TALK IT OVER WITH THE TONY TROUBLESHOOTER: YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY TINA BODEN FROM THEBANDBKEEPER.COM

Please send us your questions: m tina@tinaboden.com T @MicroBizGirl F The B and B Keeper E @thebandbkeeper

Q

We seem to be getting quite a number of enquiries asking if we serve dinner - something we have never really wanted to do. There are a couple of pubs and restaurants near us that guests have always used, but with reduced space they are getting booked up quickly, especially at weekends.

A

I appreciate cooking dinner as well as breakfast is a commitment many running Bed and Breakfast properties do not want to make, especially if you are not an enthusiastic cook. However, if you feel that you are losing bookings because of it, at the moment there are a number of options you could consider. Firstly, look at it as a shortterm offer and ensure you state that dinner is available between July and December 2020 due to the Government restrictions in the local hospitality businesses on your website and social media. Secondly, why not put together a small menu? A choice of three starters, main courses and desserts is adequate. Share this on your website and also when you send out a booking confirmation and insist people order 24 hours in advance if they would like dinner. Thirdly, when it comes to preparing the meals on your menu many things can be batchcooked and frozen to save you time. With pre-order you can just take the meal out of the freezer in the morning and there is no need to spend all afternoon in the kitchen. Alternatively, find a business near you that supplies homemade meals and strike up a deal with them. Many hospitality businesses have started doing take-aways to boost their income. This could be a great way to offer guests what they want, reduce your cooking time and still bring income in to your local economy for other businesses.

Q

During lockdown and since re-opening we have realised many of our competitors are extremely active on social media. This is something we have tried to avoid but we worry that our B & B is not as visible.

A

I appreciate that social media can be daunting for many, but it is really important that you share stories, news of your local area and pictures of your property. Understanding which social media platforms to use and how to use them correctly is important so you get maximum benefit. This form of promotion helps raise your profile and can be a great way to interact with other local and regional businesses. There are online courses to help you or contact me for options. The thought of social media can be overwhelming, but the benefits out way this when it comes to engaging with customers.

Q

Since re-opening reviews have been limited and when you look it feels like the reviews for our property are out-dated. What should we do to ensure the comments people see on the internet are recent?

A

As happy guests are leaving, encourage them to go online and write a review. You could even have some business cards printed that you hand to them as they go with the correct links to follow to write a review. Highlight that positive reviews that reflect the care a business is taking to implement Government guidelines and keep guests safe are important now more than ever to keep customers old and new informed.

About Tina:

Tina Boden is certainly no stranger to The hospitality industry - it has been a part of her life since the age of 2. As The Tiny Troubleshooter, Tina works one-on-one with business owners, providing virtual assistance and marketing support. As one of the Bs in the B and B Keeper, Tina will step in to run your BnB, Guest House, small Hotel or Inn while the owner is on holiday. And then as Co-founder of #MicroBizMatters Day Tina is one of the leading voices for micro business in the UK. Please email your questions to tina@luxurybbmag.co.uk OR reach out via social media: facebook.com/luxurybbmag/ twitter.com/luxury_bnb