SCORE Wants Your Bed & Breakfast Business to Succeed, 4 Amazing Innkeeper Ideas for Specials, Do This if Your Inn is Out in the Country

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Fall is the Perfect Time to Find a Mentor – Free

Innkeeper Shares What Free Consulting from SCORE Did for Her Inn
Lynne Griffin of Lancaster, Pa.’s Australian Walkabout Inn found helpful advice from a SCORE mentor that has built her clientele in an extremely competitive area. Here’s what she said, “I think the most significant piece of advice was to do away with all of my discounts, AAA; AARP; military, church workers, etc. And my base prices were some of the highest in the county.”

Price Reduction Brought in More Guests

So, I re-adjusted the prices, actually LOWERING them! I don’t believe that this was advice that I would have ever received from a B&B ‘expert’, but because my mentor was not a B&B consultant, he was able to take a much more objective (outsider) view of my business. This brought in more reservations – reservations from people who, I believe, would have not given my B&B a second look because of the price-point. And, it hasn’t hurt my bottom line at all!” (To see the inn’s old rates – new room rates are $129-$189.)

SCORE Really is Free

Mentors at SCORE can help you with a huge variety of projects/problems/goals. Here’s a recent email from their Orange County chapter: “SCORE’S experienced business mentors have free one hour appointments available for the coming week. There is no catch…this is really free!! Take advantage of this opportunity. Review our complete available mentoring schedule for next week plus each mentor’s expertise and experience. Choose your mentor, time, location and schedule an appointment, all with one click online. If the mentor’s schedule you selected has filled up you will be able to join a wait list.”

Find a Mentor Near You
Here is a state-by-state location page from the SCORE website.

Photos Sell Your Specials – Castle Hill Cooking School Offers The Art of a Signature Turkey DinnerImage 9-20-16 at 5.25 PM

Can’t you feel yourself behind that mixing bowl. So can your guests. Photos help so much to sell your specials and promotions, as Castle Hill’s newsletter reveals. Even TripAdvisor is getting on board with activities, recently bringing them to the forefront, noting that often destination choices are made by what specials or activities are being offered. This Castle Hill class for turkey dinner could make all the difference between someone choosing between a Cape May getaway or a Newport, R.I. trip.

Start a Sunday-Thursday Date Night Romantic Package – Saratoga Arms

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Saratoga Date Night Package

Enjoy the Perfect One Night Getaway – Book a romantic stay Sunday-Thursday at our premier boutique Saratoga Springs, NY hotel and enjoy: One night in your favorite room at our Saratoga Springs hotel, $50 dining card, 2 tickets to a movie at Bow Tie Cinemas, A bottle of sparkling wine & truffles, Breakfast for two in the morning, All-inclusive starting at $299 per couple (price depends on room selection)

Washington House Inn – Third Night Free Romantic Special (Midweek)

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A September To Remember
It’s that time again! The kids are back in school, summer crowds have gone home, and we have a great new special. Now is the perfect time for a romantic getaway to Cedarburg! Plus, don’t forget the 44th Annual Wine & Harvest Festival is coming up! THIRD NIGHT’S ON US!

Sell Your Night Sky if You’re In the Country

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Five Reasons to Stay Out After Dark in Northern Michigan – Venture north and enjoy the magic of a Pure Michigan night sky with a million twinkling reasons to stay up late. Get away from city lights and traffic noises and embrace the sights and sounds of nature. Settle in for the evening with the soothing sounds of the Great Lakes; wish upon a shooting star; or become mesmerized by the cast of a full moon on the water—Northern Michigan after dark.  Read More

Another Take on KidsImage 9-20-16 at 5.32 PM

Here’s a take on couples only, I haven’t seen before. Innkeepers are so incredibly creative with their messages. This particular note seems especially timely with kids back in school, and because September and October are among the most popular for couples getaways.

 

“Refuse to be average. Let your heart soar as high as it will.”
– A. W. Tozer