InnSpeak Podcast

Innkeeper Brett Rauber of The Campbell House Inn, a historic 20-room boutique hotel in Eugene, Oregon. Brett really focuses on return on investment (ROI) when it comes to marketing his Inn, and for guest services. He shares insights on managing occupancy and average daily rates (ADR), staff training and upsells to drive his property's success.

• Intro - 0:00
• About Campbell House Inn, their guests, and social media - 1:40
• Approach to using OTAs - 10:35
• Using ADR and occupancy to drive success - 14:05
• Training staff and upsells - 16:58
• Return on investment (ROI) for marketing & guest services, more ADR & occupancy - 22:00
• About Eugene - 36:20
• One piece of advice for other Innkeepers - 41:33

Marcus Berg of Unique Angles Photography joins the podcast to share some wisdom about how important photography is to the hospitality industry. Marcus and Unique Angles Photography has focused exclusively on hospitality photography since 2008. Marcus shares some tips like how to know if you need new photography, how to shoot your own photos with your smartphone, and what to look for when hiring a photographer.

• Intro: 0:00
• How to Tell Good Photography from Bad - 3:00
• Should I Have People in My Inn's Photos? - 6:30
• Shooting rooms: 10:00
• Taking Pictures with Your Phone: 12:30
• Take Your Own Photos of Your Destination 17:00
• Instagram 20:15
• Marcus' Favorite Experiences: 21:55
• How to be a Good B&B Photography Client: 23:15
• How Marcus Works with Innkeepers: 28:30
• Hiring a Photographer, and Why Real Estate Photography is Different: 30:20

Kent Schnepp, CEO of Odysys joins the podcast to get insight into how a marketer and a marketing technology company view the issues facing the industry. We talk about Kent's journey and what let him to create Odysys.

• Intro - 0:00
• Inspiration for Participating in the B&B Industry - 5:10
• Major Issues Facing Innkeepers - 12:40
• Innkeepers' Greatest Digital Marketing Assets - 16:30
• What Kent Has Learned So Far - 20:30

Innkeeper Laurie Bunker of the Raton Pass Motor Inn, a revitalized mid-century "vintage lifestyle" themed motel in Raton New Mexico. The Raton Pass Motor Inn has a really strong brand identity and a really well-defined ideal guest that they reach through Instagram & events.

• Intro: 0:00
• About Raton Pass Motor Inn & Cultivating a Brand: 2:35
• Tapping Into the "Classic Motels" Movement: 7:20
• Defining Her Ideal Guests: 9:30
• Laurie's Social Media Strategy: 11:25
• Events to Attract & Connect with Guests: 18:00
• Laurie's Top Piece of Advice: 24:15

Julie McAferty joins the podcast. Julie is owner of Greenlake Guest House, a B&B located near downtown Seattle. Julie is also currently President of the Washington Bed & Breakfast Guild.

I talk with Julie about connecting with fellow innkeepers via the Washington Bed & Breakfast guild has played a pivotal role in her success. We talk about her marketing, her ideal guests and even brainstorm ideas for her blog.

• Intro: 0:00
• Getting her start: 1:30
• Washington Bed & Breakfast Guild: 5:15
• Dealing with changes in the market: 11:50
• Identifying her ideal guests: 17:25
• Marketing ideas: 24:30
• Advice for innkeepers: 26:15

Innkeeper Laura Yepez of Chicago's Wicker Park Inn, an 11 room bed & breakfast. We talk about building her business, working with other innkeepers, and marketing challenges and tips.

• Intro -- 0:00
• Expanding from 3 rooms to 11 rooms -- 1:15
• Attracting & Interacting with Guests -- 5:55
• One Piece of Advice to Innkeepers -- 10:00
• Chicago B&B Association Fights Property Taxes -- 13:15
• Competing with AirBnB/Vacation Rentals -- 19:12
• Marketing Challenges & Lessons Learned -- 22:30
• Win/Place/Show + Worst Guest Horror Story -- 29:00