by Steve Short | Jan 30, 2023 | Frictionless Innkeeper Posts
The independent lodging industry event of the year, the 2023 ALP Conference and Marketplace, will take place from February 25th to March 1st in Phoenix, Arizona!!
This event will bring together hundreds of Innkeepers, Licensed Short Term & Vacation Rental Owners, and Boutique Hotel Operators for days of learning, shopping, and networking with some of the brightest stars in the industry. And we will be there!
The Frictionless Guest App is proud to be a Silver Sponsor for the event, so we encourage you to attend and look forward to seeing our clients and future clients there. Please stop by our booth and say hello!
CLICK HERE to register today and we’ll see you in Phoenix!
by Steve Short | Jan 30, 2023 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
The Association of Lodging Professionals (ALP) has undergone some significant changes recently, including bringing on Sarah Gazi as its new CEO, taking over for the former Interim CEO, E. Scot Fuller-Beatty.
Sarah has been in association management for more than 20 years and she envisions shaping a new direction for ALP through listening to its members and partners. The organization has already been expanding its membership, with a stronger focus around community and collaboration.
We spoke with Sarah, Scot, and Conference & Events Planner Erik Spence about the future of ALP, as well as the upcoming, can’t-miss 2023 ALP Conference & Marketplace in Phoenix, Arizona, February 25th to March 1st.
We are very thankful to Sarah, Scot and Erik for sharing their insights with us. You can learn more about ALP at alplodging.org.
by Steve Short | Jan 18, 2023 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
Unbeknownst to many independent lodging professionals, Google Travel is playing a significant role in impacting booking by diverting potential guests from the Google Search into its online travel marketplace.
Lisa Kolb, Owner and Co-Founder of Acorn Marketing, discusses everything property owners need to be aware of about Google Travel for maximizing their bookings.
Acorn Marketing offers a comprehensive strategy for helping property owners to re-think traditional SEO and create new revenue opportunities with Google Travel.
We are very thankful to Lisa for sharing her insights with us. You can learn more about Acorn Marketing at acorn-is.com.
by Steve Short | Dec 21, 2022 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
Often the most significant business challenges can lead to true transformation. This was the case for Rita Sleys, owner and operator of the Rosemont Inn Bed & Breakfast, who found her business at a crossroads.
In 2019, she sought out help from Randy Bangs, owner of Get Heads in Beds, which led to a renovation of her property, an update to the property’s website — and a complete re-focus on her approach to business. As a result, the property is thriving and has more than doubled its revenue.
We are very thankful to Rita for sharing her insights with us. You can learn more about the Rosemont Inn Bed & Breakfast at rosemontinnbb.com.
by Steve Short | Oct 17, 2022 | Frictionless Innkeeper Posts
The Michigan Bed and Breakfast Association (MBBA) 34th Annual Innkeeping Conference is happening from Tuesday, November 1 through Wednesday, November 2, in Grand Rapids, Michigan and the Frictionless Guest App is looking forward to being there!
Speakers include innkeeping expert Carol Edmondson, who will be talking with new and aspiring innkeepers, and travel blogger Valerie Stimac (our latest podcast interview!), who will share tips to attract and connect with guests of all generations and provide them with the local experiences they crave.
To view the schedule and register to attend the conference go to the MBBA conference page. We hope to see you there!
by Steve Short | Oct 16, 2022 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
Working with a travel influencer may seem like something only larger hotel brands can afford. In reality, independent lodging properties can also leverage travel influencers to increase visibility for their area and bookings for their property.
Valerie Stimac, a travel blogger and founder of Valerie & Valise, works with a variety of clients and offers an incredibly insightful perspective on how lodging professionals might best engage with travel influencers to benefit their property.
We are very thankful to Valerie for sharing her insights with us. You can learn more about Valerie & Valise at velisemag.com.
by Steve Short | Oct 10, 2022 | Frictionless Innkeeper Posts
Partnering with local businesses to enhance your guests’ stay is a must in today’s experience-based economy. Travelers want more than just a place to stay. They want to connect with a destination, and live like a local, through genuinely authentic experiences.
Lodging providers, to gain repeat bookings, need to identify and develop mutually beneficial offerings with local businesses in order to provide guests with high-quality local experiences.
Why it is Important to Have Partnerships
Since it will take an investment of your time to commit to partnerships with your fellow local businesses, it’s important to understand why you need them in the first place.
The ability to differentiate your property is vital in order to attract (and keep) guests.
It’s not enough just to have beautiful amenities and food on site. Complimentary amenities like breakfast and Wi-Fi have become commonplace and expected.
Partnering Enhances your Guests’ Experience
Guests want more these days. They desire high quality, curated experiences both on and off property.
Guests look to their lodging provider for ‘insider information’ about the local community. They want recommendations and tips for what to do, see, and where to eat. They want to know what’s special about your community and experience it in unique ways. They’re counting on you to help curate their experience during their stay.
Your business benefits greatly with increased ROI when you curate and customize off-site experiences for your guests that match the quality of what you provide on-site.
Forming partnerships with local businesses that can provide a unique experience will give your property the edge you need to compete with other lodging providers in your area.
“It is so critical we have relationships with our local business community. It works on two fronts. One, it helps to create a memorable experience for the guest because they are not going to stay in your property the whole time. They want to get out and discover the neighborhood where they are staying and live like a local. Second, it’s good for the local economy as well.”
~Monique Greenwood, Owner of Akwaaba Bed & Breakfast Inns
Partnering Increases your ROI
When you enhance your guest experience off-site you’re increasing the likelihood of repeat bookings.
Simply put, repeat guests are more profitable.
- Increasing customer retention rates by 5% increases profits by more than 25% (Bain & Co)
- It is 6-7X more expensive to attract new customers than to keep existing customers. (Kolsky via Huffpost)
- A 5% increase in customer retention can increase a company’s profitability by 75% (Bain & Co. via Forbes).
“The partnerships we made with local businesses made staying at our inn special. They were my guest enhancement and my sanity. The relationships I made were not only beneficial for the guests, but they also really became relationships that I grew and made my life more fulfilled.”
~Megan Smith, Lodging Consultant and Former Owner of a Vermont Country Inn
Helping you Partner Effectively
The Frictionless Guest App is a digital concierge that helps your guests live like locals. It allows lodging providers to give guests their recommendations for the best local places to eat, play, and shop during their stay.
The App helps you connect with guests like never before, saving you time and allowing you to curate the guest experience both on and off the property.
Go to frictionlessguest.com to book a demo!
by Steve Short | Sep 22, 2022 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
Enhancing direct and online bookings is paramount for any hospitality provider. Success often comes down to taking advantage of modern, digital marketing strategies.
For nearly 14 years, Q4Launch has helped property owners leverage multiple channels for driving additional revenue. Service offerings include marketing strategy development, web design, content development, search engine optimization (SEO), social media, paid ads, email marketing, lead generation, and revenue management.
We are very thankful to Ben Ollic and Kyle Collins for sharing their insights with us. You can learn more about Q4Launch at q4launch.com.
by Steve Short | Aug 15, 2022 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
It is estimated that there are more than 10 million vegans in the United States. For Michele Salisbury, Owner & Chef of Salisbury House at Bethany Beach, this presents an opportunity for differentiation – as her property offers three-course gourmet vegan breakfasts for guests. Michele discusses her new vegan-only bed and breakfast, and how other lodging professionals can accommodate their guests who are vegan.
We are very thankful to Michele for sharing her insights with us. You can learn more about the Salisbury House at Bethany Beach at bethanybeachbb.com.
by Steve Short | Jul 17, 2022 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
In a very unusual twist in the Frictionless Innkeeper podcast series, this special episode flips things around where the spotlight is being shown on Steve Short, Founder and CEO of the Frictionless Guest App.
Samantha Irwin, owner of Kaizen Business Coaching and Consulting, interviews Steve about the Frictionless Guest App origin story, Steve’s love for B&Bs and why the guest experience is always paramount.
We are very thankful to Samantha for hosting this podcast. You can learn more about Kaizen Business Coaching and Consulting at kaizen.zone, and the Frictionless Guest App at frictionlessguest.com.
