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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!
<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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WiFi Gifts for the Love of your Life

The hospitality industry is buzzing again so making time for marketing can be difficult right now. Running SMS marketing campaigns could be the solution for time-strapped operators though.



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 SMS marketing has gained popularity recently. Not only because of its set-up simplicity (it&#8217;s shorter than email) but more importantly because of its higher customer response and engagement rates. In one of our previous blog articles we had a look into <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-sms-marketing-drives-10x-more-revenue-than-email/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">how sms marketing can drive 10x more revenue than email</a>.&nbsp;



Today we will dive deeper into different SMS campaigns that you can run in your venue to reach and retain customers.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-powerful-sms-campaign-ideas">4 Powerful SMS Campaign Ideas</h4>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-general-promotions">1. General Promotions</h4>



<a href="https://simpletexting.com/how-to-write-sms-for-marketing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">90% of text messages are opened within three minutes</a>. So if you want to promote last-minute offers or fill in empty spaces due to cancellations, SMS is the quickest and most efficient way to reach your customers.



Same applies for promoting any upcoming events. Those promotions work well alongside an email campaign. Send a detailed event layout via email and use SMS to follow up a day or so later, e.g. send timely reminders and don’t forget to send a final flash-sales booster &#8211; “only few spaces left”.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-personalised-targeted-promotions">2. Personalised &amp; Targeted Promotions</h4>



Personalised messages resonate best with your customers. Segment your customer list to create highly targeted campaigns for increased conversion rates and revenue. Build those various segments based on your customers’ behaviour.&nbsp;



Sending out birthday offers in advance should be a no brainer here but instead of using the usual email campaign, why not give SMS a go?&nbsp;



Re-engagement offers and special deals can also help to drive customers back to your venue that you might not have seen for a while (create a segment with &#8220;last time seen &gt; … days&#8221;).&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-competitions">3. Competitions</h4>



“Text-to-win” sweepstakes are popular contests in SMS marketing. Customers enter the draw by replying with a keyword via text.&nbsp;



Extra tip: If you promote your contest on your socials and your website, you can also collect new customer contact details.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-feedback">4. Feedback</h4>



SMS messaging is a two-way conversation and comes with <a href="https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/10-ways-to-personalize-your-marketing-messaging-to-create-loyal-customers/600643/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a high response rate of 45%</a>, which makes this channel ideal for customer feedback requests.



Whether you’re looking for some inspiration for your next special drink or upcoming event, or just for some feedback on your latest menu changes. Surveys and polls are quick and easy to set up via SMS. “Text-to-vote” (a for …, b for …) is one common option to use here.&nbsp;



Using a URL in the text message to direct customers to a survey is a well-renowned tactic too.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bonus-get-your-wording-right">Bonus &#8211; Get Your Wording Right</h4>



Text messages come with a character limit, so choosing the right words to capture your customers interests is vital to generate any action.



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Think of the first few words as the &#8220;Subject Line&#8221; for the notification on a phone</li><li>Use attention-grabbing language (last chance, limited offer, special offer for you)</li><li>Use CAPITALS only to highlight key elements</li><li>Lead with the offer</li><li>Have a clear call-to-action at the end</li><li>Don’t overdo abbreviations in order to keep within the limit as it will make the message hard to read</li><li>Stick to &#8211; what-where-when-how (get 10% off this Friday, simply show this CODE to our staff)</li></ul>



Ready to set up your first SMS marketing campaign? <a href="contact@stampede.ai" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reach out to our team</a> and we will get you set up with your SMS Marketing tool.

4 Quick Wins for Your SMS Marketing Campaigns

Thousands of new businesses are established every day. It’s a rough world and taking care of your new company isn’t always easy, as most of them aren’t profitable enough to grow and make themselves a name on the market. 

<h2>Adaptation</h2>
But why do so  so many companies <a class="" href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/288769">struggling to establish themselves</a>? Some don’t make it due to a lack of funding, others fail because the product isn’t made for the market and another aspect that is often ignored is adaptation. Darwin (amazing dude), already knew that the key to survival is constant adaptation &#8211; and he&#8217;s right.
Even more established companies fail, when they don&#8217;t adapt. This was the case with Atari, Blockbuster, Blackberry, Hummer and many more.
Customers are looking for more than another retail shop, hotel or restaurant. They are looking for someone who offers them a unique experience and a venue that doesn’t compromise their wants and needs. Customers want to be able to work at your &#8211; or your customer’s &#8211; venue, check the latest football scores or send a text to grandma.
Enhance the Experience
Many businesses have recognised that shift and adapted accordingly. They started adding Guest WiFi to their venue to enhance customer experience and give guests the freedom to surf and relax. This adaptation might have happened in time, but is your guest network really adding something to the customer experience?
Top 7 WiFi Mistakes
To make sure you don’t commit a blunder with your guest WiFi, we collected the most common WiFi Mistakes that businesses tend to make and put them all together in this new eBook for you. Make sure you, or your customers, don’t fall into the WiFi trap and keep your business growing and thriving.
Knowing these common mistakes will not only help you offer the best experience to your guests, it will also save you a lot of time and money (as these are usually what business owners lack the most).
Make sure you’re on the safe side and get your eBook today!
<a class="eut-modal-popup" href="https://calendly.com/stampedeae/stampede-demo-request?month=2020-02">Click here to get started.</a>

Learn from other’s mistakes

Elena Turner

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.

Gift cards sales in hospitality were a key revenue driver during the last year. But how many of your customers have actually redeemed their vouchers yet? They could well have bought them months ago, only for them to gather digital dust in their email inbox.



Time to unlock some hidden gift card revenue now that venues are reopening. Let’s remind those gift card holders that it’s time to redeem their cards and reap the benefits for your business.



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<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-reminders-can-get-you-more-customers-and-more-money">Why reminders can get you more customers and more money</h4>



<a href="https://enjovia.com/make-more-restaurant-profit-with-vouchers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stats show</a> that 72% of customers actually spend more than the value of the voucher. This offers a great opportunity for you to upsell.



What’s more, 60% of customers say that they’ve been introduced to a new brand through a gift voucher. In addition, 18% of those have now become regular customers as a result.



So, don’t miss out on that extra spending and those new customers. Use this opportunity and turn those gift card customers into loyal ones.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-send-your-reminders">How to send your reminders</h4>



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-messaging-channels">Messaging Channels</h5>



Utilise your common marketing channels to send reminders, i.e. email and SMS. Think of employing a combined campaign approach of email and SMS for a better response rate. For example, SMS is the perfect medium to promote last-minute availability.



Don’t forget your social media accounts and schedule in some reminder posts on a regular basis. Insta stories are great to boost last-minute bookings from gift cardholders. It’s likely those with gift cards are in those follower lists on social media!&nbsp;



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-to-send-it-to">Who to send it to</h5>



If you’re using a digital gift card solution, you can simply target your buyers as a “segment”. This way you can send your reminder campaigns to gift card buyers only.



What’s more, you can easily track the results coming from the campaign and include special promotions only relevant to this customer segment.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reminder-message-content">Reminder message content</h4>



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-subject-line">Subject line</h5>



Your subject line should be straightforward and on point. Something along the lines of: “Reminder &#8211; don’t forget to redeem your gift card” or formulated as a question: “Have you redeemed your gift voucher yet?”.



If your gift cards come with an expiration date, you can include this in your subject line: “Only … left to redeem your gift card”.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-message">Message</h5>



Don’t just simply send a short reminder email. You’ve got your customers’ attention, so use it wisely.



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Promote any offers or special deals</li><li>Feature upcoming events</li><li>Highlight any new menu changes and create some sense of urgency “only available for …”</li><li>Boost downtimes “last-minute bookings left for this …”</li></ul>



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-call-to-action">Call-to-action</h5>



Ideally, you’d want your customers to making a booking straight away so your CTA can simply be: “Book Now/Here”. Also, consider including more than one CTA (e.g. underneath the header image and after your main body).



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extra-tip-last-minute-cancellations">Extra tip &#8211; last-minute cancellations</h5>



Have an email template ready for last-minute cancellations that you can send out to your gift card holders to fill in any empty spaces.&nbsp;



Have a look at our <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/3-time-saving-newsletter-tips-to-keep-people-engaged/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">3 Time-Saving Newsletter Tips</a> for more quick writing and design hacks to kick-off your gift card reminder campaign. And <a href="contact@stampede.ai" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">get in touch</a> with one of our team for support on anything email and SMS marketing related.&nbsp;

How to Unlock Hidden Revenue From Your Gift Cards

All aboard the hype-train, it’s time to take a ride into the near future and show you what we’ve got coming up in our wonderful platform. So, get excited and have a little sneak peek of our upcoming features. Here comes the&nbsp;Stampede Spring/Summer product look ahead.



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<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Stampede Digital Voucher Codes</h4>



A nicely segmented audience, a tailored offer and….what’s missing to make that campaign really sing? How about a&nbsp;unique voucher code&nbsp;for each member of that audience. Make them feel really special and drive those repeat conversions.



Our first new product feature will allow you to send voucher codes in your email and SMS campaigns. Once the voucher is redeemed in-venue it will&nbsp;automatically get logged&nbsp;to the campaign it came from.



As always with Stampede you’ll be able to track the results of those campaigns with supreme accuracy. Granular level conversion tracking will show you exactly how many people came back and whipped out their voucher.



No more matching codes and campaigns, no more rough ideas of what worked (or didn’t). Just easy digital marketing.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stampede-bookings">Stampede Bookings</h4>



The second exciting addition we’re currently building is a&nbsp;fully integrated table booking system&nbsp;for venues.



Stampede bookings will include all the important features you’d expect:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Manage reservations, walk-ins, waitlists and table allocation</li><li>Get notified on reservations, cancellations and dietary requirements</li><li>Send automated email and SMS booking confirmations as well as review requests post-visit</li><li>Control your cover capacity and no-shows</li></ul>



… and much more



This adds another data capture string to your bow. But it can also&nbsp;take away a lot of hassle.&nbsp;



Many hospitality operators depend on a variety of connected platforms from different providers for their technology. Our integrated bookings system will take away lots that complexity. Everything will be in one place, one tab, one login, one monthly bill.



Keep an eye out for more updates on these features over the next few weeks.



If you’d like to be an early tester of any of these new product features (with a little incentive of course) then&nbsp;<a href="https://stampede.ai/company/#contact" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">get in touch.</a>

Stampede Spring/Summer Sneak Peek – More Tools To Help You Grow

Keeping on top of your marketing whilst running a hospitality business can be tough. Let marketing automations do the heavy lifting for you. 



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They&nbsp;make your&nbsp;marketing easy and free up your time&nbsp;to focus on driving sales.



Check out our most popular marketing automations that you can send via email and SMS.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-quick-win-marketing-automations-campaigns">4 Quick-Win Marketing Automations Campaigns</h5>



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Drive repeat visits



Want to send out personalised campaigns that drive sales?



Send customers a&nbsp;birthday offer&nbsp;via SMS.



Data: Date of birth



<a href="https://stampede.ai/customer/bar-tonic">Read Success Story</a>
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Retain your customers



Haven’t seen some of your customers for a while?



Create a&nbsp;win-back email&nbsp;campaign to bring them back to your venue.



Data: Last in-venue visit or booking



<a href="https://stampede.ai/customer/cocktail-embassy">Read Success Story</a>
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Get more and better reviews



Need to boost your reputation online?&nbsp;



Activate the&nbsp;reviews automation&nbsp;to start pushing those numbers up.



Data: Recent in-venue visitor



<a href="https://stampede.ai/customer/montpeliers-group">Read Success Story</a>
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Nurture your loyal customers



Want to build a loyal customer base?



Reward your loyal customers with a&nbsp;‘thank you’ voucher&nbsp;and turn them into fans.



Data: Frequent loyalty card user or customer



<a href="https://stampede.ai/customer/atis">Read Success Story</a>
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<h5 class="wp-block-heading">5 Reasons Why Our Customers Love Marketing Automations</h5>



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>They are fast to set up, tip: create and re-use templates</li>



<li>They run on autopilot and leave you time to focus on other tasks</li>



<li>They drive sales &#8211;&nbsp;<a href="https://moosend.com/blog/10-marketing-automation-statistics-need-know/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">75% of email revenue</a>&nbsp;comes from personalised campaigns</li>



<li>They are personalised and relevant to your customers which means high conversion rates</li>



<li>They keep customers engaged and coming back to your venues</li>
</ol>



Also, have a look at our&nbsp;<a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/a-5-step-recipe-that-creates-profitable-personalised-marketing-part-1/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">simple&nbsp;5-step recipe&nbsp;</a>that will help you set-up more personalised marketing campaigns.



Let us make marketing easier for you. Get started with <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/marketing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stampede marketing automations</a> to free up your time.

Easy And Profitable Marketing With Automations

Try this: head to your social media channels or customer email system. When was the last time you shared information about in-venue safety measures?&nbsp;



 You might find it’s been longer than you think as the focus shifted to EOTHO and other operations. It&#8217;s pretty common for businesses to send out a message once and move on to the next topic.



 If it’s been more than 2 weeks since your last message about safety measures, it’s worth sending a reminder email to customers, and posting something on social media. The more you repeat the message, the more likely it is to be seen.



<a href="https://www.cga.co.uk/2020/09/18/the-covid-effect-ten-big-trends-in-uk-and-us-consumer-behaviour" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CGA’s latest Brandtrack data</a> shows that 65% of people have now returned to restaurants, bars and other venues. There’s still a large proportion to come back, not to mention the continuing need to reassure all customers as things change.



Make It Easy



 To save time, don’t be afraid to reuse the content from a previous message or post. Give it a quick proof read and update anything out of date before sending.



 The chances of people calling you out for being repetitive are extremely small on both social media and in email. Especially if it’s got a few small changes, like a new image or subject line.



Make It Better



 There’s more content you could add into that message now too. Using positive reviews regarding the atmosphere or ambience in light of safety measures as part of a reminder will give the message an even greater impact this time.



Whether you&#8217;re looking to send a reminder with some improvements, or send your first email, we&#8217;re here to help. <a href="https://stampede.ai/company/#contact" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Get in touch</a> with one of our team to get started.

Repeat The Message

April & May 2025 Social Media Calendar

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December 2024 & January 2025 Social Media Calendar

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The Reviews Toolkit

Word of mouth. The holy grail of marketing, the primordial promotor and notoriously hard to measure driver of new business. But what about the power of online reviews and recommendations?







Business owners and marketing professionals have always sought out word-of-mouth as the best method to attract new business. With all sorts of digital tools available nowadays designed to make word-of-mouth easier to generate than ever before.



In the hospitality industry, the task of getting new business from word-of-mouth depends heavily on reviews and recommendations. And normally these come from well-known websites like TripAdvisor, Yelp, Google and Facebook, making these websites pivotal in generating new business for hospitality venues like bars, cafes, restaurants and hotels.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recent-research">Recent Research</h4>



In a <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="recent survey (opens in a new tab)" href="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/British-social-routines-and-connectivity-report.pdf" target="_blank">recent survey</a> we commissioned, 65% of respondents said that they never or rarely try new venues without a review or recommendation. Every review or recommendation counts when it comes to encouraging new business.



&#8220;But,&#8221; I here you say, &#8220;Don&#8217;t most people only leave a review when they have a bad experience?&#8221; &#8211; A natural thing to worry about, as these reviews would naturally count against your business.



Interestingly, we discovered that the notion that people are more likely to spread the word of negative experiences vs positive ones may not be entirely true.



Dispelling this myth, we found that almost the exact same number of people had reviewed their favourite restaurant as had reviewed their worst eating experience.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="501" src="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t10-1024x501.png" alt="" class="wp-image-12582" srcset="https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t10-1024x501.png 1024w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t10-300x147.png 300w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t10-768x376.png 768w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t10-1536x752.png 1536w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t10-1200x587.png 1200w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t10-150x73.png 150w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t10-1920x939.png 1920w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t10-592x290.png 592w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t10-123x60.png 123w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t10-184x90.png 184w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t10.png 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



 At 36% and 35% respectively, this number is still lower than many restaurant owners may like, such is the importance of good reviews and recommendations. However, it goes to show that people won’t just leave reviews when they have something to complain about – they also want to give praise when it is warranted.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increase-online-reviews-and-recommendations">Increase online reviews and recommendations</h4>



Given these findings, venues should be doing all they can to increase the number of people leaving reviews. And whilst there is a risk of negative reviews, there&#8217;s an equally good chance of a positive reviews coming in too. The important thing is to understand the value of reviews and the power they have in reaching and attracting new customers.



Find out more about our <a href="https://stampede.ai/get-reviews">Reviews feature</a>.



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

The Power of Reviews and Recommendations

If Holiday season is your favourite time of the year, we have good news for you.

Get ready because tomorrow we&#8217;ll introduce the Stampede Advent Calendar. Yeah, you heard right, we are bringing you 25 days full of fun content, discounts, facts and a special final prize.
Excited yet? Follow our social media channels today (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/blackbxwifi/" target="_blank" class="" rel="noopener noreferrer">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/blackbxwifi" target="_blank" class="" rel="noopener noreferrer">Twitter</a>, and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/10502754/" target="_blank" class="" rel="noopener noreferrer">LinkedIn</a>) &nbsp;and don&#8217;t miss any updates. Like, share or comment the posts and you&#8217;ll automatically enter the competition to win the final surprise on Christmas day.&nbsp;
We want you to know that here at Stampede we respect all faiths, but since this is an Advent Calendar, this time things will be around Christmas (It&#8217;s not a promise but we&#8217;re thinking in fun things for Diwali, Hannukah and others, so stay tuned).
If you want to know more details about the competition, you can check out the terms and conditions&nbsp;<a href="https://hubs.ly/H09hRMd0" class="" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>, and if you have any questions please <a href="mailto:connect@stampede.ai" class="" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">contact us</a>.
So get ready for the Holiday Season by following Stampede on all of our social media platforms!&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/blackbxwifi/" target="_blank" data-mce-target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img decoding="async" src="https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2735287/Signature/facebook.png?utm_campaign=Advent_Calendar_2017&amp;utm_source=facebook&amp;utm_medium=social" alt="Stampede- Facebook logo.png" width="28" title="Stampede- Facebook logo.png" caption="false" data-constrained="true" style="width: 28px;" class=""></a>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.twitter.com/blackbxwifi" target="_blank" data-mce-target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img decoding="async" src="https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2735287/Signature/twitter.png?utm_campaign=Advent_Calendar_2017&amp;utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=social" alt="Stampede- Twitter logo.png" width="28" title="Stampede- Twitter logo.png" caption="false" data-constrained="true" style="width: 28px;" class=""></a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/10502754/" target="_blank" data-mce-target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img decoding="async" src="https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2735287/Signature/linked.png?utm_campaign=Advent_Calendar_2017&amp;utm_source=linkedin&amp;utm_medium=social" alt="Stampede- LinkedIn logo.png" width="28" title="Stampede- LinkedIn logo.png" caption="false" data-constrained="true" style="width: 28px;" class=""></a>
The countdown to Christmas starts tomorrow!!&nbsp;

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

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

As a hospitality marketer or restaurant owner, you know that providing your customers with an excellent experience involves much more than just preparing delicious food and drinks. It’s about creating memorable experiences and building strong customer relationships.&nbsp;



However, in order to be able to consistently deliver on this promise and grow your business, you need the right tools in place &#8211; including having a top-notch <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/what-is-a-hospitality-crm-system-a-full-guide">Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solution</a> for managing all of your operations efficiently.&nbsp;



With the help of data-driven insights, CRM systems can completely transform the way you operate by helping you increase revenue opportunities while offering an optimised customer experience every time – from initial contact through to post-visit follow-ups.&nbsp;



Keep reading to find out why a CRM system is absolutely crucial for any hospitality marketer looking to maximise their ROI and exceed expectations with their guests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What is the role of CRM in marketing</h2>



In the world of marketing, a CRM system can be a powerful tool to manage and maintain relationships with customers. Not only does it allow businesses to store essential customer information, but it also enables them to interact with their target audience directly.&nbsp;



With a CRM, businesses can increase the effectiveness of their marketing efforts while simultaneously measuring their performance. It enhances a company’s understanding of its customers and allows them to tailor their marketing strategy accordingly.&nbsp;



As a result, it can lead to more significant brand loyalty and increased revenue.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crm-in-email-marketing">CRM in email marketing</h4>



<a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/marketing">Email marketing</a> is a powerful tool for hospitality businesses looking to reach out to their customers and build long-term relationships.&nbsp;



A CRM system can significantly enhance the effectiveness of email marketing. By leveraging data gathered from previous interactions and different sources businesses can better segment their customer base. They can create highly targeted, personalised email campaigns that help them to upsell and increase repeat visits.&nbsp;



The best part is, using a CRM system in email marketing also saves valuable time, as there is no need to manually import and export contact information.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crm-in-sms-marketing">CRM in SMS marketing</h4>



SMS marketing can be a powerful tool for reaching customers on the go. With a high open rate, text messages can quickly grab a customer&#8217;s attention and deliver your message.&nbsp;



To make the most out of SMS marketing, businesses can also use their CRM data to target specific groups with promotions and offers.&nbsp;



For example, to fill in empty spaces businesses can send loyal customers a special last-minute discount code to their phone.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crm-in-social-media-marketing">CRM in social media marketing</h4>



Social media has become essential to any business&#8217;s marketing plan, and proper social media management is critical to its success.&nbsp;



A CRM can play a pivotal role by helping companies collect and analyse important data on their customers. They can better understand how customers are engaging with their content, including what topics are most relevant and target their marketing efforts accordingly.



In addition, a CRM can help hospitality marketers to identify <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/breakdown-3-ways-customers-advocate-your-hospitality-brand">brand advocates</a>. These are customers who are highly engaged and are most likely to spread the word about your business.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Automate Your Marketing Processes with a CRM System</h2>



Marketing automation has revolutionised the way modern businesses operate, providing valuable tools and techniques that streamline workflows and enhance efficiency.&nbsp;



With a CRM system, parts of <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/easy-and-profitable-marketing-with-automations">email and SMS marketing can be automated</a>. Whether it&#8217;s an automated birthday email, a promotional offer to win-back customers or a follow-up message, a well-crafted automated campaign can make all the difference, engaging customers and driving sales.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Final Thoughts</h2>



Through the usage of CRM, hospitality marketers and operators can make their marketing efforts more effective and efficient. The ability to leverage customer data for predictive analysis gives businesses the opportunity to better understand consumer preferences and target promotions accordingly.&nbsp;



With automated processes in place, marketing resources are prioritised, saving both time and costs associated with manual labour. By understanding the power of a <a href="https://stampede.ai/amaze">CRM system</a> alongside proven strategies such as email, SMS and social media marketing, your hospitality business will gain an invaluable tool that will enable greater returns on investment while fostering stronger relationships with customers.

Why Is A CRM Solution Crucial For A Hospitality Marketer?

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



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



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

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

Submited by Jimmy Garcia



In March, when we first went into lockdown, it felt like everything we had worked so hard to achieve building the business over the last decade was slipping away overnight. At my lowest ebb, I stayed in bed for a couple of days then realised, I can’t go on like this, I have to be busy. We decided to set up our &#8216;Donate a Dinner&#8217; campaign and created food parcels for Age UK and Wandsworth Council to give back to those who were at the most vulnerable. 



With Britain on lockdown, we were hit hard, losing half of our staff and some lucrative bookings, including the Cannes Film and Glastonbury Festivals. With the Donate a Dinner campaign, we reached out to our corporate clients that were still thriving — Google, Virgin Media and Facebook for example — and asked everyone to donate £3 to cover the cost of each meal. With that, we were able to deliver 861 meals a day and ensure a regular supply each week. 



By April, we had then set up logistics to do nationwide delivery of our range of corporate event boxes and feasting dinners for the public (which we have delivered over 22,000 of to date).



We are market leaders in the pop-up restaurant sector, so whilst we couldn&#8217;t operate events all year, we quickly set about creating immersive, experiential pop-up restaurants in outdoor locations to accommodate people&#8217;s demand and need to be outdoors.



Our mission has always been simple &#8211; we create memorable experiences that last a lifetime through food and drink and make people smile with our creations. On our private events, we aim to be completely client-led, creating bespoke menus and working creations for any occasion or theme, but always putting the client&#8217;s vision at the forefront of our ideas and despite going into lockdown and all the difficulties the business has faced being in the hospitality industry.



I&#8217;m so proud that we&#8217;ve still been able to keep these events going to keep people smiling &#8211; mostly virtually of course! I&#8217;m also really proud of our Donate A Dinner campaign and how quickly the team pulled together to make the logistics work for delivering food nationwide and throughout Europe which was no easy feat!



We&#8217;ve consistently worked within the rules to keep our clients happy and team working. Where most catering companies may have gone into hibernation, we are continuing to provide a service (albeit virtual) for our clients and we firmly believe fortune favours the brave, and that we&#8217;ll be the first out the traps on live events when this is over, having already won two catering contracts at Henley Regatta this summer and gone on two more venue lists as approved caterers which we&#8217;re so proud of! 



Virtual won&#8217;t be going away anytime soon and so we&#8217;re continuing to improve and evolve our offerings to make it really easy for people to order delicious food boxes for themselves or groups of friends, family or colleagues &#8211; no matter what happens, we&#8217;re determined to keep people connected through delicious food!!











Got a story to tell? <a href="https://stampede.ai/lockdown-stories/">Submit yours here</a> for a chance to win a £100 Amazon Gift Voucher.

Jimmy Garcia Catering – Lockdown Story

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

We all know <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/the-power-of-reviews-and-recommendations/">how important online reviews</a> are in marketing, especially for local businesses. Most customers don’t head into a store or restaurant these days without browsing a company’s Google and social media reviews first.&nbsp;Though, lots of businesses struggle on how to respond to positive and negative customer reviews.



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



It’s estimated that a total number of <a href="https://www.oberlo.co.uk/blog/online-review-statistics">89% of consumers look for online reviews</a> before making a purchase. <a href="https://www.oberlo.co.uk/blog/online-review-statistics">54% of a potential customer base will form an opinion</a> about a local business after reading just 4 reviews.



Just one good review has the potential to draw in a line of new customers. Bad reviews – well, they just hurt. Sometimes, they are a true reflection of your business and at other times, they arise from a one-time misunderstanding. Sometimes they’re just downright cruel.&nbsp;



Reviews are going to happen whether you want them to or not. The good news, however, is that if you respond correctly, even a bad review can do you justice.&nbsp;



Before we start discussing “how” to respond to a review, let’s quickly place emphasis on “why” one should respond.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-should-local-businesses-respond-to-online-reviews">Why Should Local Businesses Respond to Online Reviews?</h4>



Marketing has evolved from one-way communication to a mutual conversation. This is because social media has turned marketing into a “social” entity.&nbsp;



Let’s look at the following as an example:



If a customer came up to you and complimented you on your store, would you give them a blank stare? And if someone complained about your management, would you walk away and brush them off?



Your answer is very likely going to be a hard “no”.&nbsp;



So, why would one ignore a comment on a social platform (social being the operative word)? By engaging your customers with a response, even if their message is a negative one, you show them that you care about what they are saying. 



A thoughtful response not only satisfies the reviewer, but the rest of your audiences will appreciate the respect that you are reflecting onto them. And like we mentioned above, it’s at this point that a negative review can quickly be turned into one that gives your brand an excellent public image.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-respond-to-a-negative-online-review">How To Respond To A Negative Online Review?</h4>



We’re starting with “how to respond to negative reviews” because they are the hardest to react too.&nbsp;



We don’t like to be slandered and when someone throws hurtful words at our beloved businesses (even if there is some truth to their words), but it’s our human nature to react emotionally. Reacting emotionally, however, is what can get us into more hot water. 



This means that the very first step in responding to a negative review is to take a deep breath and gather your wits. &nbsp;



Then, you can work on your response by:



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Addressing the reviewer. First and foremost, you want to avoid generic responses that begin with “Dear Customer” at all costs. Instead, make your message a personal one by addressing the reviewer individually.</li>



<li>Say thank you. Thanking someone’s candour shows respect. It will make the individual who left the review feel more valuable. A simple acknowledgement like this might already change their opinion on your business.&nbsp;</li>



<li>Apologise and sympathise. Apologising shows that you care about your customers and that you’re not too proud to own up to your mistakes. Even if you are not in the wrong, say sorry anyway – because, in essence, you should be sorry that your customer feels that way. People don’t like businesses that are too perfect or too proud to apologise.</li>



<li>Take responsibility. Sometimes you just have to put on those “big-boy-boots” and take responsibility. Don’t make excuses (even if you do have reasonable ones), simply acknowledge your customer’s experience and provide reassurance that you will try your best to hold yourself to high standards in the future.</li>



<li>Make things right. By making things right, you will prove to the reviewer and the audiences that read your reviews that you take their feedback and your business seriously. When you communicate changes and improvements, you stand the chance of winning the customer/s over and gaining their trust in you once again. &nbsp;</li>



<li>Take the issue offline. Once you have left a response for all to see, it’s best to try and continue the discussion with the reviewer offline. This allows you to further resolve their complaint.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>



Here is an example of a response to a negative review using the advice we have provided above:



&#8220;Dear John. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We’re so sorry that your experience did not match your expectations. 



We are typically renowned for our meticulous attention to detail, and we regret that we missed the mark. Our team would like to assure you that we will work on improving our standards to avoid disappointment in the future. 



We would like the opportunity to investigate your feedback further. Please could you contact us at [Email Address]?&#8220;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-respond-to-a-positive-online-review">How To Respond To A Positive Online Review</h4>



Ending off on a sweeter note, positive reviews will make any business owner’s day. It’s just good manners to say thank you when someone compliments you. A response such as this, for example, will go a long way:



“Thank you, Sarah, for your lovely review. Our team appreciates your feedback. We hope you can join us again soon!”&nbsp;



Remember, your response to a positive review may be intended for one specific individual, but when it comes to Google and social media platforms, thousands of other individuals will be reading what you write. This means that you need to seize the opportunity to reinforce the positive and show your audiences that you appreciate their feedback and loyalty.&nbsp;



To end, we have one final piece of advice. Always respond to reviews as soon as you can. The sooner you can rectify a problem or show your gratitude – the better!



If you have been stuck with some bad feedback lately, try this <a href="https://stampede.ai/get-reviews#reviews-calculator">review calculator</a> we built. It works out how many 5-star reviews you need to get your score back to where you want it.

How to Respond to Positive and Negative Online Reviews [Updated for 2022]

<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.



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



<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>



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



<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>



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



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

Last year has once again shown us how adaptive the hospitality industry is when it comes to finding ways to keep up and running. New trends have emerged that will continue to play an important role throughout this year. Here are&nbsp;4 key hospitality trends you should include in your strategy&nbsp;for 2022.



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



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-on-community-engagement">Focus On Community &amp; Engagement</h4>



The pandemic has taught us one important thing:&nbsp;community matters.



This year will see an even bigger focus on community building and customer loyalty. Social media is your go-to tool here for regular engagement. However, email marketing is equally important. Build an email list with your most loyal fans and nurture them with exclusive content and early access offers.



Companies should also adopt a&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://blog.hootsuite.com/social-listening-business/" target="_blank">social listening strategy</a>&nbsp;to better understand their audience. Mentions and conversations related to the brand and industry can help to identify certain themes. Those can be used to tailor offerings and attract more customers. For example, anything around #Veganuary is prominent on social media at the moment.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Personalise Your Digital Customer Experience</h4>



Customers expect a personalised experience. This also applies to all things digital. Many common customer touchpoints, such as ordering &amp; payments or menus, have shifted towards digital platforms. 



So, your digital guest experience (including all tech tools attached to it) should integrate seamlessly with your physical, in-venue, experience. Stick to your branding and messaging to make it instantly recognisable for a&nbsp;uniform customer experience.&nbsp;



And don’t forget to pull together&nbsp;customer data from your digital tools&nbsp;to get insights on your customers’ behaviour. This allows you to create an even more personalised experience throughout.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Produce More Video Content</h4>



<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://whatsnewinpublishing.com/over-82-of-internet-traffic-will-be-online-videos-by-2022-how-publishers-can-scale-their-content-production/#:~:text=Cisco%20recently%20declared%20that%20by,really%20hard%20to%20keep%20up." target="_blank">By 2022, over 82% of all online content consumed will most likely be in video format</a>. No denying that TikTok is the big winner of 2021 when it comes to short-form video content. Though, many hospitality businesses categorise it solely as an e-commerce platform and struggle to see the benefit it might have for them.&nbsp;&nbsp;



TikTok is a great platform to interact and engage with your audience. Take your customers behind the scenes and share tips and tricks with them. You could pick one staff member to take over the account or feature your different departments.



Big hospitality brands are already using it successfully. Check out&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@starbucksrecipeswithm?lang=en" target="_blank">this account</a>&nbsp;with 2M followers and run by a Starbucks employee who shows how to prepare their bestsellers and more.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Keep Multiple Revenue Streams</h4>



Over the past two years, many businesses have pivoted their strategy as and when they had to. From delivery &amp; takeout to <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/4-creative-ways-to-increase-your-meal-kit-sales/">meal kits</a>, co-working spaces and selling groceries or merchandise. The idea is to have multiple sources available so that they can keep trading regardless of circumstances outside their control.



The big question often is whether to keep those parts alongside normal dine-in operations or to drop them. No doubt, they often require extra resources that are not always available.



However, it’s not just businesses that have adopted and changed, so have customers. Despite being keen to go out for a meal, the majority would like to have those additional offerings as a fixed part of their favourite venues. Get your customers involved and ask them what they want to see from your businesses this year.&nbsp;

4 Key Hospitality Trends To Grow Your Business in 2022

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

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

We are witnessing a video revolution. The traditional 16:9 landscape format can move aside, (outside of TV and movies). The new 9:16 vertical format is here to replace it on your mobile device.&nbsp;



This format is rapidly becoming the standard for video creation and consumption. And why, might you ask? The answer is mobile phones. While they are constantly developing and improving, they are designed to work in portrait. So much so, that mobile phone users hold their phone vertically 94% of the time.



With social media platforms such as Instagram becoming increasingly popular for digital marketing, vertical is soon going to be the way to advertise. Stories are growing at an incredible rate and are estimated to be growing 15 times faster than the feed – and to be far more powerful when it comes to persuasion.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Why is Vertical the future of video?</h4>



With the increasing dominance of mobile phones, which experts predict will generate 95% of mobile traffic by 2023, compared to today’s 85%, and the 9:16 format, it was only natural for them to become a great marketing tool. Furthermore, stories were made to fit with our bodies. They are here to tell personal stories and share moments that resonate with those watching. Marketing is, in essence, a form of storytelling. So, with videos being such an important marketing tool, and the videos evolving into the vertical format, it doesn’t take much to see why they are the future.



Businesses are being more aware of how society uses their mobile phones.&nbsp;And this why at <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/introducing-stories/">Stampede</a> we now offer vertical video services in the form of stories.



We use our phones to scroll through all forms of social media. Having to turn it on its side to watch a video, seems like too much effort. We live in an era of comfort, were people are naturally lazy. More people will watch a video if it is in a vertical format. Put into numbers, 65% of consumers consider companies and brands who use vertical video formats “more innovative” and 79% of new consumers prefer this format. If you are a new company or brand, those new consumers are really the area you want to target. Also, they are a large share of the general viewers.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Where to go next?</h4>



For many digital marketing gurus, Instagram is considered the holy grail. With such high numbers of people on the platform, it opens the door to hundreds of new customers. According to leading social media authorities, such as Zuckerberg and Chris Cox, Facebook’s Chief Product Officer, the future of sharing news, information and other things is Stories, which are in Vertical format, which, by the rules of logic, makes vertical videos the future of digital marketing. So, adding Stories to your WiFi service is a great way to get yourself noticed, promote yourself to new customers and expand your brand name.&nbsp;



Get in touch with us to discover how WiFi Stories can help your business.

Vertical: The Future of Video Content for Digital Marketing

It’s no secret that pubs and bars in the UK are struggling, and that many have been forced to close their doors. Challenges include rising alcohol taxes, changes to business rates and a new generation that doesn’t drink as much. That’s the narrative at least, and it’s why CAMRA continues its commendable ‘Save the Local’ campaign.



However, a funny thing happened in 2019. For the first time in a decade, the number of pubs and bars in the UK actually went up instead of down – according to Official Labour Market Statistics from the ONS/Nomis.



Between 2010-2018, the UK had a net loss of 5,855 pubs, an average of 732 per year. However, there was a net gain of 320 pubs in 2019, the first time that the number of pubs in the UK has increased for a decade



We believe that pubs and bars are of vital importance to UK society and its economy. It’s therefore imperative that we analyse these market statistics and try to understand what they mean to the licensed trade industry. Is this increase a statistical anomaly or does it signpost a reversal of fortunes for the wider industry? Perhaps it is evidence that pubs and bars have started to adjust to economic and cultural changes in the UK?&nbsp;&nbsp;



In this post we analyse pub growth, the regions and countries experiencing the highest net growth (and loss), the types of pubs growing fastest and some of the likely determining factors. We also look at why the upward trend doesn’t extend to licensed clubs, which continue to fall in number.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Pubs are on the rise</h4>



The UK has lost 732 pubs per year on average since 2010, so 2019’s net gain of 320 represents a swing of nearly 1,000 compared to previous years. This is quite a remarkable turnaround, especially given the systematic year decline this decade and numerous challenges facing pub operators. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="347" src="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/ANNUAL_CHANGE_IN_PUB_NUMBERSAsset-7@2x-100-1024x347.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-13709" srcset="https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/ANNUAL_CHANGE_IN_PUB_NUMBERSAsset-7@2x-100-1024x347.jpg 1024w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/ANNUAL_CHANGE_IN_PUB_NUMBERSAsset-7@2x-100-300x102.jpg 300w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/ANNUAL_CHANGE_IN_PUB_NUMBERSAsset-7@2x-100-768x260.jpg 768w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/ANNUAL_CHANGE_IN_PUB_NUMBERSAsset-7@2x-100-150x51.jpg 150w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/ANNUAL_CHANGE_IN_PUB_NUMBERSAsset-7@2x-100-592x201.jpg 592w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/ANNUAL_CHANGE_IN_PUB_NUMBERSAsset-7@2x-100-177x60.jpg 177w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/ANNUAL_CHANGE_IN_PUB_NUMBERSAsset-7@2x-100-266x90.jpg 266w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/ANNUAL_CHANGE_IN_PUB_NUMBERSAsset-7@2x-100.jpg 1051w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Sadly England is almost solely accountable for this growth, which is not seen elsewhere. It saw a net gain of +345 compared to Scotland (-5) Wales (-25) and Northern Ireland (+5) which were all relatively stable. By region, the South East has the most pubs (5,340) but only grew by 10 in 2019. Much faster growth can be witnessed in the North East (+85), followed closely by the West Midlands (+80).



By town/city, Bristol, Newcastle, Southampton and South-end-on-sea all boast an extra 15 pubs in 2019 (the most in the UK). In London, pub numbers only increased in 10 out of 33 boroughs.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Pub Growth in the UK 2019 Map</h4>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Pub-Growth-UK-Map.png" alt="Pub growth UK Map" class="wp-image-13714" width="437" height="697"/></figure></div>



Large pub groups are driving the most growth in the sector. The biggest increase (+205) comes from pub enterprises with a turnover of £500,000-£1,000,000, and the second biggest increase (+125) was in the £1m-£2m bracket. By contrast, the UK had a net loss of 55 for pub enterprises with a turnover of less than £100,000&nbsp;



These stats demonstrate the dominance of big pub chains and suggests that larger and more profitable pubs may be more resilient to negative market forces – such as rising business rates and alcohol duties – and are therefore less likely to shut down. It may also be the case that there is more investment in larger properties with the potential to drive more revenue – while smaller venues stay shut once they close.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="884" height="315" src="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/2018-2019_L_V_S_PUB_NUMBERSAsset-8@2x-100.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-13711" srcset="https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/2018-2019_L_V_S_PUB_NUMBERSAsset-8@2x-100.jpg 884w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/2018-2019_L_V_S_PUB_NUMBERSAsset-8@2x-100-300x107.jpg 300w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/2018-2019_L_V_S_PUB_NUMBERSAsset-8@2x-100-768x274.jpg 768w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/2018-2019_L_V_S_PUB_NUMBERSAsset-8@2x-100-150x53.jpg 150w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/2018-2019_L_V_S_PUB_NUMBERSAsset-8@2x-100-592x211.jpg 592w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/2018-2019_L_V_S_PUB_NUMBERSAsset-8@2x-100-168x60.jpg 168w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/2018-2019_L_V_S_PUB_NUMBERSAsset-8@2x-100-253x90.jpg 253w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 884px) 100vw, 884px" /></figure>



We calculate that the growth of pubs in the UK between 2018 and 2019 may have created an extra 8,975 jobs nationwide.** Using a similar formula, we calculate that pubs made an extra £740,875,000 in 2019 vs 2018 (cash turnover not adjusted for inflation)



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">The Source of Growth</h4>



As to why pub numbers are going up, additional analysis suggests that it has little to do with people drinking more. According to the same dataset, we can reveal that licensed clubs remain on the decline – there were 7,420 in 2019 vs 7,610 in 2018, down from 10,000 in 2010***. Likewise, analysis from the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) and Marston’s says beer sales volumes dropped to 3.6 billion pints in 2019 compared with a peak of 5.7 billion pints in January 2007.



In the same report, the BBPA noted a rise in craft and world beers, growing by 194,000 and 218,000 pints respectively. The sale of these premium beers may explain how pub numbers were able to grow in 2019. Likewise, it appears that many pubs and bars are coping better with industry challenges. Many have embraced innovation and new revenue streams. More pubs now offer food, accommodation and a greater variety of weekday events to maximise profits. Pubs can no longer afford to rely on the same old regulars to keep coming through the door.&nbsp;



We are seeing more pubs utilising technology, data and marketing automation to better understand their customers and their drinking habits. This means being able to generate more revenue during traditionally quiet periods and changing their operations/business hours based on how their customers behave.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



“The pub trade has had very little to celebrate in the last decade, but I’m sure they’ll raise a glass to these new numbers,” said Patrick Clover, Stampede founder and CEO. “Pubs have a hugely important place in our society both socially as well as economically, being one of the UK’s biggest employers. The reduction of pubs over the last decade has been heart-breaking, following devastating changes to business taxes and alcohol duties, but I hope these figures signpost a reversal of fortunes. Indeed, we saw our local district of Edinburgh increase the number of pubs significantly this year, and I like to think we played our part in that. Stampede’s aim is to become indispensable to every pub, bar, hotel and restaurant owner in the UK. We want to bring the heart back into these beloved venues that are at the centre of our communities.”&nbsp;



* There are now a total of 39,145 pubs in the UK – based on businesses classified by the Standard Industrial Classification code 56302 : Public houses and bars. Figures are rounded to the nearest five by ONS to prevent identification, meaning these are not exact numbers



**We calculated this figure based on the net difference of pubs multiplied by their number of employees. For example, there were an extra 240 pubs with between 20-49 employees: 240 x 35 [the median figure between 20-19] = 8,400 jobs. Other employment size bands saw a net decrease, thus creating a net job loss, but they have still been factored into the 8,975 jobs estimate. N.B the ONS rounds it figures to the nearest 5 to avoid disclosure, so this figure is only a guide and should be taken with a pinch of salt.&nbsp;



*** Standard Industrial Classification code 56301: licensed clubs



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



<a href="https://www.stampede.ai">Stampede</a> 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 – Stampede 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.



The company has grown rapidly and has served more than one million users from over 800 locations across the UK, Europe, US, Asia and South America.

Raising The Bar – A Stampede Report

If you’re responsible for managing a restaurant or hospitality business, it can be hard to stay on top of everything. To organise your daily tasks more effectively and streamline your processes, implementing a <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/what-is-a-hospitality-crm-system-a-full-guide">Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solution</a> should definitely be part of your strategy.&nbsp;



There are three different types of CRM systems:



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Analytical CRM systems that gather data useful for reporting and decision-making.</li>



<li>Operational CRMs that streamline processes and communication.</li>



<li>Collaborative CRM platforms that allow departments to work together more efficiently.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>



In this blog post, we will explore these three different approaches to running an effective CRM system for your hospitality business. This will help you make the best possible decision when choosing one.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-analytical-crm-systems">1. Analytical CRM systems</h2>



When it comes to understanding your customers and analysing the results of your marketing campaigns, analytical CRM systems are game changers.&nbsp;



With these powerful tools, you can dive deep into customer data, uncover trends, and make informed decisions based on real numbers. No more relying on gut instincts or guesswork.&nbsp;



Analytical CRMs also make it easy to create customised reports and visualisations. Those help you track progress and hone in on areas that need improvement.



By using this technology to better understand your audience, you can improve customer satisfaction, increase retention rates, and boost your bottom line.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Operational CRM systems</h2>



Operational CRMs are a vital tool for businesses to streamline their processes and improve overall customer experience.&nbsp;



They allow companies to better manage every touchpoint of the customer journey, from initial interaction to after-sales care. With automation features, operational CRMs can further enhance efficiency by reducing the amount of time spent on repetitive tasks.



Implementing an operational CRM system not only leads to <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/meet-stampede-inbox-never-miss-another-message">better communication</a> with customers but also allows businesses to make data-driven decisions for continuous improvement.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Collaborative CRM systems</h2>



Collaborative CRM systems make sure that everyone in the business has access to the same data. So that teams can work together more efficiently in order to provide a complete customer experience.&nbsp;



With a collaborative CRM, every individual involved in the customer&#8217;s journey can view the full customer record with its entire history and previous interactions. This ensures that everyone is using the correct and up-to-date data to support the company&#8217;s decisions.&nbsp;



The integration between teams helps to ensure that customer needs are met, and ultimately, it results in a much-improved customer experience.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tips on how to choose the right CRM system for your hospitality business</h2>



As businesses continue to evolve and technology advances, it&#8217;s important for hospitality businesses to keep up with the latest tools in order to stay competitive.



However, with so many options out there, it can be challenging to choose the right CRM. The operational feature is certainly the most important feature for hospitality businesses and should be prioritised. The way data can be managed more efficiently has a significant impact on daily operations. Especially with automations as they reduce the workload by removing manual and repetitive tasks.



However, ideally, a CRM system should incorporate elements of all three CRM types &#8211; analytical, operational and collaborative. As a professional in the hospitality industry, it’s crucial to have a CRM system that provides detailed insights into customer interactions and preferences. This can help you tailor your services accordingly.&nbsp;



It&#8217;s important to emphasise the significance of finding the right fit for your needs when it comes to selecting a hospitality CRM. No two businesses are the same and therefore, there can be no one-size-fits-all solution.&nbsp;



You need to identify what your hotel, restaurant or hospitality business requires and other specific goals you want your CRM system to achieve. Then you can assess which CRM can deliver on those needs. A CRM that cannot adequately cater to your requirements could end up costing you in terms of valuable time and resources



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Closing thoughts</h2>



Technology can only truly increase efficiency if it is used effectively. After all, customer experience isn&#8217;t just about having a lot of information on hand. It&#8217;s about understanding each individual guest as well as providing personalised experiences based on your insights.



By investing in the right type of <a href="https://stampede.ai/amaze">CRM system</a>, you can unlock significant potential for your business and take your customer experiences to the next level.

The 3 Different Types Of A CRM System Explained

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

Shivani Kenth

Zindiya Streatery & Bar

Graham Atkinson

Butta Burger

Chris Hughes

Mele Group

Chris Aitchison

Bar Tonic

Ieuan Davis

The Coal Exchange Hotel

When we welcome new customers to Stampede and show them the marketing feature, there are often&nbsp;3 big questions when it comes to sending times and frequency. So, we’ve gathered these 3 common email marketing questions together and grilled our own marketing team for some answers to share with you.



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



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-when-is-the-best-time-to-send-an-email-campaign">1. When is the best time to send an email campaign?</h4>



No doubt, the right timing has a big impact on the success of your email campaigns.&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.marketo.com/articles/the-best-time-to-send-emails/" target="_blank">Research shows</a>&nbsp;that the best sending time for the&nbsp;hospitality industry is between 8 and 10am, whereas&nbsp;marketing emails get the highest results at 4pm. Unfortunately, there is no one size fits all time for best email performance. It’ll be specific to your industry, business and customers.



A good starting point is to look into your social media&nbsp;stats&nbsp;to find out when your customers are online and engaging with your content. Historic email data, especially your open rates, also give you a hint on which times usually work best for you.



<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.bluecorona.com/blog/mobile-marketing-statistics/" target="_blank">Around 75% of consumers will access their emails on their phones</a>. Think about when your customers might check their inbox during the day and are most likely to have time to read it. This will probably be at times before work, during their lunch break and after work/late evening. However, the right time also depends on the customer demographic, e.g. families have different daily habits than business people.&nbsp;



The&nbsp;actual email content matters&nbsp;as well. Your longer monthly newsletter is something your customers can read after work or even during the weekend. Whereas your short and punchy lunch offers will ideally land in their inbox around the time people start thinking about where to go for food.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">2. Which day is the best to send emails?</h4>



<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.marketo.com/articles/the-best-time-to-send-emails/" target="_blank">Statistics show that Tuesday and Thursday</a>&nbsp;are in general the best performing days of the week for emails.&nbsp;



However,&nbsp;always consider your content and its relevance. Are you trying to fill in empty tables due to cancellations? Or are you trying to promote any upcoming events in the next month? Regardless, you should always send time-sensitive offers based on their own timeline before considering overall industry best practices (ideally within your ideal time slots).&nbsp;



And again, dive into your own data and compare different weekdays to the weekends to see where you can get the best responses. You can also start your own A/B test and experiment with different days. Social media analytics will also provide you with the days of the week.



There’s only one golden rule for days:&nbsp;avoid public holidays&nbsp;if you can.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">3. How many times a month is considered the optimum for emailing customers?</h4>



The important bit here is to&nbsp;be consistent&nbsp;and to come up with your own schedule. If you do it randomly, you might end up sending too many or not enough. Watch out for increasing opt-out rates, this is a sign of emailing too frequently. And always bear in mind,&nbsp;only send out emails that provide value&nbsp;to your customers and not just because it&#8217;s time to send one.



Your loyal customers especially will appreciate tailored offers and updates coming through on a more regular basis. They’re highly engaged and want to hear from you.



Your schedule could be weekly, bi-weekly or only monthly. You could, for example, do a monthly newsletter recap about your company and send out emails with offers in between whenever relevant.



Need a hand with <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/marketing/#email">sending your emails</a> to your customers?&nbsp;Or got more questions around email marketing? <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="mailto:contact@stampede.ai?subject=&amp;body=" target="_blank">Get in touch</a>&nbsp;with our team.

3 Big Hospitality Email Marketing Questions Answered

It’s hard to avoid the news headlines around the supply chain issues and the disruption they’re causing at the moment for the hospitality industry.&nbsp;There have been reports about staff travelling hundreds of miles across the country to ensure the stock is refilled, not to mention venues shutting temporarily as the undesirable alternative.&nbsp;



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



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-time-to-get-creative">Time to get creative</h4>



Sometimes, you can’t avoid running out of certain items. That’s when you have to put your creative hat on to come up with alternatives to combat supply shortages.&nbsp;



When it comes to communicating changes with your customers, rather than focusing on the negative side, i.e. sorry, we have run out of &#8230;, try and turn it into something exciting and new.&nbsp;



Instead of customers not being able to enjoy their all-time favourites, they now have the (limited) chance to try something different.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">3 ideas to tackle the supply shortage</h4>



Here’s some ideas to get you started.



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



This is the time to look beyond mass-produced supplies. Search for small producers around your place and start shopping more locally. Apart from supporting locals, this might inspire you for new menu ideas.&nbsp;



Besides, this also allows your customers to try out locally produced food and drinks they might not have come across before, such as beer from microbreweries. It also provides some great content for collaborative social media activity, which by its very nature helps spread your brand further.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">2. Promote less popular meals</h4>



Start off with what you still have available. Push hard on promotions for your less popular meals and create enticing offers around them, or create limited time, alternate versions of them.



Either way, it’s all about putting a new spin or focus on an overlooked item. Think about how beer brands like Brewdog expand their product line by doing <a href="https://twitter.com/BrewDog/status/1415272621957079041" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">slightly different versions</a> of certain beers.&nbsp;



Sell them as a daily special with limited availability. Throughout the day you might push this further by sharing a post on your socials: “Daily special selling out fast today. Only 2 left, come by to grab yours.”



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">3. Create new menu items</h4>



Apart from pushing sales on your less popular meals, you can also use the ingredients you’ve got available to create new menu items.&nbsp;



Get your customers involved at this stage. “What dishes would you like to have on our menu?” You could also turn it into a social media poll, featuring different possible dish ideas you have and make it interactive for customers.&nbsp;



Think about turning your new dishes into side sizes for your customers to taste a wider range of smaller portions. Or maybe there was an old-time favourite you’ve taken off the menu a while ago that could now have a comeback.



And why not let your customers have a say in your new creations afterwards? After all, your customers’ new favourites might become a fixed menu item.



With all that in mind, remember to keep your customers updated on a regular basis about what’s going on in your venue via your website, social media and email &amp; <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/marketing/#sms">SMS marketing</a>. This way you can prevent any disappointment when certain dishes are not available.&nbsp;



Want some help updating your customers 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.

3 Alternative Ways to Handle Supply Shortages

Team Update

Mother’s Day is one of those occasions that should be boldly marked on all calendars. As a business, you don’t only want to play your role in honouring moms around the world but you also want to use the event to your advantage from a marketing perspective. So, get ready for Mother&#8217;s Day with our creative promotion ideas for your venue.







Did you know that an average of <a href="https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/marketing/87m-adults-visit-restaurant-mothers-day-survey-says">87 million adults take their mothers out</a> to a restaurant for Mother’s Day each year? This makes the day worthy of some strategic marketing efforts that will help you to surpass your month’s target. 



In case you are <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/free-restaurant-promotions-ideas/">short on creative promotion ideas</a> for the upcoming Mother&#8217;s Day, don’t worry, you’re in the right place! Whether you’re rustling up some Mother’s Day campaigns for the first time or you are looking for new and trendy ideas, our fun and innovative tips below will help you get off to a successful start.



8 Brilliant Ways to Engage Your Audiences This Mother’s Day:



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">1. Start by Advertising Your Mother’s Day Promotion as A Rare Event</h4>



Even though the occasion comes around once every year, it doesn’t mean that you cannot market this Mother’s Day as “THE” Mother’s Day of all mother’s days. By marketing your Mother’s Day event as a “once-off never to happen again occasion”, you’ll create a sense of urgency. This should intrigue your repeat customers as well as potential new ones.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">2. Let Your Audiences Know That Moms Will Get Special Treatment</h4>



Your audiences want their moms to get extra special treatment on this very special day. So, plan a treat and let it be known to the world! Whether you hand out chocolates, flowers, or a free glass of wine, make sure your patrons know what’s going to be in store for them.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">3. Create A Unique Dining Experience</h4>



Your regular patrons may look for a new venue to celebrate Mother’s Day unless you give them a reason to stick around. We suggest you spice things up a little. Instead of serving your regular lunch, why not host a high-tea, a Champaign breakfast, or a cocktail evening?



By creating a unique dining experience, you get to hold on to your regular customers and at the same time, you can encourage new ones to enter your doors.



Also, if you plan your event right, you will create a lasting impression and new guests may just visit you again to try out your regular menu.&nbsp; &nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">4. Connect with Local Mom’s Groups</h4>



This is targeted marketing at its finest. For Mother’s Day, you want to host moms and their families galore. So, where better to find moms than at your local mom’s groups! Yup, you can plan your unique event and then send promotional flyers and emails to nearby churches, day-cares, and other organisations that are woman-focused.&nbsp;



You can also ask these groups to participate in surveys. A detailed survey will give you the info you need to plan an event that caters to “what moms want”.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">5. Host a Mother’s Eve Event</h4>



By hosting a Mother’s Eve event, you can capitalise on this special occasion on more than one day. Why not hold a cocktail evening the night before where the ladies can have a fun and carefree night out before celebrating with their families? You can offer free drinks to all moms with the promise of a family brunch the next day. It’s genius!&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">6. Cater to the Kids</h4>



The fastest way to mom’s heart is to treat her kids lovingly. That’s why we think a Mother’s Day promotion that includes entertaining the kids at a restaurant is a brilliant idea. Mom can sip her wine in peace while you bring in the kiddie’s entertainment and childminders. Get the kids to make Mother’s Day cards while they wait for their meals to arrive and you’ll get extra brownie points!



Use social media platforms such as Facebook to create an event page where you list the family entertainment that will be available. You can then use the paid marketing option to promote this event far and wide. 



Further reading: <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-nail-customer-service-for-families/">https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-nail-customer-service-for-families/</a>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">7. Run A Contest with Moms in Mind</h4>



A contest will allow you to capitalise from this occasion on the days leading up to the big event. For example, during the month of March, all moms who visit your venue can be entered into a draw. You can announce the winners on Mother’s Day. And to take one step further, all prizes can be used to draw customers back to your establishment (such as meal vouchers, for instance). 



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">8. Highlight Your Inclusivity</h4>



Do not alienate a subsection of mothers and families by only catering to one version of what “mom” can mean. Moms can come in all forms and the role can be filled by plenty of people from grandmothers and aunties to teachers and nannies. Families can have more than one mom too, so make sure your perspective of Mother’s Day fits this diversity.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">How to Promote Your Mother’s Day Event and Promotions</h4>



<ol class="wp-block-list"><li><a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-effectively-design-social-media-posts/">Use social media</a> to create a big hype and talk about how moms are going to miss out if they’re not there to be wined, dined, and treated.  </li><li>Use your <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/email-marketing-tips-for-the-hospitality-industry/">database to send out emails and SMS’s</a> to notify your customers of what they can expect. If you haven’t started compiling a database yet…now’s the time (<a href="https://calendly.com/stampedeae/stampede-demo-request?month=2020-03">contact us</a> for more info).</li><li>Hand out flyers to targeted audiences such as your local churches, schools, and mom’s groups. </li></ol>



Further reading: <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/gathering-the-right-data-for-your-restaurant-marketing/">https://stampede.ai/blog/gathering-the-right-data-for-your-restaurant-marketing/</a>



Successful busy events such as Mother’s Day can be the difference between building a loyal customer base and a bad reputation – but, with a bit of forethought and a touch of creativity, you’ll be building lasting loyalty. For more information on how you can attract customers and retain them, please contact Stampede for an innovative take on marketing technology. 



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





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Getting Ready for Mother’s Day – Creative Promotion Ideas

Compared: 4 Time-Saving Social Media Scheduling Tools [Updated 2023]

Reach and retain your customers on the go with SMS Marketing.



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



<a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/marketing/#sms" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SMS Marketing</a> is a much underrated channel (certainly in the hospitality industry) with huge potential that offers a clever way to cut through the noise.&nbsp;



It&#8217;s a quick and simple way to reach your customers on the go. Fact is, over 97% of text messages are read within the first 15 minutes. Emails, on the other hand, might sit in the inbox for a good while.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-use-sms-marketing">Why Use SMS Marketing?</h4>



Many people go with either email marketing or SMS marketing, but using both in tandem will allow you to reach and retain more customers.



Benefits:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Reach customers where they are &#8211; on their mobiles</li><li><a href="https://optinmonster.com/sms-marketing/">98% open rate</a> vs. just 20% for email</li><li>Quick set up (short text length, no images)</li><li>Immediate delivery</li><li>Ideal for sending quick business status alerts &#8211; opening hours, delivery, etc.</li><li>Interactive &#8211; “hit reply”</li><li>Use it as a customer service platform</li></ul>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sms-marketing-tips">SMS Marketing Tips</h4>



One marketing formula applies quite well here: KISS &#8211; keep it short and simple. Text messages usually come with a character limit of around 160.



Quick tips before launching your first campaign:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Always include a call-to-action</li><li>Make it interactive</li><li>Consider timing &#8211; avoid early morning &amp; late evening</li><li>Use a fun &amp; friendly tone</li><li>Offer a clear opt-out option &#8211; e.g. reply &#8216;STOP&#8217;</li><li>Include short URLs to drive people to website</li><li>Don&#8217;t send too many texts too often</li></ul>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sms-marketing-ideas">SMS Marketing Ideas</h4>



If you think about it, nearly every topic you&#8217;re using for your email marketing can be applied to SMS. The only difference, you have to keep it short.



Inspiration for your next campaign:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Last-minute &amp; limited offers</li><li>Customer poll (reply: 1 for, 2 for &#8230;)</li><li>Competitions &#8211; text &#8230; to win</li><li>Upcoming events</li><li>Reminders &#8211; combine email &amp; SMS</li><li>Ask for feedback</li></ul>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-last-words-of-advice">Last Words of Advice</h4>



Be aware though, not all text messages you send will be appreciated by your customers. Always get permission to use your customers&#8217; phone numbers!



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-next">What&#8217;s Next?</h4>



Ready to send <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/marketing/#sms">text messages</a> to your customers? <a href="https://stampede.ai/company/#contact" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reach out</a> to our team and we will get you set up with your SMS Marketing tool.

How SMS Marketing Drives 10x More Revenue Than Email

Snap Box – Stampede Network Application

A new kind of marketplace for hospitality apps

October Update – 3x Faster Guest WiFi and more

New Features & Updates – September 2023

Feature Update – Improved campaigns, reporting and imports

New Integration With Storekit

Better Marketing For All

The Path To Regrowth

Apple ID login now available for Stampede Guest Wifi Solution

Apple ID Login – New Feature

Stampede now integrates with TP-Link and their Omada controller

New Integration with TP-Link Omada

When it comes to collecting customer details we understand that registering with a venue through WiFi isn’t possible 100% of the time. So we’ve put together a system to cover those instances and still provide the benefits of using a digital <a href="https://stampede.ai/covid-19/track-and-trace/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">track and trace system</a>.



 Customers can also scan a QR code specific to Stampede venues that is printed on posters and floor stickers.



How it Works



They enter their contact details in a form which go into the same secure storage as the information collected from the WiFi. This keeps it simple for staff with one location for all customer data.



 What makes this QR scan-in special is that there are no venue-specific ID numbers to enter, nor are there different QR codes for each venue. It’s one QR code that works for any Stampede venue. This way of keeping it simple is the ideal solution for everyone.



No phone, no problem.



 For those customers without access to a smartphone or a WiFi-enabled device, staff can add them to the system manually, still keeping all the data in one place.



 Altogether it&#8217;s a fast and easy way to tick this data collection job off your list so you can spend your time where it’s needed most.



 To find out more or ask any questions, <a href="https://stampede.ai/company/#contact" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">contact</a> one of our team on <a href="tel:+441315107008" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">0131 510 7008</a>, by <a href="mailto:contact@stampede.ai?subject=QR%20Code%20Info&amp;body=" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">email</a> or visit <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/hospitality-reopening/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">our website</a> to live chat with us.

Covering All The Bases

Our mobiles have become so close to us that we now carry them wherever we go. We check mails on the bus stop, add favourite songs to a new playlist while we&#8217;re in the queue and check Facebook at every chance we get.
<h2>Facebook Connects Everyone</h2>
Even with all the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/11/technology/facebook-privacy-hearings.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">recent privacy issues</a>, Facebook continues to be one of the most popular social media platforms. Why? Because it&#8217;s easy and enables us to connect with friends from all around the globe and share the latest cat videos with them &#8211; satisfying an ancient human urge. Jokes aside, the benefits Facebook brings are undeniable. Looking a few years back, it was unthinkable to stay in constant contact with friends from the other side of the globe and see what they were up to.
Now, Facebook prompts you when it&#8217;s someone&#8217;s birthday and even provides you with a handy birthday card template to send them a personalised greeting. Soon enough, we started using every little break to check what’s happening on Facebook, always fearing we might miss out on the next big deal, whatever that’s supposed to be.

<h2>Providing WiFi to attract</h2>
As Facebook grew in popularity, the sight of people walking down the street, their faces buried in their mobiles, started to become more common. Businesses spotted the trend and started providing free Guest WiFi in order to attract Facebook lovers to their venues. What a genius idea &#8211; if people can lean back and relax at your business, they are very likely to check their phone, checking social media sites like Facebook and staying for that extra cup of coffee or a snack. Providing for all core amenities (including free WiFi) is key to success, and that’s especially true for hospitality businesses. In other words, new ways to take care of guests, brought new possibilities for businesses to differentiate themselves.
<h2>Get your business online</h2>
Today, Facebook is way more than just a way to stalk your friend’s holiday pictures. It offers information on all kinds of content, as it expanded from a personal medium to a portal that also accommodates brands and businesses. The next step for companies was being found and loved on Facebook, as it offers fantastic ways to create engagement with the fans of the customer base.
If we compare successful businesses today, we often look at the amount of Facebook likes they have on their page as social proof. People now use Social Media sites like Facebook to see how other users rate a venue and how their experience was before making a visit.
So &#8211; you&#8217;ve got a Facebook page for your venue, right? If that’s not the case, stop reading for two minutes, <a class="" href="https://en-gb.facebook.com/business/learn/set-up-facebook-page" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">click here</a> and set up an account for your venue. There are over <a href="https://zephoria.com/top-15-valuable-facebook-statistics/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">2 Billion Facebook users out there</a> that you could be reaching!
<h2>Create Online Visibility</h2>
Whereas big corporate companies have a dedicated department to shape the online presence of the company, smaller enterprises often face difficulties when it comes to managing and updating their online appearance. So what&#8217;s a small business to do?
We got you covered, don’t worry! When a user connects to a Stampede powered WiFi network, they are given the option to choose from <a href="/blog/wifi-in-your-venue-login-once-login-forever" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">entering their email address</a> or logging in through Facebook. This lets guests use the WiFi network with a single click by sharing the information that is public on their Facebook profile. This option holds a unique possibility for businesses, as they are then able to publish every connection that is made to their Guest Network on Facebook.
In other words, if a customer connects to the Guest WiFi Network, all their friends and contacts can see that the customer is checking in at your venue. This is a fantastic way to establish a strong and convincing online presence for your business and makes it easy for new and potential customers to find your venue online, check reviews of other guests and plan their next visit to your business.
As you can see, the right solution can help you to turn a necessity into a benefit for you business very easily. If you want to find out about the entire set of advantages that a Guest WiFi Software can bring to the table, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
You’ll be surprised what your WiFi can do for you.
<a class="eut-modal-popup" href="https://calendly.com/stampedeae/stampede-demo-request?month=2020-02">Click here to get started.</a>

Facebook WiFi and your Business

The Ultimate Beginners Guide to WiFi Jargon

Your newsletter is our focus today. For some, the thought of <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-set-up-your-first-email-campaign-guide-2020/">writing a regular newsletter</a> might lead to an immediate headache. But stick with me. We will give you some tips and tricks on how to create an engaging newsletter. From quick writing and <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/4-tips-for-an-outstanding-email-design/">design hacks</a> to the importance of the call-to-action.&nbsp;



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



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-newsletter-anatomy">1. Newsletter Anatomy</h4>



Have a look at these basics newsletter building blocks. Most email platforms have them built-in, so you can just drag and drop the blocks where you want them.



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Social-Media-Posts-10.png"><img decoding="async" src="https://image.stampede.ai/fill/1024/579/ce/0/aHR0cHM6Ly9zdGFtcGVkZS5haS93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMS8wNC9Tb2NpYWwtTWVkaWEtUG9zdHMtMTAtMTAyNHg1NzkucG5n" alt="" class="wp-image-19844"/></a></figure>



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



Of course, you can always add more blocks and more images or videos. But try to keep it simple and easy to look at.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-writing-tips">2. Writing Tips</h4>



This quote from Dan Munz is a good summary on how to write a newsletter: &#8220;1. Write your email. 2. Delete most of it. 3. Send.&#8221;



It&#8217;s all about getting started. If you get stuck, let it rest for a bit and come back later. Have a look at it with a fresh brain and other ideas will come.



Now read through it and decide sentence by sentence:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Does it provide any value?</li><li>Is it relevant or just another way of saying the previous sentence?</li><li>Does it fit into the flow?</li><li>Is it short and punchy?</li></ul>



When you&#8217;re happy with it &#8211; send a preview first, then SEND!



To prevent you from writer’s block (we’ve all been there) make sure you have a list of evergreen topics you can come back to whenever needed.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-call-to-action-cta">3. Call-to-Action (CTA)</h4>



The best written and designed newsletter won’t lead to anything without a <a href="https://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2015/02/20/call-to-action-buttons">proper CTA</a>. What is the aim of your newsletter? Do you want to redirect your customers to your website or socials to increase engagement? Or do you want to promote a new service, menu or event?



No matter what your ultimate goal is, there are some general, best practice rules that you should follow to get your desired result.



Words



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Be punchy &amp; powerful</li><li>Create a sense of urgency (buy now, don’t miss out etc.)</li><li>Use the first person</li></ul>



Visuals



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Button colour in contrast to the background colour</li><li>Colours: green &amp; red are said to perform best</li><li>Use LARGE (capitalised) text</li><li>Leave enough empty space around it</li></ul>



Our last piece of advice:&nbsp; 



CTAs have to be highly visible, it has to capture your readers’ attention straight away. Be brave, people tend to keep them smaller than they should be.



If you need some more advice on creating your next engaging newsletter and sending it out to customers, <a href="https://stampede.ai/company/#contact">get in touch</a> with the team. We’re happy to help.

3 Time-Saving Newsletter Tips to Keep People Engaged

Delivery and takeaway sales have seen another strong start in 2022. Recent figures by <a href="https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2022/02/23/pub-delivery-and-takeaway-sales-reach-five-times-pre-pandemic-levels-in-january-2022" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CGA &amp; Slerp Hospitality At Home Tracker</a> show a sales increase of 422% compared to January 2019. Time to ramp up your e-commerce meal kit page and promotions for maximum revenue.







In <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-get-it-right-meal-kit-online-sales-success-by-hawskmoor/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">part one</a> of this series, we analysed the Hawksmoor At Home e-commerce website and promotions. This part will give you some further guidance on how you can deploy a similar strategy to your meal kit e-commerce sales to get them flying out the door.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-page-layout">Page Layout</h4>



Most website builders have a selection of&nbsp;built-in e-commerce templates and building blocks&nbsp;to choose from. To save time, use those and customise or adjust them to your branding rather than building a page entirely from scratch.



We’d recommend going minimalistic and choosing a simple grid layout made of image and text blocks. This provides customers with a straightforward overview of your different meal-kit options.



Have a look around <a href="https://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurants/best-for/restaurant-diy-kits_9779" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">others restaurants’ meal kit pages</a> and get some more inspiration from the gallery below.



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



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Screenshot-2022-03-02-at-12.17.25.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="976" height="926" data-id="21277" src="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Screenshot-2022-03-02-at-12.17.25.png" alt="" class="wp-image-21277" srcset="https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Screenshot-2022-03-02-at-12.17.25.png 976w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Screenshot-2022-03-02-at-12.17.25-300x285.png 300w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Screenshot-2022-03-02-at-12.17.25-768x729.png 768w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Screenshot-2022-03-02-at-12.17.25-150x142.png 150w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Screenshot-2022-03-02-at-12.17.25-16x16.png 16w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Screenshot-2022-03-02-at-12.17.25-592x562.png 592w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Screenshot-2022-03-02-at-12.17.25-63x60.png 63w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Screenshot-2022-03-02-at-12.17.25-95x90.png 95w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 976px) 100vw, 976px" /></a></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Screenshot-2022-03-02-at-12.30.10.png"><img decoding="async" data-id="21278" src="https://image.stampede.ai/fill/1024/544/ce/0/aHR0cHM6Ly9zdGFtcGVkZS5haS93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMi8wMy9TY3JlZW5zaG90LTIwMjItMDMtMDItYXQtMTIuMzAuMTAtMTAyNHg1NDQucG5n" alt="" class="wp-image-21278"/></a></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Screenshot-2022-03-02-at-12.41.15.png"><img decoding="async" data-id="21280" src="https://image.stampede.ai/fill/1024/441/ce/0/aHR0cHM6Ly9zdGFtcGVkZS5haS93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMi8wMy9TY3JlZW5zaG90LTIwMjItMDMtMDItYXQtMTIuNDEuMTUtMTAyNHg0NDEucG5n" alt="" class="wp-image-21280"/></a></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Screenshot-2022-03-02-at-12.43.22-1.png"><img decoding="async" data-id="21279" src="https://image.stampede.ai/fill/1024/831/ce/0/aHR0cHM6Ly9zdGFtcGVkZS5haS93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMi8wMy9TY3JlZW5zaG90LTIwMjItMDMtMDItYXQtMTIuNDMuMjItMS0xMDI0eDgzMS5wbmc=" alt="" class="wp-image-21279"/></a></figure>
</figure>



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



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Page Design</h4>



Keep the overall page design&nbsp;easy to navigate&nbsp;and use your existing brand assets to make it recognisable.



The overall focus on the page should be on the pictures of your meal kits, as they will capture your customers&#8217; attention and give them an idea of what to expect.



You can, for example, use one image showing the finished meal together with some close-ups of individual components and ingredients. Chances are that you have some high-quality shots for your social media posts already that can be re-used. This visual consistency between channels will help improve campaign effectiveness.



Always keep in mind that most of your customers will browse on their phones, so make sure your page displays well on both desktop and mobile.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Written Page Content</h4>



Again, keep the text minimal and provide a&nbsp;clear and concise description&nbsp;of your meal kits. You can use a bulleted list for this part, which makes it easier to grasp all important information at one glance.&nbsp;Strong call-to-actions&nbsp;will help you drive in more orders &#8211; “Get cooking”, “Order now”, “Create your [company] at home experience”.



Once you’ve got the key information across, you can use storytelling to give your content a personal touch. Showcase your local suppliers and their ingredients with links to their websites. And don’t forget to include customer testimonials.



A short FAQ section can give customers answers to common questions around last order date, storage, etc. You can also include more detailed step-by-step instructions here. This will help you to highlight how easy it is for customers to replicate your restaurant experience at home. 



To make your page even more engaging think about incorporating a short video on how to prepare the meal featuring your chef in action.



Check out <a href="https://garrettoden.com/analyzed-18-meal-kit-delivery-websites/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this article</a> analysing different meal kit delivery pages and their content for some more tips and tricks. 



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">E-Commerce Promotion</h4>



Once your page is all set up, it&#8217;s time to promote your meal kit e-commerce page properly. Besides using your social channels and email marketing, you might opt for paid search ads. This will allow you to reach a much wider (national) audience.



Below are some useful resources around setting up converting Google Search Ads and further SEO tips to boost your website content.



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Digital Restaurateur &#8211; <a href="https://www.digitalrestaurateur.com/paid-search-for-restaurants" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paid search ads for restaurants</a></li><li>39 celsius &#8211; <a href="https://www.39celsius.com/google-ads-for-restaurants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Google ads for restaurants</a></li><li>Search Engine Journal &#8211; <a href="https://www.searchenginejournal.com/restaurant-seo-tips/208644/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Restaurant SEO tips</a></li><li>Lightspeed &#8211; <a href="https://www.lightspeedhq.com/blog/seo-for-restaurants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SEO for restaurants</a></li></ul>



Stampede integrates with a number of e-commerce platforms that allows you to access valuable customers data. <a href="https://calendly.com/stampedeae/stampede-demo-request" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Get in touch</a> with one of our team who are happy to run you through it.

How To Set Up A Successful Meal Kit E-Commerce Page

There’s nothing like waking up and knowing today is the day of the big event. You probably bought the tickets a few weeks (or even months) ago and the excitement has been building up. 

After all, it’s a wonderful thing to have something to look forward to, so don’t leave anyone out! From music lovers attending their favourite gigs, to sports enthusiasts who want to support their favourite clubs &#8211; everyone is going to have something to post to the internet while they’re out catching the action!
The buzz around big events is probably older than we know, as there were stadiums in basically every culture throughout the last thousands of years. Just look at all the ancient <a href="http://blog.turkeyvision.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aphrodisias-teoman-cimit.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Greek or Roman stadiums</a> and arenas &#8211; all of those were built with the purpose to gather and entertain the masses.
Although the concept of stadiums has stayed the same throughout the ages, the way we participate in these events has changed. Long story short, the digital revolution happened. Long story long, there are a thousand ways to participate in such events without even being there physically; videos of your favourite concerts can be ordered online, sport events can be watched via live stream and your friends can video call you from that festival you weren’t able to go to. Something else has changed, too: people are now able to share their experiences instantaneously. With a variety of new channels, like Social Media, event visitors are now able to broadcast their passion and excitement to all their friends and fellow fans.
<h3>How do I improve the experience of my customers?</h3>
In order to provide today’s event goers with a good experience in a stadium, an opportunity for them to share their experience must be provided. You&#8217;re going to need  a <a href="https://www.stampede.ai/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">proper Guest WiFi Solution</a> for all the spectators. Every passionate visitor should have the possibility to share the thrill of the event online, and it’s one of the core amenities stadiums have to provide for today.
Offering WiFi is crucial today and Stampede is here to make sure you get the most out of your Guest Network.
Invite visitors to connect to the Internet through a beautiful splash screen that fits the ambience of the venue, or personalise it for a certain event. While gathering bits of visitor data, you provide them with a safe connection &#8211; no password needed! 
Depending on the kind of customer data you aim to collect, different conclusions can be drawn. For example, the average time of a connection suggests how much time people spend wandering around an event. Another great example is learning about where visitors come from, as it can help to geographically target marketing for the next event better.
<h3>Let the fans spread the Love </h3>
Letting fans share content whilst they’re in the stadium is one of the best ways to promote the venue itself and put it on the map. All content posted on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat is directly linked to the location and is some of the best advertising you could ask for. This is also true for all the sponsored brands that are present in the stadium, all of them are directly being broadcast to a wide range of fans and followers.
Another great feature of Stampede to connect with visitors is <a href="https://www.stampede.ai/how-it-works#marketing" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Marketing Automation</a>. Once spectators connect to the WiFi, they can receive information about the event itself, or snack &amp; drink offers via email or SMS, a fantastic way to increase the potential revenue of your venue. You can even go a step further and text them as they leave and thank them for joining the event. As you’re about to send them a text anyways, why not invite them to the next event straight away and maybe offer a little discount? As you see, the options that this feature provides are endless.
<h3>Ready to use a Guest WiFi solution?</h3>
If you want to learn more about how Guest WiFi Analytics &amp; Insights affect your business and how it can support its growth, click right below and find out how Stampede can help you transform your business today. 
{{cta(&#8217;03a27bdd-d802-4c06-ba4f-31cb903f8573&#8242;,&#8217;justifyleft&#8217;)}}
<a class="eut-modal-popup" href="https://calendly.com/stampedeae/stampede-demo-request?month=2020-02">Click here to get started.</a>

WiFi in Stadiums & Arenas

EnGenius Tech now a Stampede technology partner

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

It is a well-known fact that there are several ways to garner positive 5-star reviews for your business. But one has also be aware of the <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/the-power-of-reviews-and-recommendations/">impact</a>, positive as well as negative ones, can have on your overall business performance and growth.



Good service and customer care are &#8211; of course &#8211; very obvious things that convince your customers to give your business a good rating. But we could all use a little help every now and then, right?







<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Generating Your Link</h4>



Stampede is not only about providing your shop with awesome <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-does-wi-fi-marketing-work/">WiFi </a>and your customers with an epic experience, but we&#8217;ve also found a way to generate more 5-stars reviews for your business on Google.



1. Go to the <a href="https://developers.google.com/places/place-id">Google Places API</a> and search for the place ID of your business.



2. Add your place ID to the end of this link:



<figure class="wp-block-embed"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid=[YOUR-PLACE-ID]
</div></figure>



3. Open the link in a browser and copy the generated link. Note that your actual link will look much more confusing that the one below.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-embed"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://your-link-that-has-a-lot-of-numbers-and-letters
</div></figure>



4. Finally add ,5 (comma 5) to the end of the generated link.



<figure class="wp-block-embed"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://your-link-that-has-a-lot-of-numbers-and-letters,5
</div></figure>



And there we go!&nbsp;This link will propose everyone who clicks on it to rate your business with 5-stars on Google. Great, isn’t it? Now, this isn&#8217;t going to automatically have the customer give your business a 5-star review. They can still change the rating if they want. You&#8217;re just suggesting they rate your place with 5 stars. After all, you&#8217;ve earned it, right?&nbsp;



As the link is very long and not exactly tidy, we propose you use a <a href="https://bitly.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">short URL generator</a> to make the link good looking and ready to share.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Using Stampede already?</h4>



Then we have even better news for you, as there are fantastic ways to employ this link within your marketing helping you to grow your online reviews.



The first option is to send the link to customers with the marketing automation that Stampede offers for <a href="https://www.stampede.ai/how-it-works#marketing">emails and SMS</a>.



Another great option is to redirect every customer, who logs on your WiFi network, to this prefilled review form.



The steps to do so, are even easier:



1. Log on your account at <a href="https://connect.stampede.ai/">https://connect.stampede.ai/</a>



2. Go to “Location” and choose the venue you want to set up the review form for



3. Go to “Set Up” and choose “General”



4. Here you can now paste the generated link into the “Landing URL”- Box



5. Hit the “Save” button below



And voilà &#8211; now all logins to your Stampede WiFi are proposed to leave a 5-star review for your business! Lean back and keep track of your increase in online reviews.&nbsp;



One of the many benefits we offer!&nbsp;&nbsp;



If you are not using Stampede WiFi for your business yet, it is about time to make a change to smart guest WiFi today! There’s a world of opportunities to discover to grow your business.



Did you know that our software also prevents negative reviews from getting online? Find out more about our <a href="https://stampede.ai/reviews/">reviews feature</a>. 



<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>

Grow your Business with 5-star Reviews

The ongoing supply chain issues are continuing to impact the hospitality industry. Businesses across the country are constantly on the lookout for new local suppliers to keep stocks filled and customers happy. But with much of the supply chain management still being done offline, finding new suppliers can be a daunting task. A supply chain app can be your solution.



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



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-offline-supply-chain-problems">Offline supply chain problems</h4>



Many businesses&nbsp;rely on the classic word-of-mouth, someone knowing someone who might have some stock left. Usually, this involves a good amount of phone calls and messages. But also manually updating inventory sheets and order forms to keep track, which can be a rather&nbsp;sluggish process, especially when dealing with multiple different suppliers.



But there are many more potential suppliers out there than businesses might be aware of. And there is a better, more streamlined way of finding and managing them&#8230;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Digitise your supply chain</h4>



A digitised supply chain is much more dynamic and flexible&nbsp;but also removes the potential for errors that occurs when juggling with various spreadsheets and lists manually.



The first step is to digitise the process of finding suppliers online. 



We’ve compiled a short list of suppliers across the UK to get you started. Industry bodies and trade associations are always a good way to begin your search.



Most of those directories also offer a map view, which makes it easier to spot potential close-by producers.



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li><a href="https://artisanfoodtrail.co.uk/producers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Artisan Food Trail</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bigbarn.co.uk/local-food-map/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Big Barn</a>&nbsp;&#8211; includes an online marketplace</li><li><a href="https://foodanddrink.scot/support-local/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Food and Drink</a>&nbsp;&#8211; for Scotland</li><li><a href="https://product.stampede.ai/ba782304-abcc-11ea-ac20-0a369310b5a4/marketing/Love%20British%20Food" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Love British Food</a></li><li><a href="https://product.stampede.ai/ba782304-abcc-11ea-ac20-0a369310b5a4/marketing/openfoodnetwork" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Open Food Network&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="https://www.produceandprovide.co.uk/find-local-producers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Produce and Provide</a></li><li><a href="https://www.salsafood.co.uk/directory/search2.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SALSA</a>&nbsp;&#8211; food safety certification scheme for smaller producers</li><li><a href="https://www.siba.co.uk/directory/brewery-finder/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Society of Independent Breweries</a></li></ul>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Digitise your supply chain</h4>



Looking for local suppliers on the web will open up a wider range of options, but can still be time-consuming. There are&nbsp;smarter solutions on the market, that can do the search part for you&nbsp;and much more.&nbsp;



Supply chain apps allow businesses to manage their whole supply chain in one place, from finding new suppliers to stock management, ordering and invoice management.



What’s more, those apps rely on real-time shared data so stock levels and price fluctuations on the market are constantly updated. 



Below are two great examples of UK based supply chain apps (coincidentally developed locally to us at Stampede) that connect local suppliers with hospitality businesses. 



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li><a href="https://nextchain.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NextChain</a></li><li><a href="https://ordersmadesimple.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Orders made Simple</a></li></ul>



Both have a wide (and growing) network of suppliers, from national producers to local, independent ones. Businesses can easily connect with their existing suppliers, but also easily find new ones and place and process their orders on the app straight away. And both apps are available for free!



Some more food ordering examples:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li><a href="https://www.joinfoodchain.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Join Food Chain</a></li><li><a href="https://www.choco.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Choco</a></li></ul>



Make sure you&nbsp;<a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">check out our blog</a>&nbsp;for additional ideas on topics like Guest WiFi, marketing, reviews and customer loyalty. And don&#8217;t forget to add us on your&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/stampede_ig/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram</a>&nbsp;for even more regular inspiration.

How A Supply Chain App Can Do The Work For You

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

New Venue? Keep Your Footfall For Longer With Customer Data

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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]

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4 Reliable Ways to Reduce No Shows by 30%

It all started a few years ago &#8211; every single coffee shop, restaurant or retail shop offered free WiFi to customers.

The reason for the explosive growth of WiFi in restaurants, cafes and bars is simple: making the customer feel comfortable at the venue eventually will result in customers staying longer and spending more. Usually we agree, free Guest WiFi is fundamental today and the opportunities that WiFi brings to a shop are too valuable to ignore them. At the same time, it must be said that offering a free Guest Network has resulted in problems for some shop owners.
<h3>The Problem with Unlimited WiFi</h3>
When WiFi became available in businesses, loads of people used the opportunity and started working from cafés or restaurants. Working remotely became a trend as many cafés became crowded with students, remote workers and their laptops. The problem many shop owners faced was that people entered the venue, got one cup of coffee and occupied the tables for the rest of the day. Not very lucrative, as cafés and restaurants make a living by serving a large number of visitors throughout the day. Shop owners rely on people entering the shop, having a coffee and leaving again- that’s the natural coffee shop cycle. With laptops and remote work, this natural time cycle is extended and the concept of coffee shops is not as profitable anymore.
<h3>Managed Guest WiFi</h3>
So, what can you do to prevent people from abusing the free guest network at shops and hospitality venues? There are several ways to tackle that problem. First of all, we recommend shop owners to actively manage their WiFi network. There’s absolutely no point in simply sharing an open network and letting every guest hop on to use however they please. To establish a set of basic rules, we advice shop owners to set a bandwidth limit for guests. This is a very simple and basic step to take but it ensures that every user of the network gets a fair share of the WiFi. Otherwise, some people could be downloading whole movies, while leaving the rest of customers with a slow connection and a tainted experience at the venue.
<h3>Defeating the Bandwidth Hogs</h3>
Managing your guest WiFi is made incredibly easy with a suitable piece of software, like ours, Stampede. What it helps you to do, is spot network abuse very easily. Network abusers, so called “Bandwidth Hogs”, appear on the list of people who are logged into the network. You can spot them easily by looking out for people with the highest amount of downloaded data. These Bandwidth Hogs’ access to the network can be revoked in seconds and you can make sure no one is abusing your WiFi.
<h3>Scheduling</h3>
Another useful function of a managed WiFi network, is to schedule it according to the opening times of the shop. There’s no reason to keep the network up all night, right? Therefore, we suggest scheduling the network to make it turn on in the morning, when the shop opens and make it switch off again when you lock the doors and go home, as simple as that.
<h3>Hybrid WiFi Networks</h3>
For cafés and restaurants that struggle to keep their business profitable due to students and remote workers camping in the venue, we have a great solution, too. Before you kick them out immediately, why not provide a hybrid network? What this type of network does is offers free WiFi for the first 500 MegaByte (could be more or less) of data. When the free data is used, guests are asked to pay for additional data. This is a useful tool because walk-in customer still enjoy the amenity of free Guest WiFi for the duration of a cup of coffee AND the business can establish another source of income from people who stay at the venue for work and pay for any extra data they require.
<h3>Reach Out With Automated Marketing</h3>
Talking about generating more income, did you know a smart guest wifi can send out automated messages to customers? Imagine a customer orders a coffee, sits down and starts working. A smart network will realize the customer spent an hour on the network and can send out an email or an SMS to the guest and suggest him or her to get a refill. An easy way to remind customers to have another cup or to have a cupcake with their coffee.
<h3>We Can Help You Defeat the Hogs</h3>
As you can see, learning about who is using your network in what manner can be very helpful for business owners. Steps to measure, track and control what guests do on a guest network can be taken very easily with the right Software. If you are interested in spotting the Bandwidth Hogs, setting speed limits or monetizing your guest WiFi, we are happy to help you out. Simply hit the button below and 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>

Kicking People off Your WiFi

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Introducing Quick Campaigns

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

Recent research from <a href="https://getbento.com/blog/restaurant-takeout-delivery-trends-q2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bentobox</a> revealed that 80% of diners actually plan to keep up their current delivery/takeout volume even with indoor reopened. Deliveries do still make up a large proportion of revenue for hospitality businesses.



By now, most hospitality businesses have gained a strong delivery-only customer base. Those customers that have never been in to the venue present a revenue opportunity to be unlocked. But how do you attract those delivery-only customers to your venue to generate more sales?



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



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-make-use-of-customer-data">Make use of customer data</h4>



The secret lies in the data you’ve gained from your delivery customers through various ordering platforms and your website. Data you can now use to reach out via email and <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-sms-marketing-drives-10x-more-revenue-than-email/">SMS</a> to highlight your exclusive in-venue only offerings.&nbsp;



Here are some ideas to attract your delivery customers to dine-in.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Highlight the difference between your delivery and your in-venue offerings</h4>



Your message should focus around the fact that customers might miss out on certain dishes and drinks when using your delivery service only. Your delivery menu is probably a condensed version of your actual menu. Plus, some of your menu items might simply not be suitable for delivery.&nbsp;



So, the likelihood is that customers who regularly buy your delivery offers are interested in discovering more of your menu. You just need to make them aware of it.



Take a look at some examples:



“Why not pass by our venue this weekend to enjoy even more of our all-time favourites …? Book your table now and get % off your visit.”



“Are you a fan of our …? Then you should also try … Exclusively available at our venue only. Reserve your spot now.”



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Create in-venue exclusives</h4>



Why not go a step further with several special promotions around your in-venue exclusives to entice customers?



And don’t forget to mention your special deal/offers that are only available for sit-in customers, e.g. 2-4-1, happy hour, etc.



Some items to point out:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>A wider menu choice in general</li><li>Daily specials with limited availability</li><li>Fresh beer on tap/draught</li><li>Wide range of cocktails and drinks</li><li>Drinks refill&nbsp;</li></ul>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Tap into the unique in-venue experience</h4>



Customers are not only missing out on certain dishes and drinks but they’re also not able to experience your in-venue atmosphere. Think about what makes your venue special and focus your messaging around the overall dining out experience they won’t get at home.



What to include:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>It’s time to relax &#8211; you’re being taken care of by our team</li><li>Enjoy a meal/night out with family &amp; friends in our relaxing atmosphere</li><li>Got an occasion to celebrate? We’ve got you covered</li><li>Highlight any special events and themed nights</li><li>Don’t miss out on our live music events</li><li>Instagram-worthy presented dishes</li></ul>



Want some help attracting your delivery customers to dine-in 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.

4 Ways to Attract Delivery Customers to Dine-In

<a href="https://www.tempestbrewco.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tempest Brewing Co</a>.,&nbsp; a craft beer company nestled in the Scottish Borders, released details of their reopening but with a bit of a twist which caught our attention.



 Instead of another set of policies, guidelines and changes to operations, they have put full focus on their events program as their route to reopening.



 Their Tap Sessions events were a feature of their taproom before nationwide lockdown and the sessions are now live again as hospitality opens back up again. Every session is “built around a theme” and each person gets 5 different beers to try, a tasting session with the brewer, some bar snacks and a drink to take away for later.



 It’s a few small changes that make it stand out in your inbox or social feed.



 A “you must pre-book” policy now becomes “book your space at our regular events”. The “limited numbers of customers at a time” becomes a “private beer tasting event” with plenty of available slots to book in the months to come.



 Repackaging how you reopen presents many other potential benefits. Not only does it stick in people’s minds, but it will also appeal to those people who are perhaps more apprehensive of going to larger venues that are open for (relatively) normal service.



 If you’ve already reopened for normal trade with a&nbsp; “soft-launch” , don&#8217;t worry, the opportunity still exists to do something special to celebrate reopening. Discounts and promotions aren&#8217;t such an obvious choice but special events that make the most of new measures fit well.



Regardless of what you’re doing to promote your reopening, we can help you <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/marketing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">get the message out</a> to your audience, whilst also making the <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/hospitality-reopening" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">contact details collection</a> easy for everyone when they visit.

Get Customers To Choose You

If potential customers are already on your website, you want to keep them there.



On sites like Tripadvisor, people can shop around with easy access to all venues in an area. If they are on your website, you have a better chance to convert them to a paying customer.



 So it’s best to give them all the information they could want on there, including your Tripadvisor rating and recent reviews. This will prevent them looking elsewhere in their research, and discovering another venue.



 And Tripadvisor has just the tool to provide that information: <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Widgets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Widgets</a>.



What&#8217;s a Widget?



 Widgets are small info boxes that pull through details from your Tripadvisor business page and update in real time. And they&#8217;re completely free.



 They are created by adding a little bit of HTML code, supplied by Tripadvisor, to your website. <a href="https://www.tripadvisorsupport.com/hc/en-gb/articles/200615507-How-do-I-add-widgets-to-my-website-" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tripadvisor have guides</a> on how to do this, as well as an “Email Code” button that can send it to those responsible for your website.



 Business owners have a choice of the 3 different widgets:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Display most recent Reviews</li><li>Collect new Reviews</li><li>Show off awards and ratings</li></ul>



You can include any and all of these, but our recommendation is to focus first on getting the most recent reviews and your awards and ratings widgets set up.



These two widgets will provide the essential information that potential customers are looking for, without them leaving your website. That way you’re more likely to secure the booking, reservation or order in that same website visit.



 To get started setting up your widgets, head to <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Widgets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this Tripadvisor page</a> and put your business&#8217; name in the search bar.



 If you’re looking for more control over your reviews on Tripadvisor then <a href="https://stampede.ai/company/#contact" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">get in touch</a> with one of our team to discover <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/automations/#reviews" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">our Reviews tool.</a>

Tripadvisor Tuesday – Free Widgets

<img decoding="async" class="" style="width: 320px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left;" title="Stampede Reading festival " src="https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2735287/Blog/reading_festival_2017112_website_image_2x_lwue_standard.jpg" alt="Stampede Reading festival " width="320" data-constrained="true" />Liam Gallagher, Two Door Cinema Club, and Kasabian are just a few of the big names that will be taking the stage at this weekends Reading Festival in &#8211; where else, Reading.
And if you&#8217;re in Reading this weekend and availing yourself of the free festival WiFi, you&#8217;ll be logging into another big name &#8211; none other than Stampede.

That&#8217;s because we&#8217;ve partnered with our friends at <a href="http://www.livenationentertainment.com">Live Nation</a> and <a href="http://www.indigo-ts.co.uk">Indigo</a> to supply awesome WiFi to one of the UK &#8211; and the world&#8217;s &#8211; biggest music festivals. So, if you&#8217;re headed to Reading this weekend, be sure to charge up your mobile devices, so you can get ready for epic and awesome WiFi experience.
&#8220;Working with Livenation and Indigo IT we&#8217;ve been able to get Stampede up and running in no time at all,&#8221; says Patrick Clover, founder and CEO of Stampede, &#8220;As all our cloud infrastructure is auto scaling we can support an infinite number of event goers.&#8221;
Eduardo Hotta, Head of Marketing at Stampede adds, &#8220;Let&#8217;s not forget that awesome WiFi is now a must have to any major event, including festivals. Everyone is looking to share their experience and keep them as online memories.&#8221; Hotta has special praise for Stampede partners Indigo and Live Nation, &#8220;The WiFi sponsors, are not only doing a great thing by providing free quality WiFi for festival goers, but they&#8217;re also making their brand stickier and gaining valuable insights from their audience.&#8221;
But just don&#8217;t take our word for it &#8211; here&#8217;s a sneak peek at what you&#8217;ll be seeing this weekend.
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But if you&#8217;re a small business owner, don&#8217;t think that Stampede can&#8217;t do anything for you. From <a href="https://www.stampede.ai/wifi-in-action#coffee">cafes to pubs</a> to <a href="https://www.stampede.ai/wifi-in-action#arenas">education</a> &#8211; Stampede has a WiFi solution that will meet your needs.
So when you&#8217;re taking a break from the music, why not <a href="https://stampede.ai/get-started">drop us a line</a> to see how we can help?

For Those About to Rock: Stampede at Reading Festival

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.



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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

Our Marketing feature has been getting a serious overhaul behind the scenes in recent weeks. We’re pleased to share with you details of this in our Autumn product update.



Highlights include:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Intelligent targeting and list building based on other customer interactions</li><li>Faster, easier template building and management</li><li>A simplified campaign builder &#8211; start to send in 4 clicks.</li><li>More detailed campaign reporting than ever</li></ul>



The momentum behind the updates came directly from the feedback from dozens of our users. So many have been increasing their use of our digital marketing in the last 18 months and their feedback has gone straight back into this latest release



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/marketing-update-2021-campaigns2.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://image.stampede.ai/fill/1024/498/ce/0/aHR0cHM6Ly9zdGFtcGVkZS5haS93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMS8wOS9tYXJrZXRpbmctdXBkYXRlLTIwMjEtY2FtcGFpZ25zMi0xMDI0eDQ5OC5wbmc=" alt="Stampede's new marketing campaign dashboard" class="wp-image-20438" width="1024" height="498"/></a><figcaption>The new Campaigns Dashboard</figcaption></figure>



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Let’s take a walk through the refreshed system to see what’s new:



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addresses-and-domains">Addresses and Domains</h3>



<meta charset="utf-8">When you first try the new Marketing campaigns, you’ll be asked to verify your sender domain. This new feature improves the deliverability of your emails but also helps to reinforce the presence of your brand within your customers’ inboxes.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><a href="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/marketing-2021-update-domains.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://image.stampede.ai/fill/1024/813/ce/0/aHR0cHM6Ly9zdGFtcGVkZS5haS93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMS8wOS9tYXJrZXRpbmctMjAyMS11cGRhdGUtZG9tYWlucy0xMDI0eDgxMy5wbmc=" alt="marketing update 2021 domains" class="wp-image-20432" width="768" height="610"/></a></figure></div>



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-customer-lists-and-segmentation">Customer Lists and Segmentation</h3>



The way that you choose recipients of your emails has been given some seriously special treatment. Our advanced segment builder lets you deliver high impact, personalised marketing that drives repeat visits like never before.



To help you get started, we’ve created over 30 unique customer segments to inspire your next campaigns and drive revenue from your mailing list. And it’s all powered by the data Stampede helps you collect.



Take a look at some examples:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>People who’ve rated your business 4 stars or higher via Reviews</li><li>Customers who’ve bought a Gift Card but haven’t redeemed it yet</li><li>Loyal fans who are close to filling up their digital Loyalty card</li></ul>



&#8230;plus hundreds more segments when you start to mix and match the possible combinations! And these of course will automatically update as you collect additional customer data from various sources within Stampede.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><a href="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/marketing-update-2021-segments2.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://image.stampede.ai/fill/1024/635/ce/0/aHR0cHM6Ly9zdGFtcGVkZS5haS93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMS8wOS9tYXJrZXRpbmctdXBkYXRlLTIwMjEtc2VnbWVudHMyLTEwMjR4NjM1LnBuZw==" alt="The brand new segmentation menu within Stampede Marketing" class="wp-image-20439" width="768" height="476"/></a><figcaption>A sample of the ready-made segments</figcaption></figure></div>



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-email-design-and-templates">Email Design and Templates</h3>



So, what about the emails themselves? Mailchimp users will be pleased to know that you can now directly import your templates and simplify your marketing systems. There’s also a fresh library of email templates from our in-house experts for you to choose from.



For the more technical among you, we’ve made improvements to the HTML email code builder. With auto-complete and syntax highlighting you’ll find it easier than ever to make and change your email templates.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-campaign-reporting">Campaign Reporting</h3>



Now for the numbers bit &#8211; reporting. It’s got all the metrics you’d expect, plus all the ones you’re really here for. Unlike other email marketing providers, Stampede is geared to get you more customers and track those customers when they return. You can even see exactly how much revenue a campaign brings in within the reporting suite. Simply enter the average spend per head and the system does the rest for you. That&#8217;s the beauty of having all the tools connected in the same platform.



No more wondering if, and what is working for your marketing team. We’ve closed the loop when it comes to your digital marketing so you can track the results of your efforts more easily and build upon what works best for your business.



As you can see this was no small update, and we’ve only just skimmed the surface here. All these features are live now in Stampede, you can log in and use them right away If you’d like to talk to us about upgrading to start using it click here.



We look forward to seeing all your future email campaigns &#8211; happy sending!

Ready to get up and running with your Open Mesh equipment in Stampede? You&#8217;ve come to the right place! 
Here&#8217;s a short video that shows you how to quickly get going with your Open Mesh WiFi solution &#8211; no flash required!
<iframe loading="lazy" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; display: block;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UdCxLYe32M8" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
If you need any more information, consult our <a class="" href="https://help.stampede.ai/en/collections/2622359-network-setups" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">online help guides</a> or, if you&#8217;ve hit a snag, <a href="https://get.blackbx.help/portal/newticket" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">feel free to drop us a line</a>.
Be sure to subscribe to our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxc2sJ3nBYJhLGQr_2RM60w" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">YouTube channel</a> and other <a class="" href="https://twitter.com/blackbxwifi" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">social media networks</a> so you get instant notifications when we upload new videos or tutorials.
And, if you&#8217;re not using Stampede to offer your customers fast, safe and secure WiFi, you&#8217;re missing out on one of the best <a href="https://www.stampede.ai/blog/learn-how-to-boost-your-business-with-sms-and-email-marketing" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">automated marketing</a> and <a href="https://get.stampede.ai/loyalty-program-ebook" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">customer loyalty</a> solutions around. Or, if you&#8217;re an MSP, VAR or IT solutions reseller, and you&#8217;re looking for an additional revenue stream, why not offer <a href="https://www.stampede.ai/blog/wifi-as-a-service" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WiFi as a Service</a> with Stampede?
In either case, we offer a free, no obligation trial, so what are you waiting for?
<a class="eut-modal-popup" href="https://stampede.ai/get-started">Click here to get started.</a>

Open Mesh Integration with Stampede

Customer experience in hospitality can be pretty tumultuous at the moment. Thankfully, email has long had a place in the customer experience. It can play a big part in boosting the customer engagement, regardless of current circumstances.



 While email is no substitute for person-to-person contact, it can supplement the customer experience. Keeping your business front of mind via their inbox will get you more repeat bookings and visits, and it doesn’t have to be a chore.



 Here are 3 types of email that can improve customer experience without costing you time



 Thanks for visiting This a simple email that can serve a couple of functions. It can work as a humble message from management to a recent customer to thank them for choosing to visit that venue.&nbsp;



This email is also a chance to ask for feedback and reviews. A “How was your visit?” email, with a thank you note, is a super-effective way to get more reviews and increase your overall score.



<p id="h-welcome-backwhen-a-customer-comes-back-you-can-automate-an-email-that-acknowledges-their-return-visit-with-another-short-message-while-it-might-be-different-staff-working-when-they-return-automation-technology-can-make-sure-repeat-customers-are-remembered">Welcome back When a customer comes back, you can automate an email that acknowledges their return visit with another short message. While it might be different staff working when they return, automation technology can make sure repeat customers are remembered.



 This short note of recognition will make repeat customers feel special, deepening that loyalty to your business. It also gives you a option to include a special offer, exclusive to repeat customers, that could increase their spend while rewarding them.



<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gABz6940YzU&amp;t=51s" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Happy Birthday</a> Although it requires some more detailed data capture, this email undoubtedly pays off for the extra effort. Again there are a couple of ways to use it:



 A quick note to say “Happy birthday, have a great day!” keeps you connected with the customer and builds rapport, even when they’re not at the venue.



 But the way many Stampede customers use this message to get covers and bookings is with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gABz6940YzU&amp;t=51s" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a birthday offer</a>. Some offer a free bottle of prosecco with a birthday booking, or a discount on the bill for tables of 6+ and it’s incredibly effective.



 Arguably the best feature of these emails is that they can all be automated. Once the email is built it can be automatically sent to any customers when the time is right. There’s no need to constantly write emails and hit “Send”.



 To find out more about <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/automations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">automated messages</a> and how to set them up, <a href="https://stampede.ai/company/#contact" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">get in touch</a> with one of our team.

Hassle-Free Customer Loyalty

Apple ID is now available as a login method to <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/wifi/">Stampede Guest WiFi</a>. This latest addition to our captive portal further enhances the user experience for Apple device users.&nbsp;



The one-time login process with Apple ID is faster than typing (faster than we can type anyway). It comes with all the expected security features that go hand in hand with Apple ID. A user can login using Apple ID and remain anonymous to the network owner with just the settings in their profile. Additionally, if the user wants to receive updates and offers from the venue, they can enable this while still keeping their information private.



These new login features are exclusive to the Stampede Guest WiFi solution and are the first of their kind to be used this way.



There are also benefits to the businesses using our Guest WiFi who choose to enable Apple ID login. The number of customers using the Guest WiFi will increase with a faster, easier and trusted login. More customers using their Guest WiFi grows their database. This results in more people to contact via email and more reliable analytics data. The familiar “Sign in with Apple” button will be a welcome sight to many consumers, and following this facial recognition or biometrics &#8211; like fingerprint &#8211; can log you in.



This new login process for our captive portal solution adds to the current options of <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/the-ultimate-beginners-guide-to-wifi-jargon/">social WiFi</a> (logging in using a social network profile such as Facebook) and more traditional data capture fields (such as email address and phone number)



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Setting Up Apple ID Login</h2>



To enable Sign in with Apple on your Stampede Guest WiFi, head to “Login Design” in left-hand navigation. Under the “Capture” tab you will find the slider button to activate Apple ID login at your venue(s). The button will only show to users attempting to connect on an Apple device.



Not sure how many people use Apple devices in your venue right now? Head over to “<a href="https://product.stampede.ai/analytics/devices">Analytics</a>” then to the “<a href="https://product.stampede.ai/analytics/devices">Devices</a>” section. Here you will be able to see a breakdown of venue visitors based on device, operating system and browser. By exploring “Devices” for Apple products or “Operating Systems” for iOS or OSX you’ll be able to understand the volumes of customers likely to use Apple ID login.

Tripadvisor recently rolled out their <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/travel-safe">TravelSafe</a> updates for businesses and travellers. The update focuses on bringing safety measures implemented in response to COVID-19 to the forefront.&nbsp;



These changes have the potential to really shake things up in terms of ratings and rankings on the platform as consumer interests change and adapt to life after lockdown. Our research has discovered that less than 1 in 100 restaurants in the UK has added their safety measures to Tripadvisor following the update.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What does Travel Safe do?</h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignright size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Screenshot-2020-07-28-at-16.12.21.png" alt="" class="wp-image-18924" width="471" height="121" srcset="https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Screenshot-2020-07-28-at-16.12.21.png 942w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Screenshot-2020-07-28-at-16.12.21-300x77.png 300w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Screenshot-2020-07-28-at-16.12.21-768x197.png 768w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Screenshot-2020-07-28-at-16.12.21-150x39.png 150w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Screenshot-2020-07-28-at-16.12.21-592x152.png 592w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Screenshot-2020-07-28-at-16.12.21-190x49.png 190w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Screenshot-2020-07-28-at-16.12.21-350x90.png 350w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 471px) 100vw, 471px" /></figure></div>



For business listing owners, there are new sections available to provide details of safety measures in place. Businesses with this information get a badge on their listing preview.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Screenshot-2020-07-28-at-16.02.04.png" alt="" class="wp-image-18923" width="215" height="314"/></figure></div>



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For customers, there’s a new filter in the search results for “Venues with safety measures in place&#8221; (which takes the top spot) and there is also safety measure specific questions for those travels and customers writing reviews.



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<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Related Article: <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/guest-review-management/">Guest Review Management</a></h6>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Research Process</h2>



To get a better understanding of the impact this update has for businesses, we’ve gone through the results for hotels, restaurants and food and drink businesses in the UK’s 30 biggest cities (by population), from the point of view of a customer. We’ve gathered the results <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1RluNwd94iCgJtc-lLKAsR2rZ3nslfqiWwOrIm-pTM9o/edit?usp=sharing">in a table </a>to compare hospitality industry segments and geographic areas.



We looked up the number of hotels and restaurants in each city, then applied the “Properties taking safety measures” filter in the left-hand column of the search results.



This was carried out for Restaurants, Bars and Pubs, Tea and Coffee and Hotels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1RluNwd94iCgJtc-lLKAsR2rZ3nslfqiWwOrIm-pTM9o/edit?usp=sharing">The Results</a></h2>



The numbers are striking. Out of 48,000 Restaurants in those 30 cities, only 406 venues showed up with the “Safety Measures” filter applied. That’s less than 1%.&nbsp;



For hotels, there was a marked increase in results showing up with the filter applied. From 9,000 properties, 625 included details of the safety measures they had put in place. A sturdy 6.9% across the nation.



London has the most restaurants with new COVID safety measures in the UK (134) but this is only 0.69% of London restaurants listed by Tripadvisor.



The southern cities of Bournemouth, Southampton and Portsmouth all feature highly on the list for restaurants with measures listed (3.93%, 1.77% and 1.63%). This is expected given their reputation as staycation hotspots on the south coast.



Nottingham and Glasgow top the list for the highest proportion of hotels with safety measures detailed at 12.5% and 11.5% respectively.



The full data for Restaurants and Hotels is below and you can view all the results of the research <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1RluNwd94iCgJtc-lLKAsR2rZ3nslfqiWwOrIm-pTM9o/edit?usp=sharing">HERE.</a>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Restaurants-Tripadvisor-Table.png" alt="Restaurant results for tripadvisor safety measures" class="wp-image-18932" width="579" height="629" srcset="https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Restaurants-Tripadvisor-Table.png 772w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Restaurants-Tripadvisor-Table-276x300.png 276w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Restaurants-Tripadvisor-Table-768x834.png 768w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Restaurants-Tripadvisor-Table-150x163.png 150w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Restaurants-Tripadvisor-Table-16x16.png 16w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Restaurants-Tripadvisor-Table-592x643.png 592w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Restaurants-Tripadvisor-Table-55x60.png 55w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Restaurants-Tripadvisor-Table-83x90.png 83w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 579px) 100vw, 579px" /></figure></div>



<div style="height:37px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Hotel-Tripadvisor-list-2.png" alt="Hotel results for tripadvisor safety measures research" class="wp-image-18934" width="537" height="611" srcset="https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Hotel-Tripadvisor-list-2.png 716w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Hotel-Tripadvisor-list-2-264x300.png 264w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Hotel-Tripadvisor-list-2-150x171.png 150w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Hotel-Tripadvisor-list-2-592x673.png 592w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Hotel-Tripadvisor-list-2-53x60.png 53w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Hotel-Tripadvisor-list-2-79x90.png 79w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 537px) 100vw, 537px" /></figure></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Food For Thought</h2>



As one of the go-to sites when searching for places to eat and drink it’s surprising that so few venues have managed to get their Tripadvisor listings updated. Especially after going to so much effort to implement their safety measures and the consumer desire to be well informed of precautions.&nbsp;



According to <a href="https://www.cga.co.uk/2020/07/20/cga-and-ukhospitality-set-out-the-industrys-road-to-recovery">CGA researc</a>h under a quarter (23%) of consumers are only returning to venues with caution and a third (33%) only doing so if they are sure that added precautions were in place.



Safety Culture says ‘while ‘Super Saturday’ saw millions flock to pubs and bars, just a quarter (26%) of the British public feel safe going back to pubs and bars and only 37% feel safe going back to restaurants and cafes.’ It says there is an ‘urgent need for business to be transparent about new measures for customer and employee safety.’



At the time of writing, only about 60% of hospitality venues have reopened. It follows that as more reopen, the number with measures listed on there will climb and competition within that filtered search view will increase.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Advice For Owners</h2>



First, head to Tripadvisor and carry out a search in your local area using the same process we laid out above, or check out the results for the nearest big city. Have a look at what others near you have done.



Here’s a great example of one we found to take inspiration from:



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Steakhouse-safety-measures-tripadvisor-1024x343.png" alt="steakhouse safety measures on tripadvisor" class="wp-image-18938"/></figure>



The Tripadvisor platform allows you to give a bullet point list of measures in place, provide contact details for any further questions and provide a short written note which allows for a more personal touch too.



With this information in place, a business will be significantly more visible to those concerned and cautious customers who want to be reassured before venturing out.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Wrapping Up</h2>



Whilst we are still in early stages of reopening, it’s a critical time to act on this. The numbers were quite startingly given the struggles already faced and the need to come back strong. The updates look eye-catching to customers on Tripadvisor and they themselves have put a lot of weight behind showing off safety measures.



It’s well worth taking a few minutes to update your listing after all the effort gone into making the venue safe and those who get to it sooner will be better for it. There’s a huge opportunity out there for those businesses able to reassure customers and increase their footfall as a result.



If you&#8217;d like any more information on our research please <a href="https://stampede.ai/company#contact">contact us.</a>

How Tripadvisor’s Safety Measures Are Impacting Hospitality Businesses

The more&nbsp;customer data&nbsp;you can gather from all your digital tools, the faster and easier you can&nbsp;grow your business. Though, to get the most out of your data, you’d ideally want to aggregate it in one place.&nbsp;This might look like a simple task at first, but with many operators using various tools, data integration can quickly turn into a challenge for businesses.



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There are a couple of things&nbsp;to keep in mind when syncing your various tools. We had a look into the 5 most common data integration issues and how you can overcome them.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-data-integration-flaws">5 Data Integration Flaws</h5>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">1) Multiple Subscriptions</h6>



With multiple systems come multiple subscriptions. Quite often you’ll find&nbsp;overlapping features. Your booking system might allow you to send email reminders, and so does your CRM.&nbsp;



This means, you’re paying twice for the same feature but only using one.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">2) Multiple Systems</h6>



If you use multiple systems, you have to find a way to make them talk to each other to&nbsp;ensure accessibility&nbsp;for everyone using the data.&nbsp;



For many businesses, this is still a&nbsp;manual task. Downloading and uploading spreadsheets is not only time-consuming but also comes with a certain security hazard.



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



How do you&nbsp;ensure data security&nbsp;when you sync data? And how do you make sure that your customer data is always up to date in every system?



Handling data across various tools always increases the&nbsp;potential risk of a GDPR breach, even more so when done manually with CSV and spreadsheets downloaded to PCs and laptops.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">4) Data Quality</h6>



The way data is stored on each platform differs. Take phone numbers for example. Some systems&nbsp;format the data&nbsp;as ‘0044’, others as ‘+44’. In theory, this is not the same number, so two contacts might be created for the same customer.&nbsp;



If you don’t spot those&nbsp;duplicates, the same customer will get your messages twice or possibly more. Which, of course, won’t be appreciated by your customer.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">5) Internal Communication&nbsp;</h6>



Another issue&nbsp;applies to companies operating&nbsp;multiple venues. Your individual venues might have access to the booking data but not to the overall CRM data which is handled by your HQ.



Both entities can now work on the same customer profile, i.e. sending campaigns, without being aware of it.&nbsp;



This, again, increases the likelihood of&nbsp;duplicates being created and outdated customer profiles. And both scenarios can have a negative impact on your customer experience.&nbsp;



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">How To Overcome Data Integration Challenges</h5>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Use Automation Tools</h6>



The first step is to replace your manual data sync by integration.&nbsp;Automate your sync&nbsp;to save time and reduce errors and risk.



For this, you can use products such as&nbsp;<a href="https://zapier.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zapier</a>&nbsp;to connect your systems to share customer data and automate your workflows.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Opt For An All-In-One System</h6>



An even more efficient way to overcome data integration issues is by using a <a href="https://stampede.ai/connect" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">multifunctional platform that removes the need for data integrations</a>.



All staff members get access to the same data and can work from one system with a single customer view. Plus, your data stays up to date and in line with GDPR regulations.



Are you looking for the all-in-one hospitality growth solution?&nbsp;<a href="https://h.stampede.ai/meetings/stampede/demo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Get in touch</a>&nbsp;with our team to learn more about the&nbsp;<a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stampede platform</a>.

Frequently asked questions