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Over the past few years, hospitality businesses have been in a rush to get up to speed with all the tech tools the market has to offer.



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



Many businesses, therefore, have ended up with a stack of technologies that all serve individual purposes. Most of these are haphazardly interconnected or worse not integrated at all.



What’s more, those digital tools each come with costs which can add up quickly.



With budgets being tight this year, time to review your tech solutions and find ways to reduce excess costs whilst growing your business.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-find-tools-fit-for-the-industry">Find Tools Fit For The Industry</h5>



It’s tempting to go for the big household names we are familiar with. If it’s working for other businesses, it clearly has to work for yours as well, right?



However, contemporary online businesses, such as e-commerce, come with different tech needs compared to offline i.e. brick-and-mortar ones.



Most of the time those tools are not designed specifically for industries like hospitality. They are there to satisfy the mainstream online market.



How do you find industry-specific tools?



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Ask for referrals within your industry</li><li>Be specific in your Google search terms &#8211; ‘for hospitality/restaurant/hotel…’</li><li>Do detailed research and compare tools on tech directories like <a href="https://www.g2.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">G2</a> or <a href="https://www.capterra.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Capterra</a></li><li>Check testimonials on the websites &#8211; are those from companies similar to yours?</li></ul>



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">Save Money With An All-In-One Solution</h5>



Think about how many repeat customers you would need to pay for your monthly subscriptions and how much effort it takes to generate those visits.&nbsp;



Another important cost factor to consider is time. Syncing and managing multiple data sources from various integrated systems is often inefficient, as well as a potential GDPR risk.



Instead, industry experts are now advocating for multi-function smart tools and technology that can pay for itself.



Simplification is the way forward here. Rather than custom building a mix and match solution from different providers, choose one platform that can do everything you need in one place.



This way you’re no longer relying on costly and complex integrations and can focus on bringing more customers back.



Looking for a <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">smart all-in-one solution</a> to grow your business? <a href="https://h.stampede.ai/meetings/stampede/demo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Get in touch</a> to find out more.

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In recent months, we’ve been introduced to a growing number of other hospitality apps via new and long-term customers. It’s exciting to see the value our customers get from connecting more data sources into Stampedes and we want to enable more of it.&nbsp;



To do this, we’ve launched a new app marketplace to make it easier to centralise more customer data in Stampede. As part of this, we also released a new Developer Portal to create an easier way of connecting new data sources.



This is a truly open marketplace for hospitality apps to get interconnected. What we mean by that is it moves beyond the realms of outdated file transfers and account managers manually handling the data behind the scenes on behalf of operators. It&#8217;s real-time so data moves smoothly between apps and Stampede as it happens.



In this update, we&#8217;ll look at how the new marketplace can enhance your marketing efforts and also how app developers can use it to build connections with Stampede, delivering more value to their operators.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-for-operators">For Operators</h2>



The hospitality industry requires smart tools that can streamline complicated operations and help the business grow. The app marketplace connects your external data sources into a single system.



By centralising marketing data apps all in one place, the platform offers greater visibility and easier access to the data. This enables operators to manage their data more effectively, making sure all aspects of their marketing are in one place, they can save time without needing to manually import and export data from various systems. This also lowers the GDPR breach risks of handling customer data.



By connecting other hospitality apps and data to the ecosystem, operators can supplement their current tools by leveraging Stampede&#8217;s suite of marketing, data analytics, and automation. For example connecting your table booking platform and order-to-table app into Stampede, along with existing tools in there, helps you streamline repetitive tasks, saving you precious time and resources.



Apps already on the marketplace include OpenTable, Roller, and Storekit. Integrating with these applications, and others provides a substantial boost to your marketing campaigns by simplifying operations and making data more accessible.&nbsp;



This makes it possible to create a flawless, end-to-end marketing strategy that can be tracked in real-time. By monitoring all marketing performance data in one place, companies gain critical insight into which strategies and tactics work, and which do not, saving time and helping inform smarter decision-making.



Here is a sample of apps currently available for integration:



Mailchimp Campaign Monitor Airship Storekit Loke Toggle ResDiary OpenTable Roller Access Tonic / DesignMyNight Zapier Stripe Paypal HartPMS



<a href="https://product.stampede.ai">Log into your account,</a> click your account icon on the bottom left hand menu and head to the App Marketplace to set up your connections.



If you would like to request another app for the Marketplace, get in touch with one of our team.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-for-developers">For Developers</h2>



Stampede&#8217;s portal offers a dedicated space for app developers to connect their products via Rest API.&nbsp;



Developers can access open-source tools and an extensive knowledge base that provides comprehensive support to ensure their apps operate smoothly.&nbsp;



Head to <a href="https://developer.stampede.ai">developer.stampede.ai </a>to find out more and begin an integration. There you can learn which sources of data to transfer into Stampede such as guest contact details, order information and venue information to aid marketing segmentation.



This ecosystem provides developers with the necessary support to create connections to Stampede, which is vital in growing their businesses and providing value to their clients.&nbsp;



Our in-house development team are also on hand to help. We are currently looking to recruit new app partners, please <a href="https://stampede.ai/partners">contact us</a> if you are interested in working together.

A new kind of marketplace for hospitality apps

There’s a lot of talk about cutting costs these days. What better way to approach that than looking for free alternatives to some of your biggest expenses?&nbsp;



With all the free technology and website plugins out there, some must be at least semi-decent, right?



We wanted to find out more about what you don’t get with free versions, and what that might cost you in terms of customer experience and ultimately, revenue.



For this, we looked closely at 4 popular free WordPress (WP) plugins and compared the most important booking features against each other.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-free-wp-booking-plugins-compared">4 Free WP Booking Plugins Compared</h5>



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



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table valign="middle"><tbody><tr valign="middle"><td class="has-text-centre" data-align="centre">Features</td><td class="has-text-valign:middle" data-valign="middle" data-align="centre">ReDi Restaurant Reservation</td><td>Five Star Restaurant Reservations</td><td>WPCafe</td><td>&nbsp;Quick Restaurant Reservations</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Number of free venues</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">1</td><td>1</td><td>Unlimited</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Reservation restrictions&nbsp;(block times/days/length)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">X</td><td>Only for days and times</td><td>X</td><td>&nbsp;Yes</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Data Export</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">X</td><td>X</td><td>X</td><td>X</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Customisable</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Yes</td><td>Only for the form, no custom fields</td><td>Yes</td><td>Only for the form, no custom fields</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">&nbsp;Automated reservation confirmation</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>Manual only</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">&nbsp;Booking reminders</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">X</td><td>X</td><td>X</td><td>X</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">&nbsp;Support</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>X</td><td>X</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Integrations&nbsp;</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">X</td><td>X</td><td>Yes</td><td>X</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">&nbsp;Additional notes</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">No analytics or statistics</td><td>No front end page to display bookings</td><td>No front end page to display bookings</td><td>No daily or monthly calendar view</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



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



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">7 Reasons Why Bookings Platforms Are Worth Paying For</h5>



Here are a few important things you might be missing out on by relying on a free booking platform plugin



Data access:



You often have to pay to access customer data and/or are not able to download it for further usage. This means you can’t contact customers post-visit to ask for feedback or send them offers to bring them back.



Integration with other tech tools:



If you can’t access or download customer data, an integration would at least allow you to use your data to some extent. Without any of those options, you are massively missing out on future revenue.



Limited live or backend support:



You always have to install the plugin on your website yourself, which can sometimes come with its own challenges and takes up time. Plus, not all providers offer free customer support.&nbsp;



Multi-venue:



The majority only have one venue included in their free version. Any additional venues cost extra. Same for having multiple users for your account.



Customisation:



Custom fields (i.e. dietary restrictions, extras) are vital to make your customer experience more personal. Quite often you can only choose from preselected fields, even in the paid plans.



Customer communication:



Most of them don’t allow you to send email/SMS booking reminders. This can lead to an increase in no-shows and high operational costs.



The same applies to the post-visit feedback request, which isn’t available on any free plan.&nbsp;



Automation:



Technology should make our lives easier and help us save time. Booking reminders and review requests are one of the simplest marketing automation to set up but are not included in any of the free plans.



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



Free booking platform plugins might satisfy some basic booking requirements. However, the money you save on the free versions often costs you more further down the line.&nbsp;



Being unable to contact customers to drive loyalty is one of the biggest issues here. Your loyal customers are the ones that bring in new customers. And with their connection, the process starts over again.&nbsp;



In this case, it is definitely worth investing in a more complete booking system. Make sure to check out our <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/buyers-guide-11-key-features-your-table-booking-system-needs/">buyer’s guide</a> including the key features you should look out for when choosing a platform.



Get more tables booked, and manage your front-of-house operations efficiently. <a href="https://calendly.com/stampedeae/stampede-demo-request">Book a demo</a> with our team to find out more about Stampede Bookings.

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5 Tips for Setting Up WiFi for Your Restaurant or Pub [Updated for 2022]

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

Are you ready for the first item on your Stampede Christmas shopping list? Let’s talk about&nbsp;<a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/gift-cards/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gift Cards</a>.



We all know that gift card sales always spike massively in December. Gift cards make for a&nbsp;great source of extra sales&nbsp;around the holiday season, which carries into the new year.



No need to wait until December though, the earlier you start promoting, the more time you have to generate revenue.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increase-revenue-with-digital-gift-cards">Increase Revenue With Digital Gift Cards</h5>



There are many reasons why you should opt for digital gift cards this year.



One of the biggest benefits for businesses, however, is that digital gift cards&nbsp;integrate with your marketing platform. So you can use the data to stay in touch with the customer long after they’ve redeemed their card.



Plus, they are easier to buy and use for customers and they can&nbsp;personalise&nbsp;them.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">5 Tips To Make Your Gift Card Sales A Success</h5>



So, here’s how you can make the most out of this year’s gift cards sales:



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">1) Add-ons</h6>



Everyone sells gift cards. Pimp up yours to make them more attractive and turn them into a&nbsp;special experience&nbsp;by adding some add-ons.



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Tasting menu</li>



<li>Free amenities, i.e. dessert, a bottle of sparkling wine …&nbsp;</li>



<li>Drink package</li>



<li>Christmas hamper, i.e. cheese selection</li>



<li>Top-up option, i.e. double value gift cards</li>
</ul>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">2) Omni-channel promotions</h6>



Your gift cards should be&nbsp;highly visible across all your channels.



Website:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Seasonal homepage banner and/or popup</li>



<li>Make it straightforward to buy with clear terms &amp; conditions</li>
</ul>



Email &amp; SMS:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Send an email to your entire database</li>



<li>Make sure to include previous buyers</li>



<li>Use SMS for last-minute promotions</li>
</ul>



Social media:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Add links to your gift cards on your Instagram bio</li>



<li>Change your Facebook Page button to&nbsp;“Shop Now”</li>



<li>Pin a post to your feeds</li>



<li>Showcase your seasonal menu &amp; venue decoration to entice customers (include a gift card call-to-action)</li>
</ul>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">3) Reminders</h6>



Keep promoting your gift cards in the run-down to Christmas through regular reminders across your channels.&nbsp;



Make sure to&nbsp;keep your mailing list updated&nbsp;and exclude those who have already purchased.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">4) Promotional push</h6>



Simple but effective. Give your gift card sales an additional push and come up with a special deal around Black Friday (24th of November).



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">5) Flash-promotion</h6>



There are always those who leave their Christmas shopping to the last minute.&nbsp;



A&nbsp;last-minute flash sale&nbsp;in the week before the holidays, including Christmas Day and Boxing Day will help you to attract those.



Are you looking for an easy-to-use&nbsp;digital solution that allows you to sell more gift cards?&nbsp;<a href="https://h.stampede.ai/meetings/stampede/demo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reach out</a>&nbsp;to get started with&nbsp;<a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/gift-cards/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stampede Gift Cards</a>.

5 Tips To Sell More Gift Cards This Festive Season

No doubt, digital tools have provided something of a lifeline for many hospitality businesses in recent years. Those tools come with valuable data that can be used to&nbsp;create a better and more personalised customer experience.



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



However, many still argue that shifting too many interactions toward digital will diminish the overall customer experience. Making things impersonal when hospitality thrives from human interaction.



Over the next few weeks, we will tackle this common myth. Come with us as we explore&nbsp;how you can use data to wow your customers&nbsp;and create a personalised experience using marketing campaigns.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-personalised-marketing-recipe">The Personalised Marketing Recipe</h5>



For this, we’ve built a&nbsp;simple 5 ingredient success recipe&nbsp;that you can follow.



To start, we will use the example of a birthday campaign.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">1) The Data</h5>



First off, what&nbsp;data do you need and where do you get it from?



For our example, you’d need to capture:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Your customers’ date of birth</li><li>Their email or phone number</li><li>Their first name (at least)</li></ul>



This can be done through your WiFi sign-in, webform, booking platform, etc.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">2) The Trigger Event</h5>



The second ingredient is the trigger that sends your personalised email/SMS campaign.&nbsp;



In our scenario, the trigger event would be time-based, using the customer’s date of birth. E.g. when customer birthday is 3 weeks away &#8211; send the birthday campaign.



Time-saving tip&nbsp;&#8211; Most often you can&nbsp;automate these campaigns, so they will send by themselves. This is ideal for this birthday example.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">3) The Messaging</h5>



Messaging is the important bit. It is all about the personal touch here, so include your&nbsp;customers’ names&nbsp;in your campaign and acknowledge their upcoming birthday.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">4) The Offer</h5>



The goal here is to&nbsp;further entice your customers to come back. Birthday bookings are generally larger and more lucrative too.



This is how your personalised marketing campaign could look like combining the message and offer:



<a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-create-email-subject-lines-that-increase-open-rates/">Subject line</a> &#8211; [Name] It’s your birthday soon &#8211; we want to celebrate with you!



 Hey [name],



Have you made any plans for your birthday yet?



Why not celebrate your special day with us and make it a day to remember. No matter if you want to book a table for two or host a party, we’ve got you covered.&nbsp;



On top of that, we will treat you with a % discount.&nbsp;



Let’s celebrate &#8211; Book now



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">5) The Outcome</h5>



So, what can you expect to see as a result of those personalised marketing campaigns?&nbsp;



First off, you will get a&nbsp;returning customer&nbsp;that will eventually turn into a loyal one. Second, they will&nbsp;spread the word and bring in even more customers.



In our birthday example, if you can create a memorable experience, you’re not only satisfying your customer but also have the chance to win potential new customers. And they themselves will talk about the experience they have and share it on their socials.



Oh, and with their data, like birth date, this whole process starts over again, and again.



Keep an eye out for our next email to find out how you can apply our personalised marketing recipe to&nbsp;win back lost customers.&nbsp;



Need help segmenting your data for personalised email &amp; SMS campaigns?&nbsp;<a href="https://calendly.com/stampedeae/stampede-demo-request" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Get in touch</a>&nbsp;with one of our team who are happy to run you through it.

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

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How To Speed Up Content Creation With AI In Hospitality

2 Ways to Boost Your Off-Peak Times [Updated 2023]

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3 Clever Ways To Use SMS Campaigns To Scale Up Your Marketing ROI [Updated 2023]

Easy And Profitable Marketing With Automations

A common struggle with loyalty programs is that it takes customers too long to earn enough points to redeem.&nbsp;



As a consequence, customers lose interest quickly.



By using gamification elements to support your loyalty schemes, you can speed up the whole process whilst keeping customers on the hook.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-gamification-works">Why gamification works</h2>



Gamification adds a fun element to a loyalty scheme. The concept behind it leans heavily into our competitive spirit and reward-seeking behaviour.&nbsp;



Here are 4 reasons for implementing gamification:&nbsp;



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Keep customers engaged and interested. Customers earn extra points as a top-up, quite often these are linked to instant rewards.</li>



<li>Increase brand awareness. It encourages customers to interact with your brand more often.</li>



<li>Get more customer data. Customers spread the word when they have fun, which will lead to a snowball effect.</li>



<li>Attract a wider range of customers. Gamification is ideal if you want to bring in younger generations.</li>
</ul>



To help you get started, we’ve gathered 5 gamification ideas. These will power up your loyalty scheme to keep customers thrilled.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">5 engaging gamification ideas for your loyalty scheme</h2>



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



A limited timeframe with the chance to win something exciting hypes customers up to take part.



Monthly or seasonal challenges are probably the most cost- and time-efficient gamification tool for your loyalty scheme to boost interaction.



Simple examples:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Online quizzes</li>



<li>Guessing games</li>



<li>Tag &amp; share challenges</li>
</ul>



Advanced examples:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>DIY competition &#8211; ‘Create our new Summer cocktail’</li>



<li>Creative competition &#8211; ‘Name our new [menu item]’</li>



<li>Seasonal challenges &#8211; i.e. dress up for Halloween</li>
</ul>



Tip: Online challenges are great database growth boosters so make sure to ask customers for their contact details upon entering.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">2. Online &amp; in-venue games</h4>



This gamification concept connects both offline and online customer interaction.



Treasure hunts are ideal for this, where customers have to look for clues on your socials, website as well as in-venue.



Tip: Whilst they are searching, you get the chance to introduce customers to other offerings or venues you might have.



Additionally, if you want to boost quieter times during the day, try a ‘secret code word share’ via your socials. When mentioning the code in the venue customers get a freebie or discount.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">3. Badges, awards &amp; leaderboards</h4>



The most widely used advanced gamification loyalty scheme examples are badges, awards and leaderboards.&nbsp;



Customers get awarded for different interactions or milestones reached. Rewards usually go beyond in-venue and/or online transactions. You can incentivise actions such as completing an online profile, engaging on social media or leaving a review.



What makes these types so effective is it gives customers something to work towards. Plus, they can also compare their performance to others.



<a href="https://www.brewdog.com/uk/beer-visa">Brew Dog’s Beer Visa</a> is a great example of this type of gamification. Customers get a stamp for visiting every bar in one location, once completed they receive a special pin badge.



Tip: Leaderboards make it easy to spot your most loyal and engaged customers.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">4. Tiered membership levels</h4>



A tiered membership scheme encourages customers to spend and engage more with your business in order to move up the rank.



Each tier comes with benefits that increase in value to make the whole brand experience more exclusive and personalised.&nbsp;



Another big benefit of tiered loyalty is that you can build highly targeted segments from those tiers and use them for personalised email campaigns.



Well-known industry examples are <a href="https://www.starbucks.co.uk/rewards">Starbucks</a> and <a href="https://www.pizzaexpress.com/club">PizzaExpress</a>.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">5. Mini online games</h4>



No doubt, online arcade-style games are highly engaging and addictive but they also require some sort of app integration. This ultimately places them at the higher end when it comes to implementing gamification.



A successful example is KFC’s recently launched new loyalty app <a href="https://www.kfc.co.uk/kfc-rewards-arcade">“Rewards Arcade”</a>. Customers get the chance to play after each purchase and get instant ‘free food’ rewards.



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



Make sure to check out our <a href="https://stampede.ai/downloads/8-tactics-to-increase-customer-spend">FREE Loyalty Guide</a> to learn more about the different types of loyalty programs and how they can help you to increase customer spend.

5 Gamification Ideas To Take Your Loyalty Scheme To The Next Level

A proven way to <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/wifi">build your customer mailing list with minimal effort is using your WiFi</a>. It works, as customers want to stay connected when they’re out and about.



However, some operators might have noticed a shift in customers’ behaviour lately.&nbsp;



With going out becoming more of a treat, customers seem to spend less time on their phones, and more time focusing on the moment with their family &amp; friends.&nbsp;



So, how can you encourage your customers to use your WiFi again to keep growing your mailing list?



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increase-visibility">Increase Visibility</h4>



Back in the day, when ‘free WiFi’ was still a novelty, businesses used to have signs and posters in their venue to encourage customers to sign-up.



Those have disappeared with more and more venues offering WiFi and customers expecting it as a given.&nbsp;



Time for a little reminder.&nbsp;



Here’re 3 quick steps to action:



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.qr-code-generator.com/">Generate a QR code</a> that links to your Guest WiFi sign-up page</li>



<li>Print posters with your QR code &#8211; distribute them in your venue</li>



<li>Add the name of your network to menus, table toppers, etc.</li>
</ol>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Offer Discounts</h4>



Discounts always work as a treat, especially to boost WiFi log-ins. They become even more effective if customers can use them instantly.



Some ideas to get you started:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Sign-up to get %-off your bill today</li>



<li>Happy Hour promotion &#8211; get 2-4-1 if you sign up now</li>



<li>Post whilst in-venue, tag us, and get a freebie or voucher for the next visit</li>
</ul>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Run Contests</h4>



Contests are not only fun and engaging but they are also an easy way to grow your customer mailing list for low costs.



Some ideas to get you started:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Prize draw &#8211; sign up and share with a friend to increase your chances to win</li>



<li>Vote for your favourite dish &#8211; enter your email to win a voucher</li>



<li>Take the quiz to find your perfect drink &#8211; enter your email to see the results and enter a prize draw</li>



<li>Photo wall competition</li>
</ul>



Start capturing your data through your <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/wifi">Guest WiFi</a> and build your mailing list with ease. Get in touch to find out more about the <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/wifi/">Stampede Captive Portal</a>.

3 Tools To Get More Customers On Your Mailing List

With Google announcing the end of third-party cookies in 2024, the clock is ticking for hotels to switch to a first-party data strategy for good.



For many this radical change has already proven worthwhile. As per a recent survey by Sojern, <a href="https://www.sojern.com/press-release/81-percent-of-hoteliers-see-a-lift-in-revenue-once-a-first-party-data-strategy-is-implemented">81% of hoteliers said they have seen an increase in revenue</a> since changing their game plan.&nbsp;



No doubt, this is a big strategic move that requires thoughtful resource management and planning.



We’ve gathered some key things to keep in mind before you get started.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-a-first-party-strategy">What is a first-party strategy?&nbsp;</h2>



First-party data refers to data that is obtained by the hotel through its owned digital channels. Examples are their Guest WiFi, loyalty program or website booking integration.



The biggest benefit is that operators have full ownership over this type of data. They can store, access and manage it directly and use it for marketing purposes and more.



In addition, 1st party data is often more accurate and relevant as it is willingly provided by customers to the company.



However, the current situation is more like a mix of first- and third-party data. The latter often comes from guests booking through OTAs rather than direct.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why opt for a first-party-only strategy?</h2>



Without third-party tracking and data, operators miss out on essential interaction points in their customers’ journey.&nbsp;



Personalised marketing and on-site service become nearly impossible, the outcome is a rather disjointed guest experience. 



For example, hotels <a href="https://stampede.ai/downloads/the-direct-booking-checklist">don’t get access to OTA booking data</a> and can therefore not contact guests prior to their arrival to tailor their stay.



So in an ideal scenario, all the data is collected by the hotel based on actual customer interactions. From the first touch point, i.e. the initial booking, onwards when guests return.&nbsp;&nbsp;



This then allows operators to create a holistic guest profile which stores preferences and previous interactions. Insights that can be used for personalised marketing to drive long-term loyalty and revenue.



Though, the key to a successful 1st party strategy is getting the right data from the right sources.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">10 most-used 1st party data sources for hotels</h2>



How can hotel operators gather their own data covering online and offline events? Let’s have a look at some common first-party sources:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Property Management System (PMS)</li>



<li>Customer Relationship Management System (CRM)</li>



<li><a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/wifi">Guest WiFi</a></li>



<li>Website &#8211; newsletter sign-ups</li>



<li>Mobile app sign-ups</li>



<li>Online booking engine</li>



<li>Guest surveys</li>



<li>Loyalty program</li>



<li><a href="https://stampede.ai/get-bookings">Table booking platform (F&amp;B)</a></li>



<li>Social media channels</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">4 steps for implementing a first-party data strategy</h2>



Here are 4 essential actions to take to start shifting your strategy:



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Map out your entire customer journey. Consider all potential online and offline sources. Define your marketing short/long-term goals.</li>



<li>Determine the required data and its sources. What is the current process in place and what is missing? Close potential data gaps.</li>



<li>Make the best use of your data. Choose the right technology to manage your data most efficiently.&nbsp;</li>



<li>Analyse and adjust if necessary. Build your own customised dashboards and reports to keep an eye on progress.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How to maximise your first-party data</h2>



In general, the more data sources hotels can access, the easier it is for them to build a 360-degree customer view.&nbsp;



However, this can also quickly lead to <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/5-common-data-integration-flaws-in-hospitality-tech">disjointed data silos</a> piling up, which requires a lot of manual labour and time to connect them. But without their integration, the data is of no use and correct attribution is nearly impossible.&nbsp;



In addition, handling various systems and spreadsheets also increases the potential risk of a GDPR breach.



So, in order to use the data in the most efficient and secure way, hotels should therefore opt for a <a href="https://stampede.ai/">unified CRM solution</a>. It automatically syncs all their sources into one place without the need for integrations.



All staff members get access to the same data and from there they can quickly analyse it, segment it and use it to drive their marketing efforts.&nbsp;



Plus, with a multi-functional system, the overall data quality increase as guest profiles are always up-to-date. Which in turn results in better marketing conversions.



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



Make sure to check out our <a href="https://stampede.ai/downloads/the-direct-booking-checklist">FREE Direct Booking Checklist</a>. Our step-by-step guide features examples around social media, email marketing and SEO to ensure that you’ve ticked every box when it comes to your direct bookings.

A Quick Guide On First-Party Data Strategy For Hotels

Your&nbsp;table booking data&nbsp;is a treasure trove of customer insights.&nbsp;That’s the place where customers tell you about their individual needs and preferences when it comes to dining out. Though to use your data effectively it’s best to&nbsp;link your booking system to a Customer Relationship Management&nbsp;(CRM) platform. 



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



This creates a&nbsp;single customer view&nbsp;where all information on that particular customer is gathered together. Use those insights to&nbsp;personalise your customer experience&nbsp;and turn them into regulars.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-generate-more-sales-with-connected-bookings-and-crm-data">Generate More Sales With Connected Bookings And CRM Data</h5>



The key to&nbsp;high conversion rates&nbsp;and increased sales is personalisation. You can power your&nbsp;personalised campaigns&nbsp;with all the data you gather together in your CRM. Also access data sources such as loyalty schemes, e-commerce,&nbsp;<a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/the-revenue-boosting-combo-of-wifi-and-bookings-data/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">guest WiFi</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/3-ways-to-improve-customer-experience-with-bookings-reviews/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">online reviews</a>, etc. for this.



Ideally, you opt for an&nbsp;all-in-one solution. The data sync will happen automatically and your database will grow and be kept updated for you.



As a fallback, you can integrate your systems but there are risks, such as duplicate creation, transmission errors and added costs.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">How To Build A Strong Customer Profile From Your Bookings Data</h5>



Here’s what you should include in your customer profile.



Customer related:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Basic contact details, including birthday if possible</li><li>Demographics &#8211; family, couple</li><li>Preferences &#8211; favourite table, food &amp; drink</li><li>Dietary requirements</li></ul>



Booking related:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Frequency &#8211; loyal customer vs. first-time visitor, last booking</li><li>Behaviour &#8211; day of the week and times</li><li>Type &#8211; one table or group, events</li><li>Special occasions &#8211; birthdays and other anniversaries</li><li>Customer satisfaction based on reviews</li><li>Check size &#8211; big vs low spender</li><li>Previous no-shows</li></ul>



All these can be used to feed your&nbsp;<a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/a-5-step-recipe-that-creates-profitable-personalised-marketing-part-1/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">personalised marketing campaigns</a>. E.g. a special deal for your customer’s favourite drink, a simple birthday offer or a win-back campaign&nbsp;if it&#8217;s been a while since the last booking.



Looking for a smart hospitality growth platform that combines CRM, bookings, marketing and much more?&nbsp;<a href="https://calendly.com/stampedeae/stampede-demo-request" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Book a demo</a>&nbsp;with our team to find out more about Stampede.

How To Use Bookings Data To Supercharge Your CRM

AI In Hospitality Marketing: A Complete Guide

The Pros And Cons Of Using AI In Hospitality

4 Revenue-Driving AI Tools For Hospitality Operators

3 Restaurant-Specific AI Tools That Drive Sales

How AI Can Facilitate Reviews Management For Hospitality Operators

3 Clever AI Tools To Support Your Hotel Operations

ChatGPT vs. Jasper: The Two Most Popular AI Tools Compared

How To Make The Most Of Your Restaurant Outdoor Seating Space In Summer

Become A Stampede Pro With These Hidden Features

Jimmy Garcia Catering – Lockdown Story

Manchester Gin – Lockdown Story

Tammie Hurrell

Montpeliers Group

Grant Murray

CRU Holdings

Emma Luke-Ward

Lane7 Group

Steve Watson

Signature Pub Group

Nick Gregory

Society Manchester

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Zindiya Streatery & Bar

Graham Atkinson

Butta Burger

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Mele Group

Chris Aitchison

Bar Tonic

Ieuan Davis

The Coal Exchange Hotel

How to Set Up a Coworking Space in Your Coffee Shop

Give your customers the royal treatment for the long Jubilee weekend ahead and drive some extra revenue for your business.



Recent research by <a href="https://kam-media.co.uk/project/jubilee-weekend-infographic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">KAM Media</a> has shown that 4 in 5 people will celebrate the Jubilee weekend (2nd to 5th June) in some way, with 35% planning to visit a pub and 31% a restaurant. On top of this, pubs are allowed to stay open until 1:00 AM for the period.



With less than 4 weeks to go, time to lean hard on your marketing comms to ensure your venue is buzzing. Email campaigns should be your go-to here to spread the word about your events and urge customers to book ahead.&nbsp;



Here’s what your 5-part Jubilee marketing campaign could look like:



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jubilee-email-campaign">Jubilee Email Campaign</h5>



Email 1 &#8211; Let’s celebrate &#8211; Book your spot for our Jubilee weekend



Audience: All customers



Sending time: 19th/20th May



Content ideas:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Entertainment program &#8211; Live music, Jubilee event broadcasts</li><li>In-venue events &#8211; Traditional games, raffles, royal pub quiz</li><li>Food &amp; drink highlights &#8211; Great British Menu, showstoppers, royal cocktails</li><li>Meal kits &#8211; Jubilee picnic hamper with classic staples, coronation afternoon tea box</li><li>Early bird booking offer</li></ul>



Email 2 &#8211; Have you secured your Jubilee table yet?



Audience: All customers, excluding bookers



Sending time: 23rd/24th May



Content ideas:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Shorter version of Email 1 as a reminder</li><li>Highlight your main events, ie. ‘don’t miss our giant cake stand’</li><li>Create a sense of urgency &#8211; ‘book now’, ‘only limited availability</li><li>Special afternoon tea offer if you book this week, including free drinks</li></ul>



Email 3 &#8211; One week to go &#8211; are you ready to celebrate?



Audience: All customers



Sending time: 26th/27th May



Content ideas:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>What to look forward to on the weekend</li><li>Sneak peek &#8211; “we’re already busy prepping the venue”</li><li>Head to our socials to stay updated and get involved in competitions</li></ul>



Email 4 &#8211; Last-minute availability for this Jubilee weekend



Audience: All customers, excluding bookers



Sending time: 31st May/1st June



Content ideas:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Why you should celebrate with us &#8211; event highlights</li><li>Last sales push to fill in empty spaces &#8211; include a special deal</li></ul>



Email 5 &#8211; Your upcoming Jubilee booking



Audience: Bookers only



Sending time: Day before the booking



Content ideas:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>We can’t wait to celebrate the big Jubilee with you</li><li>Your table on the [date] at [time] for [people] is waiting for you</li><li>Get excited about &#8211; menu highlights, events</li><li>Include upsell offers &#8211; bottomless drinks&nbsp;</li></ul>



Tip &#8211; Make sure to automate this email.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">Social Media Post Ideas</h5>



 All national events are usually a trending topic across all social channels. Plan about&nbsp;2 posts per week&nbsp;and&nbsp;2-3 stories&nbsp;to get customers excited and hyped up.&nbsp;



And don’t forget to use <a href="https://stampede.ai/resources/hospitality-hashtag-cheat-sheet/">relevant hashtags</a> to give your posts maximum exposure &#8211; #PlatinumJubilee #Jubilee #JubileeParty #JubileeCelebrations #LetsCelebrate.



Some inspiration for your social channels:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Competition &#8211; create a royal drink, kids/pets royal dress up</li><li>Short video sneak peeks &#8211; kitchen prep, decoration</li><li>Royal-themed quiz</li><li>Giveaway &#8211; share, tag and win</li><li>Introduce entertainment acts, menu highlights</li><li>Booking reminder posts/stories</li></ul>



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

Increase Your Footfall With This 5 Part Jubilee Marketing Booster Campaign

Untrackable traffic is probably one of the biggest fears of any data-driven marketer.&nbsp;



“Dark social” is an example of such a dreaded source, which has been on the rise over the past couple of years.&nbsp;



We’ve compiled everything you need to know about dark social advocacy and how you can use it to your benefit.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-dark-social">What is Dark Social?</h2>



Dark social refers to any web traffic that comes from sharing links that are not trackable. They won’t be picked up by Google because they usually don’t contain any <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/3-clever-tools-that-simplify-how-you-measure-marketing-results">UTM tracking code</a>.



As a consequence the original traffic source remains unknown, instead, those leads will show up as “direct traffic” in your analytics.&nbsp;



What makes this type of sharing so dark is the fact that it happens on private messaging platforms such as chat apps or instant messengers and not on public social media platforms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why the Channel is Growing</h2>



Recently, there has been a shift in how much people share on social media. This is mainly linked to privacy concerns and how their data is used.&nbsp;



Contrary to social media, private messaging platforms allow for end-to-end encryption, so people can better control their personal information.&nbsp;



Up to <a href="https://www.convinceandconvert.com/social-media/what-is-dark-social/">80% of shares are in fact happening in the dark</a>, probably more than you might have expected.



This is even more so the case in the hospitality industry where people are looking for recommendations from their family and friends. So chances are high that they will share it privately.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3 Ways Dark Social Affect Businesses</h2>



The impact of dark social on businesses can be broken down into 3 main points:



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Untrackablilty</li>
</ol>



As mentioned already, the major issue is that you can’t put an exact number on this type of channel.&nbsp;



There are ways you can measure it to a certain extent, such as through Google Analytics (Source: direct traffic) or by using special tools.



<ol class="wp-block-list" start="2">
<li>Exclusion from the customer conversation</li>
</ol>



The actual content that is shared through dark social remains invisible to companies.



You don’t know what is said about your business. Also, you can’t control the conversation and whether it is in line with your brand voice and values.



<ol class="wp-block-list" start="3">
<li>Lower reach</li>
</ol>



In general, your reach might be limited on dark social. People tend to share within their network, i.e. like-minded people with the same interests and behaviours.



It’s therefore not necessarily a channel to attract a new type of customer.



However, if you look into the demographics, you can reach an older audience as younger customers still tend to share their content on social media.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3 Actionable Tips For More Transparency</h2>



The good news, there are a couple of ways you can increase measurability. It’s all about making your content more traceable in the first place.



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Encourage trackable ways of sharing: add share buttons/links to your content containing <a href="https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/what-are-utm-tracking-codes-ht">referral data</a>.</li>



<li>Chime in on the conversation: create your own community with loyal customers, i.e. a Whatsapp group.</li>



<li>Use <a href="https://free-url-shortener.rb.gy/">URL shortener</a> for social posts: shorter links with UTMs attached look cleaner and are easier to copy and paste.</li>
</ol>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Power of Dark Social</h2>



Taking all the above into account, dark social should definitely not be seen as a threat to marketers.



Even though it is a channel that is hard to control it contributes a lot to your brand awareness and engagement.&nbsp;



Think about it this way &#8211; if customers share your content privately it’s a sign of trust and loyalty. It is a form of unexpected <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/breakdown-3-ways-customers-advocate-your-hospitality-brand">brand advocacy.</a>&nbsp;



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



<a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-hospitality-operators-can-use-data-to-reveal-loyal-customers">Learn more</a> about how you can identify and grow your most loyal customers using data insights and our customer retention cohort report.

Shedding A Light On Dark Social And How It Increases Brand Awareness

In the last 12 months, over&nbsp;120 million emails&nbsp;have been sent through Stampede across thousands of campaigns.



From all that we learned:



A) That the number of sent emails should be a lot higher, because



B) People often avoid email campaigns because designing them is a headache, and



C) 99% of email campaigns are very similar in design and layout.



 Enter&nbsp;Quick Campaigns&nbsp;🚀 &#8211; taking you from start to sent in just a couple of minutes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-it-works">How it works</h2>



✅ Prompt the builder with your idea ✅ Use the Brand Kit to set your theme for your venue ✅ Choose your audience or segment (or make a new one) ✅ Add some text for the body of the email (you can change the main image too) ✅ Bolt-on a trackable call-to-action button Then hit Send!



It&#8217;s less effort than a social media post, and way more effective at generating bookings and conversions.



Think of it like filling in a form, instead of building a web page with a drag-and-drop designer. Most email campaigns are simple and they tend to be the best at getting the desired outcome.



For those that still want to nurture audiences with rich content, story telling and brand building you can still do all that and more in with Bulk and even Automated campaigns.



Email marketing continues to be one of the best performing channels for any business. Social media algorithms change, new trends emerge, new platforms pop-up. Marketers constantly have to adjust and redesign their approach to stay relevant and appear on feeds. You&#8217;re always renting the audience and fighting for attention.



Your email audience is yours to address as and when you like. Segementation is still your most powerful tool here, whether you send Quick or Bulk campaigns. 



<a href="https://stampede.ai/get-started/marketing/">Stampede is here to help</a> with thousands of ways to build audiences and segments so your message hits the right people at the right time, without slowing you down.







p.s. It&#8217;s never a choice between email or social media &#8211; it&#8217;s always BOTH

Introducing Quick Campaigns

Gift card sales have skyrocketed over the past years with customers being keen to support their local businesses. Though,&nbsp;how many of your sold gift cards have actually been redeemed yet? Fact is,&nbsp;<a href="https://enjovia.com/make-more-restaurant-profit-with-vouchers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">customers spend up to 72% more than the actual value of the card when they redeem it</a>. 



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



Time to unlock your hidden revenue with a personalised gift card reminder campaign using our simple 5 step recipe.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">1) The Data</h5>



For this campaign, you need to access your&nbsp;gift cards buyer data. The data should include the purchase date and gift card status, i.e. redeemed or unredeemed.&nbsp;



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">2) The Trigger Event</h5>



Now segment your data into customers&nbsp;who have purchased a gift card but have not redeemed&nbsp;it yet.&nbsp;



If your gift cards come with an expiration date you can use this as a trigger event, e.g. set up an automated reminder campaign for the month before.&nbsp;



Otherwise, you can choose the timeframe that works best for you. Ideally, you would run this sort of campaign during quieter times to further boost bookings.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">3) The Messaging</h5>



Your gift card reminder message should go straight to the point.&nbsp;Keep it simple with a strong call-to-action&nbsp;at the end. Also, use your subject line to tell your customers what your email is about to increase your open rates.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">4) The Offer</h5>



There’s no need for an additional offer in your campaign.&nbsp;



However, you can use your customers’ attention to&nbsp;promote certain events&nbsp;or&nbsp;fill in for last-minute cancellations&nbsp;with a prompt to book quickly due to limited availability.



Here&#8217;s how your gift card reminder email could look like:



Subject line &#8211; [Name] have you redeemed your gift card for [company] yet?



Don’t forget to pay us a visit and redeem your gift card!



Why not come by this weekend? We’ve got [event] coming up and only limited space available. So better be quick!



Book Your Space Now



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-the-outcome">5) The Outcome</h5>



You certainly don’t want to miss out on all this&nbsp;additional revenue&nbsp;coming with your gift card redemptions. So, keep on top of your gift card sales and make sure customers redeem them in time.&nbsp;



Besides, for many gift card holders this might be the first time at your venue. This is your chance to exceed their expectations and turn them into repeat customers.



Be sure to keep an eye out for our next part of this series on how you turn customers into regulars across all your venues.



Take your&nbsp;<a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/gift-cards/#gifting" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gift cards</a>&nbsp;to the next level and go digital.&nbsp;<a href="https://calendly.com/stampedeae/stampede-demo-request" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Get in touch</a>&nbsp;with one of our team to find out more.

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

3 Ways To Improve Customer Experience With Bookings & Reviews

5 Common Data Integration Flaws In Hospitality Tech

The Secret To Mastering Your Google Reviews

Why 3-Star Reviews Actually Matter More

How to Get Maximum Value From Customer Reviews Sentiments

How to Take Back The Control of Your Online Reviews

3 Ways to Keep Up With Changing Customer Reviews

How to Tackle Tripadvisor’s Latest Hotel Booking Challenge

Marketing automation on its own is powerful. However, when backed up with a <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-create-a-hospitality-crm-strategy-that-drives-results">Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system</a> hospitality businesses can take their revenue and customer loyalty to the next level.



This clever tech pairing comes with significant opportunities to engage and retain customers, drive conversions and significantly boost profit margins.



In this blog post, we&#8217;ll explore what marketing automation fueled by a CRM system means and review some best practices as well as real-life examples.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-marketing-automation">What is marketing automation?</h2>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-1-definition">1.1. Definition</h4>



Marketing automation is a tool for businesses to streamline their marketing efforts and effectively communicate with their customers using personalisation and targeted messaging.



The driver behind this automation is customer data, which is collected and stored in the CRM solution. Many <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/marketing">CRMs</a> now include a marketing automation feature, allowing for easier campaign management and tracking.



Emails and SMS campaigns are sent out automatically using pre-defined triggers, such as specific customer characteristics or interactions.&nbsp;



Plus, automation saves staff a lot of time and also reduces the risk of human error.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-2-trigger-based-campaign-examples">1.2. Trigger-based campaign examples</h4>



Here are some trigger-based campaign examples hospitality venues should implement.



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>New newsletter subscribers &#8211; a simple welcome message drives engagement and encourages revisits.</li>



<li>Win-back lost customers &#8211; attract them back with a special deal.</li>



<li>Birthday surprise offer &#8211; shows that you value your customers and helps strengthen your relationship.</li>



<li>Online review booster &#8211; an automated post-visit review request email will keep guest feedback flowing.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>



The required customer data for those campaigns can easily be extracted from the CRM through segmentation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-key-reasons-to-implement-marketing-automation">4 key reasons to implement marketing automation</h2>



Marketing automation benefits hospitality businesses in a number of ways.



Firstly, it allows nurturing customers towards long-term loyalty through personalised and targeted content. Customers are more likely to feel valued and appreciated when the messages they receive resonate with their specific interests and needs.&nbsp;



Secondly, personalised emails have proven to be more relevant and therefore have a higher conversion rate. In fact, they have a <a href="https://www.campaignmonitor.com/blog/email-marketing/how-personalization-and-automation-can-supercharge-email-conversions/">2.5 times higher click-through rate</a> than a generic email.



Thirdly, marketing automation also provides businesses with additional sales and upsell opportunities based on historic customer interaction in-venue and online.



Finally, once the setup is complete, automated campaigns don’t require much work as they run automatically. This allows your team to focus on other areas of the business.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-practice-tips">Best practice tips</h2>



Marketing automation has become an increasingly important tool in the hospitality industry. However, to be truly effective, some best practices should be considered.&nbsp;



Firstly, input from various data sources through your CRM is crucial. By collating data from your tech tools, such as <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/wifi">Guest Wifi</a>, <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/loyalty">loyalty scheme</a> and <a href="https://stampede.ai/get-bookings">table booking platform</a>, you can build a comprehensive customer profile.



Furthermore, to make the best use of the data, it&#8217;s important to segment it into distinct customer groups. To make it easier, use the pre-defined data segments provided by CRM solutions.



Finally, operators should regularly check their triggers to ensure their automation work effectively and that customers still receive relevant and timely communications.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-hospitality-operators-succeed-with-marketing-automation">How hospitality operators succeed with marketing automation</h2>



Here are some real-life examples from hospitality businesses that have used their CRM to automate their marketing processes.



<a href="https://stampede.ai/customer/bar-tonic">Bar Tonic</a> has seen astonishing results from their automated birthday emails, offering customers a martini on the house. So far, they’ve generated over £10,000 return visit ROI from it.&nbsp;



Another marketing automation usage example comes from the <a href="https://stampede.ai/customer/signature-pub-group">Signature Pub Group</a>. By automating their review request emails, they’ve managed to collect more than 12,000 reviews in a short period of time.



Marketing automation not only increases sales but is also a real time-saver. For example, <a href="https://stampede.ai/customer/birdhouse-london">Birdhouse London</a> is able to 2 hours per week since implementing it.



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



There is no doubt that marketing automation are an essential tool for any hospitality operator that wants to increase customer loyalty.



By laying down the foundation with a powerful CRM system and then leveraging it with personalised messages tailored to specific customer segments, they can make sure that their guests are engaged and keep coming back.&nbsp;

Increase Sales With Your CRM And Marketing Automation

New Integration With Storekit

Updates to geo-fencing on Loyalty, export your campaign results and putting a spotlight on POS voucher codes.



Don&#8217;t forget to explore Quick Campaigns if you&#8217;re short on time and need to get a promo out to drive some extra foot traffic!



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="582" height="1024" src="https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Loyalty-sd-582x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-23569" srcset="https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Loyalty-sd-582x1024.png 582w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Loyalty-sd-170x300.png 170w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Loyalty-sd-768x1351.png 768w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Loyalty-sd-150x264.png 150w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Loyalty-sd.png 799w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 582px) 100vw, 582px" /></figure>

New This Week

Did you know that Stampede integrates with over 200 e-commerce platforms? By connecting your e-commerce system with Stampede you will be able to access even more customer data insights, allowing you to create enticing marketing campaigns to bring customers back.



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



Here’s the&nbsp;<a href="https://zapier.com/apps/categories/ecommerce" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">full list of all 202 e-commerce apps</a>, including Shopify, Square and WooCommerce.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-use-transactional-e-commerce-data">How to use transactional e-commerce data</h4>



By adding more customer data sources together you&#8217;ll get a better view of the customer journey and their relationship with your brand. Those insights can then be used to create more personalised and targeted offers.



And that&#8217;s the key to getting great conversion rates.



Having all your data sources available in one place makes this easy and effective for you as well.&nbsp;Simply mix and match your data sources to create unique customer segments&nbsp;for your next email and SMS campaigns.



To get you started, we&#8217;ve put together some clever segment combination ideas and campaigns to go with them for inspiration.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">8 clever segmentation &amp; campaign ideas for your e-commerce data</h4>



1.&nbsp;Customer has purchased online but has&nbsp;not&nbsp;been at venue:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>We&#8217;d love to meet you! Why not come by and say hello? Get % off for your first visit.</li><li>Like our [product] and want to explore our full range? Come by our venue and get [freebie] for your first visit.&nbsp;</li></ul>



2.&nbsp;Regular in-venue customer but no online purchases:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Want to enjoy some of your most favourite items at home? Check out our online store and get % off your first order.</li><li>Did you know that we also sell gift cards and meal-kits? They will make a great gift for [e.g. Mother’s Day]. Special offer only valid until …</li></ul>



3.&nbsp;Customer has purchased the same item several times (automated message):



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Looks like you’re a fan of our [product]. What about getting it to your doorstep every month without having to remember to re-order it?</li><li>We’ve seen you like [product] and thought you might as well like this [product].</li><li>A fan of [product]? We’ve got a much wider range available in our venue. Come by and get [freebie].</li></ul>



4.&nbsp;Customer has made several online orders and are a regular customer (loyal):



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Thanks for sticking with us! Here’s a sneak peak of our new [product] and an exclusive early bird offer for you.</li><li>Here’s a little treat for you. Simply show your voucher code the next time you come to visit us to get [freebie].&nbsp;</li></ul>



5.&nbsp;Abandoned cart (automated message):



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>We’ve noticed you left something in your cart. Do you want to proceed? Get additional % off if you order within the next …</li><li>Here’s a free shipping to what is left in your cart. Order now.</li></ul>



6.&nbsp;No online order or in-venue visit in the past 30 days (cold):



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Here’s % off to say we miss you! Visit us or buy online.&nbsp;</li><li>Just checking in, as we haven’t seen you in a while. Get % off your next visit/order.</li></ul>



7.&nbsp;Big online spenders and high review scores (advocate):



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Looks like you’re enjoying [product]. Why not tell your friends and get % off your next order.&nbsp;</li><li>We want to say thank you and have [freebie] waiting for you at our venue.</li></ul>



8.&nbsp;Big online spenders and low online rating (win back):



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>We’re sorry to hear that you’re not happy with [product] and we would like to retry. Here’s % off your next visit/order</li><li>Give us another chance, we want to make up. Your next order of [product] is on us.</li></ul>



Check out this useful article on our blog&nbsp;<a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-set-up-a-successful-meal-kit-e-commerce-page/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">on how to set up a successful e-commerce page</a>.



Ready to integrate your e-commerce platform to Stampede for more data insights?&nbsp;<a href="https://stampede.ai/company/#contact" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Get in touch&nbsp;</a><a href="https://stampede.ai/company/#contact" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a>and our team will be happy to assist.

Drive More Sales With E-Commerce Integrations and Data

The Ultimate Beginners Guide to WiFi Jargon

A few weeks into 2023 and you might have ditched your new year’s resolutions already. No judgement, we’ve all been there.



However, a new year is always a great opportunity to reshuffle one’s business strategies in order to up the game.



Looking ahead, there are a bunch of exciting growth and marketing trends to watch out for. And yes, technology will of course play a part in those.



We’ve had a look into 5 key hospitality trends that you should integrate into your strategy to get the most out of 2023.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Build A Unified Customer Experience&nbsp;</h2>



An outdated user interface will drive customers away.&nbsp;



So, you need to start judging your digital tools and assets as if they were your shop window or your venue decoration.&nbsp;



Think about your <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/avoid-these-3-common-guest-wifi-mistakes">Guest WiFi sign-up</a>, booking platform or order &amp; pay app. Are you happy with them representing your brand?



If not, the first step is to align all your tech tools toward a unified brand experience.&nbsp;



Here’s what to focus on:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Stick to your branding and brand voice across all channels and tools</li>



<li>Make sure the digital customer experience is as smooth as your in-venue one</li>



<li>Focus on easy-to-navigate tools for your customers (and staff)</li>



<li>Don’t neglect your website &#8211; a lot of attention has been paid to social media lately</li>



<li>All-in-one solutions allow for a unified experience as they don’t require integrations</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Opt For Industry-Specific Tools</h2>



Too many cooks spoil the broth. Time to move away from the clunky and disjointed tech stack that you might have gathered over the past years.&nbsp;



Instead, focus on ROI-delivering tech that helps you achieve the results you want when <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-save-money-on-your-digital-tech-tools">revising your tools</a>.



Industry-specific tools are what you’re looking for here, to replace the mainstream big-name ones everyone else is using.



Those specific ones are tailored to your needs, easier to use and are therefore also accessible to smaller operators.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Focus On Hyper-Personalisation</h2>



<a href="https://financesonline.com/hospitality-trends/">Approximately 90%</a> of customers are willing to share behavioural data if it results in a better brand experience.



No question, personalisation will continue to reign.



What changes is that customer insights are no longer coming from separate sources. It’s the clever combination of multiple data sources that takes it to the next level and makes it even more powerful.&nbsp;



This is also referred to as hyper-personalisation and is based on real-time behavioural and transactional data insights and actions.



With this, you want to create a 1:1 customer experience that translates into longtime loyalty.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. Go Beyond Customer Loyalty</h2>



Customers trust their peers more than any other source when looking for new venue recommendations.



It’s up to you to identify your <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-use-data-to-unveil-your-true-brand-fanatics">super advocates </a>amongst your customers, those that spend more time and money at your venue than the average. <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-use-data-to-unveil-your-true-brand-fanatics">Hint</a> &#8211; your data can help you unveil them.



Once you’ve done that you can nurture them with targeted marketing and personalised rewards (i.e. loyalty or referral program) to start building a loyal community.



This community will help you spread the word, boost your reviews and attract many new customers. Loyalty always pays off.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-let-ai-powered-solutions-give-you-a-hand">5. Let AI-Powered Solutions Give You A Hand</h2>



Since the beginning of the new year, our feeds have been flooded with AI talk. There’s a lot going on at the moment, with new tools coming up in a blink of an eye.



Whilst some of it might still be in its early days, we can already see the benefits for businesses. It’s all about efficiency.&nbsp;



AI-powered automations can optimise various parts of your marketing and help you scale up. From content generation to email marketing, social media and operational tasks.



They streamline less-pivotal parts of your business and save you hours a week whilst generating revenue on auto-pilot. What’s not to like about this?&nbsp;



Arguably, there needs to be work done in some areas to make them more industry-specific so that they can be used by everyone without any programming background.



Make sure you stay busy all year round with the&nbsp;<a href="https://stampede.ai/?utm_source=hs_email&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;_hsenc=p2ANqtz--P70VbCxT_AnnS8JwuzgRrHnMbNXfBlgQ_e9X3bmhij7P8-rUVLSBDUzhZwHRS_Yse9ab7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stampede Customer Experience Platform</a>&nbsp;that drives 5x more repeat customers.&nbsp;<a href="https://h.stampede.ai/meetings/stampede/demo?utm_source=hs_email&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;_hsenc=p2ANqtz--P70VbCxT_AnnS8JwuzgRrHnMbNXfBlgQ_e9X3bmhij7P8-rUVLSBDUzhZwHRS_Yse9ab7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reach out</a>&nbsp;to find out more.

5 Key Hospitality Growth Trends You Shouldn’t Miss This Year

Marketing Your Restaurant Online – A Brief Guide to Getting Bums on Seats

The real countdown is about to begin – Welcome to the Stampede Advent Calendar

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

Getting Started with Guest WiFi in your Venue Today

Providing Guest WiFi to the Royal Highland Centre

GDPR, WiFi, Stampede and You

Stampede WiFi and GDPR

Stampede at EIE Scotland

Why Offer WiFi as a Service?

Good Adverts, Bad Adverts

Shorter is Better! The 133 Character Limit

Offer GDPR Compliant WiFi with Stampede

Feature Update – Improved campaigns, reporting and imports

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

The Power of Reviews and Recommendations

October Update – 3x Faster Guest WiFi and more

New Features & Updates – September 2023

How To Build An Email List For A Non-Digital Business

Stampede Updates – July 2017

What’s On This Week? – 01/03/2021

What’s On This Week? – 08/02/2021

Sharing Success and Inspiration

Expand Your Mailing List For Free

What’s On This Week – 14/12/2020

Adapt and Attract

What’s On This Week – 7/12/2020

Improve Your Campaign Measurement

Fresh Content Ideas To Fuel Your Marketing

Black Friday: 3 Ways Hospitality Businesses Can Get Involved.

Team Update

Introducing AI Segments for Marketing

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

Snap Box – Stampede Network Application

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

When business picked up after lockdown, the popular western US brand&nbsp;<a href="http://ribandchophouse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rib &amp; Chop House</a>&nbsp;decided to elevate their loyalty program to a paid scheme to reward their most dedicated customers.&nbsp;



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



Since implementing their&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fsrmagazine.com/expert-takes/rib-chop-houses-loyalty-membership-turns-guests-brand-evangelists" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exclusive pay-to-join, limited membership ‘Royalty Program’</a>&nbsp;they have reported great results and have now shared their success story.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-customer-loyalty-vs-royalty">Customer Loyalty Vs Royalty</h5>



A royalty program allows you to reward your most loyal customers with&nbsp;unparalleled benefits&nbsp;on every visit. This way you can turn your top-tier customers into brand fanatics.



But what makes Rib &amp; Chop House&#8217;s program so successful? We had a closer look.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">Finding Your Royal Customers</h5>



First things first, how do you spot your royal customers? It’s simple,&nbsp;check the analytics from your tech tools&nbsp;to get customers’ insights.



Here are the&nbsp;3 metrics&nbsp;Rib &amp; Chop House took into account:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Top-tier users of their existing loyalty program</li><li>Big spenders&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;on average their royal customers had a 14% higher spend than non-royalty</li><li>High visit frequency&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;up to 5 times per month compared to 1-3 for loyal customers</li></ul>



In addition, Rib &amp; Chop House noticed another common characteristic: Royal customers really want to&nbsp;experience the venue. Their prime motivation is not collecting points to get a freebie or discount.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">6 Royalty Club Best Practice Tips</h5>



Rib &amp; Chop House also shared some&nbsp;details of how their paid loyalty scheme benefits their customers:



<ol class="wp-block-list"><li>$600 in gift cards annually&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;equals the cost of the royalty program membership</li><li>Limited the number of members&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;to make it really exclusive</li><li>Offer priority seating&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;a secured table with no pre-booking required</li><li>Allow for anytime cancellation</li><li>Host member-only events&nbsp;</li><li>Additional amenities&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;10% off every bill, free birthday entrée, a complementary set of branded steak knives</li></ol>



Stay tuned to find out more about how to identify your royal customers.

The Paid Loyalty Scheme That Works A Treat

Never miss a message from your customers again with our brand new product feature: the Stampede Inbox.



It can indeed be a challenge and time-consuming task to stay on top of your various inboxes.



<a href="https://www.superoffice.co.uk/resources/articles/customer-service-study/">A recent customer service study</a> found that a worrying number of 62% of customer enquiries are left unanswered.



Common reasons are inboxes not being connected to a CRM and only a limited number of staff having access to incoming emails.



So, what about centralising all customer communication to one platform that is accessible to the whole team?



Such a unified inbox massively improves your response times and gets you extra points for your quick and streamlined customer service.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-it-works">How It Works</h2>



All incoming customer requests and responses are received in the inbox and stored under their individual profiles.



Staff members can then reply straight away in only a few clicks which means happier customers.



There is also the option to add internal notes to keep your team updated.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why The Stampede Inbox Is Unique</h2>



What makes our inbox a one-of-a-kind is that it comes ready-linked to every other interaction your customers have via Stampede. 



There&#8217;s no more piecing together the conversations and information from disjointed platforms. 



This creates a single 360° customer view, providing you with more context based on previous customer interactions and historic data.&nbsp;



So you can craft personalised responses that are relevant to each customer.



The Stampede Inbox is now available for all customers. Head to <a href="https://product.stampede.ai/">Stampede</a> to explore our new product feature in more detail.



If you have any questions or need a hand, reach out to our <a href="https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/murdo">Customer Success team</a> who are happy to help.