Comments on: Referrals from other B&Bs http://www.debfreakbast.com/archives/2005/10/18/referrals-from-other-bbs/ The B&B Industry Blog - Bed and Breakfast Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:49:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: Sharon Cluck http://www.debfreakbast.com/archives/2005/10/18/referrals-from-other-bbs/#comment-341 Wed, 30 Nov 2005 20:41:11 +0000 http://www.debfreakbast.com/archives/2005/10/18/referrals-from-other-bbs/#comment-341 We have been in business 10+ years. We are well established and the oldest B&B in our area. For the first 5 years we were open, I had a hard time helping new B&B's in the area to get up and running in any way. I felt like I paid to go to seminars and my own sweat and toil to get where I had, and that I was not giving away my trade secrets for free. But at the five year mark things really turned around for us. We developed a new attitude. We needed a place to refer our guest. We realized we could not take care of everyone. We have since assisted four new B&Bs in our area in any way we could. We have given insight on decorating, design ideas, where to place bath rooms, where to buy matresses, where to advertise and we have referred guest to them as well. We have come to realize that if we keep treating our guest like royalty, that there is enough business to go around for all of us, and that it keeps tax dollars in our area. Some of these B&B have become very competitive with one another, and we have made a genuine effort to keep neutral when ever possible. We have really enjoyed being able to have friends in the business near by. We have not suffered in any way by being willing to help the competition. We also have motels in the area and when someone is looking for a family place to go I refer there as well. We have been in business 10+ years. We are well established and the oldest B&B in our area. For the first 5 years we were open, I had a hard time helping new B&B’s in the area to get up and running in any way. I felt like I paid to go to seminars and my own sweat and toil to get where I had, and that I was not giving away my trade secrets for free. But at the five year mark things really turned around for us. We developed a new attitude. We needed a place to refer our guest. We realized we could not take care of everyone. We have since assisted four new B&Bs in our area in any way we could. We have given insight on decorating, design ideas, where to place bath rooms, where to buy matresses, where to advertise and we have referred guest to them as well. We have come to realize that if we keep treating our guest like royalty, that there is enough business to go around for all of us, and that it keeps tax dollars in our area. Some of these B&B have become very competitive with one another, and we have made a genuine effort to keep neutral when ever possible. We have really enjoyed being able to have friends in the business near by. We have not suffered in any way by being willing to help the competition. We also have motels in the area and when someone is looking for a family place to go I refer there as well.

]]> by: Peggy Moffat Ambleside Inn Bed & Breakfast, London, Ontario http://www.debfreakbast.com/archives/2005/10/18/referrals-from-other-bbs/#comment-335 Wed, 23 Nov 2005 17:36:32 +0000 http://www.debfreakbast.com/archives/2005/10/18/referrals-from-other-bbs/#comment-335 In December 2003 I set up the Bed & Breakfast Network of London (www.londonbbnetwork.com). The Network is an advertising co-operative made up of 10 very nice B & Bs. We share the cost of all advertising, have our own website and make a committment to refer our overflow out to 2 other properties within the Network. When we started, we visited each others properties so that we would know what each other had to offer. Each Wednesday, we send an e-mail to the members of our group advising them of who has rooms available for the weekend. Our Network members have been taking turns taking on this task for a three month period. So far, the system is working well. Twice a year, one of our members volunteers to host a social get together. At that time, we talk about new advertising initiatives. Setting up such a Network among your competitors takes a certain amount of trust, but the payback is well worth the effort. In December 2003 I set up the Bed & Breakfast Network of London (www.londonbbnetwork.com). The Network is an advertising co-operative made up of 10 very nice B & Bs. We share the cost of all advertising, have our own website and make a committment to refer our overflow out to 2 other properties within the Network. When we started, we visited each others properties so that we would know what each other had to offer.

Each Wednesday, we send an e-mail to the members of our group advising them of who has rooms available for the weekend. Our Network members have been taking turns taking on this task for a three month period. So far, the system is working well.

Twice a year, one of our members volunteers to host a social get together. At that time, we talk about new advertising initiatives.

Setting up such a Network among your competitors takes a certain amount of trust, but the payback is well worth the effort.

]]> by: norfolkguesthouse http://www.debfreakbast.com/archives/2005/10/18/referrals-from-other-bbs/#comment-334 Tue, 22 Nov 2005 23:20:18 +0000 http://www.debfreakbast.com/archives/2005/10/18/referrals-from-other-bbs/#comment-334 We have an association in Guelph that all of our members have joined a site called www.hostoncall.net. We can post our rooms that are vacant or not. The customer can veiw what we have to offer and make their own choice of where to stay and in what room. When we are full we always refer th ecustomer to this site so that we are impartial to who gets the business. We have an association in Guelph that all of our members have joined a site called www.hostoncall.net. We can post our rooms that are vacant or not. The customer can veiw what we have to offer and make their own choice of where to stay and in what room. When we are full we always refer th ecustomer to this site so that we are impartial to who gets the business.

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