21 WAYS TO FIND NEW CUSTOMERS AND INCREASE SALES FOR IMMEDIATE BOOKINGS

It gets to this time of year when you might start to feel like you don’t have your fair share of bookings and start to worry about whether the bookings will come in for the season ahead. With the cost-of-living crisis constantly on the media, cheap deals overseas and last-minute customer booking patterns; it is challenging to strike the right balance between holding out for the bookings, or proactively doing something about building that demand, on top of what you are already doing that is. In this blog post, I will give you 21 ways to find new customers and increase sales for the season and year ahead. You will find quick tips that can be done in moments to other ideas that will take a bit more thought and planning.

21 SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGIES

1. Send an email to past guests from last year / same season with an exclusive offer

2. Provide added value to your existing offer – can you include breakfast, a welcome drinks, a complimentary upgrade perhaps, late check out on a Sunday or dogs / kids stay for free?

3. Create a new promotional package that offers real value – money offer !

4. Limit your restrictions – make sure you do something that works for you and doesn’t displace any revenue, such as reducing your cancellation period, minimum nightly stays, open up weekends for your packages

5. Run a FLASH SALE!

6. Do something new on your social media channels – how about a tour of your best room and a video reel meeting some of the team?

7. Review your website and ensure everything is as it should be – checking the finer details on your pricing and packages

8. Do some keyword research and update your website with current search terms that are trending high

9. Run a competition on your social media to create some noise and drive awareness to your property.

10. Take an advert out online or in print with a reputable source to drive traffic to your book now page

11. Invite an influencer to come and stay and run a campaign promoting this Spring and Summer

12. Call up your industry partners to get a feel for what’s happening in and market and communicate what you have available to your property

13. Call up all your marketing partners and update them on what you have going on this season and ask them to assist you in sharing the word.

14. Write a blog post about what to do in your area this summer, linking in with great attractions (and ask them to share it on their channels whilst you are at it!)

15. Speak to the local tourist board about what opportunities there are to promote your hotel / property with them

16. Join some B2B networking groups to build up your industry contacts and relationship build.

17. Diversify your offer – how about creating meeting and event packages? Group leisure stays? Going pet friendly, not just dog friendly??!!

18. Promote your new restaurant menus for seasonal dining.

19. Share your last-minute availability on social media! Ensure you post it on your Instagram stories and use the hashtag #lastminute too!

20. Share a special rate with staff, family and friends for a limited period of time.

21. Prayer for the sun to come out & stay out!!

HOW WILL YOU FIND NEW CUSTOMERS AND INCREASE SALES?

So there you have it, a quick round of sales and marketing ideas to find new customers and increase sales. Did you read some of these and think, we can do that? I hope so. And I hope you found it useful. Please let me know by commenting below or by DM or email if you put any of these into practice and how it worked for you.