winners:
The Pack House Inn – Innkeepers of the Year


Inn Victoria – Best Complimentary Afternoon Snack


Casa Grandview Luxury Inn, Cottages & Suite – Best Pool



“By The Sea” Guests B&B & Suites – Best Seaside Setting


Inn at the Park B&B – Best Beach or Shoreline Nearby


Fairview Inn – Best Business Services

Lime Rock Inn – Best Location for Walking to Shops/Dining


Washington School Inn – Best for Outdoor Sports