IAA Bed & Breakfast Association

Growing Your Business Using Our Community Digital Marketing Strategy

The IAA Bed & Breakfast Association helps new customers find your business.  You can START TODAY FOR FREE by either claiming your business listing on our site or you can create your new business listing.

What is the IAA Bed & Breakfast Association? 

 

The IAA Bed & Breakfast Association is a key component of the International Association Alliance’s (IAA) community of associations, organizations, businesses and individuals that provides your business with access to new customers who are looking for your business and the products or services that you provide.

 

Business association memberships help you build your brand awareness, while increasing your brand’s credibility.  This helps you to “close the deal” with new customers.

 

The IAA Bed & Breakfast Association helps establish the bed and breakfast community business standards that help attract independent businesses to become members.  These independent businesses understand the value of being part of an industry group that provides credibility and helps them build their brand. 

 

See how easy and inexpensive it is for your business to use the power of multiple association memberships to build your business.  Instead of spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year, your IAA membership allows you to join the associations whose membership will benefit your business, all for one low membership investment.

Why IAA membership is an investment in your business!

 

 

 

IAA membership is a small investment with big rewards and includes membership in our growing number of business associations which include:

 IAA Bar, Pub & Tavern Association

 IAA Bed & Breakfast Association

 IAA Better Business Alliance

 IAA Boutique, Shop & Store Association

 IAA Brewery, Cidery & Distillery Association

 IAA Café, Diner & Restaurant Association

 IAA Farm & Ranch Stay Association

 IAA Global Green Alliance

 IAA Green Business Alliance

 IAA Guide, Outfitter & Tour Association

 IAA Limousine & Coach Association

 IAA Mall, Market & Outlet Association

 IAA Spa & Wellness Association

 IAA Vineyard & Winery Association

 IAA Wedding Association

 

 

Instead of spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year, your IAA membership allows you to join the associations whose membership will benefit your business, all for one low membership investment.

 

Do you care about people and the environment? 

 

What kind of business do you think your customers want to do business with?  Customers today are looking for businesses that help people and protect the environment.  To address this need, your membership also includes membership in Accessibility International and Sustainability International.

Why IAA membership is important for your business.

 

When it comes to your business, everything you do on the Internet is done to get your business noticed.  You hope that your website, and social media accounts will attract attention and help someone to become your customer.

 

The Internet is a great place to market your business, but the competition is fierce.  Do you get frustrated knowing that your small business has to compete for customers with huge global companies? 

 

Because you are working with limited resources, you have to provide even more paths for your business to be discovered by new customers.  And when they find you, you have to quickly give them good reasons why they should entrust you with their business. 

 

Please, if you want more new customers to find your business, learn how the International Association Alliance can help your business connect with those customers.  You have to be creative with your marketing, giving potential customers unique ways to find your business.

 

When a potential new customer searches for your business, they use a search engine, either Google, Bing, Yahoo, or one of the others.   Google is the most prominent search and two of Google’s top-ranking factors for any website are BACKLINKS, and CONTENT.  

 

Your Social Media accounts are a great example of how you are building your content and building backlinks to your business content.  You can easily multiply this effect by engaging on IAA’s industry Social Media Groups that will enhance your brand’s web exposure.

CATEGORIES

Get Social to Increase Your Bed & Breakfast Room Occupancy *

Social media is here to stay, and used correctly, it may even increase room occupancy at your bed & breakfast!   How will potential guests decide to book one of your rooms.  It's likely that they are checking out your social media in addition to review sites...

20+ Ways Social Media Benefits Your Business P

How Can Social Media Benefit Your Business?   It’s hard to believe that today more than 3 billion people use social networks around the globe.  Many companies are using social to engage people with their brands.  Sherpa Marketing discovered that more people...

Trail Hikes around Waynesville

As an innkeeper, I get asked a lot about local attractions and activities, and one of the most common of those is where the best hiking trails are located. Because I am still new to the area, I didn't really have much knowledge about the local trail systems, so I...

Can Influencers Help You Crush Your Competition? *

Stay Competitive in the Growing World of Influencer Marketing   It seems as if Influencer Marketing is everywhere.  Just this week, I read and commented on two pieces about Influencer Marketing.  One of these from Jeff Epstein was called “How to Stay Competitive...

You Need to Know the 3 Words Your Customer Experience Needs P

Your Customer Experience has to Engage, Inform and Enlighten   It doesn’t really matter what industry your business is in.  Your customer experience has to grab attention.  Your business has to operate almost as if it’s an entertainment brand.  After all, your...

Recipe from The Yellow House: Cinnamon Roasted Pears

Many of us are staying at home right now, which means we are cooking more at home than we used to. If you are like me, you may be looking to try something new. You have also probably found yourself with a little extra anxiety about making a run to the store when you...

An Expert Guide to the Best Restaurants in St. Augustine, FL *

Of all the things to do during your visit to St. Augustine, enjoying a delicious meal is a must! There's no better way to get to know the city than to try the food that defines this region. From seafood restaurants dotted throughout historic downtown to upscale dining...

5 Waterfalls to Visit in Western North Carolina *

Western North Carolina boasts some of the most spectacular waterfalls in the United States. Many of the very best are just a short drive from our luxury bed and breakfast in Waynesville! Visitors can fill a whole day exploring all the beautiful falls in the area. Here...

Fall foliage drives in Vermont *

Vermont might be the most legendary of the three northern New England states, as people from around the world pore over pictures of blazing red, orange and gold foliage.  Your drive along Vermont’s river valleys and up the coast or Lake Champlain should include a...

How to Make the Most of Your East Coast Road Trip *

Where will you stop on your East Coast road trip? There are plenty of exceptional pit stops along the Atlantic Coast en route to Fernandina Beach, Florida. A few of our favorites include Charleston, Savannah, and St. Augustine! The 229 miles between Charleston and...

How Innovation Can Clean Up Our Environmental Mess P

Can Innovation Solve Our Environmental Problems?   Innovation is an abused business buzzword that is often applied to the topic of sustainability.  Online literature is full of articles and reports on sustainability and innovation, sometimes converged into...

Southwest Souffle

For about ten years, we had the pleasure of hosting a shy teenage boy and his mother during the week-long Hampton Classic Equestrian Show where Zach competed as a show jumper. One of the mornings during his second year with us, I made this breakfast for them. Zach...

Most Romantic Picnic Spots Around Hendersonville

As winter has faded away, welcoming in its place warmer weather, it’s the perfect time to picnic. Picnics blend three of the best things in life – good food, being outdoors, and your sweetheart. We’ve compiled a list of our top favorite romantic picnic spots around...

You Can Create Images People Love to Share *

What is visual content marketing?   Visual content marketing uses images, rather than words, to communicate a message about your business, product or service. Visuals are a snackable way to express ideas. Visuals are a growing part of social media and...

Romantic Wedding Getaway on the Beach P

To love someone and to have those feelings reciprocated is a thing of joy. When you’ve decided to make the commitment to marriage, you want your wedding and honeymoon to be as special as those feelings. There’s no better way to create unforgettable memories than a...

3 of the Most Fun Ways to Explore Amherst State Park

Get outside and explore nature this season! If you're looking for the perfect place to enjoy the great outdoors in Western NY, try Amherst State Park. Measuring 80 acres, it's a hidden gem offering fantastic trails and landscapes. Here, you can avoid the crowds that...

How Social Media Branding Grow’s Your Community P

Social Media Builds Your Brand Develop a Social Community Mindset   To build a successful Social Media Community, you have to think like a community builder.  Throw out your old marketing ideas when it comes to Social Media Marketing.  You have to develop the...

7 tips for creating pin-worthy Pinterest images P

If your business or blog isn’t using Pinterest, you could be missing out on hundreds, if not hundreds of thousands of potential page views for your website. Pinterest has been and continues to be a huge driver of traffic. And what’s the No. 1 way to drive traffic via...

5 Locally-Owned Restaurants to Explore in Asheville NC *

Hungry? You won't be for long; downtown Asheville and the surrounding area has a very vibrant and thriving restaurant scene. A wide variety of tastes await, from good ol' Southern barbecue to award-winning fine dining. Due to our region's extremely productive soil,...

Where Is the Best Lodging Near Fort Clinch State Park?

What brings you to Amelia Island? Natural beauty is the No. 1 reason visitors come to our area each year. Amelia Island is home to hundreds of acres of hiking trails, bike paths, fishing holes, and more across nearby state parks. Fort Clinch State Park is one of our...

This Is the Best Walking Tour in St. Augustine, FL *

The nation’s oldest city, St. Augustine, is a beloved area by both locals and visitors alike. Tourists travel from near and far to explore this unique city. There are many different ways to learn about the rich history of the Old City, and a walking tour is a favorite...

Not Just the Law Web Accessibility is Good for Business

What Defines Web Accessibility?   Web accessibility is ensuring there are no barriers that prevent interaction with, or access to, websites on the Internet by anyone with disabilities.  Correctly designed websites, using Universal Design principles, that are...

Christmas at The Yellow House

This year at The Yellow House, we wanted to do something special for the guests who were spending Christmas with us. We weren't sure what to do, so one of our colleagues challenged us with a question: if we imagined our guests waking up at the inn on Christmas...

Does Your Digital Marketing Target the Wrong Audience? P

Do you know who your target audience is?   With a world full of customers, the first thing you need to do is to determine the target audience for your business.  When you market your business, the biggest mistake you could make is thinking that your product is...

Why Your Content Marketing Needs to be Snackable P

Make Your Content More Snackable   We’re no longer the family of the 1950’s and 1960’s all gathered around a single TV set for our news and entertainment.  Those days are long gone, and our new reality is so much different. Today everyones’s attention is divided....

Web Accessibility is Good for Business and it’s the Law P

What Defines Web Accessibility?   Web accessibility is ensuring there are no barriers that prevent interaction with, or access to, websites on the Internet by anyone with disabilities.  Correctly designed websites, using Universal Design principles, that are...

Complete guide to B & B website design *

Bed and breakfast websites For bed and breakfasts and other small accommodation providers, it’s vital that the impact and importance of their website is not underestimated. For most of your guests, their first impression of your brand began long before they arrived...

How showcasing your business will help you exceed your goals

The post Unleashed Productions: Showcasing businesses & exceeding goals appeared first on GoDaddy Blog.   Foster Coburn is the mind behind Unleashed Productions, Inc., specializing in web design and graphics solutions. You can find Unleashed Productions on...

3 Essential Steps to Attracting Chinese Millennials to Your Small Hotel *

Chinese travelers are the travel market’s most-wanted segment, all because they are the world’s biggest spenders. Back in 2013, China generated 1.8 million arrivals in the US – and with a forecasted 4.9 million Chinese visitors for 2015, China is definitely a market...

What are the Pros and Cons of Staying at a Bed and Breakfast?

With the growth of digital marketing, there are now more options for travel accommodations than ever before. Whole genres of travel lodging have arisen thanks to the quick, efficient, and secure marketing and procurement available online. However, one of the most...

Boston Closes Museums, Gyms As Coronavirus Cases Rise Again

The city of Boston will take a step back in its reopening plans starting Wednesday, as coronavirus cases continue to rise. Mayor Marty Walsh announced Monday that Boston will move to a "modified" phase two, step two of its economic reopening plan — and that mayors in...

Use Social Media to Promote Your Blog Content *

How You Can Use Social Media to Promote Your Blog   As Social Media has permeated our lives, it’s growth has fueled it’s use to promote content on the web.  Social Media sites can be divided into two types: Social Networking Sites– where connecting with others is...

You Need to Interact With Your Guests on Social Media P

Exactly the same as communicating in person, via email, or over the phone, social media should be seen as a space for practicing proper customer service techniques. One third of customers say they prefer social media to traditional channels like phone and email. These...

Start Your New Digital Marketing Strategy Today *

Your Digital Marketing Future Begins NOW!   Being a business owner isn’t easy, so much to do and so little time.  Even on your best, most productive days your attention is drawn in many directions and it can be difficult but you need to focus on the future when...

Stop Selling, Social Media Works by Engaging Your Visitors P

Start Engaging Others With Your Social Media   Do you use social media marketing to grow your business?  Are you wondering how to get others to engage with your social media?  Would you like to have others say great things about your brand or product on your...

Create a consistent social media strategy for your B and B P

Your social profiles for your B&B need to be run much differently to your personal accounts. While you may decide in the moment what photo to share on Facebook and what Instagram filter to use for your personal feeds, you need to develop a consistent social media...

What Makes a Product Sustainable and Why We Should Care? *

What is Sustainability, and Why is it Important?   We talk a lot about the importance of sustainability and making sure the products we purchase are sustainable. But what is it, exactly, that makes a product sustainable? As you might suspect, “sustainable” can...

Facebook is Perfect for Promoting Your Blog Content *

Facebook – The Most Popular Social Network   Facebook is the premiere global social network and ranks number one  among the most popular social networks worldwide.  With 2.3 billion users worldwide, Facebook logs over 7.2 billion page visits every day.  This...

Unique Selling Proposition’s Develop Personal Relationships P

5 Unique Selling Propositions   Learning is often best done by example.  Below I’ve highlighted a small selection of brands that use their unique selling proposition to stand out and succeed in some tough marketplaces.   Read on to learn how ThinkGeek, Saddleback...

Social Listening Energizes Your Digital Marketing Strategy P

Can Social Listening Improve Your Marketing?   It’s not easy to build an effective Digital Marketing Strategy.  All the content bombarding your audience every day makes it difficult to garner the attention you need.  The question is, what can you do to stand out?...

Your Brand’s Authenticity Must be Unscripted and Genuine *

You Can’t Script Authenticity in Your UX   Your Authenticity is Customer Focused   It’s easy to know when you are dealing with a customer service representative who is less than sincere.  They lack authenticity which goes hand in hand with their insincerity....

Voice recognition is changing the bed and breakfast industry *

The 21st century has been defined by technology that is constantly revolutionising the way we live our daily lives, including how we run our businesses. From mobile technology to artificial intelligence and more, it seems there’s always some new type of B&B...

How to Turn Customer Anticipation into Customer Acquisition P

How to Easily Create Amazing Content for Audience Engagement   Creating consistently great content is every writer’s biggest challenge.  It takes a lot of time and effort to develop content that informs and engages your audience.  That makes keeping your...

Get outdoors: LOT’s of public activities in safe venues

Do you suspect the Covid quarantine has driven live performance off the New England stage? Not so! Many places are presenting outdoor music and other entertainments in socially distance settings, with safeguard such as online ticket purchases and limited or timed...

12 Perfect New England Gifts for the Homesick Yankee

Know someone who’s missing home? From classic foods to “made in New England” essentials, this collection of New England gifts will ease the pain. Here at Yankee and NewEngland.com, we often hear from homesick New Englanders. Sometimes they’ve been living in another...

First Timer’s Guide to Great Smoky Mountains National Park *

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a key attraction in Western North Carolina. The Park has over 522,000 acres of mountains, waterfalls, streams, caves, trails, campsites, and wildlife. Because the park is so large and there is so much to do, first time visitors...

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Asheville Anytime! P

Greetings from Wildberry Lodge in Asheville NC, where Yellowstone meets the Smokies. People often ask us "when is the best time to visit Asheville?" The answer may (or may not) surprise you: any time of year is a great time to make a trek to Western North Carolina....

Your Guide to Historic Downtown Fernandina Beach

Historic downtown Fernandina Beach is known as Amelia Island’s most charming corner, decorated with ornate homes from the Gilded Age and more quaint boutiques and shops than anyone can count. This is one piece of the island that you won’t want to miss. Here are our...

Networking is a Great Way to Promote Your Amazing Blog *

Let’s Turn Our Attention to Networking for Blog Promotion   What is Networking?  A quick online search found the following definition which I feel is pretty appropriate.  Networking is “the action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and...

How A Great Customer Experience Energizes Customer Validation P

Your Great Customer Experience Creates Customer Validation!     Your Customer Experience is a Philosophy!   Many people think of customer service as a department.  I believe that customer service is part of a companies philosophy, not a company...

Has your B&B responded to Google’s mobile-first approach P

The time has come once again — Google has changed its algorithm. As the most powerful and widely-used search engine in the world, it’s not surprising that businesses across all industries scramble when they hear this news. They need to make sure that their websites...

How to Write Your Web Content Clearly and Simply P

Is it Possible to Write “Clearly and Simply”?   The task of writing clearly and simply has never been either clear or simple.  In fact, it can be one of the most difficult of all writing tasks.  Clear and simple writing is an art to which many aspire and few...

New Social Media Marketing Trends For Your Bed & Breakfast *

Social media networks such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, quickly became the most innovative and engaging platforms on the web.  Seemingly in moments, these sites became an integral part of our daily lives.  Travelers today use social media to discover new...

How great photos can win more bookings on your website

We all understand how important images are when choosing a place to stay when going on a trip or holiday. But have you got it right on your own website?  Do you know what it takes to use an image that will make the difference between a traveller booking your...

How to Make Your Bed & Breakfast’s Online Reviews Better *

Businesses Know They Need Online Reviews   Most small bed and breakfasts accept the need for online reviews. Small businesses rely on reviews more than the larger chains do, because without them, it will be almost impossible to get many travelers to stay with...

How to Develop Your Successful Digital Marketing Strategy

What’s Your Digital Marketing Strategy?   Don’t be Afraid, Digital Marketing Doesn’t Bite!  I Promise.   Digital Marketing Strategy, three words that strike fear into a lot of small business owners.  It may be difficult, deciding what needs to be done to...

Top Babymoon Ideas in Western North Carolina P

One of the recent trends we have seen here at The Yellow House has been a significant increase in the number of couples enjoying a babymoon. For those unfamiliar with the term, a babymoon is a special time for a couple to enjoy some dedicated time together before to...

Your Social Media Posts Aren’t Word of Mouth Marketing *

Social Media Dominates Today's Conversations   Whether on social media or through word of mouth, next week’s sales are driven by this week’s conversations about your brand.  The best way to grow your business is to help your customers do it for you.   Social...

Online Booking Sites are Important to Your Marketing Strategy *

At the IAA Bed & Breakfast Association we believe it is important to include online channels in your online marketing plan, if you want to generate the highest possible revenues and increase your occupancy rates. 4 reasons why you should maximise the use of Online...

How to Market Your Bed & Breakfast to Millennials *

Born in the 1980s and 1990s, millennials are changing the way that businesses operate.  A valuable market segment, millennial travelers are young and vibrant placing a higher value on experiences rather than material things. Traveling the world in increasing numbers,...

Mayflower II Added to National Register of Historic Places

Plymouth, Massachusetts (October 30, 2020) – Plimoth Patuxet Museums (formerly Plimoth Plantation) is proud to announce that Mayflower II, its historic tall ship, has been named to the National Register of Historic Places, the official list of the Nation’s historic...

How Your Bed & Breakfast Can Win Back Abandoned Reservations *

  Would you know if someone’s visited your bed & breakfast website? What if they visited and then left without making a booking.  That’s not a good scenario for you.  Don't you wish you had a second chance with them? You may wonder if there anything that you...

Holiday Breakfast for a Crowd: Savoury

The kids (and maybe their kids) are coming home for the holidays. It’s sure to be a nonstop whirlwind of activity. And oh yes, we’re now very adept at ordering takeout for dinner to make things easier, especially when there’s a crowd. But what about breakfast? Here at...

5 Best Public Golf Courses Near Asheville NC P

Does your diet consist of a "lot of greens?" Are your favorite sayings "Tee it high and let it fly" or "Mistakes are proof that I'm trying?" Hmmm, sounds like you might be... a golfer! Well, if you're a golf fanatic then you must also know that North Carolina is one...

Hidden Attractions in St. Augustine That You Must Visit

Some will say that St. Augustine is an attraction in and of itself. Just roaming the cobblestone streets of this charming north Florida coastal town is a wonderful travel experience. However, if you're really interested in digging into this town's history, culture,...

Why persistence is key when it comes to B&B marketing *

In all likelihood, a potential guest is not going to book a stay at your property after stumbling upon your B&B website for the first time. Most travellers are going to do significant research online before they ultimately decide on where they want to stay, so you...

Enjoy A Day at the Fountain of Youth in St. Augustine, FL

You may already know that St. Augustine, FL, is known as the Nation’s Oldest City, but do you know the story behind the name? If you don’t, then you must visit the legendary Fountain of Youth in St. Augustine. This historic site holds the stories of our country’s...

See the Best of WNY on These Scenic Drives From Buffalo *

There's so much to enjoy in Buffalo, but don't forget to head outside the city limits and explore the surrounding area, too! There are several scenic drives from Buffalo to choose from, allowing you to enjoy the natural beauty and small-town charm of Western NY. The...

How Much Will Your Customers Tolerate Before Leaving? *

How Calluses Prevent Blisters   I played golf with a friend last week. At the end of our round, he had blisters on his hands. He didn’t play very often, even through his gloves his golf clubs rubbed his skin raw. My hands were just fine. Fortunate I get to play...

The Ultimate Durango Checklist

When guests arrive at Blue Lake Ranch, one of the first questions they usually ask is, "What are the best things to do while visiting Durango, Colorado?" While our answer varies a bit depending on the season, this checklist we've complied can be used Spring through...

How Can Social Listening Energize Your Digital Marketing?

Can Social Listening Improve Your Marketing?   It’s not easy to build an effective Digital Marketing Strategy.  All the content bombarding your audience every day makes it difficult to garner the attention you need.  The question is, what can you do to stand out?...

7 Interesting Facts About Western NC Christmas Trees *

This year has been a very unusual year (and that's an understatement), full of interesting oddities, new habits and obsessions, both in life and work. One surprising development in 2021 is the rapid growth of holiday home decorating, including an increased demand for...

Embrace Your Community Growth Using Social Media Branding

Social Media Builds Your Brand Develop a Social Community Mindset   To build a successful Social Media Community, you have to think like a community builder.  Throw out your old marketing ideas when it comes to Social Media Marketing.  You have to develop the...

Why You Must Have a Published Accessibility Policy

Do You Know What Step 1 of Your ADA Litigation Defense Is?   How to Create and Publish Your Website Accessibility Statement   Another useful idea for websites is to prominently publish your web accessibility statement on your website.  The BS 8878 Web...

Engage Your Visitors With Great Blog Content *

Select a Blog Topic That Will Interest Your Readers   My first step in writing a blog post is pretty logical.  I select a topic which I feel will engage and inform my readers.  I presently write three blogs to cover my areas of interest.  The Better Business...

Why B&Bs Should Feel Optimistic About Chinese Travelers *

The hospitality industry has been aware of the power of the Chinese market for some time now. Data from Euromonitor International shows since 2012 China, has had the highest outbound travel expenditure in the world and will continue to see the largest growth between...

Valentine’s Day and Long Island Winterfest

With our house manager Deb McKay at the helm, A Butler's Manor is open this winter and we're pleased that guests have been enjoying the quiet beauty of the winter season with us. If you didn't realize that you could get away to A Butler's Manor in the offseason, I...

Join the Manor’s Sleep Around Club

It started out as a joke when a room wasn’t available for the entire span of time that a guest wanted to book, necessitating a change of rooms during their visit. “You’re joining the Sleep Around Club,” we’d tell them. “The elite club of people who have slept in every...

3 Steps to Enhance Your Online Search Visibility

A business mentioned they were on the front page of Google recently without the use of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) or Search Engine Marketing.  How did they their boost their website’s Google ranking? They achieved this solely through ‘local online visibility’...

Winter Activities in Hendersonville

While many people think of visiting the mountains in the summertime, the winter is actually a wonderful time to visit Hendersonville and the surrounding area! Take advantage of all that the Blue Ridge Mountains have to offer without the crowds that the warmer months...

What to Look for in Your Beach Vacation Resort *

Just down the coast from Jacksonville, St. Augustine is a town rich in history set along beautiful sunlit beaches. Founded in 1565 by Spanish explorers, St. Augustine is the oldest city in the United States and is known as "The Ancient City." Today, tourists stroll...

Asheville’s Ultimate Socially-Distanced Vacation Getaway! P

Yearning to get away but wanting something luxuriously rustic and romantic - and not too close to other guests? The Cabin Suites at Wildberry Lodge offer the ultimate socially-distanced vacation getaway in Asheville! Are the Blue Ridge Mountains really blue? Do bears...

Narrow Your Customer Gap While Widening Your Business Gap P

What is the Business Gap?   I’ve written about creating a gap between your company and your competition.  This is how most businesses judge their success in their relationship to competitors.  If you were widening the gap, it meant that you were outdistancing the...

6 Reasons to Combine Your Walk-In and Online Distribution *

Many bed & breakfast owners prioritize their online distribution strategy, and with good reason.  This is done because a growing number of travelers are using online resources to browse accommodations.  Ultimately many will choose to their upcoming stay online....

How do you market your B&B (and is it the right strategy)? *

When it comes to promoting your B&B, it’s easy to get comfortable with the same tricks and ideas that you’ve used time and time again. When something is working — or at least working well enough — you may not be motivated to switch it up. However, is your...

7 tips for creating pin-worthy Pinterest images P

If your business or blog isn’t using Pinterest, you could be missing out on hundreds, if not hundreds of thousands of potential page views for your website. Pinterest has been and continues to be a huge driver of traffic. And what’s the No. 1 way to drive traffic via...

Grandma Goldberg’s Honey Cake

Grandma Goldberg’s Honey Cake Honey cake recipe and memories from the Brass Sisters, Marilynn and Sheila. Our mother, Dorothy Katziff Brass, taught us how to cook as soon as we could reach the table. She had a wonderful recipe for honey cake, but for some reason we...

How Your Customer Service Has Become Your User Experience

Is Your User Experience the Best it can be?   Am I Keeping Up With New Innovations?   As a business owner you may ask yourself, “What is changing in customer service?” It’s a rhetorical question, but one that is always on your mind.  What could you be doing...

Is Your Bed & Breakfast Instagram Account engaging? *

  Facebook and Instagram are designed for different tasks.  Though they are both social media sites you use to connect with your friends, their unique features crave different audiences. Both platforms are popular, image-centric social sites, but you must...

5 Challenging Hikes Off Blue Ridge Parkway Near Asheville NC

If you are a seasoned hiking enthusiast, then you probably already know that Western North Carolina is a hiker's paradise. The Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountain ranges feature some of the tallest mountain peaks on the East Coast, enhanced by acres of forests and...

What Does TripAdvisor’s ‘Instant Booking’ Option Mean for Your Small Hotel? *

You may or may not have heard that TripConnect now offers an Instant Booking option, so that you can offer your guests the ability to book with you directly through TripAdvisor. Previously, TripAdvisor’s TripConnect only operated on a pay-per-click model (click here...

Why Staying at The Addison on Amelia Island Is a Safe Choice

The Future of Travel Leisure travel is on hold for now while we band together to “flatten the curve” of the pandemic. We’re all yearning to travel and, soon enough, we’ll be able to. In the meantime, many are asking what traveling will look like in our post-pandemic...

How email marketing boosts your Bed & Breakfast bookings *

Email continues to be the Marketing King, acting as a consistent and strong driver, building your websites traffic, engagement and bookings.   Somehow, even though you intuitively know you should be using it more, email blasts seem more appropriate to laptop sales or...

Southwest Soufflé your featured entree at breakfast

For about ten years, we had the pleasure of hosting a shy teenage boy and his mother during the week-long Hampton Classic Equestrian Show where Zach competed as a show jumper. One of the mornings during his second year with us, I made this breakfast for them. Zach...

Apple and Sweet Potato Pancakes (Latkes)

Apple & Sweet Potato Pancakes (Latkes) Every year, senior food editor Amy Traverso’s family hosts a big Hanukkah party for a couple of dozen friends, serving up four or five different kinds of latkes (potato pancakes) at a time. These sweeter latkes, accented with...

6 Clever Ways to Get Direct Online B and B Reservations *

Although it's good to have both direct bookings and Online Travel Agent (OTA) bookings, driving more direct reservations is every bed & breakfast owner’s dream.   Increasing your direct bookings means one thing – no commissions paid, and therefore higher revenue....

How to get more reservations via your B&B’s website *

Your B&B’s website is one of your most valuable assets. Not only is it the best place for you to promote your property and describe your amenities, but it is also a key location where you can earn the most revenue per booking. Knowing the important role your...

How To Have a Great Day Biking St. Augustine, FL

You may be asking yourself, “is St. Augustine bike–friendly?” Of course, it is! Biking St. Augustine, FL, is the best way to explore the city off the beaten path. You can pedal through downtown, over the Bridge of Lions, along the shoreline, and more! There’s no doubt...

7 Fun Halloween Events In Asheville NC *

"Hello October, how are you?" In another example of just how odd 2020 has been, we are now at the point where we are personifying days of the week and the months just so we can hold conversations with them. (October's reply: "I'm fine, please tell people that...

Top 5 Reasons To Visit Asheville NC Anytime! P

Greetings from Wildberry Lodge in Asheville NC, where Yellowstone meets the Smokies. People often ask us "when is the best time to visit Asheville?" The answer may (or may not) surprise you: any time of year is a great time to make a trek to Western North Carolina....

Winter Activities in Hendersonville

While many people think of visiting the mountains in the summertime, the winter is actually a wonderful time to visit Hendersonville and the surrounding area! Take advantage of all that the Blue Ridge Mountains have to offer without the crowds that the warmer months...

Does your Bed and Breakfast allow children?

Two or three times each summer week we get a phone call from someone who has perhaps found us online but has only looked at the pictures. They’re ready to reserve for their whole family and are taken aback when we explain that we can’t make a reservation for them,...

Accessibility Toolbar