Unit 2 - Using your guidebook to lengthen a stay
Now, we’re building on your guidebook work by helping guests stay longer. We do this by showing them exactly what those additional days could look like. For most of us, lengthening existing stays is the single most effective way to increase profits because there are no additional changeover or marketing costs.
Think about how you can help guests make the most of your area in different seasons, or what would make them decide to come back for a different time of year. Markets, festivals, walks, and local events all do this beautifully. It also gives your guidebook a dynamism and provides great content for you to share on social media too.
Remember: YOU are your biggest asset. Guests want your insight. The more specific you can be, the more trust you build. Use your knowledge to plan for them (think about just how lovely that would be as a busy mum booking somewhere and already having this ready for you). You are the difference between your place and another.
Choose whichever level suits where you are now. One good upgrade is all you need to start this process. Once you’ve completed the training once, you may go back and do more. You’ll get to the rest in time, but this is about small steps.
To create pages like the examples given, you’ll find the tech videos for Microsoft Word at the very bottom of the page useful. In these examples, photos have been cropped.
Beginner: Add three seasonal or local events: farmers’ markets, village fairs, or local shows are perfect.
Include when they happen, what’s special about them, and how far they are from your property. If you’ve been yourself, mention it.
Intermediate: Create a one day itinerary for your ideal guest.
Think “Family Adventure,” “Foodie Day Out,” “Romantic Escape,” or “Rainy-Day Rescue.”
Guide them step by step: where to start, what to see, where to eat and when to head home. Add your personal touch with a photo, memory or top tip.
This gives them a whole additional day to want to be there!
Advanced: Build layered itineraries or, perhaps, one for a whole long weekend (showing them they need to stay for the Sunday night after all 😉).
You might offer one for couples and one for families or create weather-dependent options (sunny versus drizzly days).
BONUS activity: If you haven’t done this before, use this week as a chance to post in local Facebook groups looking for recommendations as your page. Try something like:
“I’m updating our guest guidebook to help visitors see just how brilliant ____ is and encourage them to spend their money locally while they’re here. I’d love your recommendations for the best events, markets, and things to do throughout the year please.”
It sparks conversation (which gets you seen), builds local goodwill and often uncovers hidden gems you can share with future guests.
How to align an image and add a hyperlink
Tech Tutorials - using Word to create
How to crop an image
How to add a table
How to create a page break
How to save as a pdf