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Why are we putting up with Bad WiFi?

We want to keep in touch with friends and loved ones, stay updated and be able to do<img decoding="async" class="" style="width: 320px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right;" title="Stampede Wifi" src="https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2735287/Blog/bad-wifi.jpg" alt="Stampede Wifi" width="320" data-constrained="true" /> work anywhere, anytime. But how many times have you found yourself searching around a restaurant or cafe for a WiFi password?
Did you have to ask a member of the staff? Did they even know it? How about the time you had to fill in a seemingly endless form to connect? And then there&#8217;s the Guessing Game &#8211; where you have to hack into the WiFi by guessing the password.
If you do eventually manage to connect, all too often you’ll be faced with poor connectivity. Repeated dropping out and reconnecting, slow loading webpages and having to re-enter a password on every visit which leaves a ‘what’s the point?’ feeling. So we accept bad WiFi and continue to use our data allowance out of pure convenience.
<h3>Spending Our Data Allowance</h3>
But what about the times when we can’t use our data allowance, such as when we are on holiday, or in a basement bar? How many times have you found yourself having to leave a bar or club late at night to stand in the cold and rain just to get some phone signal, to book a taxi or arrange to meet friends for example? It’s simply crazy that we have to do that. Hunting for data and feeling cut off from the world isn’t acceptable, is frustrating and can be anxiety provoking.
I think we’d agree that having access to Guest WiFi is essential in most public places &#8211; <a href="https://www.stampede.ai/wifi-in-action#transport">such as public transport</a> &#8211; but why are we accepting such a poor quality experience? All we want is for the WiFi to just work, but it is associated with hassle and disappointment &#8211; our expectations are not high.
<h3>Why don’t we demand better?</h3>
We need to spread the word that Guest WiFi can do more than just work &#8211; it can provide users and businesses with an epic experience, where we enjoy <a href="https://www.stampede.ai/how-it-works#marketing">once in a lifetime login and promotional offers</a> just for using the Guest WiFi as we normally would.
A seamless WiFi experience and discounts on favourite drinks and food at places we visit is a huge win-win for us as customers. Who doesn’t want a free drink on their birthday? Or a discount on their next visit?
It’s about telling businesses where we think they can do better. We as customers don’t need to suffer poor quality Guest WiFi when there are easy to set up, cost effective solutions available which can be set up in your <a href="https://www.stampede.ai/wifi-in-action#coffee">local independent coffee shop</a>, <a href="https://www.stampede.ai/wifi-in-action#hospitality">national restaurant chains</a> or <a href="https://www.stampede.ai/wifi-in-action#hotels">multinational hotels</a>.
<h3>Tell Us About Your Bad WiFi</h3>
Why not have something which exceeds our expectations? Have you ever been through a really bad WiFi experience? Maybe the signal was almost non-existent, the speed was slow as a snail or it was just not safe at all?  Feel free share your experience on the comments section below.
<a class="eut-modal-popup" href="https://calendly.com/stampedeae/stampede-demo-request?month=2020-02">Click here to get started.</a>

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Bad WiFi: Is This As Good as It Gets?

Not trying to spook you, but Valentine’s Day is around the corner. Sad singles, over-enthusiastic couples and the regular madness will probably be part of the next few days. So, if you want to make sure your relationship makes it through the next year, get off the internet and buy some chocolates and roses! But in case you like to play with fire or have a passion for bizarre presents, here’s our list of carefully selected gift ideas.

<h3>Snapchat Spectacles 
</h3>
The first present is meant for people who need a subtle hint about their (probably excessive) use of the Snapchat App. Usually used to share pictures and short texts, the use of Snapchat has gotten out of hand for a lot of people. Taking pictures during lunch and when spending time with friends can be annoying for non-users. In case you know that feeling, look no further than Snapchat Spectacles. These <a class="" href="https://www.spectacles.com/uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">handy specs</a> enable the wearer to take Snaps from their perspective and send those pictures around, simply by clicking on the spectacle frame.
These glasses probably won’t stop your Snapchat-addicted friends, but at least the glasses make them look funny and you can have a good laugh at their expense.
<h3>Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder</h3>
I first discovered PicoBrew, when I read articles about the yearly <a class="" href="https://www.stampede.ai/blog/ces-2018-wpa3-smart-tattoos-and-more" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Consumer Electronics Show</a>. Since then, I think about buying one for myself about five times a day. In case you have a loved one that has a passion for beer, a brewing device might be the right thing to make his (or her!) heart skip a beat. Being able to brew your favourite drink on your kitchen counter is a dream come true for some people. The PicoBrew is able to brew five liters of the beer of your choice and the brewing process takes approximately 10 &#8211; 14 days. Furthermore, you’re able to track the brewing, fermentation and carbonation process over your smartphone and watch your own brew getting ready. As the brewing devices are quite costly, make sure you’re getting it for the right person (or the person who always hosts parties).
The PicoBrew is an expensive but rewarding device that makes German childhood dreams come true. Have a look at the latest brewing equipment <a class="" href="https://picobrew.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here </a>and become a master of mixtures.
<h3>Scavenger hunt</h3>
This little helper is the suitable present for people who tend to forget their keys, purse, backpack or any other items. The Tile is here to help your forgetful loved one through the daily struggle of not losing the keys again. Tile is basically a small device that can be attached to a keyring, a rucksack or stuffed in your wallet. Once the item is lost, you can use your phone to make it ring and help you find your lost treasure. For example if you’ve lost your phone, you can press the Tile to make the phone right &#8211; even if it’s switched to silent. Furthermore, you can use the app to track the last place your Tile was seen to find it more easily. You can even ask other Tile Community members to help you look for your missing item . 
As the gadget is pretty affordable, we advise you to <a href="https://www.thetileapp.com/en-gb/products#tiles" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">have a look</a> which one suits your or your loved one’s needs. Maaaybe it might be worth getting several ones, just in case he or she is forgetful multiple times a week.
<h3>Watching a dog is a full-time job</h3>
Is your partner thinking a bit too much about the dog being home alone while you’re out enjoying dinner? Or do you need to get a present for that crazy cat lady in your circle of friends? This present is absolutely perfect for both occasions. Let us introduce you to a gadget that might help your partner to actually enjoy date nights, the <a class="" href="https://petcube.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Petcube</a>. 
This invention enables you to stalk your pet, even if you aren’t home. Set up in your flat, the Petcube can film your pet and send real time data straight to your mobile, making it possible to watch a live stream of your furry friend. In addition, some of the cubes have a built in laser, so you can play with your dog or cat. Others have an integrated treat dispenser to train your dog. Just imagine &#8211; you can use the pet cam during lunch breaks at work to <a class="" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNqhC9o3kQI" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">check if your loyal companion at home is doing alright</a>. Furthermore, alarms will be sent out for any unusual behaviour at home or other major disturbances that the camera tracks. 
No matter whether you decide to go for one of those rather odd presents or if you stick to something a little more basic to surprise your Valentine, we hope you have a great Valentine’s Day!
In case you run a business that provides Guest WiFi, feel free to get in touch with us. We are here to make sure you provide a safe and seamlessly working WiFi experience to your customers.
Hit the button below!
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WiFi Gifts for the Love of your Life

How does iOS 10 impact your Stampede network?
In short, it doesn&#8217;t. The new release won&#8217;t impact your network, however, there is something you should be aware off.
With today&#8217;s launch of Apple&#8217;s new operating system (iOS 10) and the forthcoming launch of the iPhone 7 you may be wondering how this has an impact on your Stampede network after seeing this message:
<img decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-3393" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 338px;" title="Stampede iOS 10 wifi screen" src="https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2735287/Imported_Blog_Media/IMG_6246.png" alt="Stampede iOS 10 wifi screen" width="338" data-constrained="true" />
A user may also want to find out more by clicking the blue information button and be shown this message, detailing the issue further:
<img decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-3396" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 338px;" title="Stampede Secure network" src="https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2735287/Imported_Blog_Media/IMG_6247.png" alt="Stampede Secure network" width="338" data-constrained="true" />
<h2>Why is this message shown?</h2>
This message is now displayed on all public WiFi networks that don&#8217;t have a password to protect them. Instead of a password, as I&#8217;m sure you are aware, Stampede offers a fully branded login screen. This makes the network equally secure, complying with legalities to the full extent. A specific device can&#8217;t detect that a login screen is in place, like it can when a password is in use. The device will make an assumption that there is no security on the network.
<img decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-3403" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 349px;" title="Stampede 6Degrees north" src="https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2735287/Imported_Blog_Media/Screen-Shot-2016-09-12-at-11_41_25.png" alt="Stampede 6Degrees north" width="349" data-constrained="true" />
Ready to try safe, secure WiFi for your business?
In this article we&#8217;ve shown you a bit about how easy and secure it is to use Stampede for your business.
Not using Stampede yet? That&#8217;s ok, we still like you.
But why not sign up for a free, no obligation trial today to see how we can help you grow your business and attract more customers.
<a class="eut-modal-popup" href="https://calendly.com/stampedeae/stampede-demo-request?month=2020-02">Click here to get started.</a>

iOS 10 WiFi Security Recommendation.

Whether it’s in <a class="" href="https://www.stampede.ai/wifi-in-action">retail, a hotel, cafe or restaurant</a> the presence of fast and reliable <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/getting-started-with-guest-wifi/">Guest WiFi</a> at your venue is becoming a major factor for potential customers deciding where to take their business. But providing Guest WiFi does not come without potential risks to your business. 



So, you want to provide Guest WiFi at your venue? What’s wrong with handing out a password to your existing network?



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2735287/Blog/guest-wifi-risk.jpg" alt="guest wifi risk"/></figure>







Because handing out the password to your WiFi could be as bad as handing over the keys to the building. Giving out the password to your WiFi network allows any guest with a small amount of technical knowledge to easily sniff everything on the network including point-of-sale systems (POS), printers, credit card machines and back-office systems. In addition to this, they can “see” other guest devices connected to the network. Most off-the-shelf or ISP provided WiFi equipment is not designed for guest access and hence, is extremely insecure.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-has-this-happened-before">Where Has This Happened Before?</h4>



The so-called &#8216;DarkHotel&#8217; group is an example of malicious individuals that take&nbsp;advantage of these weaknesses in public networks. They have been active for over a decade, with a signature brand of cybercrime that targets <a class="" href="http://www.zdnet.com/article/traveling-business-executives-targeted-through-luxury-hotel-wi-fi/">business travellers with malware attacks</a> using the WiFi in luxury hotels across the globe.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-it-can-happen-to-you-too">It Can Happen to You, Too</h4>



Renting your flat out while you&#8217;re away is a great way to make extra cash on the side with services like <a href="/blog/articles/airbnb-wifi">AirBnB</a>. But what happens when your guests don&#8217;t exactly take everything with them when they go?



By giving your house WiFi password out to AirBnBers, you&#8217;re also giving them keys to the network. A talented (and even not so talented) hacker could easily slip a trojan or listening programme onto your network before they leave. And with the recent breaches discovered in the widely used <a href="/blog/wpa2-breach-is-your-wifi-safe">WPA2 WiFi encryption</a>, your network could be even less secure than you think.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-but-there-s-a-better-way">But There’s a Better Way!</h4>



By making your guests login through a <a class="" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captive_portal">captive portal</a> using their e-mail or social plugin you can gain powerful insights and value through a Guest WiFi network whilst keeping your business secure. A captive portal is a web page that the user of your network is obliged to view and interact with before they can access the internet. This is more secure than a password but will not allow malicious users to view anything else on the network. A branded login page will also make it a lot harder for hackers to imitate your network and cause customers to connect to them which will fully expose them to possible attacks.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-stampede-can-help">How Stampede Can Help</h4>



Stampede can integrate with a <a class="" href="https://www.stampede.ai/how-it-works">wide range</a> of existing hardware or we can supply our own range of routers which you can plugin and instantly start supplying better, secure Guest WiFi. It only takes 5 minutes to set up, with no technical knowledge required!



With Stampede you can create two separate networks: one for your customers and another for your back office business activity. This greatly reduces the risk of a malicious user on your guest network breaking into your critical business systems.



Instead of entering a password, guests login through a <a href="/blog/press/marketing-with-wifi">fully branded captive portal</a>&nbsp;by entering their e-mail or logging in through Facebook. You can also ask marketing questions &#8211; such as postal/zip code, age or favourite drink &#8211; turning a security risk into a value-adding part of your business with much more personalised customer experience.&nbsp;



&nbsp;So what are you waiting for?&nbsp;



<a href="#schedule-demohttps://calendly.com/stampedeae/stampede-demo-request?month=2020-02">Click here to get started.</a>

Take the Risk Out of Your Guest WiFi

In order to turn your followers into actual customers, you have to get them to know and trust your brand. As a restaurant business owner, you know that selling the benefits and value of what you do is how you attract customers. Since the beginning of time, storytelling has been a way that humans have communicated with each other. How can you use storytelling for your social media posts for your restaurant?







Storytelling through social media allows your customers to form that all-important digital connection with your brand. Instead of simply posting bland marketing material, <a href="https://sproutsocial.com/insights/social-media-tactics/">storytelling interacts with your customers on a much more personal level</a>. In turn, this helps create familiarity and loyalty with your brand. This will make your customers a lot more likely to do business with you in the long run.



So, if you are new to the concept of storytelling or want the best ways to implement it within your social strategy. Here are our top tips. 



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-storytelling-doesn-t-have-to-be-personal">Storytelling doesn&#8217;t have to be personal</h4>



We&#8217;re not all natural storytellers, and for some people, they can struggle to share personal stories through lack of experience or wanting to keep things private. When it comes to connecting with your customers, it&#8217;s not necessarily about sharing personal stories. Rather <a href="https://www.social4retail.com/the-importance-of-storytelling-on-social-media.html">sharing stories that mean something to us personally</a>.



Stories can come from customer interactions, casual conversations or experiences. For example, if your produce is grown locally and you’re proud of it. Why not take pictures of the farm and talk about the growers? Or, perhaps you have a dish that your restaurant is most famous for. Why not share the secret of how it’s made? In many cases, storytelling simply conveys the culture of the brand, in an easy to digest format.&nbsp;



There’s no set formula when it comes to your storytelling. The key is keeping in mind the details that are likely to strike a chord with the person reading it. Social media is a sociable place after all, so imagine it almost like a real conversation.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-share-behind-the-scenes-action">Share behind the scenes action</h4>



We’ve established that storytelling is about building a connection with your audience. One of the easiest ways to do this as a company <a href="https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/15-behind-the-scenes-content-ideas-to-share-on-instagram-infographic/623452/">is to share some behind-the-scenes info.</a> Perhaps you have a new chef starting at your restaurant. Why not upload a picture and a few lines about them, and what they are looking forward to in their new role? 



Or, say Valentine’s day is coming up. Why not share a sneak preview of the dishes or special event you will be putting on, to perk interest among your followers? You could even share news about an expansion or other news related to your company. If your followers are likely to be interested, then it helps build a more personal relationship with your restaurant, that goes far beyond them just coming in to eat.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-user-generated-content">User-generated content</h4>



As a social media account owner for your business, you likely see countless positive reviews, pictures and videos left across your feeds. <a href="https://wedevs.com/141859/user-generated-content-campaigns/">User-generated content is a powerful marketing tool</a>. It is perceived as being more genuine than if a brand toots its own horn instead. If someone is tweeting you to say they had the best meal out they’ve ever had, why not share this with your audience too?



You can use user-generated content in your social media storytelling too. For example, say a customer has their engagement party in your restaurant, and tags you in the photos saying what a wonderful event you created. With their permission, you can then use this across your feed. Maybe add a comment saying how it was your pleasure etc, as well as leaving contact information about how other people can book the same. It’s quite a simple strategy, but one which connects with people on a really effective level.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-save-the-waffles-for-your-dessert-menu">Save the waffles for your dessert menu</h4>



When writing a caption for your social media, it&#8217;s easy to go off on a tangent. While there&#8217;s no real crime against lengthy posts, it&#8217;s important that each sentence moves the story forward. Wordy or unnecessary sentences are unlikely to be read by your followers. And for some, it could even appear as spam.



In some cases, storytelling can literally be done in just a couple of sentences. Wherever possible, allow the <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/4-tips-for-an-outstanding-email-design/">image or video to do most of the storytelling</a> for you. As this is much easier to react with versus reams of text. The key is always to engage the viewer and provoke an emotive response, that allows them to get to know your brand in a way they haven’t before.&nbsp;



If you’re stuck for ideas, <a href="https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/3-brands-who-sell-their-culture-through-social-media-storytelling/518335/">there are a lot of resources you can access for free</a>. Showing some of the most successful examples of brands using storytelling within their social media. The more you educate yourself on this, the easier it will be to pick up and implement within your restaurant campaigns.



Further read: <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-effectively-design-social-media-posts/">https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-effectively-design-social-media-posts/</a>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conclusion">Conclusion</h4>



Storytelling is a method of communicating with your customers. When done effectively will strengthen the bond between them and your brand. It goes far beyond general marketing and instead paints a picture of the kind of experience they are likely to have when dining in your restaurant, and the unique story behind it. 



However, to be able to story-tell with your customers effectively, you need the story of who your customers actually are. Here at Stampede, our software allows you to capture your customer data in a way that’s GDPR compliant. As a result, you can create <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-marketing-with-wifi-benefits-your-business/">tailored and highly personalised marketing campaigns</a> that speak to your customer directly.



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By combining storytelling within your social media alongside intuitive marketing campaigns, you can communicate with your customers on a truly insightful level.

How Restaurants Can Use Storytelling for Social Media

Digital word of mouth is the act of people mentioning your business online. This could be through social media posts, blog posts, videos or even good old forums. 







Over <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/617136/digital-population-worldwide/">4.3 billion people</a> currently use the internet, a figure that is increasing year on year. If your business is yet to grasp its online presence, that’s a lot of potential custom you’re missing out on. After all, having people mention your business online is what drives sales, not to mention brand loyalty. 



The goal is to get people talking about your business (in a good light of course!). If people like what they see enough to share it with their peers, this in itself is a marketing strategy that can go on 24/7, even when your business is closed. It’s all about chasing those likes, follows, tags and shares. 



If you are looking to improve your business&#8217;s digital word of mouth, here’s a general overview as well as our top tips for success. 



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-digital-word-of-mouth">What Is Digital Word of Mouth?</h4>



Back in the old days, word of mouth (WOM) would have consisted of someone discussing your product or business while in the supermarket, or even down the pub. These days, while having people physically speak about your product can still boost sales, for the most part, <a href="https://www.thebalancesmb.com/how-to-increase-your-social-media-following-1794618">it’s moved into digital streams</a>.



Think about it logically. If you mention a product or service to a friend, without digital intervention you can’t pass them onto a location or even a website. However, if the same two people are discussing your business online, they can instantaneously drop each other a link or username to find you and even book with you.



Digital word of mouth is that constant flurry of people tagging their friends in your post, or sharing your page through instant messaging platforms. It’s people writing about you in their blog posts or talking about their experience with your business through their YouTube channel. Any online platform that can be used to mention or link to your business is considered digital word of mouth.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-building-a-buzz-online">Building A Buzz Online</h4>



We are now spending more than <a href="https://techjury.net/blog/time-spent-on-social-media/#gref">2 hours and 30 minutes online</a>. For some of us, that’s actually longer than we spend at work! Digital word of mouth is about getting in among the action, targeting potential online customers as well as your current ones. 



It’s not enough to just have <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/rock-your-restaurant-with-wifi-and-instagram/">social media accounts</a> for your business. They need to be utilised effectively to build a reach. The goal is to have as many people visit your page as possible, interacting with what you do to the point where they end up spending money with you.



Say you run a competition on your Facebook page, and ask people to follow your page, share the post and tag a friend to enter. Every time someone completes each of these actions, your organic reach is going through the roof.



It’s easy to overcomplicate things because <a href="https://www.jeffbullas.com/the-worlds-20-most-popular-facebook-pages/">we see competitor pages with millions of followers</a> and want to emulate their success. In truth, it all comes down to creating great content that people truly want to share, as well as listening to what works versus what falls flat with your audience. 



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-top-platforms">The Top Platforms</h4>



Any positive mention of your business online will increase your digital word of mouth. However, it’s always a good idea <a href="https://buffer.com/library/social-media-sites">to brush up on the newest social media platforms</a> to see where your core audience could lie in the digital stakes. 



It goes without saying that Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube and LinkedIn are some of the top social media platforms that have reigned supreme for many years now. That doesn’t mean to say it’s not worth exploring new platforms (<a href="https://techcrunch.com/2019/01/29/its-time-to-pay-serious-attention-to-tiktok/">such as Tik Tok</a>) if it could be relevant to the demographic you are looking to reach.



To increase your digital word of mouth more effectively, you need to make it easy for people to do so. This means having visible social sharing buttons on your website or any other digital marketing you put out. If people are unable to share content or they are taken to broken links, your digital word of mouth will be severely limited. 



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-the-analytics">Measuring The Analytics</h4>



To really gauge how well your digital word of mouth strategy is working, it’s time to study analytics. For example, go into your Facebook business page and look at the insights. How much reach has your brand had this week? Other tools such as Sprout are great for measuring mentions and reach too. 



At the start of each week (or daily if you’re a large organisation) you should compile these stats into a spreadsheet, to compare this week to last. This is a great way to pick up any dips and act on them, so you can ensure your marketing strategy is always on an upward trajectory. 



It’s important to understand <a href="https://neilpatel.com/blog/13-secrets-thatll-boost-your-facebook-organic-reach/">the difference between organic and paid reach</a>. Ideally, you’d want a healthy mix of the two as if people are talking about your company without having to pay for the privilege, you know your marketing strategy is truly working. 



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conclusion">Conclusion</h4>



It can be difficult to wrap your head around digital word of mouth, so the key thing to remember is its people mentioning your business online, which then leads to greater reach and ultimately sales. 



Digital word of mouth is a fantastic tool, but it can go sour when <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-respond-to-positive-and-negative-customer-reviews-online/">negative reviews</a> are left on your business page. Sometimes, it might even be the case they aren’t even genuine customers! Stressful, right? At Stampede, <a href="https://stampede.ai/reviews/?referrer=stampede.ai#main">we provide innovative software solutions</a> to take control of your social media reviews, giving you peace of mind.



<a href="https://signup.stampede.ai/">Sign up for a free trial today</a>, and we’ll provide you with a personalised portal that will allow your business to get more customers and returns for less effort. Sounds like a plan to us!&nbsp;



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The Importance of Digital Word Of Mouth

Planning a coffee shop opening for 2019? Got amazing coffee and an inviting interior? Do shops, offices and potential customers surround your shop? That&#8217;s a great start. But to keep your business busy, you can&#8217;t rely on passers-by wandering in off the street. Spend time establishing your brand online and get customers to come to you.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-your-coffee-shop-brand-needs-an-online-presence">Why your coffee shop brand needs an online presence</h4>



You may have been on a fact-finding trip to South America before opening your business. You might sell the best speciality coffee for miles, but have you translated this into your brand? How will you show this knowledge and passion to your customers and use it to win you sales? Establishing your brand&#8217;s ethos and personality online will help set you apart. Be easy to find and tell your customers what&#8217;s at the heart of your business and you&#8217;ll be on the right path.&nbsp;



When customers are looking for somewhere to eat and drink they grab their smartphone. They search for cafes, look at local food bloggers on Instagram, and snoop on review platforms. These are opportunities for you to get noticed. Use them to showcase the customer experience you offer and explain what you&#8217;re about. Here&#8217;s how you align your online presence to your customer to drive footfall&#8230;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-set-up-your-google-my-business-page">1) Set up your Google My Business page</h4>



If someone&#8217;s looking for somewhere to eat or drink and they search Google for a coffee shop nearby, can they find you online? Your <a href="https://www.google.com/intl/en_uk/business/">Google My Business page</a> is a free marketing tool. It can help customers find you and learn more about you.



Set up your page to display your location, opening hours and contact details. Write a summary about your establishment that speaks to your target customer. Use words that tell them if you&#8217;re a comfy spot for casual coffee drinkers. If your shop is aimed squarely at coffee aficionados, make sure they know. Your target customer should identify with your coffee shop brand when they look at this page. 



Upload photos of your food, drink and your shop interior. Give potential customers a sense of what it&#8217;s like to visit you. Want to let people know about your launch party? You can <a href="https://support.google.com/business/answer/7342169?hl=en-GB">add a post</a> to let customers know about special events. Don&#8217;t forget to link to your website so customers can learn even more about you. 



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-invest-in-a-coffee-shop-website">2) Invest in a coffee shop website</h4>



Do you really need a website for your coffee shop? Not always, but coffee shop owners often overlook the benefits a website provides. A branded easy-to-navigate website can enhance a customer&#8217;s online experience with you. Plus, it gives you real estate you control to set out your store. 




What should be on your website? Start with an easy to find food and drinks menu, use great photography that sets the ambience for your shop. A website blog is a great place to share photos and facts from that fact-finding trip to South America. It&#8217;ll show &#8217;em you know your stuff. A website is a platform where you can share the stories, news and events that shape your brand for customers. Don&#8217;t forget to link your site to your social media accounts. This helps Google to identify your profiles and draw them into your Google My Business page. It also encourages customers to connect with you.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-begin-your-social-media-story-at-the-start">3) Begin your social media story at the start</h4>



If you want customers to wake up and smell just how good your coffee is, social media can help you to waft the scent. According to <a href="https://www.nationwidecoffee.co.uk/news/coffee-news-update-2020-and-your-best-approach-for-growth">research</a>, 45% of coffee industry leaders think social media is their most effective form of marketing. Coffee quality was identified as the biggest factor behind café success, but you need to lure those coffee drinkers in to taste what you&#8217;re offering. And the experts say you should get this strategy started before your launch. 



Simon Fogal, Creative Director at Food and Drink PR firm <a href="https://chapter81.co.uk/">Chapter 81</a>, spoke to Stampede to share his tips for launching coffee brands on social media. Yes, #latteart and #pastryporn play a part. But it&#8217;s those behind-the-scenes images that shape a brand and pique social media user&#8217;s interests.&nbsp;



&#8220;Our first port of call is great photography, images that can set a scene and really get the ambience of the venue through the lens. So we do simple set-up shots, product shots. But there are also basics like opening times,&#8221; advises Simon. 




Simon spoke to us about Chapter 81&#8217;s successful launch of Leed&#8217;s coffee shop, <a href="https://archiveleeds.co.uk/">Archive</a>. Behind the scenes teasers were used to generate interest in the brand well before the baristas got busy with any beans. 



&#8220;We helped launch their Instagram and did the shop build in sets of three. We had to do several shoots as the impact dates were very tight and it was still being built. Details of the shop and machines were used to create hype and intrigue and we did the sets of three to build up a quality Instagram feed.&#8221; 




When customers hear about new business launches, they&#8217;ll often head straight to social media to find out more details. Building anticipation by sharing your story so far can help strike the right impression with your audience. 




<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-provide-reliable-and-free-wi-fi">Provide reliable and free Wi-Fi</h4>



The rise of remote workers has driven demand for free Wi-Fi in coffee shops. Yet there are extra benefits beyond promoting you as a freelance friendly spot. With a <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/the-ultimate-beginners-guide-to-wifi-jargon/">captive portal</a> your customers login via a personalised branded screen. You can collect data to help turn first visitors into valuable repeat customers. Insights help you to craft targeted marketing. You get a fuller picture of your customer.&nbsp;



Offering free Wi-Fi also makes it easier for your customers to act as <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/building-customer-loyalty-with-blackbx/">ambassadors for your brand</a>. They can tag your coffee shop&#8217;s Instagram profile in photos of their fantastic flat white or fluffy pancake stack. And a good Wi-Fi connection makes it simple for guests to submit a review before they leave your venue.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-be-proactive-with-your-review-strategy">Be proactive with your review strategy</h4>



When you&#8217;re the new coffee shop on the block, online reviews are super important for boosting business. Your Google review score sits within your Google My Business page. Potential customers can read reviews with just a few clicks. This helps them to decide whether to visit you. Reviews on platforms such as TripAdvisor and Google and responding to reviews can increase your visibility. They help to build your brand&#8217;s reputation.&nbsp;



You don&#8217;t need to be pushy in asking customers for reviews but you can say you&#8217;d appreciate one if they give a compliment. You’ll need to be mindful of how you respond to reviews. Aim to address them in a timely fashion. Thank guests for feedback and show empathy when issues arise. A genuine attitude and personal touch can go a long way in building your coffee shop&#8217;s brand online.&nbsp;



If you&#8217;re considering introducing Wi-Fi for your coffee shop customers, find further reading here:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Stampede-Factsheets-Coffee_Shops.pdf">Coffee Shop Factsheet</a></li>



<li><a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/four-fab-benefits-of-free-wifi-for-coffee-shops/">Benefits of Free Wi-Fi for coffee shops</a>&nbsp;</li>



<li><a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/brew-lab-drips-success-with-coffee-shop-wifi-blackbx-success-story/">Brew Lab coffee shop story</a></li>
</ul>



<a href="https://calendly.com/stampedeae/stampede-demo-request?month=2020-02">Schedule a chat</a> with one of our team for more advice

Establishing Your Coffee Shop Brand Online

For hotel managers, increasing profits is a never-ending endeavour. You need to know how to promote your hotel to new customers. You need to make your customers come back for another stay. Email Marketing is reportedly the best solution to manage this. 



Whereas with social media the results can be mixed, if you have a robust email marketing strategy you are likely to get better results. Read on to find out about a few tips every hotel running an email marketing campaign should know!



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">How to Get New Contacts</h3>



The first thing you need to do is <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-build-an-email-list-for-a-non-digital-business/">build a contact list</a>. This can be done using your website. Just asking people to subscribe to your newsletter with an annoying pop up won’t do. 



Subscribers want to know how you can add value to their vacation experience. So, why not ask something along the lines of “Would you like to be part of our VIP list and get exclusive offers?” This type of question makes your customers feel like they’re gaining access to something exclusive. Something other guests wouldn’t have access to. 



Your customers are out looking for <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/infographic-how-likely-are-people-to-act-on-promotions/">deals</a>; they don’t want to receive the same offers anyone could get. Make sure you nurture these contacts by sending them genuine exclusive offers &#8211; discounts or special packages are just an example.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Getting Contacts From Your Guests</h3>



Most guests arriving at your hotel will have used OTAs to get a good deal on their stay. You’ll want to get their contact details, especially now that they’ve been to your hotel and had a wonderful experience. It’s essential to get your guests’ details so they’ll return to your hotel again, <a href="https://www.happybooking.fi/en/blog/october-2017/9-reasons-to-grow-the-share-of-direct-bookings-for-your-property/">without using the OTAs.</a> 



Return customers are a big part for every hotel. Guest WiFi is a reliable way to get those valuable contact details and more relevant information. More on this later. 



If you don&#8217;t offer <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/getting-started-with-guest-wifi/">Guest WiFi</a> we can help you. Why not also check out our eBook on how to avoid common mistakes.



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Sending a Confirmation Email</h3>



It’s important to send a confirmation email to anyone who asks to be part of your mailing list. This way, you get people who are notably engaged in your services. More engaged customers are more likely to open your emails and click-through. 



This automated confirmation email should have some useful info on it already. Maybe mention some of the advantages of staying in your hotel. For example, if your hotel has a great view from your rooftop, make sure to include a picture. It will be a visual treat for people to remember you.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Use Appropriate Segmentation</h3>



Once you have a contact list growing, it’s important to know how to make good use of the data you’ve got from them. You can segment, as an example, people who visit your hotel for business and people who visit for vacations or simply segment them by age and gender. 



You can use whatever data you’ve captured to segment your audience. This will mean different marketing emails for each segment. Personalisation based on this segmentation makes your email marketing relevant to your guests’ at a deep level and delivers strong interaction. But also affects their <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/engaging-customers-through-wi-fi-marketing/">loyalty</a> towards you. 



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Types of Segmentation</h3>



For business travellers, you could focus on advertising conference and meeting room hire. Perhaps add a little bit about bars and restaurants in the area where your business customers could relax after a long working day.



For the holidaymakers, put the focus on the sighseeing aspect. You can even add a map for your city.&nbsp;But also use the chance to share some of the amenities in your hotel as well, restaurants, bars, spas and fitness clubs etc. 



Again, knowing and understanding what your customers want is essential to deliver an experience that’s especially tailored to them. The importance of segmentation lies in making sure you’re taking care of each guest’s interests and motivations. 



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">When to Email Your Customers</h3>



Another useful piece of information is your customers’ date of birth. Having that, you can send them a special offer for their birthday. 



You can also send some emails in the lead up to Spring and Summer, or before Christmas and New Year. It’s important that these emails showcase special offers that your customers wouldn’t get just by booking through an OTA. You want them to book on a landing page that’s linked through from your emails.&nbsp;



&nbsp;<a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-set-up-your-first-email-campaign-guide-2019/">The success of email marketing</a> is determined by your guests. They’re the ones who choose to read your emails and click through. 



You have to make sure that your email subject will be appealing and stand out from the rest of the offers they receive in their inbox. After your customers open the emails, you need to know how to make sure they’ll read on. You can put a special offer at the top to capture their attention, or use a nice picture of the closest beach. 



Be enticing, be urgent, and your customers will respond to your email marketing and book through your landing page.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Emailing Guests Who Have Booked at Your Hotel</h3>



If a guest has booked a stay at your hotel, you should email them straight after they make their reservation. Show them what they can do at your hotel and nearby. Offer to be available in case they have any questions or special requests for their booking. Make sure your email makes your customers feel special &#8211; remember what we said about personalisation.



It’s also important to send your guests an email a few days before their booking date with more information. Especially, how to get to your hotel and what they can do while in the area. Once again, personalisation is key &#8211; you need to pay attention to the information they’re providing in your form and segment your guests so that each one of them can get the best out of your hotel.



Then,&nbsp; email your customers after they leave the hotel so that they can tell you what they thought of the experience. This is of the utmost importance. It helps you see if there’s room for improving or if any hiccup in their stay could have been prevented. Swift responses to complaints can help prevent those <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-respond-to-positive-and-negative-customer-reviews-online/">reviews</a> going on pages you can’t control.



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These are our main tips for an effective email marketing strategy. 



Remember, <a href="https://stampede.ai/">Stampede</a><a href="https://stampede.ai/"></a> also offers you an easy way of getting emails for your contact list. Stampede is a tool you can use at your hotel, providing a connection to your guests without affecting your hotel’s services. We offer all the technology you need for setting up a Guest WiFi, getting customer contacts and more. 



We also are GDPR-compliant, which means you’ll never have to worry about the contacts or data you get from our platform. <a href="https://stampede.ai/contact/">Contact us</a> for more information and… happy emailing! 



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Effective Email Marketing Tips for Hotels

Empowering Brands to Harness User-Generated Content



In the age of social media and digital connectivity, user-generated content (UGC) has emerged as a powerful tool that is reshaping marketing strategies. UGC tools are designed to help brands effectively curate, manage, and leverage user-generated content. These tools provide a range of functionalities, such as content discovery, moderation, rights management, and analytics. By using <a href="https://www.ttagz.co.uk/">UGC tools</a>, brands can easily identify and collect relevant UGC related to their products or services. 



They can also engage with their audience, encourage content creation, and amplify the reach of UGC through various channels. With the help of UGC tools, brands can streamline their UGC strategies and make the most out of the content generated by their users.



Customising UGC Experiences for Brands



UGC software takes the concept of UGC tools a step further by offering more advanced features and customisation options. This software allows brands to integrate UGC into their websites, apps, or other digital platforms seamlessly. They provide templates and design tools that enable businesses to create visually appealing UGC displays that align with their branding.



<a href="https://www.ttagz.co.uk/">UGC software</a> also often includes sophisticated moderation algorithms and AI-powered filters to ensure that only relevant and appropriate content is displayed. By leveraging UGC software, brands can create immersive user experiences and drive higher levels of engagement with their audience.



Centralised Hubs for Discovering and Showcasing UGC



In addition to UGC tools and software, user-generated content platforms have emerged as centralised hubs where brands can discover, curate, and showcase UGC from various sources. These platforms aggregate UGC from social media platforms, review sites, and other online channels, allowing brands to easily find and display relevant UGC. <a href="https://www.ttagz.co.uk/">UGC platforms</a> often provide built-in moderation and rights management features, ensuring that brands can maintain control over the content they use. 



By leveraging UGC platforms, brands can tap into a vast pool of authentic content created by their customers and build stronger connections with their target audience.



The Impact of UGC on Marketing Strategies



The rise of UGC has had a profound impact on marketing strategies. Traditionally, brands relied heavily on their own content creation efforts to convey their messages and promote their products. However, with the UGC revolution, consumers have become brand ambassadors, sharing their experiences and opinions organically. This shift has created a sense of authenticity and trust that is difficult to achieve through traditional marketing methods.



UGC allows brands to harness the power of social proof. When potential customers see UGC showcasing positive experiences, they are more likely to trust the brand and make a purchase. According to studies, <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190220005302/en/Stackla-Survey-Reveals-Disconnect-Between-the-Content-Consumers-Want-What-Marketers-Deliver">UGC is trusted by 92% of consumers</a>, making it a highly influential factor in purchasing decisions. By incorporating UGC into their marketing strategies, brands can tap into this trust and leverage it to drive conversions and build brand loyalty.



UGC also enables brands to foster a sense of community and engage with their audience on a deeper level. By encouraging users to create and share content, brands can create a two-way conversation, fostering a sense of belonging and co-creation. This not only strengthens the relationship between the brand and its customers but also generates valuable insights and feedback for product improvement.



Conclusion



In conclusion, user-generated content is reshaping marketing strategies and revolutionising the way brands connect with their audience. UGC tools, UGC software, and UGC platforms are essential resources that enable brands to harness the power of UGC effectively. By embracing UGC, brands can leverage social proof, build trust, and foster a sense of community. The UGC revolution is here, and brands that adapt to this shift will have a competitive edge in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

UGC Revolution: How User-Generated Content is Reshaping Marketing Strategies

Marketing your business can be hard. And expensive. And time consuming. But when you get it right it can give incredible results.



We want to hear about your best marketing efforts. Tell us in 300 words or less about your best marketing campaign for a chance to win a £1,200 subscription to the Stampede marketing platform. 



We&#8217;ll be judging the entries on creativity and return-on-investment, so make sure to include some numbers. Entries must be submitted by 30th November 2019!



The winner will receive a free subscription to our All-In package which includes Marketing Automation, Reviews and Stories. Make sure you tick those contact boxes so we can tell you if you&#8217;ve won. 


[contact-form-7 id=&#8221;13310&#8243; title=&#8221;Free Subscription Comp Entry&#8221;]



Terms and Conditions



One entry per registered U.K. business. U.K. registered businesses only. No cash alternative available. Additional wireless access point hardware may be required. The winning business must make remote access to the hardware accessible to Stampede in order to install the software. Competition entries must be submitted by 30th November 2019. Judging and decision on winner will be carried out internally. The winner will be notified by 15th December 2019. Captive ltd. t/a Stampede reserve the right to cancel or alter the terms and conditions at any time. No purchase necessary. No refunds available if winner chooses to cancel the subscription. Personal data collected from entries will not be shared with any third party. Competition entries the &#8220;marketing efforts&#8221; will not be publicised without prior notification and agreement from the submitting party.

Win a Free Subscription to Stampede.

The Easter countdown is officially on. Time to get your digital assets and marketing promotions Easter ready to&nbsp;bring in some extra revenue.



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Many businesses will opt for a traditional brunch or roast lunch offer. Take a twist this year with a new approach to some traditional dishes. What about <a href="https://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/hot-cross-scones/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hot cross scones</a> for your brunch menu? Or introducing customers to some <a href="https://www.thespruceeats.com/traditional-easter-foods-from-around-the-world-4161077" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dishes from other countries</a>?



But there is more you can do to create an Easter experience your customers will remember&#8230;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-easter-marketing-elements">Easter marketing elements</h4>



Sprinkle some&nbsp;Easter themes on your digital assets&nbsp;to build your customers&#8217; excitement.&nbsp;Seasonal elements, illustrations and images&nbsp;are the quickest way to get started.



Easter and Spring is all about vibrant and cheerful colours, so focus on using <a href="https://icolorpalette.com/palette-by-themes/easter" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pastel colours,</a> including pinks and yellows, to make your Easter marketing instantly recognisable.



Ready-made <a href="https://unlayer.com/email-templates/easter" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Easter templates </a>can help you save lots of time when it comes to designing email campaigns too



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">8 Easter social media ideas</h4>



Easter offers lot of great opportunities for fun and engaging social media campaigns too.&nbsp;Mix and match different formats&nbsp;(posts, stories and reels) to reach a wider audience.



<ol class="wp-block-list"><li>Caption this &#8211; use&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.countryliving.com/life/a30717299/easter-puns/" target="_blank">Easter egg puns</a></li><li>Share fun Easter memes</li><li>Host a virtual egg hunt across your socials and website</li><li>Share your staffs’ Easter traditions, favourite meals …</li><li>What’s on your Easter brunch table</li><li>Short video/reel &#8211; make your own DIY Easter decoration</li><li>Easter sneak peak &#8211; coming up at your venue</li><li>DIY bunny ears competition</li></ol>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">8 Easter in-venue event ideas</h4>



Easter-related activities are not exclusively for kids, grown-ups can have a lot of fun as well. Get the whole family involved:



<ol class="wp-block-list"><li>Egg hunt or scavenger egg hunt</li><li>Egg and a spoon race</li><li>Competition &#8211; egg decorating</li><li>Guessing game &#8211; jar filled with easter eggs</li><li>Host an <a href="https://quiz-questions.uk/easter-quiz-questions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Easter-inspired pub quiz</a></li><li>Easter baking class</li><li>Team up with a local florist for a wreath-making workshop</li><li>How to set your Easter table &#8211; decoration ideas</li></ol>



Easter marketing content ready but not sure how to set up your email campaign? <a href="https://stampede.ai/company/#contact" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Get in touch</a> with our team who are happy to help.

16 Rapid Ideas For Successful Easter Marketing Campaigns

The hospitality industry has evolved rapidly in recent years and AI technology is playing an increasingly vital role in improving key areas of the customer experience.&nbsp;



With its scalable and flexible capabilities, AI can significantly reform the way businesses operate. It can help save time and money while driving long-term customer loyalty.



In this blog post, we&#8217;ll explore 4 ways that AI can be used to further enhance your hospitality operations.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-operations">1. Operations</h2>



Advances in technology have been paving the way for new and exciting opportunities in business operations.



One of the latest AI tools to emerge on the scene is the chatbot. A virtual assistant that provides responses based on customer queries by scanning common keywords and related answers. It offers valuable support to staff by taking over routine tasks. 



On top, chatbots are available 24/7, so they ensure customer service standards are held up even outside of traditional business hours.



Hotels commonly use AI tech for contactless check-ins and virtual assistants acting as concierges. With these technologies, guests get the most out of their stay as it simplifies many aspects of hotel services. 



In the same way, self-serve kiosks are becoming a fixture in restaurants, allowing customers to place orders with ease and freeing up staff time.



Finally, <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-get-maximum-value-from-customer-review-sentiments">AI-powered sentiment analysis</a> can help companies track trends and issues related to customer feedback. This enables them to make data-driven decisions and continuously improve their service.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-marketing">2. Marketing</h2>



AI can vastly support marketing strategies by gathering more relevant data and customer insights. From this, marketers can create hyper-targeted and personalised campaigns that matter to customers and therefore have a higher chance of converting.&nbsp;



Using AI automation, marketers can easily automate repetitive tasks, such as uploading data using spreadsheets. This allows them to focus their time and attention on other parts of the business.&nbsp;



Another example of automation is <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/increase-sales-with-your-crm-and-marketing-automation">trigger-based campaigns</a>. They are based on previous customer interactions. I.e. Send a discount to customers who haven’t been at your venue for a while.



AI can also support digital advertising by taking over jobs such as audience and campaign optimisation. And finally, social media monitoring across channels for brand mentions and engagement is made easier with AI.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-sales">3. Sales</h2>



Sales is a challenging and complex area for any business but with the help of AI, hospitality operators can get some significant assistance.



Hotels, for example, are now able to apply a <a href="https://hoteltechreport.com/news/dynamic-pricing-hotels">dynamic pricing strategy</a>. Room rates are adjusted in real-time to reflect demand patterns and rates are optimised depending on seasonality. Whilst ensuring that customers are getting the best prices when booking direct.&nbsp;



Additionally, AI can offer valuable insights into customer interactions and purchasing behaviour. This way operators can quickly identify potential opportunities for upselling and cross-selling to boost their revenue.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-data-analytics-and-reporting">4. Data analytics and reporting</h2>



Data analytics and reporting are invaluable tools for hospitality businesses seeking to gain insights into customer behaviour and improve decision-making. With the usage of AI, these processes have become even more streamlined.



One of the most significant benefits of AI is the ability to automatically generate customised reports and dashboards. This covers especially time-consuming, manual tasks that were often prone to errors.



Additionally, AI can help to better manage data and identify the most valuable customer segments. Those can be applied to create personalised marketing campaigns.&nbsp;



Resources and inventory are also much more efficient and easier with AI&#8217;s ability to make suggestions as well as forecast market and business trends.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-takeaway">Takeaway</h2>



AI has revolutionised the hospitality industry. Demonstrating its undeniable potential in optimising operations, improving marketing strategies, increasing sales and becoming more data-driven.



New technology continues to be mixed with traditional methods and offers an unprecedented level of customisation. This can advance the bottom line and improve the overall customer experience.



The ultimate aim of integrating AI into hospitality roles is to create a system which runs smoothly while allowing employees to focus on personalising services. 



When interacting with customers becomes easy and efficient, brands will be able to build stronger customer relationships and loyalty leading to greater business growth opportunities.



Make sure to <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/ai-in-hospitality-marketing-a-complete-guide">check out our full guide</a> exploring AI for hospitality marketing.

4 Ways To Optimise Your Hospitality Business With AI

<a href="https://learn.g2.com/customer-reviews-statistics" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">73% of customers</a> place more value on the written review, rather than the star rating.



The number speaks for itself. Reviews are not only about the star rating anymore. High-star reviews certainly help you attract customers to your venues. Though the real value is found in the words rather than the score.&nbsp;Reviews sentiments are a powerful tool all businesses should make use of.



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<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-power-of-written-reviews">The Power of Written Reviews</h4>



For some customers, it won’t take much to draw out a 5-star review. Others rarely rate any business with 100% despite being completely satisfied. Written reviews on the other hand tell a story on which potential new customers will base their opinion on.&nbsp;



Potential customers will pay attention to all sorts of details that give them a hint of what to expect when going to your venue. For example, any common problems or complaints that came up and if they&#8217;ve been handled.&nbsp;



Written reviews not only provide insights for your customers but more so, they allow businesses to capture the emotions behind the rating and can help you to find out what&#8217;s really going on.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Sentiment Analysis</h4>



How do you extract real value from your reviews then? A sentiment analysis will give you those insights. This technique is used to determine whether words in a text are positive, negative or neutral and are grouped respectively. It’s a great tool that helps you monitor your reviews and points you to potential (common) issues you should address.



But before you fire up a spreadsheet, ready to get started and manually sift through your reviews, there is a better way! Let a review sentiment software do the heavy lifting for you and make the process much more efficient.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Automated Reviews Sentiment Analysis</h4>



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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Social-Media-Posts-2-14.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://image.stampede.ai/fill/1024/579/ce/0/aHR0cHM6Ly9zdGFtcGVkZS5haS93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMS8wOC9Tb2NpYWwtTWVkaWEtUG9zdHMtMi0xNC0xMDI0eDU3OS5wbmc=" alt="" class="wp-image-20300" width="437" height="246"/></a></figure>



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The above example showcases how sentiments are automatically captured from the written reviews and tagged in a summary dashboard.



What’s more, common themes are tracked and counted together. So that you can quickly determine which matters urgently need your attention.&nbsp;



The system can also flag negative reviews for you, le easily see which reviews you still need to reply to.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Best Practice Advice &#8211; Irony &amp; Sarcasm</h4>



Bear in mind that some words, even though they are positive words, might not be meant like that in a certain context.&nbsp;



“We had to wait for 15 min to get to our table. Great start into the evening.”



This is clearly not a positive review. Though “great start” might imply so, which can result in a positive flag. The good news, technology has evolved a lot recently and systems constantly keep learning and improving.&nbsp;



If you’ve got any questions about reviews, sentiment analysis or emailing customers then <a href="mailto:contact@stampede.ai?subject=&amp;body=" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">get in touch</a> with one of our team. We’re here to help on all things digital.

How to Get Maximum Value From Customer Reviews Sentiments

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stampede-announces-springo-acquisition-as-part-of-post-lockdown-growth-plans">Stampede announces Springo acquisition as part of post-lockdown growth plans &nbsp;</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marketing-software-businesses-combine-forces-to-target-new-it-channel-partners">Marketing software businesses combine forces to target new IT channel partners</h3>



Edinburgh, UK, 5th July 2021&nbsp;–<a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__stampede.ai_&amp;d=DwMFaQ&amp;c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&amp;r=G04Hl4mHwuXumE4aLNQwjtCNczRSFK_l5Aipin3BtgA&amp;m=f1O2zrmhKcO9y6J2mqnPsZqLjonrR764RHtxnzOpLCE&amp;s=zsSreC1usrxjVNVUD7fAXZnVkKCq7vOSaKp3lWFxoIA&amp;e=">&nbsp;Stampede</a> has today announced its acquisition of fellow hospitality software startup, Springo, in a bid to strengthen the business and reach new hospitality customers worldwide. Stampede launched its first global reseller programme in November 2020, and has purchased Springo for its IP, notable channel customer-base, and ICT experience – which will help Stampede expand throughout the UK and beyond via new IT resellers.&nbsp;



Springo, like Stampede, is a data capture, digital marketing and customer engagement software business specialising in the hospitality sector. Both specialise in giving brick-and-mortar businesses access to the digital tools and services of big online brands. They have helped hundreds of hospitality businesses bounce back after COVID, and it is hoped that their combined forces will allow Stampede to reach even more venues. As part of the deal, Springo founder and director, Jay Ball will join Stampede as a non-executive director and minority shareholder. Springo’s employees will also join Stampede’s team. Jay brings a wealth of ICT, channel and business leadership experience to Stampede, having founded his first business, DataKom, in 2007 – which he sold in 2019 for a multi-million pound exit.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;



For existing channel partners like Invisinet and 7Hospitality, the Stampede platform represents a quick and easy way to increase monthly recurring revenues, while adding high demand products to their line of business.&nbsp;Following the Springo deal, Stampede is actively seeking new reseller partners, especially those with a high volume of clients in the retail and hospitality industries, as well as clients struggling to digitise multiple sites quickly/remotely.



“Jay has a wealth of experience in the telecoms space and we’re delighted to bring him and the rest of the Springo team on board with Stampede,” said Patrick Clover, Stampede founder and CEO. “Like Stampede, Springo has been helping hospitality businesses bounce back after an extremely difficult 16 months. By combining our technology, resources, expertise and customer-base, we believe we can reach even more businesses that need our support. Post-lockdown, I expect a lot of hospitality businesses to maintain some of the digital elements of the customer experience that were adopted this year out of necessity. There is a real opportunity for channel partners working in this space to make the digital hospitality experience as seamless as possible for customers and venues alike, which is exactly what our platform delivers.”&nbsp;



“We built a brilliant platform that was very successful, and combining our software means we can now offer far more to Springo and Stampede customers and resellers,” said Jay Ball, Stampede’s new non-executive director. Stampede is one of the UK’s leading hospitality software businesses, and we want to bolster their efforts to bring digital tools to the physical businesses that need them most. Springo has great experience selling to the channel, we understand their pain points and what they expect from their software partners. We bring this expertise to Stampede and believe it will give them the extra firepower needed to be successful in this industry.”



Resellers that want a demonstration on how&nbsp;Stampede&nbsp;and its partner programme works should contact Owen Rees Channel Development Manager <a href="mailto:owen.rees@stampede.ai">owen.rees@stampede.ai</a> <a href="tel:+447519390920">07519 380 920</a>



Benefits of the&nbsp;Stampede&nbsp;platform for hospitality customers include:&nbsp;



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Capture customer data instantly when customers connect to guest Wi-Fi or register via QR code</li><li>Track repeat customers with connection data and build new loyalty schemes and promotions (the success of which can be tracked in real time)</li><li>Generate more reviews across platforms like Google and TripAdvisor (customers can be contacted within an hour of leaving a physical venue encouraging them to leave a review)</li><li>Introduce digital stamp card schemes and let customers earn rewards</li></ul>



About&nbsp;Stampede



Stampede&nbsp;was founded by software developer and tech entrepreneur, Patrick Clover, to enable physical venues to engage with their customers more easily and effectively, and understand them better. From the independent coffee shop to global brands with thousands of sites &#8211;&nbsp;Stampede&nbsp;provides a level of customer insight previously only available to large corporations. It offers business owners better information on their customers through improved engagement and insights into consumer habits.

Stampede announces Springo acquisition

Love it or loathe it, we live in times where mobile devices are everywhere. 
In our <a class="" href="https://www.stampede.ai/blog/press/boost-sales-with-smart-wifi">previous blog</a>, we offered up some great tips for using Smart WiFi to give your customers a great WiFi experience while visiting your business and at the same time boost your bottom line. Whether you are a café, pub, bar or restaurant, offering free WiFi gives you a competitive edge by providing fast and reliable internet access to your customers for social networking, checking emails, online shopping, and surfing the internet at all times. This can have a direct influence on building customer loyalty, resulting in increased sales.
So, here are another three reasons why offering free Guest WiFi to your customers can help your business.
Customers will spend more time
One of the biggest advantages of offering free WiFi to customers is a no-brainer, <img decoding="async" style="width: 320px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right;" title="Stampede Phone Pub" src="https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2735287/Blog/phone-pub.jpg" alt="Stampede Phone Pub" width="320" data-constrained="true" />increased time spent in your store. WiFi access helps customers stay productive and connected, giving them no reason to rush the shopping process. According to <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com">Business Insider</a>, more than 62% of businesses reported that customers spend more time on their premise when WiFi is offered. Instead of examining the scenario as customers simply hanging around, consider using the opportunity to engage new customers and discover their needs.
Increased foot traffic
The fastest way to drive foot traffic is putting up a sign that brings awareness of free WiFi. This allows your business to attract new customers while enticing existing customers to come back. In addition to visual recognition, most consumers use apps like <a href="https://www.yelp.com">Yelp!</a> and <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/maps">Google Maps</a> to find businesses, selecting venues that offer amenities like free WiFi.
Mobile Marketing
Stampede’s WiFi solution allows you to promote your business before customers even sign in on their smart devices. You can customise the landing page to attract customers and share special offers. Typically, there is an opportunity to brand your network with a creative, custom name, like “Bob’s Awsome Bar – Enjoy Free WiFi.” Additionally, in the age of social media influencers, customers can do marketing for you through social networking. By allowing customers to “check in” at your business, they can spread the word about your business in real time.

<a class="eut-modal-popup" href="https://calendly.com/stampedeae/stampede-demo-request?month=2020-02">Click here to get started.</a>

How to boost sales with Smart WiFi in your business – Part 2

Heat, Light, Water and&#8230; WiFi?

As a business owner, the above utilities are essential services to a growing brand.
If you run a restaurant, bar, café, club or pub, then you have to consider WiFi as the 4th most important utility to offer your customers, after, heat light and water (….or wine).
It seems obvious to say but offering a great guest WiFi experience is just as essential to the customers as the environment and the quality of food and drinks you serve. The whole experience keeps customers on your premises longer, increasing your customer base and revenue.
Many businesses already give WiFi access to their customers by either leaving their WiFi connection &#8216;open&#8217; or by giving out the password at the bar or writing it on a menu board….(sounds familiar?)
<img decoding="async" class="wp-image-4277 alignleft" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 234px;" title="Stampede WiFi Fourth Service" src="https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2735287/Imported_Blog_Media/6f0dbdc5df34cb2c4a312eb7cf0ff867.jpg" alt="Stampede WiFi Fourth Service" width="234" data-constrained="true" />
Whichever of these options you choose, each comes with a number of problems.
Firstly, if the Internet connection is critical for day to day running of their business to process card payments, run POS systems etc, there is a real danger that customers will potentially have access to sensitive information.
Secondly, unless the default login details to the WiFi router are changed, anyone could login to the router and make changes. This could range from wiping out internet connectivity completely or changing the network name to something obscene reflecting poorly on your brand.
Thirdly, by leaving the connection open or freely giving out the password, people from outside or nearby may be using the WiFi, reducing their chances of coming inside and increasing your chance of a hefty internet bill.
If the network password is openly displayed, hackers can use a number of free tools available on the Internet to &#8216;sniff&#8217; traffic sent over a WiFi network. This means they will be able to see all the information, including usernames and passwords sent over the network. Customers of yours could have their accounts breached with no consequence to the culprit. Reflecting terribly on your brand.
Offering Wi-Fi greatly improves the guest experience and definitely builds customer loyalty.
<img decoding="async" class="wp-image-4272 alignright" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 410px;" title="Stampede The pack Branding" src="https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2735287/Imported_Blog_Media/the-pack.jpg" alt="Stampede The pack Branding" width="410" data-constrained="true" />
You should consider a self-branded splash page; this is a great way to make it super easy for guests to connect and it’s also an opportunity for you to talk to your customers. Personalize their experience and get them speaking to their friends about how great your business is. You can easily identify if any users are up to no good and block out any non-child friendly websites. All this, as well as complying with all the legalities associated with offering guest WiFi in your venue, is covered by us.
If Stampede sounds like something you might be interested in, get in touch!
<a class="eut-modal-popup" href="https://calendly.com/stampedeae/stampede-demo-request?month=2020-02">Click here to get started.</a>

Guest WiFi – The 4th Emergency Service?

<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-on-this-week">What’s on This Week</h4>



It’s a doubleheader Monday this week, closely followed by the opening of the first advent calendar door on Tuesday.



Let’s dive into this week’s ideas.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mon-30th-nov-cyber-monday"> Mon 30th Nov &#8211; Cyber Monday</h4>



Black Friday’s lesser-known sibling is an extension of the sales event that kicks off Christmas shopping season. Use it to keep the momentum up your Black Friday promotions or as a chance to switch things up a bit with a variation of last week&#8217;s offer.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mon-30th-nov-st-andrews-day">Mon 30th Nov &#8211; St Andrews Day</h4>



Scotland’s National Day and a chance to celebrate all things Scottish. When it comes to food and drink there is a myriad of choices: Haggis, whisky, smoked salmon, Stornoway black pudding, stovies, tablet and we only deep fry two of those&#8230;



 If Cyber Monday isn’t for your brand, some visual content about the diverse Scottish larder will go down well today on social media. 



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tues-1st-december">Tues 1st December</h4>



The start of December is the start of Christmas for many. Use it as a chance to remind customers and fans of Christmas offers and booking availability, or implement a Christmas social media theme such as an advent calendar or 12 days of Christmas with topics relevant to your business.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fri-4th-dec-bartender-appreciation-day">Fri 4th Dec &#8211; Bartender Appreciation Day</h4>



Falling on the first Friday of December, this a day to say thanks to all the bartenders out there. Thanks for all the extra tasks they’ve undoubtedly taken on this year, all the time and effort they’ve taken to keep customers safe and happy in a difficult working environment.&nbsp;



 Grab a picture of your bar team, or dig one out of the archive for social media this Friday, giving your fans a chance to say thanks or share stories of great experiences they’ve had thanks to the bartending team.



That&#8217;s all for this week, time for a Tunnocks Tea Cake and a glass of Irn-Bru.



 If you need any help with setting up Christmas promotions and campaigns, please <a href="https://stampede.ai/company/#contact" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">get in touch</a> with one of our team.

Fresh Content Ideas To Fuel Your Marketing

How to Set Up a Coworking Space in Your Coffee Shop

WiFi Marketing: 3 Powerful Ways It Can Grow Your Business

Personalisation is an ultra-hot topic in HORECA. There’s no denying hospitality is a human art. The word describes the relationship between guest and host. We know that technology can put the ‘person’ into personalisation. Wait staff ask customers how they like their steak and coffee shops now offer a world of variation on the humble cup of coffee. But should businesses like yours adopt an even more personalised approach? What are the actual benefits of personalisation?







<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Bolster your marketing efforts</h4>



When you need to <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/tracking-digital-marketing-roi/">increase the ROI of your marketing</a>, targeting through personalisation gives you the edge. Tailoring your marketing makes your money work harder. We’ve covered the basics of how to get started with personalisation in Useful data for restaurant marketing. It’s most important to realise that personalisation can help at each stage of the customer journey. It informs campaigns so you use the right tactics to reach and <a href="http://www.hemingwayapp.com/#_msocom_1">influence your audience and boost your engagement</a>. Plus, you can serve your paid social ads, email offers and stories in a personalised way too.&nbsp;



Your personalised marketing efforts shouldn’t stop once a prospect becomes a customer either. By building up a profile of your guests, you know which special email offers will tempt them to visit you. Additional benefit to make it even more personalised, with Stampede, you can even choose to present your guests&#8217; different offers while they’re on site. Our stories feature gives an easy way to entice customers with the right offer.&nbsp;



You may be lucky enough to have great wait staff that get to know your customers, what they like and how to upsell them. But the reality of the hospitality industry is that you lose information when staff members leave. They move onto a new role and take that important customer rapport with them. <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-marketing-with-wifi-benefits-your-business/">By collecting the right data</a> to feed into your CRM, you can use personalisation to give all your staff a confident starting point. This makes connections easier to build and maintain.



Further reading: <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/personalise-your-customer-journey-at-your-restaurant/">https://stampede.ai/blog/personalise-your-customer-journey-at-your-restaurant/</a>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Standout customer service</h4>



We recently wrote about personalisation as an important factor in <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-nail-customer-service-for-families/">customer service for families.</a> There are obvious benefits to offering picky-eating kids exactly what appeals to them. But why restrict such choices to children only? You could opt to provide personalisation at the ordering stage, like McDonald&#8217;s. They reported a <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-marketing-with-wifi-benefits-your-business/">30% rise in order values in US trials of self-ordering screens</a> and these screens have now made their way to the UK. The evidence suggests that when people are able to order something exactly how they like it with less fuss, they spend more. And isn’t smooth service good customer service?&nbsp;



To elevate service through personalisation, businesses can use technology to anticipate and meet customer preferences. This needn’t apply to the menu only. By incorporating order ahead or takeaway options, we give customers more control over their journey. It will be interesting to see if service levels become even more personalised in the future beyond the world of fast food. 



Could you offer customers a cheaper price for ordering via technology at the table? And would this encourage shy customers to order or visit you more? How about giving any noise-averse customers the option to book during a ‘quiet hour’ in the same way travellers can book a quiet coach?&nbsp;



Offering countless variations on every aspect of your menu or service is unlikely to be practical. But simply knowing some preferences are catered for can make choosing your venue simpler for individuals as well as groups. It’s not necessarily about offering overwhelming levels of choice. Customers want to feel listened to and valued. Whether that’s auto-filtering a menu for allergy sufferers or helping those with decision fatigue to make a faster choice. Like the ideal burger, ideal customer service differs between individuals, are you catering to your customer’s needs?&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Personalisation’s business lessons</h4>



You need to have some idea of your customer’s needs and preferences to cater to their personalisation want. But in doing so, you have the potential to gain further valuable information. Offer your burgers with or without gherkins and you may discover most of your customers don’t like them. This will allow you to save on stock and rethink your recipe.&nbsp;



Marketing can also be supercharged when you know what tempts individual and segments of visitors to visit you. You might even choose to use a guest’s previous ordering history to target marketing specifically to them before and during a visit. And you can be sure your message is delivered to them according to their preferences for a better response rate. 



Offer and analyse points of differentiation to see what makes your customers tick. In turn, this should improve your marketing reach, lead to more visits and higher sales. Personalisation can fuel everything from customer acquisition to more effective customer loyalty programmes.



If this sounds a little far-fetched, let us show you how bringing together this information together can be easier than you think. Our solution also integrates with CRM systems to help you better understand each customer journey. Are you ready to create tailored experiences that build loyalty for your business?



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The Benefits of Personalisation for HORECA Businesses

Consumers appreciate speed and convenience. Pair this with a pandemic that’s encouraged people to stay at home and you have the premise for why online ordering has recently seen exponential growth. While there’s <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/why-you-should-put-your-restaurant-on-a-delivery-app-now/">no longer room for argument</a> as to whether deliveries should be an option for restaurants, the debate of how they should be administered still stands. &nbsp;



Did you know?



Did you know that revenue generated by off-premise dining makes up 44% of all restaurant sales, with 25% of those orders accounting for delivery?<a href="https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/operations/how-do-third-party-delivery-players-stack">[1]</a>



As such, the aim of this article is to guide restaurant owners through the decision-making process when it comes to answering the following question:



Should restaurants provide delivery themselves (DIY) &#8211; or should they rely on third-party services?



To help you work out what’s best for your business, let’s work through the pros and cons of the two options.&nbsp;



Here goes:



DIY Delivery 



Pros



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>If you want full control of your restaurant’s order and delivery system, then DIY delivery is the way to go. Having complete reign gives you the ability to control your delivery logistics so that you can put every effort into keeping your customers happy with your service.</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>In-house delivery methods allow restaurant owners and managers the freedom and flexibility to define their own product-offering and business model. For example, there are many third-party services that are restrictive by the type of products they can deliver.&nbsp;</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>By cutting out the middleman, you can reduce the potential for communication breakdown. There is less room for error when customers direct their orders to the source. At the same time, you can own the conversation with your customers where you provide them with options to order online or via a phone call. </li><li>Using your own vehicles is a great branding opportunity. Many companies use vehicles wrapped in eye-catching designs to get them noticed when driving around. It&#8217;s like a mobile billboard for your business, instead of a solo cyclist with a cuboid backpack.</li></ul>



Cons



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Hiring delivery staff and delivery vehicles with in-house delivery operations can become costly.&nbsp; It can also be a complex procedure that adds to your admin, weighing you down with paperwork. </li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Even if you have been in the restaurant business for years, your expertise in modern-day delivery expectations may be lacking. This could lead to disrupted logistics and incompetence that could give your restaurant a bad rep. So, if you are not prepared to master new skills, then “DIY” may not be the way to go.&nbsp;</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>If things go wrong with an in-house delivery, there’s just no way to “pass on the buck”. If your customer is dissatisfied, then you will have to take full accountability for bad experiences. It’s fully up to you to provide ways to keep your restaurant customers happy.</li></ul>



Third-party Delivery Pros and Cons



Pros



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Outsourcing delivery gives you room to breathe. By relying on delivery service apps to do the hard parts for you, you can focus exclusively on the tangible things you provide to your patrons. You have more time and resources on your hands to concentrate on other important day-to-day efforts and bigger projects.</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Choosing to outsource delivery to a third party can lower your fixed expenses. It cuts out the need to pay wages to delivery staff and you won’t need to take out extra insurance. You also won’t need to purchase a fleet of delivery vehicles – which can put a huge dent in your profits.&nbsp;</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Using a third-party delivery service has the potential to direct new business to you. Most third-party delivery services use web and mobile applications to run their services, with big advertising budgets to get consumers on board. The apps are out there doing the hard work of bringing you potential new customers.</li></ul>



Cons



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>When you rely on a third-party service application to run your deliveries, then you lose a certain amount of influential control over your patrons. For instance, you cannot customise your customer experience so that it completely meets the goals and values of your brand. You also rely on third-party staff members, who you may never meet, to be the face of your restaurant.&nbsp; At least with in-house delivery, you can train employees in exacting the delivery standards that you would like your customers to experience.&nbsp;</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Commissions and fees. Third-party delivery software services are convenient in the sense that you typically only pay commission per transaction. However, this commission can take a hefty chunk out of your profits, sometimes up to 35%. Depending on your type of establishment, staff, wages, and vehicle availability may work out cheaper for a DIY delivery operation.&nbsp;</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Third-party apps rely on technology to work and if there’s been a technical hitch in the system, it can lead to broken communication and an unhappy customer. While it may be the third-party’s fault that your customer is dissatisfied, it’s still your reputation on the line.&nbsp;</li></ul>



The Bottom Line…



Both DIY in-house and third-party delivery options are weighted with advantages and drawbacks. But regardless of how you decide to run your delivery operation, it’s always a good idea to incorporate some sort of delivery software into your system. <a href="https://storekit.com/advice/restaurant-software-a-guide/">Technology comes in all shapes and sizes and with its help</a>, you can streamline your logistics and optimise your operation as a whole. 



If you&#8217;re looking for more control and flexibility, DIY is the best option. However, if you favour speed and convenience, outsourcing with a third-party delivery app would be a better fit.



References:



[1] Restaurant Business Online. <a href="https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/operations/how-do-third-party-delivery-players-stack">How Do the Third-Party Delivery Players Stack Up?</a> June 21, 2018



Sources:



<ol class="wp-block-list"><li>Moz. <a href="https://moz.com/blog/third-party-vs-in-house-delivery-guide">Third-party vs. In-house Delivery: A Guide to Informed Choice</a>, 22 June, 2020</li><li>Glympse. <a href="https://glympse.com/glympse/in-house-vs-third-party-delivery-pros-and-cons/">In-House vs. Third-Party Delivery: Pros and Cons</a>, May 15, 2019</li></ol>

Comparing In-House Delivery and Third-Party Delivery Apps

Restaurant management is not for the faint-hearted. With a new establishment flaunting itself on every corner, competition can be somewhat rife. Your dishes may be exquisite and your atmosphere delightful – but if you don’t market yourself productively, you could lose your patrons to the neighbour next door.&nbsp;



From coffee shop marketing to eloquently advertising your Michelin star restaurant, deploying the correct advertising techniques is what will draw in the next generations – ensuring that you always have tables to serve. &nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Did you know?</h4>



According to <a href="https://brandongaille.com/13-must-see-restaurant-social-media-statistics-and-trends/">Brandon Gaille [1]</a>, 40% of individuals learn about food through digital methods, such as websites, blogs, and mobile apps.&nbsp;



This statistic is expected to increase in the future.&nbsp;



For the next 50 years, millennials will make up a huge portion of your target audience with Generation Z following close behind. The two generations show proximate similarities and if you pay attention to what these folks want or expect from the service industry – then your marketing efforts are halfway there.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">Three Things You Need to Know About Millennials</h5>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>They value opinions.&nbsp; Millennials can Google their hearts out. But when it comes to “sealing the deal”, they value opinions the most.This is why <a href="https://stampede.ai/resources/i-read-it-online-so-it-must-be-true/">word-of-mouth recommendations, online reviews and social media comments</a> are going to continue to sky-rocket in importance.&nbsp;</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>They judge your credibility based on your <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/establishing-your-coffee-shop-brand-online/">online presence</a>. A website is a great starting point but if you are not on social media, well, do you even exist? Restaurants that do not have active Facebook or Instagram profiles seem questionable to millennials and they might just doubt your authenticity.&nbsp;</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>They love brands that support their causes. Millennials tend to be very proactive when it comes to social responsibility. Many direct their attention to brands and businesses that share their passions. So, if you support any causes or host fundraisers, you’re going to want to let your customers know about it. If you don’t support any causes, now’s the time to start.&nbsp;</li></ul>



It’s clear that the future of marketing will be built on digital grounds while considering the emotions behind human expectations. It will be even more imperative for restaurants to have an engaging social media presence where good reviews are regarded as valuable as solid gold. At the same time, creditability and transparency should form the backbone of every marketing campaign.&nbsp;



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">The Future of Digital Marketing for Restaurants</h5>



Now that we have some insight into what future patrons will expect from the food industry – the question is – what type of targeted marketing will cater to their needs?



We’ve already established that digital advertising is the way to go. But with technology evolving so rapidly, it’s important that you keep up to date with the up-and-coming trends so that you don’t fall off the wagon.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Here’s our researched list of future marketing trends:</h4>



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">Measurable Marketing</h5>



Gone are the days where marketing was a one-way method of communication. With the onset of digital marketing, businesses can now receive invaluable feedback from their audiences. Measurable marketing techniques can include:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Facebook Advertising</li><li><a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/3-powerful-ways-wifi-marketing-can-grow-your-business/">Wi-Fi Marketing</a></li><li>Digital Ordering</li><li>Digital Menus</li></ul>



By applying each of these strategies, you not only create ways to continuously market yourself but you also get to collect the data on your patrons’ trends. This data can be used to perfect customer satisfaction and refine future marketing efforts even further.&nbsp;



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">Localised Marketing</h5>



Localised marketing is not only based on a restaurants target area. It also taps into the expectations of the individuals in that location. Using the information gathered from measurable marketing, restaurants can support causes that the locals tend to navigate towards.&nbsp;



As a current example, you could advertise your vegan, gluten-free, and organic meal options or you could turn your restaurant into a plastic-free zone.&nbsp;



Another hit of the future lies in charity fundraisers and community support. In this regard, small restaurants have an advantage over larger chains. They have the ability to position themselves as an integral part of the local fabric. This means that they can effectively structure themselves to be a friendly and familiar face within the community.&nbsp;



By implementing these “causes” into your marketing campaign, you will be satisfying your patrons before they even step through your doors.&nbsp;



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">Personalisation</h5>



Personalisation within the restaurant industry will focus on digital menus. This will streamline the ordering process and act as a platform for uniquely targeted advertising. Like measurable marketing, it will also help restaurants to gather the data they need to create dishes and menus that are personalised to individual tastes and dietary requirements.



Past trends will be saved and automatically adapted for the next dish recommendation. Ultimately, this will improve taste, customisation, and patron satisfaction.&nbsp;



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">Customer Loyalty Programmes</h5>



 Loyalty programs are no new invention. Gone are the days where clipped coupons find their way to the recycling bin. Future loyalty initiatives are now joining the digital revolution. Next-generation restaurants are using Smartphone technology and web-based applications to maintain a large and insightful customer database.



Essentially, Loyalty Programmes are a friendly way of asking patrons for their personal details. In exchange for certain perks (like free meals), customers agree to your marketing terms. Loyalty systems are currently being developed to send targeted and automated marketing emails, text messages, and push notifications directly to the customers on a database. This creates a cost-effective, streamlined, and customised marketing campaign that hits the nail on the head. &nbsp;



Marketing a restaurant with the right combination of trends and strategies stands second to none in making a business successful. By staying one step ahead of your customers and patrons, you will not only meet their expectations but you will also have the ability to market effectively. And in case you didn’t know – the future starts now!&nbsp;



References:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li><a href="https://brandongaille.com/13-must-see-restaurant-social-media-statistics-and-trends/">Brandon Gaille Marketing Statistics.</a>&nbsp;</li></ul>

The Future of Restaurant Marketing

The use of social media to market hospitality businesses has been gaining traction over the past few years, and with good reason. According to <a href="https://blog.hootsuite.com/simon-kemp-social-media/">Hootsuite</a>, 2019 set the record for signing up 3.48 billion social media users (that’s 9% more than the previous year). With a figure such as this, it’s no wonder that businesses are flocking to present themselves to the massive audiences found on social media platforms.&nbsp;But which is the right social media channel for your hospitality business?







The first step towards a successful social media marketing campaign, however, is to choose the correct channels for your business. To kickstart this article, we will raise a few questions that will help you to determine which platforms will benefit your venue. Thereafter, we’ll delve into mentioning our favourite platforms and how they can work for you. &nbsp;



Questions That Will Help You to Find the Best Social Media Channels for Your Hospitality Business:



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Who Is Your Target Audience?</h4>



The first step in any marketing campaign is to determine who you want to connect with. For instance, is your hotel family-friendly? Or does it prefer to host corporates? Does your venue feature a restaurant? Does it welcome day visitors? When you know who you need to reach out to, then its easier to find the right audience.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Where Are Your Competitors Investing Their Time?</h4>



It never hurts to do a quick investigation into where your competitors spend their time. Do your research and see which social media platforms you can find them on as well as where they are receiving the best type of engagement. This may help you to refine your own social media channel choices. &nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">How Seriously Do You Take Your Business’s Photography?</h4>



Are you taking quality photos of your hotel or restaurant? Hi-res and professional images are important if you plan on using image-focused channels such as Instagram and Pinterest.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">How Much Time Are You Willing to Invest in Your Campaigns?</h4>



Whilst any type of successful marketing takes a huge investment of time, the nature of certain channels may require more dedication than others. For example, to maintain engagement, you will need to post more often on a platform such as Twitter than you would on Facebook (where one daily post is repurposed).&nbsp;



Remember, an inactive and unattended social profile gives a cold first impression. And we’re sure that you do not want this to be a reflection of your customer services. &nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">What Is Your End Goal?</h4>



This is quite possibly the most important question. Let’s add a sub-question here too: Why do you feel it’s necessary for your hospitality business to have a social media presence?&nbsp;



From communicating with your customers effectively to putting yourself “out there” so that people know you exist, social media provides a hive of activities that could benefit your business.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Favourable Social Media Platforms for the Hospitality Industry</h4>



Now that you have a good idea of who your audiences are and what you expect from your social media presence, the next step is to select the social media channels that you feel will be most favourable for your hospitality venue.



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



In this section, we will mention a few of the most popular social media platforms. We will give a brief insight into how each one works as well as how it could promote your hospitality business.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Facebook&nbsp;</h4>



A good Facebook marketing campaign will help you to solidify your brand. By creating a page for your hotel or restaurant, you can post images, videos, and polls – giving you a variety of fun marketing strategies to work with. You also have the option to boost posts and run paid ads, which means you can increase your levels of engagement.&nbsp; Facebook is a great place to build a community of customers or “fans”. Within this community, you can build trust, encourage “shares” and referrals, and work on your online reviews.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Twitter&nbsp;</h4>



Tweets may have a short shelf life but it’s a great way to get your messages, company news and promotions out to the masses. You can also use this channel to chat with guests, handle queries, and attend any complaints. Many hotels use Twitter to connect with travellers whilst building a brand presence.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">LinkedIn&nbsp;</h4>



Corporates love LinkedIn and if you if your venue is a great place for businessmen to congregate, then an active page on LinkedIn could be to your benefit. You can use this platform to share achievements, make new announcements, and highlight good reviews. Use this medium to establish your hotel’s leadership within the hospitality industry.&nbsp;



But bear in mind, LinkedIn is representing your company from the professional side, so plan your posts accordingly. It&#8217;s also always a good way to attract new employees.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Google+&nbsp;</h4>



Having a profile on Google+ will get you onto the ultimate map i.e. Google Maps! Apart from increasing your chances of being found on search engines, this channel ensures that any comments from guests or patrons will also appear in search results defined on Google Maps.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Instagram&nbsp;</h4>



Remember we asked if you are willing to put effort into your photos? If your answer is “yes’, then Instagram is a great place to showcase your venue. This channel is a <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-take-perfect-food-image-for-instagram/">visual paradise</a> and for the best effect, images must be accompanied with appropriate hashtags. <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/rock-your-restaurant-with-wifi-and-instagram/">Instagram is one of the fastest-growing social media marketing channels</a> for businesses because it keeps things simple and appealing.&nbsp;



Instagram stories are another quick way of showing off your venue and boosting interaction. You could give your guests a sneak behind the scenes. Or why not use it to promote short-term deals to create a sense of urgency. 



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Pinterest&nbsp;</h4>



Like Instagram, excellent photos are a must for Pinterest accounts. The aim is to get your images re-pinned by other users and to gain a fan following.&nbsp; This channel requires a little less maintenance – although the audiences are not as huge as some of the other platforms. &nbsp;



When a hotel or restaurant’s social media strategy is refined, it can give a massive boost to revenue and brand presence. Here at Stampede, we use <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-marketing-with-wifi-benefits-your-business/">WiFi marketing</a> as a strategy to redirect customers to your social media pages, thus increasing engagement and brand awareness.&nbsp;



 To increase your effectiveness on your social media channels, get in touch with us.



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>





<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>

How To Find the Right Social Media Channel for Your Hospitality Business

Patrick Clover

What&#8217;s the first thing that comes to your mind when visiting a hospital or emergency waiting room? A clean, well lit, area to sit? Access to staff? How about WiFi?

Access to WiFi in waiting rooms is one of the recommendations in a <a class="" href="http://www.rcem.ac.uk/RCEM/News/News_2017/RCEM_asks_Emergency_Departments_to_meet_50_standards_to_ensure_quality_emergency_care.aspx">report justreleased by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine</a>. WiFi in hospitals and patient waiting rooms is categorised as a &#8220;Developmental&#8221; standard in the RCEM report. Services in this category aren&#8217;t required for patients and staff but serve as goals over and above services in the &#8220;Fundamental&#8221; category, such as access to a TV and a properly staffed waiting area.<img decoding="async" class="" style="width: 700px;" title="Stampede Hospital wifi" src="https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2735287/Blog/hospital-wifi.jpg" alt="Stampede Hospital wifi" width="700" data-constrained="true" />
As Dr. Taj Hassan, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, explained when the report was released: “We have also suggested some initiatives and ideas for departments to develop for patients, that we hope will add just that little bit extra to patient experience.”
By combining their Guest WiFi experience with a <a href="https://www.stampede.ai/how-it-works#analytics">WiFi analytics tool,</a> hospitals and waiting rooms can go even farther in enhancing the patient experience. What&#8217;s the average wait time a user spends in a waiting area? What&#8217;s the gender breakdown? Are users accessing the WiFi on mobile, tablets or laptops? This last insight would further enhance the waiting room experience. For example, if a hospital noticed that more guests are <a href="https://www.stampede.ai/blog/articles/wifi-in-hospitals">accessing hospital WiFi</a> over mobile or tablets, USB sockets for recharging would be a simple and quick waiting area upgrade, leading to an enhanced patient experience. How about a quick survey on a branded splash page before users log in? Helping hospital and waiting room staff understand their patients and their families needs.
Work for a hospital and want to improve your patients experience?
Do you have any experience you would like to share? Please leave it on the comments below.
<a class="eut-modal-popup" href="https://stampede.ai/get-started">Click here to get started.</a>

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Ah, customers. Love them or hate them &#8211; the fact is you need them to create a sustainable and profitable business. In the restaurant trade, your customers all have one thing in common: they are all hungry! So, when it comes to finding new ways to attract customers, you need to keep this in mind.







There are thousands of takeaways available at the touch of the app, so what is your restaurant doing differently to persuade them to head out and join you instead? It can be difficult to keep track of the latest digital trends, meaning your business is losing out in the process.



So if your flyers feel a little old school, or your website just isn’t filling tables &#8211; here are some creative ways you can attract new customers to your restaurant.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Themed Nights</h4>



If your restaurant is stuck in a rut and you’re looking to attract fresh faces, nothing brings people together quite <a href="https://upserve.com/restaurant-insider/5-great-theme-night-ideas/">like a themed night</a>. Regardless of what type of restaurant you own, there’s always room to try something a little different!



You could even host networking events and invite local businesses. Or, how about a decade themed night, or something special for Halloween, Easter etc?&nbsp; A great tip is to hold your themed night on your <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/ways-to-boost-your-restaurant-in-winter/">slowest day of the week</a>, as this can really boost trade without having to sacrifice tables during the busier nights.



Themed nights work because more often than not, people want to bring friends along too. After all, if people are going to dress up or make an effort, they are going to want to share this with other people! Meaning lots of new customer possibilities for you.&nbsp;



You can create RSVP’s on Facebook, or ask people to book a ticket via your website. You could also offer incentives such as discounts or special deals, to really entice the crowds in for your themed night. 



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Email Marketing</h4>



If you’re yet to get on <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-set-up-your-first-email-campaign-guide-2019/">board with email marketing</a>, what are you waiting for? 



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>





<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



You can really use <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/engaging-customers-through-wi-fi-marketing/">email marketing</a> to your advantage, especially when it comes to attracting and enticing new customers. For example, you could send an email where if your customers refer a friend to sign up, they will both receive a £5 voucher off their next meal.&nbsp;



Or, you could get creative and find a spot that’s quiet during the week. Send an email inviting customers to visit during this time, to receive a special offer or deal. You can really use this tactic to make sure you cover slow periods, which all businesses including restaurants inevitably have. It’s about looking at the stats and responding accordingly, which email marketing is brilliant for. 



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Create An App</h4>



As the saying goes: “If you can’t beat them, join them”. When it comes to creating an app to promote your restaurant, this could be a great way to boost existing and new trade. Especially since <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/aug/21/cellphone-screen-time-average-habits">we are now averaging over 3 hours spent on our smartphones</a> every single day.



For example, your app could allow people to pre-book tables, or even order takeaway if your restaurant offers this service. Although there are many existing apps you can use for this, they will charge commission and you won’t have full control either.&nbsp;



Your personal restaurant app, however, can alert people to free tables or special offers you may be running. Although it can be costly to set up if integrated as part of your overall marketing strategy it can really pay off. 



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/rock-your-restaurant-with-wifi-and-instagram/">Social Media</a> Competitions</h4>



On first glance, you might be thinking: “Hang on, how can giving something away earn me new customers?” The goal here is to look at <a href="https://blog.wishpond.com/post/115675437432/restaurant-contest-ideas">competitions as part of your wider marketing strategy</a>.



Say you create a competition on Facebook with the prize being a free meal for 2. If people like, share and tag who’d they’d bring on the post, the initial cost of the meal you are giving away, has generated hundreds of new followers and visits to your page. In many cases, this can spread to thousands like wildfire, after all, people like getting things for free! 



Even though you’re only picking one winner, the amount of people who have now seen your business is in the thousands when looking at overall reach.



Alternatively, you could launch a new item such as “Scotland’s hottest chilli” and challenge people to come and try it, by asking people to tag who they think has it in them to eat it. Even a simple idea can really boost the number of eyes on your business.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Guerilla Marketing</h4>



Nope, we’re not suggesting you turn your restaurant into a zoo here. Guerilla marketing is a form of marketing that uses surprising or unconventional ways of promoting a product or service.&nbsp;



A great example comes from Nestlé, who once turned a park bench <a href="https://www.digett.com/insights/why-small-businesses-should-use-guerilla-marketing">into their famous Kit Kat fingers</a>. When it comes to your restaurant, there are so many creative ways you could market it using similar tactics. For example, <a href="https://blog.depositphotos.com/guerilla-marketing-ideas.html">you could create street art similar to McDonald’s</a> that turned a pedestrian crossing into their famous fries. 



For the most part, it doesn’t have to involve an elaborate budget or any crazy installations &#8211; it’s all about thinking outside the box to get your restaurant in the minds of your customers. It’s about targeting key locations (such as student hubs or commuter zones) with a really creative idea that makes people stop and think. 



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Conclusion</h4>



Running a busy restaurant and trying to get to grips with the latest marketing trends can be tough! 



The key points to take away are that it’s important to reach your customers in as many different ways as possible. Sure, people may see a leaflet once &#8211; but is it enough on its own to attract lots of new customers?&nbsp;



While marketing isn’t exclusively digital and you should always look for a mix of physical and online methods to boost trade &#8211; it is where a lot of your core audience spend their time. Targeting them in exactly the right way with creative campaigns can make you stand out from the stream of takeaways or chains you’re in competition with.



If you’d like to enhance your digital marketing, Stampede offers tailored solutions so you can keep track of your customers, and ensure there’s a constant stream of them coming through the door.&nbsp;

Creative Ways to Attract New Customers

This article was written by Tom Saxon. Tom is the co-founder of <a href="https://www.batchcoffee.co.uk/">Batch Coffee</a>. He has been working in the speciality coffee industry for over 10 years throughout the world and in many parts of the supply chain.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



I personally love working in the hospitality industry and can’t encourage people enough to consider a career. The workforce is typically young and energetic which coupled with constantly making customers happy is why working in hospitality is a fulfilling and rewarding career. 



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Working In Hospitality &#8211; The Coffee Shop Industry</h4>



My day does start early as you’d expect in the coffee industry. The 6 am alarm is always met shortly afterwards with a delicious coffee though &#8211; one of the many perks of working with <a href="https://www.batchcoffee.co.uk/stories/best-speciality-coffee-beans-uk">speciality coffee beans</a>.



Opening up the roastery and cafe takes about 30 minutes. It involves dialling in coffee machines and preparing for customers. As they arrive each one is met with a small conversation &#8211; especially the regulars whom I would now class as friends.&nbsp;



The morning rush comes and goes quickly and I always feel pumped afterwards. The coffee industry is great as people are so thankful for their morning coffee and especially customers who dine in, their energy after they are fully caffeinated is contagious.



My responsibilities; first and foremost customer service. It&#8217;s so important that our customers leave happy and hopefully in a better mood than when they entered. Making coffee and ensuring the place is clean and tidy, stock control and various small jobs like checking the toilets every hour or so make up the rest of the day.&nbsp;



The days are quick and finishing at 4 pm means that I still have an evening to do whatever I’d like.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-tech-makes-working-in-hospitality-easier">How Tech Makes Working In Hospitality Easier&nbsp;</h4>



Working in a busy coffee shop can be occasionally stressful, especially behind the coffee machine where there is a finite number of coffees one can make per minute contrary to the odd customer&#8217;s opinion.&nbsp;



Add to this the fact that you are customer-facing, so while the orders stack up and you’re frantically trying to pull 18 shots of espresso and split a litre of steamed milk into 6 different milk-based espresso drinks you have to keep a smile on your face and appear unphased.&nbsp;



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">1. Ordering App</h5>



A really useful tool that has helped many <a href="https://baristaandco.com/">baristas</a> all over the world is an app where coffee can be ordered before a customer arrives in the coffee shop.&nbsp;



This means that the transaction takes place on the customer&#8217;s phone so there is no waiting in line and there is no time wasted serving the customer. This completely streamlines the process of ordering the coffee for the customer and the barista can immediately add the order to the queue.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">2. Customer Loyalty App</h5>



Another useful app that we use that involves the <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/the-paid-loyalty-scheme-that-works-a-treat/">customer&#8217;s experience is a loyalty app</a>. Stamp cards are now becoming a thing of the past, although they do work as a physical representation of how many coffees you have left before you receive a free one, the practicality of them from a barista&#8217;s point of view is a bit wasteful.&nbsp;



Today when customers place an order through their app they receive an e-stamp that can be visualised as a<a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/bring-more-customers-back-with-a-loyalty-program/"> </a><a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/bring-more-customers-back-with-a-loyalty-program/">loyalty card</a> on their phone. If the customer orders in the coffee shop they are able to scan a QR code that appears after the purchase on a screen facing outwards from the register which again adds another e-stamp to their virtual loyalty card.&nbsp;



This again streamlines a process that in reality saves only a matter of seconds per customer, but when looked at on a larger scale saves not only hours of staff time but crucially frees up a staff member during peak hours so the wait time is reduced which keeps current customers happy and entices new customers into the cafe.&nbsp;



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">3. Staff Scheduling App</h5>



Technology is now used in all areas of hospitality and one of the most efficient pieces of technology from a manager&#8217;s point of view is a roster application.&nbsp;



Back in the day, weekly rosters would be stuck to the wall in the form of a piece of A4 paper with an excel style table where employees could read their shifts and see when their colleagues were also working.&nbsp;



Albeit a physical representation, it was also messy as by the end of the first day the roster was published it had already been annotated with shift swaps.&nbsp;



Today, all of the shift organisation is completed via an app where managers can publish weekly rosters months in advance if they wish.&nbsp;



Colleagues can liaise directly through the app and request shift swaps with the authorisation of a manager needed and the new roster is then automatically updated. Staff can add holidays up to a year in advance so when the manager sits down to plan the roster they know exactly who is available for the forthcoming week.&nbsp;



The app usually has a singing-in system too, so gone are the days of more A4 prints on the wall or punch cards. Just tap start and finish at either end of the shift on the app which then records each staff member&#8217;s weekly hours.

Working In Hospitality: Harnessing The Efficiency Of Tech

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October Update – 3x Faster Guest WiFi and more

All Hospitality Apps Need This One Thing To Work Well

Tracking success from digital marketing to physical conversion is what we’ve always focused on. But with so many operators becoming increasingly dependent on revenue from online sources, tracking online conversion becomes important where it perhaps wasn’t before.



 Today I’m going to show you a totally free Google tool that tells you how well campaigns and promotions perform online.



 It’s called UTM tracking. UTM stands for Urchin Tracking Module and it ties together digital campaigns with results on your website. They do this by providing extra information in the website URL that you define.



 To use UTMs you’ll need to have <a href="https://analytics.google.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Google Analytics</a> installed on your website. This is also free to use and quick to install.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-does-it-work">How Does It Work?</h4>



Example: In a customer email newsletter, there is a banner to “BUY GIFT CARDS” at the top that takes people to your gift card purchase system on your website.



 The link on that banner might look like this, the UTMs are in red:



www.mybusiness.com/gift-card



?utm_source=Newsletter&amp;utm_medium=Email&amp;utm_campaign=winter-campaign&amp;utm_content=header-banner



There are 4 pieces of information this link will pass to your Google Analytics when a newsletter reader clicks on the banner:&nbsp;



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Source (Newsletter)</li><li>Medium (Email)</li><li>Campaign (winter-campaign)</li><li>Content (header-banner)</li></ul>



Looking at your gift card webpage in Google Analytics you can then see how many people arrived there from the header banner in your winter campaign email newsletter. If they go ahead with the purchase, this information will still be present in the analytics for your confirmation/success page.&nbsp;



 So you can see exactly how many people went from email to web page to purchase.



 If you’re running lots of digital campaigns on different social media channels; with a variety of emails; or to certain customer segments, UTMs are a hugely powerful way to see exactly what perform best. You can then focus more on what works, and less on what doesn’t.



 To set up your own UTMs use this tool: <a href="https://ga-dev-tools.appspot.com/campaign-url-builder/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Campaign URL Builder</a> and it will generate the full URL you can add to your digital campaigns.



 There are so many website providers out there that we can’t advise how to install Google Analytics in the space we have here but all the major ones (WordPress, Wix, Square etc.) will have guides on YouTube.



 If you need any assistance adding links with UTMs in your email and SMS campaigns, <a href="https://stampede.ai/company/#contact" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">get in touch</a> with one of our team.

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As a hospitality operator, it&#8217;s essential to efficiently manage your customer relationships which helps you provide the best customer experience. After all, this is what builds the foundation for sustainable and long-term success.&nbsp;



Putting a profound customer relationship management (CRM) strategy in place should be part of your overall game plan.&nbsp;



In this article, we&#8217;ll have a look at the role your CRM system plays in creating and executing an effective strategy that drives growth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-a-crm-strategy">What is a CRM strategy?</h2>



Put simply, a CRM strategy is a plan that outlines how a company will engage with its customers and use data to foster long-term loyalty and growth.&nbsp;



It usually consists of a mixture of company-wide processes and planned actions, which are often executed and managed with the help of technology. The overall aim is to reduce acquisition costs and increase customer lifetime value.&nbsp;



With a well-defined strategy established, companies can streamline their processes, efficiency as well as operations and also gain a better understanding of their customers&#8217; needs.&nbsp;



To accomplish the set goals, it’s vital to leverage the insights and capabilities of your tech tools. Your <a href="https://stampede.ai/amaze">CRM system</a> is most important here as it stores all the relevant customer information.



This will help you to turn your strategy into tangible action that can be tracked. You can also better analyse your data to inform your marketing and sales decisions.



However, there is no one-size-fits-all solution here, as businesses of different sizes and industries will ultimately require different approaches. 



So, before you get started, it’s important to understand what components go into a CRM strategy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-key-hospitality-crm-strategy-components">3 key hospitality CRM strategy components</h2>



A successful hospitality CRM strategy is centred around your unique business needs and your customers.&nbsp;



The following three steps will guide operators in coming up with their own CRM strategy.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Step 1 &#8211; Define your goals</h4>



The first step is to lay out clear goals that align with your business&#8217;s overall objectives and that your team can follow.&nbsp;



For example, a small restaurant might be looking to quickly grow its mailing list. A large hotel chain, on the other hand, might be seeking to increase direct bookings and get access to customer data.



Tip: Make use of the <a href="https://asana.com/resources/smart-goals">SMART goal-setting formula</a> here. Goals should always be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound. And don’t forget to regularly check your goals to make sure they are still up to date.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Step 2 &#8211; Describe your customer journey</h4>



The next step is to map out your full customer journey.



This involves taking into account every single touchpoint, both online and offline, that a customer encounters when engaging with you. Consider online reservations, WiFi sign-ups, and loyalty scheme usage but also physical in-venue visits.&nbsp;



By identifying these touchpoints, you can develop action points and define goals to improve the customer experience.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Step 3 &#8211; Build a target customer profile</h4>



It&#8217;s also important to define who your customers are in order to better target your audiences.



For this step, you need to segment all your customers into distinct categories.&nbsp;



Think about the different personas that come to your venue. Include basic background information such as demographics, profession, etc. In addition, consider why they’ve chosen your venue and what they expect from you.



For a coffee shop, their main customer base is probably workers of all ages stopping by to pick up their morning coffee. But there are also social drinkers who come to meet with their family and friends and who stay in your venue for longer.&nbsp;



For a hotel, this will look totally different. Their focus might be on families and/or couples with a certain budget. Or maybe their main clientele is business travellers. All these come with different amenity expectations.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Your CRM system will be a great supporter in this step. It helps you get a deep understanding of your customers and tailor your marketing strategies accordingly for maximum impact.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crm-dashboard-management">CRM dashboard management</h2>



One key feature of your <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/crm-dashboard-definition-and-benefits-for-the-hospitality-industry">CRM solution is the dashboard</a>. With its ability to provide insights and data about your operations, you can make more informed and strategic decisions. Whilst also keeping track of the progress towards your goals. 



But to truly harness the power of this tool, <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-build-a-customisable-hospitality-crm-dashboard">customisation is necessary</a>. For hospitality businesses in particular, key performance indicators (KPIs) may vary greatly compared to other industries. So to have the ability to tailor your dashboard to your specific needs is vital.



Some KPIs that are relevant to hospitality businesses include:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Customer retention rate</li>



<li>Average spend per customer</li>



<li>Number of direct bookings /online reservations made</li>



<li>Guest satisfaction ratings</li>



<li>Number of loyalty program signups</li>
</ul>



Many CRMs come with pre-made dashboards that you can adapt or even the option to create ones from scratch using different graphs and reports.



However, it’s important not to overload your dashboard. Keep it simple and focus on the most important metrics. This way, it’s easier for staff to spot trends at one glance and act upon them immediately.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-drive-sales-with-your-crm-system">Drive sales with your CRM system</h2>



With the insights and data that a CRM system provides, hospitality marketers can <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/increase-sales-with-your-crm-and-marketing-automation">level up their sales strategy</a> and grow their customer base more effectively.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">1. Marketing personalisation</h4>



One of the most effective marketing strategies is <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-create-personalised-marketing-campaigns-with-your-crm">personalised campaigns</a> that speak to the specific needs and interests of the individual customer.&nbsp;



This is where a CRM shines. It collects and collates data on each customer&#8217;s interactions, purchases, and preferences, which can be further segmented into categories.



Some example categories for hospitality operators could be:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>First-time visitors</li>



<li>Loyalty program users</li>



<li>Demographical &#8211; students, families, male/female</li>



<li>Geographical &#8211; locals</li>



<li>Upcoming birthday</li>



<li>Customers who have left a review</li>



<li>Customers who have made an online purchase</li>



<li>Customers who have not been at your venue for a certain period of time</li>
</ul>



By using this input to tailor marketing messages, businesses can significantly increase their chances of conversion and repeat business.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">2. Marketing automation</h4>



Additionally, setting up marketing automation for email and SMS campaigns can save time and ensure that every customer receives targeted and relevant messages. When CRM data insights and marketing automation are used together, businesses can create a truly powerful marketing strategy.



Automated welcome emails are one common marketing automation used by hospitality businesses. These are triggered when customers make their first booking or sign up for the newsletter. The goal is to stay in touch and turn them into loyal customers.



Additionally, you could set up automated booking reminders and confirmations via email and/or SMS. This helps hospitality operators reduce no-shows and also provides an opportunity to upsell.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-quick-crm-tips-for-hospitality-operators">4 Quick CRM tips for hospitality operators</h2>



Here are some quick tips to help you maximise your marketing strategy using the power of your CRM platform:



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Invest time in proper staff CRM training</li>



<li>Collate data from various tech tools to build a full customer profile</li>



<li>Keep your data clean and regularly updated your customer records</li>



<li>Use customer history and interaction to upsell</li>
</ol>



We’ve got some more tips and tricks for you <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/8-quick-tips-to-maximise-your-hospitality-crm">in this blog post</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-summary">Summary</h2>



Any CRM strategy development for hospitality businesses should begin with defining goals that are in line with your overall strategy and values. It is therefore highly individual to each company.



Companies also need to understand and map out the customer journey as well as their customer personas to see how it fits into the overall sales, marketing and growth strategy.



Once all that is in place, operators should use their <a href="https://stampede.ai/">CRM system</a> to monitor, manage, and optimise each customer touchpoint. This can easily be done through the integrated dashboard feature, which should also be customised to only show relevant metrics.

How To Create A Hospitality CRM Strategy That Drives Results

On top of Sourdough September and Organic Month,&nbsp;this week has an interesting mix of topics to inspire your social media and email content. Here&#8217;s three to get you started:



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-monday-7th-september"> Monday 7th September</h4>



 We kick off with National Salami Day. Salamis are a major player on share platters and anti-pasta plates, and can be super photogenic. Just checkout local-to-us <a href="https://www.instagram.com/piggswinebar/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PIGGS wine bar</a> on Instagram.



You could create some visual content showing off your wide selection; perhaps share a short story on how it&#8217;s made or where it&#8217;s sourced for some more immersive written or video content.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tuesday-8th-september"> Tuesday 8th September</h4>



 <a href="https://intl.startrek.com/day" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Star Trek Day</a> might be a bit niche for some to get involved in, but there’s a huge fanbase out there.



Many fans of the franchise will be settling in to watch their favourite series or set of films at home. A quick nudge to remind customers of takeaway and delivery availability could grab the attention of those looking for easy food and drinks on the day.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sunday-13th-september"> Sunday 13th September</h4>



 This Sunday is <a href="https://celiac.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Celiac Awareness Day</a>. 1 out of every 100 people are thought to suffer from some degree of this disease, so it’s no wonder that many venues offer gluten-free options (or entirely gluten-free menus).



It&#8217;s a chance to help your followers learn a little more about celiac disease and share what your business does to be inclusive around it.



Looking to engage and connect with your customers? <a href="https://stampede.ai/company/#contact" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Get in touch</a> with one of our team to learn more about our <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/marketing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">communication tools.</a>

What’s On This Week? – 07/09/2020

Chris Wilkie

Omnichannel Marketing, Snackable Content and Storyscaping &#8211; we know, there are many cool words around the broad topic of marketing. Actually, there are so many fancy words that sometimes you get the feeling some of the marketers don’t even know what they’re talking about. It’s all too easy to get lost in the marketing jungle. The most worrying factor, however, is losing sight of your customers, in a world where <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jillgriffin/2019/10/15/what-happens-when-your-customers-love-you/#7a84ff425eb7">loyal customer</a><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jillgriffin/2019/10/15/what-happens-when-your-customers-love-you/#7a84ff425eb7">s</a> are one of the most important factors.







So, the most crucial principle revolves around your <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/engaging-customers-through-wi-fi-marketing/">returning customers.</a> They&#8217;re the base your business is built on and you should never forget that. But how do you make sure that your customers feel like kings and queens? 



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Focus on existing customers</h4>



Instead of channelling all your efforts into acquiring new clients, why not take a second and reflect on the fact that your business isn&#8217;t able to serve all possible customers out there. The number of customers you can do business with is finite! So, why not channel your efforts into making the customers you already have happy and stay with your brand?



Focus on your existing customers and try to get a <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/getting-customer-insights-into-your-companys-dna/">deep understanding</a> of their needs and wants. By using this gained information, you&#8217;re able to offer them a much more customised and personalised experience. That way, they want to come back to your venue, as they know what to expect and that they&#8217;re highly valued by you.



Not convinced? How about this fact: returning customers could only cost you 4% as much as acquiring a new one AND they spend more than the double amount of money. So focusing on your loyal customers does not only help you save money, even better it gets you more revenue.



Still not sure? Have a look at this video.



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



<div style="position: relative; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><figure><iframe loading="lazy" style="position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; left: 0px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/C1jt6xvISqw?ecver=2" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe></figure></div>



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Start with your Loyalty Program today</h4>



That’s why the big players usually have a Loyalty Program in place for their returning customers. Their loyalty program allows them to rewards their most valuable customers in a special way. 



So why not treat your customers with something special after their 5th visit? What about a nice discount or a bottle of wine for free? Or what about a special treat for their upcoming birthday? That will definitely make them feel special. All well and good, but is this whole loyalty program thing not expensive?



The good news is, Loyalty Schemes can now be implemented for businesses of any size. It’s neither expensive, nor time-consuming to add a Loyalty Program to the marketing strategy of your business. But most definitely highly effective. 



If you want to learn more about Loyalty Programs, their importance for your business and the benefits you and your customers can get from them, have a look at our free eBook. Find out how you can transform your business today to really connect to your customers and boost their loyalty.&nbsp;



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>





Or why not get started right away. Transform your loyal customers into kings and queens.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="#schedule-demohttps://calendly.com/stampedeae/stampede-demo-request?month=2020-02">Click here to get started.</a></h2>

Why Loyal Customers Should be Kings and Queens

New service keeps spontaneous pub trips alive while supporting track and trace

The Power of Reviews and Recommendations

People around the world have had to adapt to sudden changes in routine. Many of us, for instance, have found ourselves at home with hours of free time at our disposal. Is this you?



You’ve done the relaxing thing and caught up on sleep, you’ve updated your website and social media accounts, you are ready and waiting to implement new marketing ideas, and you have cleaned your home and venue from top to bottom. Now what? &nbsp;



Now’s the time to find alternative ways of being productive. It’s time to upskill during downtime! It’s time to take coronavirus by the horns and show it that it’s not going to get the better of you. You’re going to improve your knowledge and your insight so that your brand is stronger and ready to take on the market during the toughest of times.&nbsp;



Let’s do this!



But how?



One way to use your time constructively is to learn new skills. This way, you can gain or maintain certification while differentiating yourself or your hospitality business moving forward. With on-demand modules and other online options such as webinars, home-study courses, educational podcasts, and endless video tutorials, the opportunities to learn remotely, safely, and in your own time are seemingly endless. Allow us to point you in the right direction.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">10 Online Tools that Can Help You to Improve Your Skills for the Hospitality Industry</blockquote>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">1. <a href="https://www.udemy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Udemy</a></h3>



Udemy has something for everyone. Whether you want to learn more about online marketing, perfect your customer service, or up your knowledge on health and safety in the hospitality industry – this is the go-to platform for quick certificate courses. The courses vary in price but are mostly easy on the pocket (look out for specials). You can also download the Udemy app so that you can up your skills while on the move.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">2. <a href="https://learndigital.withgoogle.com/digitalgarage/courses" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Google Digital Garage</a></h3>



Looking to brush up on the fundamentals of online marketing? The Google Digital Garage is a platform that has been created for those who are eager to take their business online and enjoy all the benefits. What we love about this platform (over and above the fact that it’s free to access) is that it delivers thorough digital skills courses. It teaches users by giving relatable examples of how different types of businesses can use digital channels in different ways. Once you have completed your online course, you’ll receive a certificate endorsed by Google and the IAB Europe.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">3. <a href="https://www.duolingo.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Duolingo</a></h3>



Hotel and restaurant owners understand the importance of speaking a second (or third) language. This skill can keep you a step ahead of your competition and it also makes you look more professional (not to mention cool). And that’s where Duolingo steps in. The app allows you to learn foreign languages easily. You can also set weekly goals for yourself and track your progress. Best of all, it’s free.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">4. <a href="https://www.skillpill.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Skill-Pill</a></h3>



Skill-Pill is an app that helps you to be the teacher. By mastering the app’s modules and functionality, you can learn how to create courses and training videos that can improve the skills of your employees. From bettering your customer service to learning how to improve your sales and marketing techniques, you will be able to customise the learning experience for your employees so that information is easily absorbed.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">5.<a href="https://moodle.com/app/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Moodle Mobile</a></h3>



This nifty app has many diverse settings and has been designed so that users can access their course material even when they go offline. Apart from having access to a plethora of different learning material, you will also be able to use the app to view your course grades and socialise with users who are studying the same or similar skillsets. Did we mention that it’s free?



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">6. <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://itunesu.itunes.apple.com/coursemanager/" target="_blank">iTunes U</a></h3>



iTunes U is an open learning channel that features educational audio and video files from universities, museums, and media organisations around the world. The resources are endless, and you can search, download, and play the educational content the same way you would manipulate a song or a podcast on iTunes.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">7. <a href="https://moz.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Moz</a></h3>



<a href="https://www.business2community.com/youtube/8-best-business-youtube-channels-to-sharpen-your-entrepreneur-skills-02254474">Business 2 Community[1]</a> refers to Moz as a “technical prowess”. It’s also a good resource to have when you are looking for user-friendly content to learn from. Specifically focusing on educating business owners about the ever-changing world of SEO and inbound marketing, here you will find up-to-date tutorials on the latest in digital online marketing. No misinformation here.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">8. <a href="http://www.hipsterceo.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hipster CEO</a></h3>



We’ll admit, it was the name that first drew us to this mobile game. Yup, this is a sim game instead of a traditional set of courses. When looking into the dynamics of this application, however, we were more intrigued by its ability to help users brush up on their business skills whilst having fun. With a tagline “Build a killer start-up. Or whatever” the aim of the game is to select the industry which you want to start in, hire employees, and go through the ropes to ensure that your “business” is a success. In short, it’s a simulation game that allows you to give those “what if” ideas a test run.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">9. <a href="https://www.yourprimer.com/?force_layout=True" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Google Primer</a></h3>



This basic app allows you to pick a business topic or skill – and then you get to enjoy interactive activities around the set topic. It’s the perfect tool to use if you only have a few minutes a day to brush up on your hospitality skills. Whether you are new to business or want to learn about the best digital marketing strategies, this is a great user-friendly offline and online learning aid.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">10. <a href="https://smallbusiness.withgoogle.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Google Small Business</a></h3>



Yes, we’re mentioning Google for the third time. This is only because it provides amazing business learning tools. <a href="https://smallbusiness.withgoogle.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Google Small Business</a>, for example, is one of the company’s more recent initiatives, but it’s a powerful learning portal despite its infancy. Essentially, the site helps you to learn how to master the art of marketing yourself on Google. It’s free, the content is easy to absorb, and the information will be extremely valuable to your business.&nbsp;



Want to learn more about Wi-Fi marketing? <a href="https://stampede.ai/company/">Contact Stampede</a> so that we can help you to up your knowledge on one of the hospitality industry’s fastest-growing marketing tools.



References:



<a href="https://www.business2community.com/youtube/8-best-business-youtube-channels-to-sharpen-your-entrepreneur-skills-02254474">[1] Business 2 Community. 8 Best Business Youtube Channels to Sharpen Your Business Skills</a>

Upskill in the downtime - where to learn new digital skills

Where To Upskill During Downtime

With barely a few days to breath, we move on from Mother’s Day to that other big March event: St. Patricks Day. So we&#8217;re going to keep it brief and get going!



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wednesday-17th-st-patrick-s-day">Wednesday 17th&nbsp; &#8211; St. Patrick’s Day</h4>



This will be the first (and hopefully last) St. Patrick’s Day at home. This time last year&#8230; well we all know what was going on and St. Patrick’s wasn’t really front of mind. This year, we&#8217;ve got lots of ways to celebrate!



Some ideas to engage with your customers and fans this Wednesday could include:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Authentic <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/st-patricks-day-recipes">Irish food recipe</a> kits and cook-a-longs</li><li>St. Patrick’s Day feast-at-home boxes</li><li>Post up a variety of green drink recipes and how-tos</li><li>Takeaway/Delivery/Collection for St. Patrick’s Day desserts</li><li>Irish whiskey tasting sessions and kits</li></ul>



And don’t forget to post up some pictures of your teams dressed in green too!



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-saturday-20th-international-day-of-happiness">Saturday 20th &#8211; International Day of Happiness</h4>



It’s sometimes the simplest things in life that can bring us an extra bit of happiness. We all know how uplifting the smell of your favourite food or the first sip of a refreshing drink can be.&nbsp;



Many of you will take great pride in the pure joy that your business brings to your patrons from wonderful customer experiences. For International Day of Happiness, you could share your and/or your team’s thoughts on what happiness is to them.



For some people, happiness is simply not having to prepare food for the family that night. This is a perfect opportunity to remind them of your delivery services!



Share some happy, inspirational thoughts or some pictures of happy customers and staff, or maybe just a foodie smiley face on a plate!



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-topics-to-choose-from">More Topics to Choose From</h4>



Fri 19th March &#8211; Chocolate Caramel Day Sat 20th March &#8211; Ravioli Day Sun 21st March &#8211; French Bread Day&nbsp; Sun 21st March &#8211; World Poetry Day Sun 21st March &#8211; Vermouth Day 



If you&#8217;re looking to get your stories and promotions in front of your customers <a href="https://stampede.ai/company/#contact" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">get in touch</a> with our team. We’re here to help with your email marketing and much more.

What’s On This Week? – 15/03/2021

On a hot, sunny and &#8211; more importantly &#8211; windy day in July, I had the pleasure of visiting <a href="http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/chesters-roman-fort-and-museum-hadrians-wall/">Chester’s Roman Fort</a> in Northumberland. The site excavated by John Clayton gives a fascinating insight into the lives of a garrison of 500 cavalry troops who lived on the site for about 300 years.

In celebration of this year&#8217;s major wall-wide exhibition, Hadrian&#8217;s Cavalry, there&#8217;s a brand new sound installation at the fort, which is a first for English Heritage. Once you&#8217;re there, follow your ears to find &#8216;<a href="http://www.seeneon.com">Cavalry 360</a>&#8216;, a huge musical instrument standing 3.5 meters high and 12 meters across. This extraordinary installation uses 32 wind turbines to create the sound of 500 cavalry warriors thundering towards you.
That said, being so impressed by the site, I wanted to send a picture to my family, but, alas &#8211; no mobile signal. I enquired at the office if there was WiFi on the property and was told that it was not possible, due to the poor quality of the WiFi broadcast range.
<h3>No WiFi , Slow WiFi, Limited Marketing Budget</h3>
Later on, I overheard staff members discussing how they could get the message of this event across to a larger audience. Due to their small budget, their marketing choices were limited to blogging and website engagement. When I heard this, I was shocked.
<a href="http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/">English Heritage</a> is one of a group of charitable organisations in the UK, which cares for and maintains sites of significant historic interest. They alone have 400 sites, the <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/">National Trust</a> has 350 heritage properties and <a href="https://members.historic-scotland.gov.uk/places">Historic Scotland</a> has 300 properties. These organisations are struggling to find resources to keep our heritage alive.
It seems obvious that when it comes to WiFi, they are missing a trick; with WiFi comes intelligent reporting. Every person who visits a specific site could be a potential visitor at any of the other sites &#8211; if only they knew what was going on. Although these organisations have websites, not everyone visits the website and, if they do, they probably don&#8217;t login for news updates.
By combining Guest WiFi with a <a href="https://www.stampede.ai/how-it-works#analytics">WiFi analytics tool</a>, Historic properties can go even further in enhancing the visitor experience. The organisation could at last begin to understand their audience, how often they visit and what they use their devices for. Bolt-on <a href="https://stampede.ai/marketing/">Marketing</a> capability could be rolled out, reaching out to all registered users with news of events such as Cavalry 360, ultimately increasing the visits to venues in the group and ultimately revenues.
Do you work for a historic site or heritage organisation and want to improve your visitor&#8217;s experience?
<a class="eut-modal-popup" href="https://calendly.com/stampedeae/stampede-demo-request?month=2020-02">Click here to get started.</a>

Historic Properties Missing the Marketing Opportunity of a Lifetime

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A more effective ways to run Meta ads for hospitality

4 Ways CRM Data Can Be Used in Day-to-Day Service by Your Staff

How to Use Segmentation to Increase Guest Engagement in Hospitality

Introducing Quick Campaigns

Snap Box – Stampede Network Application

Stampede-Meta Audience Connect: Simplifying multi-channel marketing strategies

A new kind of marketplace for hospitality apps

New Features & Updates – September 2023

Vertical: The Future of Video Content for Digital Marketing

Did you know that <a href="https://supplygem.com/social-media-statistics/">42% of the current population makes use of social media</a>? Most of these users are attracted by the visual content. This is a refreshing contrast to the clutter of written content we’re constantly exposed to online. But when your business is competing against virtually thousands of other companies to “get seen” on these social media platforms, the question is — how you can compete effectively? And how to design your social media posts to do so?







Our answer is to tackle social media with good designs. If you want to use social media platforms to leverage your fans towards your business, then excellent designs are what you need to make this happen.



In this article, we’ll discuss 10 principles that you can follow to create attractive and effective social media posts for your brand.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">1. Consistency Is Key</h4>



When it comes to choosing an image for your brand, you want to keep your colour schemes, logo design, and even the type of fonts you use for your marketing consistent. This consistency is what helps audiences to recognise you among the crowds.&nbsp;



At the same time, however, you also need to keep each post unique. Otherwise, your audiences may tire of your “same old” posts. For example, you can use free stock images to give your viewers something appealing to look at. Whilst also keeping the background colour and typography relevant to your brand’s image.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">2. Fonts Are Important</h4>



Fonts bring life to the message of your design. It’s very important that you select fonts that embody the personality and character of your brand. For instance, sports brands can get away with quirky fonts that ooze energy while banks and insurance companies should stick to placid fonts that make readers feel secure.&nbsp;



Just because social media is mostly about visual content, it does not mean that written content must be omitted completely. You simply need to get artsy with your wording so that it forms part of your design. Remember, whatever fonts you choose, make sure you apply them consistently.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">3. Images Should Have Enough Clear Copy Space</h4>



When we talk about copy space, then we are referring to the empty areas in images where text can be placed. By placing your text in areas with clear copy space, you can automatically improve the legibility of your design. Whether this copy space is white, a solid colour, or gently patterned. It will help to ensure that your message is made clearly visible.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">4. Present Data Visually</h4>



If you have a lot of data that you need to share, then creating an <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/infographic-how-likely-are-people-to-act-on-promotions/">infographic</a> is one way you can display your information visually. An infographic is a design that’s made up of text, icons and images. It is an excellent option for health, charity, or educational organisations that need to share facts to get their message across.&nbsp;



Fact: A survey administered by popular marketing company Venngage found that <a href="https://www.lucidpress.com/blog/32-infographic-stats-facts">42% of marketers agreed that infographics and other original graphics were the most engaging type of posts</a>.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">5. Remember to Include Your Logo</h4>



This principle may seem obvious but you would be surprised by how many companies forget to add their brand’s most important marketing tool to their social media designs.&nbsp;



Apart from remembering to include your logo clearly in your social media post design, you should also make it a priority to keep the positioning and size of your logo consistent. For example, try to keep it positioned either centre, right, or aligned to the left in each of your posts. This consistency falls in line with our first principle.&nbsp;



As a rule of thumb: Your logo shouldn’t be sized so large that it overpowers your design. At the same time, it is also important that it isn’t too small or hard to locate in a busy image.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">6. Use Filters that Enhance Your Brand Identity</h4>



Applying a filter to your social media posts can help give your visual content a unique look and feel. Use filters to brighten images, exaggerate certain colours, or to give a design a feeling of nostalgia. So, when selecting a filter, it’s important that you first have a clear idea about how you want your images to look and what you want them to communicate.&nbsp;



Remember filters are optional, so only apply them if you are 100% sure that they are going to add value to your posts.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">7. Optimise Your Image Posts for Different Social Media Platforms</h4>



The different social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Google all have preferred image dimensions. This means that for your post to remain attractive, you may have to adjust and tweak your design accordingly.&nbsp;



This, of course, can be quite time-consuming. We suggest that you optimise your graphics efficiently by creating templates for your regular post-types. For example, you could try these ideas:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>A weekly industry tip</li><li>A weekly profound and relevant quote</li><li>A weekly post that links back to your blog</li></ul>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">8. Use Free Tools</h4>



<a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/5-useful-free-marketing-tools-that-anyone-can-use/">Use free tools</a> such as <a href="https://www.canva.com/">Canva</a> or <a href="https://www.designer.io/en/">Gravit Designer</a> to help create profound designs. These tools not only supply templates that have been strategically designed to attract viewers but they also give you ideas to draw inspiration from. 



There are even niche tools out there like <a href="https://www.musthavemenus.com/category/social-media-templates.html">MustHaveMenus</a> that offer design templates specifically for bars and restaurants



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">9. Prioritise Images Over Text</h4>



The reason why audiences respond better to images on social media is that they’re easier to digest (they are not as intimidating as text messages). With this in mind, we advise you to keep text to the minimum. In fact, if your <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-take-perfect-food-image-for-instagram/">images are strong</a> enough, you might not need any text or graphic overlays at all.



An idea: Why not replace words with icons? This is one creative way to keep text minimal whilst still conveying a message. For example, use an icon of a dog to communicate that you are an animal-friendly restaurant.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">10. Make Your Messages Meaningful</h4>



People prefer posts that speak to them on their level. They want to see images that they can relate to. This means that you need to make the messages you convey personal and “down-to-earth”. Use marketing tools such as “Wi-Fi marketing” to find out what it is that your target market wants to see from you.&nbsp;



Over to you…



In order to create effective social media posts that are engaging and worthy of a “like” or upvote, it’s important to be conscious of the above design principles.&nbsp;



If you want to know more about how you can reach customers and draw in the crowds effectively, then please <a href="https://stampede.youcanbook.me/">contact us here at Stampede.</a> Understanding social media marketing isn’t just about creating graphics that look good — it’s about learning to express yourself in a rapidly moving social media environment.



Need some content tips for your social media posts? Download your free copy of our Social Media Content Calendar 2020 now. 



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>





<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>

How To Design Social Media Posts Effectively

If you are a small business owner, then you are very likely looking for strategies to get your leg up on the competition. You want your business to succeed, despite your limited marketing budget. The good news is that you do not have to fork out a fortune to get your services or products “out there”- you simply have to know which free marketing tools are available and how you can use them to their maximum potential.&nbsp;



In this article, we will mention various tools that can boost sales, make life easier, and empower you to get the most out of your investment. With these tools, you do not need to outsource your marketing – you don’t even have to have in-house marketing staff. As an owner of a small or new business, you can manage these tools yourself and we will give you insight into how, when, and why.&nbsp;



Here are 5 free marketing tools that can help you to increase your resources and do more for your business:



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">1. Canva</h4>



When it comes to creating visually appealing marketing material, then Canva is fast becoming the most popular free graphic designing tool. Whether you are looking to design a logo, a brochure, an infographic, a sales proposal or a social media post, this platform allows you to easily design visually appealing content.&nbsp;



What we like most about this platform (apart from it being extremely user-friendly) is that it gives you templates, ideas, and suggestions to draw inspiration from. So, even if you don’t have a creative bone in your body, you can still produce something that looks both professional and attractive.&nbsp;



Canva pretty much works using a “drag and drop” approach. You simply move your images, text, and elements around until you are happy with the layout. It also has a massive library of free fonts and stock images you can use.



With visual content becoming an increasingly important form of marketing collateral, a tool such as this could become indispensable to your business.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">2. MailChimp</h4>



When considering email marketing campaigns, then know that MailChimp has your back. This platform currently has an average of 12 million users and with this type of support to back up our claim, we can confidently say that this software remains one of the best free email marketing tools out there.&nbsp;



What’s important to note is that this software only remains free for those who have less than 2000 subscribers. As a new or small business, however, it’s safe to assume that you have not yet built such a huge contact list where your customers are willing and happy to be added as recipients.&nbsp;



The software is simple to use and with tons of templates to choose from, designing an attractive newsletter, an advert, or even a survey is hassle-free. Emails can also be set-up to be sent automatically at your preferred times or you can batch emails according to your different target audiences.&nbsp;



Did you know that according to <a href="https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/email-marketing-stats">Hubspot</a>, 80% of business professionals believe that email marketing increases customer retention? 59% of marketers also say that email is their biggest source of ROI<a href="https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/email-marketing-stats">[1]</a>.



Learn more about email marketing and how it works <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/learn-how-to-boost-your-business-with-sms-and-email-marketing/">here</a>.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">3. Grammarly</h4>



Few things are as off-putting to your audiences as badly written content that hasn’t been revised adequately. When you are trying to draw audiences in and impress them so that they stick around for more, then be advised that blatant spelling mistakes and grammar issues can create a huge barrier.



Enter Grammarly. This software helps you to avoid critical mistakes without much effort from your side. Simply copy and paste your content into the relevant site section and then the programme will review your work and give you editing suggestions. If you use Microsoft Office to do your writing, then you can also use the even more convenient downloadable version.&nbsp;



Some food for thought –



58% of marketers claim that “original written content” is their most important digital asset <a href="https://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2017/04/17/content-marketing-stats">[2]</a>.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">4. Hootsuite</h4>



Hootsuite is a tool that works really well for marketers who want to tap into a central social management platform and streamline the posting of content. It’s a programme that helps marketers to create a consistent voice for multiple audiences with ease.



Hootsuite allows you to schedule social media posts in advance and can free up tons of valuable time. It also manages social media profiles for more than 30 platforms (just imagine having to post the same content 30 different times on 30 separate platforms). To add, you can also reply to comments and mentions through the dashboard without, once again, having to open up different platforms on your browser.&nbsp;



This social media marketing manager works extremely well at automating social media content. It can be a little tricky getting used to the functionality but once you have a firm grasp of the ropes, this tool makes marketing online a breeze!&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">5. Bit.ly</h4>



Bit.ly has gained quite a positive reputation among marketers and it is also extremely easy to use. The main purpose of this programme is to shorten links, so it’s helpful anywhere you don’t want a URL that goes on for a whole mile.&nbsp;



But while Bit.ly makes your links look more attractive to readers, its purpose is far more powerful. It’s also an amazing online marketing tool that can follow clicks, view site referrals, and generate an idea of which geographical areas most clicks are emerging from. These features are very useful when you want to collect data on how your marketing strategies are performing. This data can then be used to refine your techniques &#8211; resulting in more customer conversions.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">In Conclusion&nbsp;</h4>



We understand how frustrating it can get when you are a small business trying to compete with bigger fish who have marketing budgets beyond measure. The good news is that with these free marketing tools (and the many others found online), you have the opportunity to get your feet wet and who knows – you too could soon be swimming along with your competitors at the very same level.&nbsp;



References:



<ol class="wp-block-list"><li><a href="https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/email-marketing-stats">Hubspot Marketing Statistics</a></li><li><a href="https://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2017/04/17/content-marketing-stats">Tips and Tricks for Online Advertising</a></li></ol>

5 Useful Free Marketing Tools That Anyone Can Use

The Ultimate Beginners Guide to WiFi Jargon

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">New version software now live!</h2>



Discover V4.0



<a href="#webinar-video">Watch our Webinar below</a>



After lots of hard work, we&#8217;re happy to announce the fourth iteration of our software platform is now live



The new version includes:



&nbsp;A totally redesigned user experience making the software faster and easier to use than ever.



An overhaul of our marketing suite including changes to the interface as well as improved functionality in the email builder.



Enhanced insight and statistics within the software providing more detail that you can use to grow your business.



Our Lastest feature &#8211; <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/introducing-stories/">WiFi Stories</a>



WiFi Stories allows you to promote news, offers, events and more in a dynamic way.



Check out our webinar below for more information or contact our team below for a 1-to-1 demo.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://stampede.ai/contact/">Book A Demo</a></h3>



<figure class="wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div id="webinar-video" class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Product Update Webinar | Stampede" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/j0m4R1SXXqM?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Webinar script&nbsp;</h4>



Welcome &#8211; 0:00



Dashboard overview &#8211; 0:36



Stampede’s new dashboard layout makes V4.0 extremally easy to navigate with all your key customer data pulled into one place.



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Reports and analytics</li><li>Reviews</li><li>Marketing campaigns</li><li>Branding/login</li><li>Amount of people in your venue</li></ul>



Analtyics &#8211; 2:24



Find out who and when your customers are in your venue with our improved analytics and graphs



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Male/Female</li><li>Opt-ins vs opt-outs for marketing</li><li>Customer Timeline Graphs&nbsp;</li></ul>



Branding/login &#8211; 3:27



With our new editor and layout &#8211; building your business splash page has never been easier



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>View what your business splash page will look like on a mobile device</li><li>View GDPR terms</li><li>Edit data capture on the same page as design to see real-time updates&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Customise your splash page like a professional with our easy to use editor&nbsp;</li></ul>



Marketing automation &#8211; 4:30



Stampede’s marketing automation feature has undergone a redesign so you can track and implement a number of different campaigns quickly and efficiently to ensure you are reaching a return on investment.



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Compare campaigns</li><li>Cash value ROI tool</li><li>Send limit</li><li>Create audiences</li><li>&nbsp;“And” rule to send multiple campaigns to customers</li><li>“Or” rule for more targeted campaigns to customers&nbsp;</li><li>Send SMS and email campaigns</li><li>Stampede’s email builder has lots of new features to create eye-catching emails&nbsp;</li></ul>



Reviews &#8211; 8:31



The Reviews tool has an easy to use filter system so you can manage all your reviews in one place efficiently. The review email template has also undergone a modern upgrade that autofill images and text from your splash page to create a stylish, branded design automatically&nbsp;



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Filter based on website or time&nbsp;</li><li>Email template upgrade</li></ul>



Stories &#8211; 9:41



WiFi Stories allows you to promote news, offers, events and more in a dynamic way. On your Connect account, you can now create tiles for individual promotions and messages, that will be shown to returning visitors to your venue, after they login back into the WiFi. Each tile will be shown for 12 seconds before moving on, with a countdown timer along the top.



You can track impressions from the Stories and track clicks and interactions on these in the Connect platform, alongside our improved dashboard, analytics, and other marketing tools.



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>How to create stories</li><li>How to track impressions</li></ul>

Connect Version 4.0

5 Expert Staff Picks To Inspire Profitable Personalised Marketing

Increase Your Footfall With A Simple Customer Referral Loop [Part 5/5]

More Sales With Cross-Venue Promotion And Personalised Marketing [Part 4/5]

Unlock Hidden Gift Card Revenue: The Next 5 Step Recipe [Part 3/5]

Another 5 Step Recipe: How To Easily Win Back Lost Customers [Part 2/5]

A 5 Step Recipe That Creates Profitable, Personalised Marketing [Part 1]

Instagram Stories vs. Reels. Here’s how and when to use them

The UK’s irrepressible hospitality sector: 2022 Industry Growth Report

Like many other suppliers to the hospitality industry, we’ve spent the last week coming to terms with the impact of COVID-19.



As news came in about what venues are doing to stay afloat, our product team got stuck into building an easy way for businesses to <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/why-hospitality-businesses-should-focus-on-selling-gift-vouchers-now/">offer gift cards</a>. And in only a few short days of work, we have our Gifting section ready. It features a bespoke microsite, which you can customise with your logo, text, terms, specific locations and a main image.



The Gifting section is available for all Stampede users to use immediately. If you don&#8217;t have an account with us yet, you can sign-up through <a href="https://signup.stampede.ai/?source=gifting">here</a>.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">How To Get Started</h4>



Use the Stampede Marketing tools, or any other platforms you have, to send the microsite link to your customers.



Your customers can enter their details, select an amount to buy and will then be directed to a secure Stripe payment portal. Please note: you will need to set up a Stripe account, we can help with this.



This allows you to drum up support and funds to keep you going now. But also to give your customers something to look forward too.



To access your Gifting page &#8211; log into your Stampede account, navigate to Gifting on the menu bar on the left side and you’ll be good to go. You can create an unlimited number of voucher templates. Just add your text and theme colour.



Even more, it’ll pull in your existing branding from our WiFi Login if you’re using that feature too.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Spread The Word</h4>



It’s simple, fast to set up and effective. Now you need to share it. There are 4 built-in sharing options:



<ol class="wp-block-list"><li>Ready-made template in Marketing</li><li>Website embed code for your own website</li><li>Sharable URL for your social channels (don&#8217;t forget to encourage your customers to share it)</li><li>Downloadable QR code, ready to print for your shop fronts</li></ol>



Customers who contribute to your venue will be sent an email for the value they put in, with a QR code to enable redemption in your POS.



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



Lot’s of venues are doing something similar &#8211; and it should be as easy to do as logging into WiFi.



If you need any help getting this going, or with anything else on the product. Contact one of our team via email: <a href="mailto:contact@stampede.ai">contact@stampede.ai</a> or give us a call: <a href="tel:+44 (0) 131 510 7008">+44 (0) 131 510 7008</a>.



Did you know that we&#8217;ve launched a community forum on our website? We&#8217;re seeing lots of great ideas and tips from across the hospitality industry right now and wanted to share those with you. <a href="https://get.stampede.help/portal/signup?utm_campaign=Community%20Forum%20Announce%203%2F2020%20%28MxsXsU%29&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=Current%20Customers%20%28ChargeBee%29&amp;_ke=eyJrbF9lbWFpbCI6ICJjYXRlcmluYS50cmllbmRsQGJsYWNrYnguaW8iLCAia2xfY29tcGFueV9pZCI6ICJOZWNreFoifQ%3D%3D">Sign-up</a> now to share your own ideas, get some inspiration and ask questions to the community.

New Feature Alert – Gift Cards

Product Update – SMS Verification

Open Mesh Integration

Mapping: How we did it

Facebook Checkin on WiFi

Exciting times coming up! So better watch this space.







After 4 awesome years as Stampede, it&#8217;s time for something new.



We&#8217;re changing our name!



Whilst we&#8217;re busy getting everything ready &#8211; make sure to follow us on the social channels to not miss out on anything.



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



Coming up next: Short Q&amp;A with our founder Patrick on why we&#8217;re re-naming.

Coming soon …

The Return of Travel &#8211; Cutting Through the Noise [Hotel Insights 2021 Report]



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



What are the key trends for hoteliers that have an impact on a successful recovery?



This is the main question of the newly released hotel industry report from our <a href="https://twitter.com/stampede_speaks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">#PrepStartsNo</a> Partner <a href="https://www.eighty-days.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">80 DAYS</a> and their sister company <a href="https://www.hotelbenchmarking.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hotel Benchmark.&nbsp;</a>



80 DAYS has analysed data from more than 500 hotels and additional travel data from Google to work out the key trends influencing the recovery of travel in 2021.



Here’s a summary of the key takeaways to help hotel operators to grow their hotel and be best prepared for the months ahead.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-travel-market">Travel Market</h4>



As expected, the trend for this year will go towards domestic travels and staycationing. Only 12 % plan to travel internationally within the next 9 months (if they can).



For hospitality businesses, this means a clear focus on local marketing and advertising.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-booking-trends">Booking Trends</h4>



Organic search will remain the most popular booking channel. Over a third accounts for website traffic. Within this, mobile remains the primary source for website traffic (65 %) with mobile booking transactions rising by 27 %.&nbsp;



Therefore a well-optimised hotel website (for mobile and desktop) and SEO strategy are critical to maximise bookings.&nbsp;



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-medium"><a href="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Screenshot-2021-04-14-at-12.40.44.png"><img decoding="async" src="https://image.stampede.ai/fill/300/171/ce/0/aHR0cHM6Ly9zdGFtcGVkZS5haS93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMS8wNC9TY3JlZW5zaG90LTIwMjEtMDQtMTQtYXQtMTIuNDAuNDQtMzAweDE3MS5wbmc=" alt="Booking Channels by %" class="wp-image-19888"/></a></figure></div>



The majority of the bookings still come through 3rd parties, although direct bookings have increased by 17% during the pandemic.



Due to market uncertainty, people prefer to book direct to benefit from more flexible booking conditions.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-medium"><a href="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Screenshot-2021-04-14-at-12.36.38.png"><img decoding="async" src="https://image.stampede.ai/fill/300/192/ce/0/aHR0cHM6Ly9zdGFtcGVkZS5haS93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMS8wNC9TY3JlZW5zaG90LTIwMjEtMDQtMTQtYXQtMTIuMzYuMzgtMzAweDE5Mi5wbmc=" alt="Direct Bookings Trend" class="wp-image-19887"/></a></figure></div>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-action-points-for-hotels">Key Action Points for Hotels:</h4>



<ol class="wp-block-list"><li>Implement an agile strategy with multi-scenario planning</li><li>Communicate safety measures in place&nbsp; (96% have rated cleanliness &amp; hygiene as vital/important)</li><li>Adopt messaging &amp; imagery &#8211; make it relevant to the current situation (avoid showcasing crowds, big events etc.)</li><li>Clear brand positioning &#8211; adapt to changing customer needs and expectations</li><li>Targeting &#8211; individual messaging for each customer segment</li><li>Support direct bookings &#8211; highlight the benefits</li><li>Keep engaging with customers through various channels</li></ol>



There are many more interesting stats and findings in the report.



<a href="https://assets.stampede.ai/magnets/80-days-cutting-through-the-noise-the-return-of-travel.pdf">Get the full Hotel Insights 2021 report and start growing your hotel for a successful recovery. </a>

Grow Your Hotel Revenue Faster With These 7 Key Actions

Transactional data plays an important role in getting to know your customers via digital touchpoints.



Through our integration with the order-and-pay provider<a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/new-integration-with-storekit"> Storekit</a> you can harness the power of this transactional data in your marketing.



From this you can gain two major insights:



<ol class="wp-block-list"><li>How much did your customers spend? To identify high vs. low spenders</li><li>When was their last interaction with the app? To determine visitor frequency</li></ol>



Combine these with data from Stampede and you’ll be well on your way to a whole range of <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-bring-customers-back-using-customer-data-and-personalisation-part-ii">personalised campaign</a> ideas.



Get inspired by our clever customer segmentation combinations and drive more repeat visits.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-9-customer-segmentation-ideas-to-mix-and-match">9 Customer Segmentation Ideas To Mix And Match</h5>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>





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 Stampede Data

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 High spender or frequent visitor
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 Sign-up deal &#8211; double stamps
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 Not used order and pay app yet
 </td>
 <td width="33%" style="width: 33%; padding: 7px; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;background-color: rgb(255, 232, 233); border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid rgb(128, 128, 128);">
 Sign-up deal &#8211; % off your first order
 </td>
 </tr>

 <tr>
 <td width="33%" style="width: 33%; padding: 7px; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid rgb(128, 128, 128);">
 Frequent booker
 </td>
 <td width="33%" style="width: 33%; padding: 7px; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid rgb(128, 128, 128);">
 High spender
 </td>
 <td width="33%" style="width: 33%; padding: 7px; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid rgb(128, 128, 128);">
 Thank you offer or referral deal
 </td>
 </tr>

 <tr>
 <td width="33%" style="width: 33%; padding: 7px; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(255, 232, 233); border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid rgb(128, 128, 128);">
 Upcoming birthday with Guest WiFi data
 </td>
 <td width="33%" style="width: 33%; padding: 7px; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(255, 232, 233); border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid rgb(128, 128, 128);">
 Frequent visitor
 </td>
 <td width="33%" style="width: 33%; padding: 7px; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;background-color: rgb(255, 232, 233); border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid rgb(128, 128, 128);">
 Birthday discount
 </td>
 </tr>

 <tr>
 <td width="33%" style="width: 33%; padding: 7px; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid rgb(128, 128, 128);">
 Upcoming birthday with Guest WiFi data
 </td>
 <td width="33%" style="width: 33%; padding: 7px; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid rgb(128, 128, 128);">
 High spender</td>
 <td width="33%" style="width: 33%; padding: 7px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid rgb(128, 128, 128);">
 Birthday discount or party booking offer
 </td>
 </tr>
 </tbody>
 </table>









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<a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/analytics">Stampede Analytics</a> allows for detailed reporting and ROI tracking on your campaigns, so you know exactly when customers came back and what they spent. Completing the loop to show you how effective your campaigns are!



If you have both Stampede and Storekit already set up, integrating the systems takes only a couple of minutes. To get started use our <a href="https://help.stampede.ai/en/articles/5778183-how-to-link-up-your-storekit-integration">quick guide</a> or talk to our team.

9 Ways To Retain Customers With Clever Segmentation

<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.thecaterer.com/news/hospitality-staff-poaching-rise-restaurant-worker-shortage" target="_blank">The Caterer</a>&nbsp;recently reported about&nbsp;staff poaching becoming a new tactic&nbsp;to nick employees from competitors in the run-up for the festive season. This news raises two main questions. How do businesses&nbsp;increase employee retention? And, can it be done without pay rises? That’s when&nbsp;internal communication&nbsp;comes in.



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-internal-communication-matters">Why internal communication matters</h4>



Internal communication is about&nbsp;creating engaged and loyal employees, which forms the basis for a long-term work relationship. It helps to build a community feeling and shows that you care about your staff the way you do about your customers. Ultimately it can also&nbsp;increase revenue and decrease training and recruitment costs.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Why you should implement a internal staff newsletter</h4>



It might be challenging to physically gather everyone around for a regular catch-up due to different shifts, etc. So, the easiest and most effective way to communicate with your employees is by sending out staff newsletters by email.



3 main benefits of an internal newsletter:



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">1) Streamlined communication</h5>



Internal communication will be key to ensuring&nbsp;smooth operations&nbsp;during the busy times ahead. Email newsletters are probably the easiest way to update everyone on what’s going on and coming up in your venue.



Compared to other communication tools like WhatsApp or Slack, you can also keep track of who has read it already and it doesn’t get lost in a feed of future messages.



Plus, you can also include your investors and advisors in your mailing list to keep them informed as well.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">2) Simplified &amp; organised onboarding process</h5>



Many businesses will hire temporary staff to help them out during the festive season. A newsletter is a&nbsp;quick way to get those up to speed&nbsp;with all the basic information they need week-to-week.&nbsp;



Besides, as newsletters help build engagement, you might be able to turn your temporary workforce into fixed employees.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">3) Motivational booster</h5>



A newsletter is a great way to motivate your staff by&nbsp;recognising all the hard work they’re doing. Let them be part of your achievements over the past months. But also motivate them for what’s coming up.



For more engagement, turn your newsletter into a two-way channel. Use it to&nbsp;gather feedback and ideas&nbsp;from your employees.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">How to set up a internal staff newsletter?</h4>



The best part of a staff newsletter is that you don’t need any extra tools to get started. Take what you’ve got already to hand and&nbsp;use your existing customer marketing tool. This way, you get even more value out of it.&nbsp;



Basically, you&nbsp;approach your internal newsletter the same way you would with a customer one.&nbsp;Mix informative and engaging content and include lots of visuals. Your staff are busy, so you need to make it worth a read.



Here&#8217;re some quick steps and tips when crafting your internal newsletter:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Upload all your staff email addresses to a new “staff segment”</li><li>Create a branded “staff template” with recurring sections that you can reuse</li><li>Make it a regular thing &#8211; every fortnight or even monthly is probably enough</li><li>Curate different content ideas (more in part 2 of this article!)</li><li>Reduce your workload and turn it into a rotating task &#8211; get all your employees involved</li></ul>



Stay tuned for the&nbsp;second part of this article, where we’ll provide you with tons of content ideas for your next staff newsletter.&nbsp;



Need a hand with setting up your <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/marketing/#email">first internal newsletter</a>? <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="mailto:contact@stampede.ai?subject=&amp;body=" target="_blank">Get in touch</a> with our team.

How Internal Newsletters Help You To Retain Staff [Part 1]

Feature Update – Improved campaigns, reporting and imports

New Integration With Storekit

5 Tips to Make Your Restaurant More Instagrammable

Turn Customers into Fans with Merchandise for Hospitality

Staycations: 6 Ways To Get Your Business Noticed

Marketing to track and trace customers in hospitality

Can You Market To ‘Track and Trace’ Customers?

5 Technology Tools for hospitality businesses to reopen with after lockdown

5 Technology Tools to Help Hospitality Reopen After Lockdown

How to Set Up a Competition on Social Media Channels

We&#8217;re pleased to announce that signature Connect software solution now integrates with the <a href="https://www.engeniustech.com/ezmaster-network-management-software.html">EnGenius Tech</a> ezMaster network management software making our software even faster and easier to set up within their products.



Many hotel outlets are making the most of EnGenius Tech&#8217;s software and hardware offering. In fact, on their <a href="https://www.engeniustech.com/hospitality-voice-communications-hotel-wifi.html">website</a> there are a number of useful resources for hotel managers and operators on the many uses of wireless technology.



Between their ideal hardware solutions and our intelligent marketing software for captive portals and guest wifi, this new integration is guaranteed to offer numous benefits to many hotels and accommodation businesses



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Looking for more info on technology integrations? <a href="https://calendly.com/stampedeae/stampede-demo-request?month=2020-02">Get in touch!</a></h4>

EnGenius Tech now a Stampede technology partner

3 Time-Saving Newsletter Tips to Keep People Engaged

WiFi marketing is currently becoming an essential tool for small businesses – and with good reason. Growing in popularity, it’s one of the most innovative and powerful ways to advertise while effectively bridging the communication gap between the retailer and the customer. 



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The big question is – how does WiFi advertising work?</h3>



<amp-fit-text layout="fixed-height" min-font-size="6" max-font-size="72" height="80">When business owners are first introduced to the term “WiFi marketing”, their response is often a blank stare. This is completely understandable since this form of advertising has taken digital media marketing to a whole new level. For this type of marketing to be possible, you will need to have your own WiFi coverage that preferably remains within the borders of your store. Anyone that uses a WiFi-enabled device (like a smartphone, tablet or laptop), will be able to see and connect to your WiFi network. Upon joining your network, your customer will be redirected to a splash page. Here they will see a message from your store and they will be notified on the terms of use. Many WiFi marketing companies allow you to customise your WiFi splash page with your branding while notifying the user about the network’s terms of use. To agree to these terms and to access your WiFi, the customer will have to enter their email address and you can also prompt them to answer other useful questions. Once they have agreed to give you this information, they can use your WiFi as a hotspot (you can determine the type of access they have and set limits). It’s at this point that your digital marketing efforts can commence. The platform that your customers have just subscribed to can prompt them to visit your other social profiles, it can notify them when you are running a promotion, it can be used to store data for a <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/loyal-customers-should-be-king/">loyalty reward program</a>, and it can even track trends so that you can deliver on what it is your customers are really after – encouraging them to come back for more. One of the biggest novelties about hotspot marketing, however, is that you are now also providing an additional sought-after service. For instance – A study by <a href="https://newsroom.cisco.com/feature-content?type=webcontent&amp;articleId=1591418">Cisco</a> [1] found that 96% of consumers prefer to shop at stores that offer free WiFi, and they’re also more likely to return.</amp-fit-text>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"> How Can My Business Benefit from WiFi Marketing?</h3>



We have briefly touched on why physical retailers are embracing the digital world, with WiFi marketing making its way to the forefront. But let’s take a lengthier look at how it can benefit offline businesses. 



 For the customer it is:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li> Super convenient. Consumers can access a network that’s potentially faster than their mobile network. This means they can enjoy fast browsing while they save on their data usage. </li><li>Able to improve the overall shopping experience. According to a survey done by <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2014/06/benefits-of-offering-free-wifi.html">Devicescape</a> [2], almost 62% of a business’s customers stick around for longer when free WiFi is provided. </li></ul>



 For the retailer it:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li> Increases sales. The main goal for most retailers is to drive sales. The more time your customers spend at your store, the more money they are likely to spend or they might stumble across something that they wouldn’t have otherwise seen if they had rushed out of the building. This also gives you more time to “make your pitch” to your customer. </li><li> Helps to get a better understanding of customers. WiFi marketing grants you access to a cornucopia of information and data about customers and their shopping trends. This insight can then be used to get an in-depth understanding of your business, the in-store experience, and what makes shoppers tick. You can also do comparative analysis if you have more than one store location. </li><li>Builds an audience. By <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-build-an-email-list-for-a-non-digital-business/">collecting email address</a> and social profiles, you are creating an audience of interested individuals to whom you can target your marketing efforts. You will also have insight into their shopping and online behaviour, making it possible for you to leverage for more targeted advertisements and promotions.</li><li>Is perfect for promotions. There are several ways that businesses can use WiFi advertising to promote their brand. From placing a message on your splash page to retargeted ads and <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/email-marketing-tips-for-the-hospitality-industry/">email campaigns</a>, the avenues open up a whirlwind of opportunities. For example, many companies have been using their data to make informative store layout and visual merchandising decisions – pleasing consumers and increasing sales conversions as a result. </li></ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"> Who Offers WiFi Marketing?</h2>



 With digital marketing taking its place as the world’s ultimate form of advertising, offline businesses are looking for solutions so that they can participate in this digital revolution. This means that many marketing companies are branching out to offer similar services. 



 If you would like to increase your own sales and encourage customers to return, we’d like to refer you to Stampede. Stampede is a leading WiFi marketing platform that offers an effective and automated mobile marketing strategy that has been developed with smaller businesses in mind. To get first-hand experience on how WiFi marketing works, get in touch with us now.



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 From independent coffee shops to global brands with thousands of locations, Stampede is ready to equip you with the tools you need to make your marketing efforts work. 



 References:



 <a href="https://newsroom.cisco.com/feature-content?type=webcontent&amp;articleId=1591418">Cisco Consumer Study.</a>



 <a href="https://smallbiztrends.com/2014/06/benefits-of-offering-free-wifi.html">Survey By Devicescape. </a>

How Does WiFi Marketing Work?

You&#8217;ve just returned to your property after letting it over a long holiday weekend. Checking around, it looks like everything is in the right place &#8211; garbage emptied, no spills on the cushions and your guests have even thoughtfully stripped the bed. The only problem is that they didn&#8217;t exactly take everything with them. They left something behind. Something that you&#8217;ll never be able to spot. Because it&#8217;s all digital. What your guests left behind is a trojan sitting on your Guest WiFi network in your Airbnb, silently gathering all the personal information that you&#8217;re sending out through the internet.







And it might take you months to find out. Sounds scary? <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/aug/05/airbnb-wifi-security-threat-risk-travel" target="_blank">It&#8217;s totally possible</a>.



But don&#8217;t let that put you off from offering Guest WiFi to your Airbnb guests. Travellers love WiFi. So much so, in fact, <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.tripping.com/industry/trends/most-important-vacation-rental-amenities-tripping" target="_blank">that guest WiFi is the number one amenity</a> that guests look for now when travelling.&nbsp;So you&#8217;re left with the question &#8211; how to offer <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/take-the-risk-out-of-guest-wifi/">safe and secure WiFi</a> to your Airbnb guests while keeping your home networks safe?



We&#8217;re more than happy to give you the answer &#8211; enter Stampede.



With Stampede, not only can you offer your guests WiFi, you can use collected customer data to run automated marketing campaigns enticing your Airbnb guests to come back. And safety? Because Stampede uses email addresses to authenticate users, you&#8217;ll have an instant, easy to access record of everyone who&#8217;s ever used your WiFi. All GDPR compliant. 



So how to get started? Couldn&#8217;t be easier. There&#8217;s a couple of options here. It depends on whether you have your own WiFi hardware (which may be the case for larger Airbnbs with multiple rooms) or not (most common for smaller Airbnbs).



Let&#8217;s take a look at how these two break down.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Own Hardware</h4>



If you&#8217;re running a larger Airbnb with multiple access points, you might already have the required hardware and don&#8217;t need anything else to get started. Currently, Stampede&nbsp;<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.stampede.ai/how-it-works#integration" target="_blank">integrates with hardware</a> from leading WiFi manufacturers like UniFi, Open Mesh, IgniteNet, Cisco, MikroTik and more! 



In order to get going with awesome WiFi, simply sign up for a free trial,&nbsp;log in to your dashboard, adjust a few settings and you&#8217;re good to go!



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<h4 class="wp-block-heading">No Hardware</h4>



This is typically the case for smaller Airbnb&nbsp;owners. Most likely you have an apartment or house with a cable modem/WiFi router. You&#8217;ve got the password tacked up on the wall or, even worse, you&#8217;re still using the default password that came with the router. That&#8217;s bad &#8211; but we won&#8217;t be too angry. At least you&#8217;re taking a step in the right direction.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Setting Up Your Home Network</h4>



First of all, change the default password on your router. This is typically done through a web-based interface for your router, the web address of which came with your setup information or &#8211; in all likelihood &#8211; on a sticker on the bottom of the router. We&#8217;ll call this your Home Network.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Setting Up Your Guest Network</h4>



Here&#8217;s where the magic comes in. What you&#8217;ll need for this setup is a Guest WiFi router. This will set up a second WiFi network, entirely separate from your Home Network for use by your guests. And where can you get one of these routers? Glad you asked because we&#8217;ll be more than happy to provide you one. We&#8217;ve got routers in all shapes and sizes. Head over to our <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://signup.stampede.ai" target="_blank">contact page</a>, sign up for a free trial and one of our helpful tech support representatives will be in touch to ensure you get the exact right router for your Airbnb location.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Configuring Your Guest WiFi&nbsp;</h4>



Once you&#8217;ve got your WiFi router from us, the setup couldn&#8217;t be easier. Don&#8217;t believe us? Just take a look at this video.



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<figure><iframe loading="lazy" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/VhXYSfzX_8s" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure>



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And that&#8217;s it! You&#8217;re good to go!



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Customising Your Guest WiFi&nbsp;</h4>



Whether you have your own hardware or a handy piece of equipment (and that spiffy sticker) you received from us, set up for both options is the same. Now it&#8217;s time to get creative! 



Login to your Stampede portal and, under the marketing section, you can upload your guest house logo (you&#8217;ve got one of those, right?), a picture of your location, or whatever comes to mind. This will be the screen that your guests see when logging in, so make it memorable and unique to your venue.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Gathering Data</h4>



Now comes the really cool part. You can have your Airbnb guests confirm their account in a couple of different ways.



Either by verifying with an email address or with a Facebook check-in. Both have their advantages. 



With a Facebook check-in, guests can gain access to the WiFi quickly, and you can then redirect them to your Facebook page where they can easily review and rate your venue and be seen by their friends. An easy word of mouth marketing victory! 



But if you want to get to know your customers a little better, you can ask questions like their name, age, gender, postcode as they register. Even better &#8211; we&#8217;re aware that in some countries you will need to get your guests&#8217; passport details, so in cases like this, you can just add a &#8220;Passport Number&#8221; field to your capture page. How&#8217;s that for efficiency?&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Automated Marketing Campaigns&nbsp;</h4>



Did we say that gathering data was the cool part? Ok yeah, it&#8217;s kinda cool but it&#8217;s not the REALLY cool part. 



No, what&#8217;s really neat is all the ways in which you can use this shiny <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/the-marketing-power-of-wifi-analytics-for-your-business/">new customer data</a>. Like how? Well, how about importing your guest email addresses into your newsletter email list? Or, even better, sending <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-marketing-with-wifi-benefits-your-business/">automated marketing messages</a>. 



Let&#8217;s say one of your previous Airbnb guests has a birthday coming up &#8211; send them an automated email or SMS message saying &#8220;Happy Birthday&#8221; and offer them a discount on their next stay. Did a guest drop out at the last minute and you&#8217;ve got an opening? Send an email or SMS blast to some of your best guests letting them know your place is available.



Did someone say video? Because we&#8217;ve got another video which gives you a quick walkthrough of how to get going with Marketing in Stampede.&nbsp;



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



<figure><iframe loading="lazy" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/uX-Vy3m0dcg" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure>



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<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Don&#8217;t Forget the Reviews&nbsp;</h4>



We all know that customer reviews on Airbnb are important and are one of the first things that guests are going to see when considering your property. Good <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-respond-to-positive-and-negative-customer-reviews-online/">reviews</a> can also push your site up in the Airbnb rankings. And bad reviews? Let&#8217;s put it this way &#8211; there&#8217;s an entire site called Airbnb hell <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.airbnbhell.com/airbnb-guest-stories/" target="_blank">filled with Airbnb horror stories</a>. 



So, while the experience is still fresh in your guests&#8217; mind, use the automated marketing feature in Stampede to send an email or SMS reminder to review your Airbnb. Even easier &#8211; <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.stampede.ai/blog/133-character-limit-the-shorter-the-better" target="_blank">include a link so they can leave a review right from their mobile</a>.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Awesome Airbnb Guest WiFi&nbsp;</h4>



See &#8211; that wasn&#8217;t all that hard now, was it? You can now rest easy knowing that you&#8217;re offering fast, safe and secure Guest WiFi to all your Airbnb guests. Even better, you&#8217;ll be able to automatically target them with promotions or specials enticing them back to your location.



Don&#8217;t keep your guests waiting!&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="#schedule-demohttps://calendly.com/stampedeae/stampede-demo-request?month=2020-02">Click here to get started.</a></h2>

Setting Up Your Airbnb for Guest WiFi today

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[vc_row padding_top_multiplier=&#8221;&#8221; padding_bottom_multiplier=&#8221;&#8221; equal_column_height=&#8221;middle-content&#8221; font_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243;][vc_column width=&#8221;1/2&#8243;][fildisi_empty_space el_class=&#8221;m-hide&#8221;][fildisi_slogan title=&#8221;&#8221; heading_tag=&#8221;h3&#8243; heading=&#8221;h3&#8243; subtitle=&#8221;Better together&#8221; button_text=&#8221;&#8221; button2_text=&#8221;&#8221; el_class=&#8221;bx-caption&#8221;]Cloud controlled access points and the ability to offer beautifully branded captive portals, word class analytics and marketing automation all at the click of a button[/fildisi_slogan][fildisi_empty_space][fildisi_button button_text=&#8221;Start Trial&#8221; button_shape=&#8221;extra-round&#8221; button_link=&#8221;url:https%3A%2F%2Fsignup.stampede.ai%2F%3Fvendor%3Dengenius|title:Free%20Engenius%20Captive%20Portal%20Trial|target:%20_blank|&#8221; button_class=&#8221;free-trial&#8221;][/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1/2&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1530737589539{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}&#8221;][fildisi_single_image image=&#8221;13060&#8243;][fildisi_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row padding_top_multiplier=&#8221;&#8221; padding_bottom_multiplier=&#8221;&#8221; equal_column_height=&#8221;middle-content&#8221; font_color=&#8221;#0a0a0a&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1/2&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1531064993448{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}&#8221; el_wrapper_class=&#8221;slider&#8221;][fildisi_single_image image=&#8221;13059&#8243;][fildisi_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1/2&#8243;][fildisi_slogan title=&#8221;&#8221; heading_tag=&#8221;h3&#8243; heading=&#8221;h3&#8243; subtitle=&#8221;Captive Portal Analytics&#8221; button_text=&#8221;&#8221; button2_text=&#8221;&#8221; el_class=&#8221;bx-caption&#8221;]We&#8217;ve defined a new standard for captive portal analytics. This isn&#8217;t about bits and bytes, its about people connecting.[/fildisi_slogan][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row bg_type=&#8221;color&#8221; bg_color=&#8221;#f7f7f7&#8243; section_id=&#8221;stickywicket&#8221;][vc_column][fildisi_callout title=&#8221;Start 14 day free trial&#8221; heading=&#8221;h4&#8243; button_text=&#8221;Start Now&#8221; button_shape=&#8221;extra-round&#8221; button_link=&#8221;url:https%3A%2F%2Fsignup.stampede.ai%2F%3Fvendor%3Dengenius||target:%20_blank|&#8221; button_class=&#8221;free-trial&#8221;]So you have a EnGenius Tech products? [/fildisi_callout][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Engenius Tech

It&#8217;s a well-known fact that customers nowadays<a href="https://www.fluidone.com/news/bars-pubs-connectivity-can-attract-customers-04-11-15/"> want to stay connected</a> wherever they go. Therefore, offering Guest WiFi in your venue can not only attract more customers but also help you to maximise your customer experience whilst also boosting your revenue. 



Follow a few simple steps to start offering Guest WiFi that works for you! Once in a lifetime registration for your customers, a whole lot of data to capture for you.



If you have decided to offer WiFi in your venue, but you are not sure what steps you should follow, keep reading. This article is just what you are looking for. If you still think Guest WiFi is a waste of money please go and read this eBook.



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<div class="wp-block-media-text" style="grid-template-columns:38% auto"><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img decoding="async" src="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/7mistakes_mockup_black-1-1024x655.png" alt="" class="wp-image-13293"/></figure><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
<h5 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://stampede.ai/resources/wifi-mistakes/">Step-by-Step Guide: Top 7 WiFi Mistakes Businesses Make </a></h5>



How to connect to your customers in a unique and personal way
</div></div>



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<h4 class="wp-block-heading">First Things First</h4>



Our guide will walk you through all the basics and necessary things that you need to consider when offering <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-does-wi-fi-marketing-work/">awesome WiFi.</a> Starting with your branded login page, allowing you to collect more valuable customer data (GDPR compliant) and helping you to increase the number of loyal customers. Best of all, you&#8217;ll learn how to turn your provision of free Guest WiFi from 100 % cost into a revenue generator.



Once you have ticked off all the basics, it is time to take advantage of the real power of Stampede. Enjoy your results and revenue boost with two of our extra features:&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">WiFi Analytics</h4>



Start collecting all your customer information through your Guest WiFi, visualise it and get ideas on how to improve your products and services. Also, knowing your customers’ expectations and needs is essential if you don’t know who they are, how can you improve their experience?



All the data you’re <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/the-marketing-power-of-wifi-analytics-for-your-business/">collecting is analysed automatically</a> and converted into easy to understand graphs and reports. In other words, providing you with information about dwell times to average time spent, the number of returning customers and much more. Above all, there is no simpler and more efficient way to understand your customers and their behaviour. 



Now it’s time to act on the insights you’ve gained. One way to make use of it and further <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/engaging-customers-through-wi-fi-marketing/">engaged with your customers</a> is with our automated marketing campaigns.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Marketing Campaigns </h4>



Only a few clicks, a couple of minutes and our automated, highly targeted and personalised <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/a-complete-guide-to-marketing-automation/"></a><a href="https://stampede.ai//blog/how-to-set-up-your-first-email-campaign-guide-2019/">marketing campaigns </a>are ready to go. Having a powerful impact on your repeat business but even better allowing you to save time as its all done automatically.&nbsp;



So once set up they’ll work for themselves, that’s exactly what you need in today’s busy working environment. Create short and personalised offers based on your customers’ preferences to get people back into your venue and be able to track the results instantly.&nbsp;



“Haven’t seen you while, why not come back and get a drink for free?” 



&#8220;Happy Birthday! To celebrate your special day, we want to offer you a 10% discount on your next food bill.”



If you want to find out more ways of how to make positive use of our customer data gained through your Guest WiFi, have a look at our <a href="https://stampede.ai/product/features/">other features.</a>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Enjoy your Results</h4>



Download your <a href="https://stampede.ai/resources/#ebooks">free eBooks </a>today to start enjoying these results from your Guest WiFi right away! In other words, boost your sales, increase returning customers, offer a safe and compliant WiFi solution, get powerful insights and improve your social media presence &#8211;&nbsp; in just a few steps.&nbsp;



Best of all, you don&#8217;t need any marketing or IT knowledge.



What are you waiting for?&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://calendly.com/stampedeae/stampede-demo-request?month=2020-02">Click here to get started.</a></h2>

Getting Started with Guest WiFi in your Venue Today

For most web forms, the rule for the optimum number of fields is simple: less is more.&nbsp;For&nbsp;<a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/avoid-these-3-common-guest-wifi-mistakes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WiFi sign-up</a> forms, however, the answer isn’t as straightforward.&nbsp;



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It’s about finding the sweet spot between ensuring a smooth&nbsp;customer experience&nbsp;and leveraging Guest WiFi as a&nbsp;clever marketing tool&nbsp;to increase revenue and boost loyalty.



Unfortunately, a lot of times, WiFi sign-up forms fall into one of the two categories below.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-case-1-too-many-fields">Case 1: Too Many Fields</h5>



If your sign-up has a large number of fields, the log-in becomes&nbsp;time-consuming.&nbsp;



The outcome: customers either start filling in wrong information to speed up the process or quit before even finishing.&nbsp;



Always remember that your customers are looking for a&nbsp;quick log-in experience. They don’t want to scroll through pages to fill in the form to get WiFi access.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">Case 2: Not Enough Fields</h5>



The opposite is the case with not adding enough fields to your form. If you just ask for an email, you’re&nbsp;missing out on useful data.&nbsp;



You might still be able to reach them via email, but you are very limited in crafting personalised messages. Hence, your&nbsp;conversion rates will be very low.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">The Ideal Number That Converts</h5>



What does the ideal WiFi sign-up form look like then?&nbsp;



Use a minimum number of fields to remove friction, but ensure you get all the data you need.&nbsp; The graph below helps you visualise how the number of fields impacts both the customer experience and the value of the data captured. You can see that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/priceonomics/2017/08/10/analyzing-conversion-rate-data/#4e7225402365" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">4-5 fields is the optimum</a>&nbsp;number.



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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/data-capture-graph.png"><img decoding="async" src="https://image.stampede.ai/fill/1024/498/ce/0/aHR0cHM6Ly9zdGFtcGVkZS5haS93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMi8wOC9kYXRhLWNhcHR1cmUtZ3JhcGgtMTAyNHg0OTgucG5n" alt="" class="wp-image-22085"/></a></figure>



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So, start by thinking about what you want to do with the information. How do you want to&nbsp;segment your data&nbsp;and what kind of campaigns&nbsp;do you want to send?



Must-have fields:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Email address</li><li>First name</li><li>Date of birth</li></ul>



Nice-to-have fields:&nbsp;



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Phone number</li><li>Last name</li><li>Postcode</li><li>Custom questions, i.e. reason for visiting, how did you find us …</li></ul>



With a carefully chosen custom question, you can create some&nbsp;specific audience groups&nbsp;with ease, such as Students. Then you can do more targeted customer research.



Extra tip &#8211;&nbsp;enable social media sign-up&nbsp;as the auto-fill option makes it fast and convenient for customers.&nbsp;



Start capturing your data through your Guest WiFi and build your mailing list with ease.&nbsp;<a href="https://h.stampede.ai/meetings/stampede/demo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Book a demo</a>&nbsp;with our team to find out more about Stampede.

Unlocking The Secret To Better Data Capture

Between peak times are probably the most challenging ones in the hospitality industry. What can venues do to&nbsp;fill up empty seats and keep the customer flow running&nbsp;evenly throughout the day? How can you give your off-peak times a proper boost?



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To bring people in during those quieter times you have to give them a stellar reason, 2 meals for £20 deals that run every week aren&#8217;t enough. You have to create some proper buzz to make those quieter times interesting again.



There are two main ways to look at that can help you&nbsp;make every time a busy time at your venue and boost your off-peak times.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-check-out-your-area">1. Check out your area</h4>



It is all about your location. Plus, the fact that people are out and about again. Check out your own local area to find out what is going on during the day and use this to your advantage.&nbsp;



The idea is to&nbsp;target those specific customer groups&nbsp;and get them through the door with offers tailored to their needs.



Some places to watch out for:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Theatre, concert hall&nbsp;&#8211; pre/post-show meal deals</li>



<li>Sport venue&nbsp;&#8211; pre/post-match meal deals</li>



<li>Cinema&nbsp;&#8211; movie-inspired snacks to-go</li>



<li>Gym&nbsp;&#8211; healthy snacks, shakes and smoothies</li>



<li>University, college&nbsp;&#8211; after lecture meal deals</li>



<li>Nursery&nbsp;&#8211; playgroup offers with snacks for kids</li>



<li>Hairdresser, spa&nbsp;&#8211; treat yourself after your treatment offers&nbsp;</li>
</ul>



Think about providing&nbsp;quick fixes&nbsp;for takeaway, some light snacks in the form of sliders or special meal deals during those times.&nbsp;



You can also introduce an&nbsp;early bird fixed-priced menu&nbsp;before 7 pm. This is a great offer for families that prefer to have an early dinner.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">2. Check out current events</h4>



If you&#8217;re showing sports events in your venue, like the upcoming Rugby Six Nations (<a href="https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/fixtures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">see timetable</a>), here are some ideas on how to stand out and attract more mid-day traffic.



What about a rugby-inspired afternoon tea including beer as a drink of choice and with a focus on rather carb-heavy snacks? Get some inspiration from&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/meat-heavy-afternoon-tea-designed-21926764" target="_blank">Brewski’s non-traditional afternoon tea offer</a>. In addition, you could come up with some handheld, hearty snacks and sliders that people can easily enjoy whilst watching the game.



Sports events are best enjoyed with some drinks, so introduce an&nbsp;early happy hour&nbsp;around match times. Also, consider a beer pack offer for bigger groups.



And if that’s not the style of your venue, then position yourself as the opposite. Promote your venue as the place that doesn’t have the sport on and where people can enjoy TV-free drinks and meals in a quiet atmosphere. 



Pro tip: Social events apps like <a href="http://getonbloc.com">Bloc</a> allow you to promote your venue and your offers to local customers using geolocation.



Need a hand with promoting and boosting your off-peak offerings via email and SMS?&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="mailto:contact@stampede.ai?subject=&amp;body=" target="_blank">Get in touch</a>&nbsp;with one of our team.

How AI Can Facilitate Reviews Management For Hospitality Operators

Become A Stampede Pro With These Hidden Features

[vc_row bg_type=&#8221;image&#8221; bg_image=&#8221;15605&#8243; bg_image_size=&#8221;responsive&#8221; bg_position=&#8221;center-top&#8221; padding_top_multiplier=&#8221;2x&#8221; padding_bottom_multiplier=&#8221;2x&#8221; equal_column_height=&#8221;middle-content&#8221;][vc_column vertical_content_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; width=&#8221;1/2&#8243; el_class=&#8221;on-top&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1583792399340{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 50px !important;}&#8221;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Our mission is to empower physical businesses with world class digital tools&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:div|font_size:40px|text_align:left|color:%231f2888|line_height:52px&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][fildisi_empty_space height_multiplier=&#8221;custom&#8221; height=&#8221;18px&#8221;][vc_column_text el_class=&#8221;main-page-text&#8221;]Since 2015, Stampede has provided businesses with intuitive tools enabling them to grow their business, whilst delivering an exceptional experience for their customers at the same time.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1/6&#8243; el_wrapper_class=&#8221;sliders&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1532536140578{padding-top: 20px !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;m-hide&#8221;][/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1/3&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;We want to change the way offline businesses engage with customers online&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|font_size:30px|text_align:right|color:%231d1e2c|line_height:42px&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row padding_top_multiplier=&#8221;3x&#8221; padding_bottom_multiplier=&#8221;3x&#8221; columns_gap=&#8221;60&#8243; section_id=&#8221;contact&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1/2&#8243;][fildisi_gmap map_zoom=&#8221;5&#8243; map_height=&#8221;530&#8243; map_mode=&#8221;multiple&#8221; map_marker=&#8221;15975&#8243; map_points=&#8221;%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Stampede%20Scotland%22%2C%22marker%22%3A%2215975%22%2C%22lat%22%3A%2255.9770448%22%2C%22lng%22%3A%22-3.1731086%22%2C%22infotext_open%22%3A%22no%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22Stampede%20Wales%22%2C%22marker%22%3A%2215975%22%2C%22lat%22%3A%2251.479754%22%2C%22lng%22%3A%22-3.1556141%22%2C%22infotext_open%22%3A%22no%22%7D%5D&#8221;][/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1/2&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Contact us&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|font_size:56px|text_align:left|color:%231f2888|line_height:60px&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][vc_column_text el_class=&#8221;main-page-text&#8221;]Drop by our Scotland office at: 
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Company

Modern marketplaces are driven by consumers – and merely meeting their expectations for quality and service is no longer enough. Businesses must go above and beyond to ensure complete customer satisfaction.&nbsp;Hereby, pricing and promotions play an important role. 



In other words, the only way to differentiate your business in today’s hyper-competitive atmosphere is by understanding and anticipating the needs of the customer.&nbsp;



Consider this: <a href="https://tracyfox.net/stocking-sales-statistics-new-entrepreneurs/">30% of people</a> buy things to gain somethin.g. The other 70% do it because it helps them solve a problem.&nbsp;



Another way to stand out is to offer great promotions and discounts. They make your product seem like a good deal and make people feel good about buying from you.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Leveraging Price To Make Customers Happy&nbsp;</h4>



Pricing and promotions are two of the most critical factors that contribute to customer satisfaction.&nbsp;



Pricing hides an important message about your brand as it affects the customer’s perception of the products being sold.&nbsp;



Research shows that consumers often <a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/220091">associate discounted products</a> with a deficiency in quality or performance. For example, Dunkin’ sells the same amount of coffee a lot cheaper than Starbucks. And despite this pricing advantage, they only sell <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/3034572/dunkin-donuts-and-starbucks-a-tale-of-two-coffee-marketing-giants">1.8 billion cups of coffee</a> each year compared to the 4 billion cups sold by Starbucks.&nbsp;



It is essential to understand that when it comes to pricing, people do indeed love a good deal. But brands must be smart about their strategy. If you are offering a discount, make sure you give your customers a good reason for it as well. For example, a seasonal sale that makes sense to them.&nbsp;



According to a <a href="http://www.solvay.edu/sites/upload/files/CEB/CEB_WorkingPapers/LastUpdate/wp15008.pdf">study</a> by the Solvay Brussels School, buyers are likely to show their satisfaction when your products are priced realistically. <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/infographic-how-likely-are-people-to-act-on-promotions/">This infographic</a> clearly shows that buyers are more interested in quality discounts and offers (82%) as opposed to free products or free services.&nbsp;



If you want satisfied customers, don’t reduce your prices just because you can; instead, find the sweet spot that maximises your profit but also keeps your customers happy.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Using Promotions To Ensure Customer Satisfaction&nbsp;</h4>



A prepaid discount works well because it looks like you value your clients. In fact, as per this infographic, <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/infographic-how-likely-are-people-to-act-on-promotions/">42% of millennials</a> and Gen Z shoppers prefer an upfront discount.&nbsp;



The good news is that <a href="http://www.statista.com/statistics/240237/coupon-use-in-the-united-states/">93% of all shoppers</a> use discount codes throughout the year when shopping online. Additionally, <a href="https://www.inc.com/peter-roesler/study-finds-deal-hunting-makes-consumers-feel-smart-encourages-shoppers.html">40%</a> say that finding a good deal makes them feel smarter.&nbsp;



A recent survey also found that coupons can alter brain chemistry; an online shopper who gets a $10 off coupon has <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/infographic-how-likely-are-people-to-act-on-promotions/">increased oxytocin levels by 38%</a>. In short, a well-earned, occasional discount is the secret here.&nbsp;



But that’s not your only option when it comes to promotions; joint promotions, vouchers, contests, giveaways, BOGO offers, etc. all can go a great way to keep your buyers coming back for more.&nbsp;



Not having any kind of promotional offer can be bad for business; according to this infographic, <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/infographic-how-likely-are-people-to-act-on-promotions/">32% of buyers</a> have admitted to abandoning online shopping carts because they found a discount code or a better offer elsewhere.&nbsp;



If you want to go a step further, personalised promotions can take customer satisfaction with your brand even higher. Technology is available to help you track customer preferences and their buying history with you. Leverage this data to create offers that resonate with your buyers.



Providing personalised offers based on past purchases and actions can make your customers feel important and catered to. Stats show that this can motivate your buyers to return to the store for subsequent purchases – thus creating loyal and repeat customers.



Additionally, make sure you analyse buying trends by the season and offer promotions on in-demand products. This way, you can maximise the ROI on promotions by delivering deals that boost sales and revenue. Ultimately ensuring that the customers are happy with all you have to offer.&nbsp;



There is plenty of scope in the market. Small businesses speculate that <a href="http://www.biakelsey.com/new-biakelsey-research-finds-38-of-small-businesses-offer-customer-loyalty-programs/">less than 18%</a> of their total income will be generated using relevant promotional tools to acquire new customers. The market is yours, and it’s ripe for the taking.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">In Conclusion</h4>



Customer satisfaction is a complex phenomenon, as it is based on various factors such as the quality of the product and their perceived expectations from it. Pricing and promotions are just two pieces of this increasingly complicated puzzle.&nbsp;



However, you can easily create a win-win situation by using pricing and promotions to boost sales and create happy customers that remain loyal to your brand for years to come.&nbsp;



Successfully pricing your offerings will ensure their contentment as they get the full perceived value for a great price. And providing timely and relevant promotions that are personalised to their needs will make them feel like you value their business.



That right there is the secret to ensuring that your customers are always happy!



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How To Use Pricing And Promotions To Make Customers Happy

How can hotels get ahead of their local competition? These days, it’s not only about defeating direct hotel competitors but more importantly the self-catering options that might be nearby. Keep on reading for our clever hotel promotion ideas that will help you get your messaging right.



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The main message should be centred around the benefits of staying in a hotel. Remind customers why staying in a hotel is what they need right now to fully unwind.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-get-the-messaging-right">How to get the messaging right</h4>



However you promote your rooms and venues, whether it is through email and SMS to existing customers; or on social media and adverts, there are widely applicable messaging strategies that you can use to capture potential guests&#8217; attention.



Here are some hotel promotion messaging ideas that will make your offers stand out.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Focus on the price advantage</h4>



It goes without saying that this approach is aimed at price-sensitive consumers first and foremost. Let’s look at how to get their attention.



Go through the online booking and research journey like your customers would and have a closer look into your local self-catering competition. Research their prices as well as offers and deals they have. Now you’ve got the data to craft some carefully worded, price-based messaging based on their offers like this:



“Save £XX per night when you stay with us versus local self-catering options!”



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Highlight your hotel amenities</h4>



When developing your messaging, really focus on what sets you apart from self-catering properties specifically. Why should guests choose to stay in your hotel? How can you create a unique and memorable experience for them?&nbsp;



Think about what you’re proud of and known for. What are the main reasons that your most loyal customers come back?&nbsp;



Here is some hotel amenities inspiration:



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">In your rooms:</h5>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Welcome surprise, gift basket with homemade/local treats</li><li>Coffee/tea kit, mini bar</li><li>Room service</li><li>Toiletries, slippers, bathrobe</li><li>Pillow menu &#8211; choice of different pillows</li></ul>



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">On-site facilities:</h5>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>F&amp;B offers &#8211; exclusive afternoon tea, wide selection of spirits, etc.</li><li>Experiences &#8211; cocktail masterclass, whisky tasting, etc.</li><li>Spa &#8211; special offers/deals (pamper spa weekend deal)</li><li>Fitness centre and classes</li><li>Essential travel items available (in case your guests forgot something)</li></ul>



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">Things to do:</h5>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Seasonal events</li><li>Arrangements for special occasion &#8211; romantic getaway, birthday weekend</li><li>Activity breaks &#8211; bike, archery, tennis, etc.</li><li>Concierge services</li><li>Highlight must-see tourist activities around your hotel&nbsp;</li><li>Local business collaboration for food/drinks (distillery tours)</li></ul>



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">Travelling with furry friends:</h5>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>VIP pet offer</li><li>Pet room amenities &#8211; food/water bowls, mats, bed, toys</li><li><a href="https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/pets/g23026561/homemade-dog-treats/">(Homemade) tasty treats</a></li><li>Special canine menu upon request</li></ul>



Have you read Part I of this article already with tips on <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-outsmart-the-self-catering-competition-part-1/">how to draw in customers to outperform your local competition</a>?



Do you want some help reaching out to your guests via email or SMS marketing? <a href="mailto:contact@stampede.ai?subject=&amp;body=" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Get in touch</a> with one of our team. We&#8217;re happy to help.

[Part 2] Hotel Promotion Ideas to Outsmart the Self-Catering Competition

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