BedandBreakfast.com Innkeeper News Promoting the Industry February 2007

Promoting the Industry

Our goal is to generate great publicity for BedandBreakfast.com members specifically, and for the B&B industry as a whole. In this issue we cover:

Upcoming Publicity for BedandBreakfast.com members
Ask the Pros

Recent Media Coverage

Current and Upcoming Publicity: February and March
BedandBreakfast.com sent the following press releases in January; scroll down to read about the great media pick-up these releases generated:

Spring Breakation: We’ll soon distribute a press release highlighting special offers for “Spring Breakation.” This release will feature packages offered throughout March and April, ranging from ski vacations to beach getaways. If you have not done so already, be sure to send your March-April vacation packages to Marti@BedandBreakfast.com, and post them on BedandBreakfast.com.

Tanks a Lot: We’re beginning to get media requests for the annual BedandBreakfast.com Tanks a Lot promotion. While gas prices are coming down, automobile travel is on the rise, so Tanks a Lot offers will continue to be popular with both B&B goers and the media. If your free gas special has expired, post a new one for the spring and summer travel seasons! BedandBreakfast.com continues to have a direct link from the home page to the Gas Specials, making your offer even more visible to potential guests and

the media. Last year, more than 200 gas offers were posted on BedandBreakfast.com, making it a popular story for the media; let’s top it for 2007! Please be sure to post your Tanks a Lot offer under Free Gas Promotion in BedandBreakfast.com’s Specials section.

Silver-level members and above may post specials; simply log in with your Property ID and password. Select Specials from the table in your Home Base. Enter appropriate offers for Free Gas Promotion and spring packages. Bronze member? Please click here to upgrade.

Important Reminder: While we include as many members as possible in BedandBreakfast.com press releases, limited space makes it impossible to include everyone, although site specials are always included. Offers that include a small discount or are too restrictive will not pique the media’s attention. Please remember to be as creative as possible when designing your specials and packages. Take some time to review other specials on the site, and see which ones appeal to you. Like the media, the editors at BedandBreakfast.com are drawn to creative offers.

Ask the Pros: How can I become an Editor’s Pick?
A: To become an Editor’s Pick, your B&B must have been visited by a member of the BedandBreakfast.com editorial staff. While we always appreciate invitations, B&B tours are generally arranged while attending a B&B conference or event in the region. Visit the Innkeepers Calendar to learn where and when BedandBreakfast.com staff will attend conferences, then be sure to send an invitation to tour or stay at your inn to those speaking at the conference.

Only a small percentage of the hundreds of inns visited make it onto these lists. The selected B&Bs have to tie in to the theme we're covering. We've done editor's picks on fall foliage B&Bs, undiscovered inns for romance, and great places to propose. The media also contact us regularly to ask for our picks on a number of different topics, from most family-friendly to most picturesque.

Please note that the majority of press releases are wrap-ups of packages or themes from BedandBreakfast.com members, and do not require a visit. Simply stay in touch with Marti@BedandBreakfast.com, and add your specials onto the site. Both BedandBreakfast.com and the media do their research via the BedandBreakfast.com Specials section.

We look forward to continued invitations to visit BedandBreakfast.com member B&Bs and hope that we can visit you in the coming year and/or feature your B&B in upcoming press releases.

Let’s Hear It from Innkeepers and the Media
Media Quote of the Month: “Thanks so much Marti for the girlfriend's getaways information. We are promoting this heavily so keep us tuned with new girlfriend getaways. Keep up the good work.” – Kriss Hammond, editor, Jetsetters Magazine

Innkeeper Quote of the Month: “I need to thank you guys. We are in the midst of a national news story here, and we just taped a Today show interview at my bed and breakfast. They located me because of my membership in BedandBreakfast.com. Thank you.” – Dorris Keeven-Franke, The Guest Haus B&B Cottage, Washington, MO

Recent BedandBreakfast.com Media Coverage
Love is in the air with Valentine’s Day approaching, and coverage about romantic inns, along with “Un-Valentine’s Day” celebrations for singles has been on the minds of the media. Frommers.com recognized that not everyone is the lovin’ type. After receiving BedandBreakfast.com’s advice for the lovelorn, they mentioned the best place to celebrate being single is Laurel Hill B&B, and the best place to drown one’s sorrows is the 1811 House. Other coverage for BedandBreakfast.com’s story about Valentine’s Day for singles and the lovelorn came from The Boston Globe, Travellady.com and the Hartford Courant.

The Associated Press advised Valentines to look for romantic getaways using BedandBreakfast.com’s Top B&B Destinations feature in a story that circulated to MSNBC, The Seattle Times, St. Louis Post Dispatch, Pittsburg Post Gazette, Chicago Sun-Times, the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, and all the way down under in The Sydney Morning Herald.

BedandBreakfast.com’s choices for Best Undiscovered Inns for Romance was sent out on the wire and appeared in Yahoo News, the LA Times, Houston Chronicle, The Dallas Morning News, and Seattle Post Intelligencer. Additionally, a number of those on the list generated their own media attention sending press releases resulting in coverage from the Springfield (MO) News-Leader for the Walnut Street Inn and The Arizona Daily Star for the Adobe Rose Inn.

Newsweek’s January 29 issue chose BedandBreakfast.com as a “Pick of the Week” advising readers to, “SURF bedandbreakfast.com whether you want to celebrate Valentine's Day or flee it. The site offers special deals, plus a new list of the best undiscovered inns.”

News about BedandBreakfast.com members with ties to the Underground Railroad has been a popular travel story for media recognizing February as Black History Month. To date, stories have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Newsday and The Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY).

Internet Intensives

BedandBreakfast.com, RezOvation and Expedia, Inc. are hitting the road to bring you current and comprehensive information about Internet marketing, online reservations, yield management, and property management software.

Click here to see upcoming Intensives and more information.

Gift Certificates

“Love the gift certificates. This is my second time here. When I saw the reaction I got after giving it to friends over the holidays, I knew I had to get another for a different couple!” – Stephanie G.

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