How to increase direct bookings through marketing emails

[Pablo Flores]

Hey all,

    Is there some service that will automatically send marketing emails to previous guests? Im looking for ways to increase direct bookings through our website. We're nearing close to 3000 nights booked for the year, and have all emails/ phone numbers for previous guests saved through our property management software. How do i best use that information to send periodic marketing emails to get guests to rebook via our website?

[Andrew Steffens]

What PMS are you using if any? We use Streamline and can send auto emails.  Also, you could use StayFi to collect emails and they automatically import into Constant Contact and then you can set up automations through CC.

[Leslie Anne Morris]

We download a csv file with past guest data to Mail Chimp. There may be a plug-in based on which PMS you use where the data process is automated. 

[Pablo Flores]

@Leslie Anne Morris @Andrew Steffens

Great suggestions! Let me look into these. I use Hostaway.

[Andrew Steffens]

Quote from @Pablo Flores:

@Leslie Anne Morris @Andrew Steffens

Great suggestions! Let me look into these. I use Hostaway.

 Im fairly certain Hostaway will offer something.  I do not know what they offer but I would think it is fairly standard.  I used to use Guesty before Streamline and they had it as well.  How many units do you have?

[Pablo Flores]

Quote from @Andrew Steffens:

Quote from @Pablo Flores:

@Leslie Anne Morris @Andrew Steffens

Great suggestions! Let me look into these. I use Hostaway.

 Im fairly certain Hostaway will offer something.  I do not know what they offer but I would think it is fairly standard.  I used to use Guesty before Streamline and they had it as well.  How many units do you have?

 19 properties in the Palm Springs area.

[Pablo Flores]

Quote from @Andrew Steffens:

What PMS are you using if any? We use Streamline and can send auto emails.  Also, you could use StayFi to collect emails and they automatically import into Constant Contact and then you can set up automations through CC.

 Andrew, I did some research on StayFi and it definitely looks intriguing! I like it more for the branding aspect than for the data collection. I already use Charge Automation to collect data when guests complete their pre check in instructions. Do you use StayFi on your properties? Is it worth it if I already use Charge Automation for data collection? I also use Charge Automation for upsells so I wouldnt want to get rid of it.

[Andrew Steffens]

Quote from @Pablo Flores:

Quote from @Andrew Steffens:

What PMS are you using if any? We use Streamline and can send auto emails.  Also, you could use StayFi to collect emails and they automatically import into Constant Contact and then you can set up automations through CC.

 Andrew, I did some research on StayFi and it definitely looks intriguing! I like it more for the branding aspect than for the data collection. I already use Charge Automation to collect data when guests complete their pre check in instructions. Do you use StayFi on your properties? Is it worth it if I already use Charge Automation for data collection? I also use Charge Automation for upsells so I wouldnt want to get rid of it.Hi

Hi! Yes we do use it and we do like it.  I have never heard of Charge Automation, can you tell me a little about it?

[Tyann Marcink]

Are you wanting a program to send email campaigns? Then MailChimp, ActiveCampaign, and the likes will be best. Most PMS systems aren't set up to be utilized as marketing email programs.

If you are looking to hire someone who will create and send the marketing emails for you through one of the above softwares, take a look at GuestHook.

[Pablo Flores]

@Andrew Steffens

Do you ever get guests complaining about every person having to complete the initial form just to access the Wifi? That’s what I saw you had to do from their demo video.

Regarding Charge Automation, when I get a booking the guest automatically gets an email to complete a pre check in form that needs to be completed for them to download the house manual. It lets me collect user data and I don’t have to worry about manually sending out the house manual to every guest. But the real selling point for me is that as part of their pre check in process they can purchase certain Upsells like pool heating and early check in.

[Andrew Steffens]

Quote from @Pablo Flores:

@Andrew Steffens

Do you ever get guests complaining about every person having to complete the initial form just to access the Wifi? That’s what I saw you had to do from their demo video.

Regarding Charge Automation, when I get a booking the guest automatically gets an email to complete a pre check in form that needs to be completed for them to download the house manual. It lets me collect user data and I don’t have to worry about manually sending out the house manual to every guest. But the real selling point for me is that as part of their pre check in process they can purchase certain Upsells like pool heating and early check in.

 That sounds cool, I will look into it.  As far as complaints, no not really ever.  The very few I can recall we can just give them the direct network info to collect.  It is a requirement of hotels and airports etc to put in an email to access their wifi so I think people are used to it.

[Eliott Elias]

Podio and skyslope can create email campaigns for you. 

[Drew Sygit]

use Constant Contact

[Pablo Flores]

@Drew Sygit

Why constant contact over the other options?

[Pablo Flores]

@Eliott Elias

Would you recommend those options over mail chimp?

[Trent Reeve]

Quote from @Andrew Steffens:

Quote from @Pablo Flores:

@Andrew Steffens

Do you ever get guests complaining about every person having to complete the initial form just to access the Wifi? That’s what I saw you had to do from their demo video.

Regarding Charge Automation, when I get a booking the guest automatically gets an email to complete a pre check in form that needs to be completed for them to download the house manual. It lets me collect user data and I don’t have to worry about manually sending out the house manual to every guest. But the real selling point for me is that as part of their pre check in process they can purchase certain Upsells like pool heating and early check in.

 That sounds cool, I will look into it.  As far as complaints, no not really ever.  The very few I can recall we can just give them the direct network info to collect.  It is a requirement of hotels and airports etc to put in an email to access their wifi so I think people are used to it.

that isnt true. now many configure it, but that is their choice for data collection and marketing.

[Drew Sygit]

@Pablo Flores why does anyone specialize?

Blasting out emails just using a regulare IP address is a good way to get banned for spam.

Constant Contact, Survey Moneky, iContact, etc. all monitor for spam and thus usually keep themselves and YOUR emails off spam lists.

[Matt Steinmetz]

Quote from @Leslie Anne Morris:

We download a csv file with past guest data to Mail Chimp. There may be a plug-in based on which PMS you use where the data process is automated. 

 I did not know you could download a list of data from Abnb?

[Leslie Anne Morris]

Quote from @Matt Steinmetz:

Quote from @Leslie Anne Morris:

We download a csv file with past guest data to Mail Chimp. There may be a plug-in based on which PMS you use where the data process is automated. 

 I did not know you could download a list of data from Abnb?

You have to be integrated with a PMS and be actively collecting the data