Copywriting Portfolio 
2019 
─ 
Lydia Webb  
 
 
 
1 
Overview 
Experienced B2B copywriter with a flare for writing engaging and creative copy selling tech, 
passionate about SEO. Adept at​ ​writing content, including blogs, trade articles, marketing 
emails and other creative projects. 
References available upon request. 
Contents 
1. Long-form: ​What is a hotel channel manager and why do you need one?​............2 
2. Long-form: ​What is a hotel booking engine and why do you need one?​…..……......7 
3. Long-form: ​How to advertise your vacation rental on Airbnb the right way​..….12 
4. Blog:​ Station B&B in Derry takes a giant leap forward for tech hospitality​…..…21 
5. Blog: ​UK National B&B Day: falling back in love with Britain’s B&Bs​……..………...23 
6. Listicle:​ ​7 Romantic B&Bs to get lucky in​…………………………………………………………….25 
 
   
2 
What is a hotel channel manager and why do you need one? 
 
Deciding on a ​channel manager for your bed and breakfast, hotel, or vacation rental can be                               
daunting. But don’t sweat, we’re here to help make it a little less scary. Let us talk you                                   
through the benefits and basics for finding the perfect channel management software. 
But first, let’s kick things off with a channel manager definition: 
 
What is a channel manager? 
Channel management is the process of managing online travel agents and other online                         
distribution channels through which rooms are sold online. A channel manager is a piece of                             
software that connects your property to OTAs and synchronises availabilities and details                       
across all platforms. It is the most cost-effective way to put your property in front of the                                 
biggest audience! 
 
What does a channel manager do? 
Channel managers push out your rates, availability and content to online travel agents, like                           
Booking.com, Expedia, LateRooms and Hotels.com, to advertise your rental online and                     
enable your property to be visible and bookable on multiple sites simultaneously. 
 
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Do you need a hotel channel manager? 
In short, yes. If you’re a B&B, hotel, vacation rental or any other kind of independent                               
accommodation business, you won’t have a big brand name behind you and you’ll need to                             
work smarter not harder in order to fill your rooms. Being on more OTAs gives you a bigger                                   
chance of getting bookings but more bookings can get harder to keep track of. Luckily for                               
you, having a good channel manager in place can make life a lot easier for you and your                                   
staff and there are many other channel manager benefits. 
 
What are the benefits of using a channel manager? 
The main ​benefits of channel management software​ include: 
Avoid double-bookings 
With a channel manager, all of your rooms and availability will be synced on all OTAs at the                                   
same time so there is no more room for human error or double bookings! 
 
Streamline your admin 
Rates, availability, photos, content and policies are instantly updated in real time across all                           
OTAs you choose to work with so you don’t have to manually update each distribution                             
channel separately. This will save you and your staff hours in tedious admin and leave you                               
free to get on with the more important stuff. 
 
Simple Management & Full Control 
With channel management software, you’ll only need to learn how to handle one OTA                           
travel agency and you’ll know how to manage and connect them all. There’s no need to                               
learn the quirks of each travel agent and you’ll be able to manage all OTAs in one place. 
 
Optimise How You Work With OTAs 
We know working with OTAs can get a mixed reception from independent hotel owners but                             
there are potentially massive upsides if you manage the relationship properly, and                       
maintain control. 
4 
With a good channel manager, you can vary your prices and policies by OTA channel to                               
offset bad practices. For example, if you have bookings through one particular OTA that are                             
frequently cancelled last minute, you can vary your cancellation policies for that channel                         
alone to give yourself a safety net. 
 
Advertising your property on OTAs 
Using a channel manager is the most cost-effective form of advertising, you can advertise                           
your B&B or hotel seamlessly. Your spend goes on managing multiple channels (sometimes                         
hundreds) so your property is put in front of thousands of potential customers and you                             
only pay the OTA commission on confirmed bookings. It’s a no risk investment! 
Compare that to running an ad in your local paper or online, which would set you back                                 
hundreds of pounds but have no guarantees of bookings, and it makes more financial                           
sense to invest in an ​online booking channel manager and sit back, relax and let the profits                                 
roll in. 
 
More OTAs = more bookings 
OTAs are also spending big on metasearch, paid social, driving traffic via SEO, sophisticated                           
email and display campaigns. In short, work with them and treat them as your outsourced                             
marketing team. 
OTAs are trying to become traffic acquisition and conversion machines, which drives their                         
key upside – larger booking volumes and global reach 
On average, businesses that work with 2 to 4 online travel agencies enjoy more than                             
double the occupancy than those working with none. That’s a huge improvement! 
 
More Direct Bookings 
Another benefit from using a hotel channel manager is ‘The Billboard Effect’. This is the                             
phenomenon that when properties advertise online through more than one online travel                       
agency, the multiple adverts act as verification of the property and increase its credibility. 
Potential visitors may find your B&B website and go looking for your property on, say,                             
Booking.com to get a better look at reviews, photos and content. 
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Think of it like a 3rd party endorsement – as consumers are so used to using travel sites to                                     
find places to stay, it’s in your interest to appear on more than one to verify your property –                                     
which is why a channel manager comes in handy! 
 
Local reach 
Channel managers also offer a connection to a wide array of regional community sites, that                             
you may never have even heard of before! Most are commission free, or charge very low                               
commission rates so it’s worth your while to connect to them, with no extra effort needed.                               
Channel managers can connect to smaller scale OTAs through an ​iCal connection​, which is                           
more limited than an API connection (which bigger OTAs use) but it does still update                             
availability, sparing you manual effort. 
 
Where can I find a Free Channel Manager? 
Sadly, there is no such thing as a free channel manager but they are more cost effective                                 
than you may think. 
 
How much does a channel manager cost? 
The truth is: it varies! Channel managers can range in price but most are charged per room,                                 
therefore, the larger your property, the more you pay. 
Travel agency bookings are paid on commission: you only pay once they’ve delivered a                           
confirmed booking and done all the hard work – this makes it a no risk investment. If                                 
you’ve integrated your property management system to your channel manager, the PMS                       
may have the capabilities to handle OTA commission payments on your behalf – saving you                             
even more admin time! 
 
What is the best channel manager for small hotels, B&Bs and vacation rentals? 
Well, that depends on your budget and what features you want from your hotel channel                             
manager. Some channel manager software allows you to alter rates and cancellation policy                         
by channel – so if there’s a travel site prone to cancellations, you can require a cancellation                                 
fee as a safety net. 
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We would advise doing a channel manager comparison based on your property type to get                             
the best channel manager for you. When you do, it’s best to bear in mind the following: 
● Budget & Pricing 
● Support 
● Connectivity 
● Payment management 
● Promotions 
● Analytics 
In summary, a channel manager is a life and time saver for independent accommodation                           
providers. Hopefully, we’ve answered the question ‘what is channel management software?’                     
and you’re equipped with all the know-how to choose one and change your work life! 
 
If you’re looking for a ​channel manager for your B&B, hotel, self-catered accommodation or                           
serviced apartments​, have a look at what eviivo can offer. 
 
7 
What is a hotel booking engine and why do you need one? 
 
New to the accommodation business? Or just new to the idea of a booking engine for your                                 
bed and breakfast, hotel, or vacation rental? Whatever the case, we’re here to make things                             
a little clearer. So, here are the benefits and the basics to finding the perfect system for                                 
your accommodation website. 
 
What is a booking engine? 
A hotel booking engine is a software application that plugs into your website, and allows                             
you to take online bookings securely through your own website. 
 
What is a booking button? 
You may have heard of a booking button in relation to a booking engine. A booking button                                 
is a button you can add to your website that will allow you to take direct bookings from                                   
your website (commission-free in the case of eviivo). When a user clicks on the booking                             
button, they are taken to a booking page that looks like your website, and is integrated for                                 
guests to make a seamless transaction and book their stay with you. 
 
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How does a hotel booking engine work? 
A booking engine hooks up to a hotel or B&B website. Guests enter their details on your                                 
website in order to securely book a room and (if integrated with a property management                             
system) the booking software synchronises the booking information with your calendar so                       
that you can manage the booking. This can be incorporated into a new website for you so                                 
you can start taking bookings online. Or, if you’re already happy with your accommodation                           
website, you can add a booking engine via a booking button. Guests click on the ‘book now’                                 
button and are redirected to your booking engine to input their details and secure their                             
reservation. And that’s how a booking engine works! 
 
Do you need a hotel booking engine? 
If you plan on taking bookings online via your own website, then the simple answer is yes,                                 
you need a booking engine. These days, hotels, B&Bs, self-catering accommodation and                       
apartment rentals all need to be bookable online – numerous studies have shown that                           
that’s what guests want. If you only take bookings via the telephone then you’re cutting                             
yourself off from a huge chunk of business. 
 
There are some plugins available for WordPress websites that let you add booking                         
functionality on your website, but don’t allow for direct payment. In these instances,                         
owners need to manually re-record booking details in their calendar, which isn’t as reliable                           
– and is a lot more time-consuming – than a proper booking engine. 
 
What are the benefits of using a booking engine? 
There are many! So take a look at the booking engine benefits we’ve listed: 
 
Fill more rooms with more direct bookings 
It goes without saying that having a booking engine on your accommodation website will                           
increase your occupancy rate. It also increases the percentage of your direct bookings,                         
because guests can book instantly and securely and are less likely to book elsewhere or                             
through an online travel agent (OTA). 
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Direct bookings are a huge bonus for hosts and hoteliers, because they are                         
commission-free and there’s no need to pay a portion of your hard-earned cash to an                             
online travel agent. 
 
Avoid double-bookings & streamline your admin 
If you have a booking calendar or property management system (PMS), you can integrate                           
with a booking engine and all of your direct online bookings will be transferred                           
automatically to your electronic calendar, so there is no more room for human error or                             
double bookings! This will save you and your staff hours in tedious admin and leave you                               
free to get on with the more important stuff. 
 
Global bookings 
Another benefit for your accommodation website is that it encourages bookings from                       
overseas, by offering payments in different currencies and translations of your descriptions                       
in a variety of languages, making it easier for guests from around the world to book. 
 
Safe & secure 
With integrated payment software, you’re able to take payments simply and securely from                         
guests. There’s no need to wait until your guests arrive to take payment! 
 
Fewer no-shows 
Booking engines can require deposits from guests in order to secure their booking. With a                             
financial commitment already made, guests are more likely to show up in order to avoid a                               
penalty. Handling and reducing cancellations is particularly important for independent                   
hotel and bed and breakfast booking engines, as these can cause more of a hit to the                                 
business’s bottom line. 
 
Bookable 24/7 
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For overseas visitors in different time zones – and night owls – this is especially important.                               
You want the booking process to be as easy as possible for customers, and having an                               
automated, online booking system allows you to take reservations while you’re asleep or                         
otherwise occupied. 
 
Business insights 
The best booking engines for hotels will provide statistical analysis of your hotel website in                             
easy-to-digest reports. If you’re able to interpret these and adapt to your customers’                         
behaviours, you’ll be able to tweak your site or booking process to minimise the chances of                               
potential guests being put off and maximise the chances of them booking. 
 
Take share from OTAs 
Customers often prefer to book directly on property websites over travel websites because                         
they are often cheaper. 
 
Did you know that 52% of guests who book online visit the accommodation’s website                           
before booking – even if they don’t book on the accommodations’ own website? Therefore,                           
if your website can take direct bookings you can try to convert all of these guests who                                 
might otherwise have booked your property via an OTA site – and save yourself a bill for                                 
commission. 
 
How do you build a hotel booking engine for your website? 
Fortunately, you don’t need to know yourself how to build one for your website – that’s                               
what a booking engine provider is for! They do all the hard work and set it up, connecting                                   
your website booking engine and merchant payment accounts, and integrate your PMS if                         
you have one. 
 
How much does an online booking engine cost? 
The truth is: it varies. Booking engines can range in price but most are charged per room.                                 
Therefore, the larger your property, the more you pay. 
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What is the best booking engine for hotels, B&Bs and vacation rentals? 
Well, that depends on your budget and what features you want. There are many hotel                             
booking providers with slightly different rates and features. 
 
We would advise doing a comparison based on your property type to get the best booking                               
engine for you. When you do, see what they provide for the following: 
● Budget & pricing 
● Support 
● Setup & training 
● Payment security, such as PCI Level 1 compliance 
 
If you have a property management system (PMS) you may want to look for a booking                               
engine that offers full integration with your PMS, and can offer: 
● Promotion codes & offers 
● Analytics 
● Guest communication emails 
 
Always ask for a demo of a product with a salesperson, so someone can talk you through                                 
how to use the software, and you can decide what booking engine features are right for                               
you. 
In summary, a booking engine is a necessity for independent accommodation providers                       
who want to make it the world of online booking. 
 
If you’re looking for a booking engine for your B&B, hotel, rental property or serviced                             
apartments, have a look at what eviivo can offer. 
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How to advertise your vacation rental on Airbnb the right way 
 
With over 400m visitors in over 81,000 cities and 191+ countries, Airbnb have quickly                           
become a leading source of bookings most favoured by families, young professionals as                         
well as more adventurous travellers. Their market includes an ever-increasing audience                     
eager to enjoy new accommodation experiences. Find out how you can market your                         
vacation rental on Airbnb, increase your views on Airbnb and work with an Airbnb certified                             
channel manager to put your property in front of a bigger audience of potential guests. 
 
How do I advertise my property on Airbnb? 
You’ve probably been wondering to yourself how complicated it must be to rent on Airbnb                             
– but we reckon it’s probably a lot easier than you think. Airbnb is completely free to sign                                   
up and it’s free to list your property. Only after you receive a booking will you need to pay                                     
Airbnb hosting fees – generally 3% – so it’s a no risk investment. 
 
First things first, this is what you will need to do to sign up and list your home on Airbnb: 
 
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1. Home Type 
Select what kind of property you’d like to advertise. There are a whole range of options you                                 
can select from the ‘Other’ drop down if you’re place doesn’t fit into the common                             
categories. 
 
2. Room Type 
For vacation rentals or serviced apartments, you will most likely select “Entire                       
home/Apartment”. 
 
3. Accommodates 
Enter the maximum number of people that your space can comfortably accommodate. This                         
doesn’t mean you’ll only be visible to the maximum number but it is good to be flexible                                 
(Airbnb likes that). 
 
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4. City 
Doesn’t have to be a city, just wherever your place is. 
 
5. Calendar 
You’ll be asked to choose between three options of how available your property is:                           
“Always”, “Sometimes” and “One Time”. Choose “Always” if you want your place to be listed                             
indefinitely, “Sometimes” if you have specific dates you’d like to advertise, and “One Time” if                             
you only have one period of time available. 
 
6. Pricing 
Airbnb will suggest a price for your listing based on their algorithm. If it’s the first time                                 
you’re listing, Airbnb will suggest pricing lower to entice guests, who will then leave reviews                             
and build your reputation. You can also set weekly and monthly prices if you are planning                               
to have guests at your vacation rental for longer. 
 
An Airbnb certified channel manager makes it even easier by automatically synchronising                       
your availability and rates with Airbnb without making an account – all you need to do is                                 
opt in with one click! 
 
7. Overview 
This is the title and summary potential guests will see when browsing. You only have 35                               
characters to make an impression in the title so use descriptive and appealing adjectives to                             
entice guests. For the summary, you have 250 characters, so really try and sell your place                               
as succinctly as you can. Feel free to use bullet points! 
 
8. Photos 
The optimal number of images for an Airbnb listing is 10 but you can add more if you like,                                     
as long as you make sure they are high resolution (around 1024 x 683px). Show a varied                                 
selection and showcase the best angles and rooms. Airbnb offer free professional                       
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photography sessions for properties that match certain criteria so make the most of the                           
opportunity if you can! 
 
9. Amenities & Location 
Select all amenities that you have, from the essentials to the extras, so guests have a                               
complete picture. Then, finish off your listing by inserting the address of your apartment or                             
house. Don’t worry, the exact location won’t be revealed to guests until their booking is                             
confirmed. 
 
Vacation rentals on Airbnb – examples 
Airbnb was designed with homestays in mind, which makes it the best OTA to advertise                             
self-catering properties on. If you’re unsure what you need to include, here are some                           
examples of self-catering and vacation rental accommodation providers on Airbnb: 
 
Le Cocon Stephanois – Serviced Apartment 
 
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As you can see from this example, the property has been listed with numerous high quality                               
images of the rooms, so that guests know exactly what they can expect when staying here. 
 
Duck Lodge – Luxury Cabin with hot tub 
 
This property has signed up to Airbnb Plus, which acts as a verification of quality from                               
Airbnb, who say: 
“Airbnb Plus is a selection of only the highest quality homes with hosts known for great                               
reviews and attention to detail. Every home is verified through in-person quality inspection                         
to ensure quality and design. Just look for the PLUS badge. Thoughtfully designed homes.                           
Exceptional hosts. Verified for quality.” 
 
However, properties must foot the bill for this in-person inspection, which costs $149                         
(£123) per listing. So it might be an idea to consider whether this is truly worth it for your                                     
business. 
Another downside to Airbnb Plus is you must agree to only list your property on Airbnb and                                 
nowhere else (besides your own website). This is quite a commitment and it might suit you                               
to advertise on OTAs to access a wider audience, and a more varied clientele. 
  
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How do I increase my views on Airbnb? 
Just like SEO for accommodation businesses on google and other search engine results                         
pages, Airbnb prioritises listings with the following: 
 
Up to date calendar 
If you stay on top of your availability, the Airbnb algorithm will promote your listing                             
because it recognises that the host is active and responsive – which Airbnb like. If this is too                                   
much effort, consider connecting to Airbnb with a channel manager, which will update your                           
rates automatically and send you to the top of the list. 
 
Accurate rates 
You can use the property value calculator to work out how much to charge per room/place                               
and Airbnb will suggest an appropriate price based on accommodation, amenities and                       
location. To get chosen over similar listings, you’ll need to have competitive pricing, at least                             
in the beginning while you accumulate reviews. As your listing gets more established, it’s                           
good to bear in mind competitors pricing when deciding on rates. 
 
One night stays 
Airbnb like flexible listings (and so do their customers). If you don’t have a minimum night                               
restriction, you’ll appear on more searches. 
 
Word your listing carefully 
Much like using keywords in SEO, think about the search terms guests might use to find                               
you and include them in your description. You could include a landmark you’re close to or                               
an aspect of your accommodation that guests might be looking for (e.g. outside space). 
 
High quality images 
Make sure you have attractive images of your property, as Airbnb has a lot of competition                               
and you need to look good to stand out. Airbnb offers free professional photography for                             
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properties in certain locations, or that meet certain criteria. You’ll attract more bookings by                           
being well photographed anyway, but the Airbnb watermark on the pictures is an extra                           
weapon to rank higher on Airbnb searches. 
 
Instant Book 
This, again, shows your listing is flexible and convenient for guests, and will appear in more                               
searches. You’ll also be able to access a demographic of guests who don’t want to wait                               
around to book. For vacation rentals this is a no-brainer! 
 
Great reviews 
Guests trust properties with more (positive) reviews so maximise good reviews by giving                         
guests a great stay and promptly ask them to return the favour with a review. 
 
How to become a Superhost on Airbnb 
Another way of ranking highly on Airbnb is to take your hosting to the next level by earning                                   
a Superhost badge. To get the coveted Superhost badge, you need to do the following: 
● Respond quickly 
● Don’t cancel bookings 
● Log into Airbnb everyday 
● At least 80% 5 star reviews 
● Host at least 10 trips a year 
You can check your Superhost progress here. 
 
Advertise on Airbnb with a channel manager 
Airbnb Certified channel managers exist for a reason – so that they can be trusted to                               
provide the optimal connection between Airbnb and your property. When choosing, see                       
what information they synchronise with Airbnb, including: 
● Bookings 
● Availability 
19 
● Rates 
● Images & Descriptions 
● Booking Policies 
Whatever the style or shape of your property, a channel manager connected with Airbnb                           
will be able to give you exposure – and bookings! 
 
Best Channel Manager for Airbnb 
Look for a channel manager provides 2-way certified Airbnb connection, built on a reliable                           
API – not just via iCal – that will bring you the following benefits: 
● Real-time property management 
● Instant update of rates, availability, policies, photos & content 
● Simple commission model – no bookings, no costs! 
● One click opt-in / opt-out 
● Everything in one place, automatic onboarding and updates 
 
Legal advice for renting through Airbnb 
From the B&B Association, here is some practical advice to adhere to legal requirements                           
for renting through Airbnb: 
 
● Get specialist insurance, as short-letting invalidates your buildings cover – leaving                     
you with nothing but a mortgage to pay if the house burns down 
● Ask your lender’s consent. Not doing so is mortgage fraud and banks increasingly                         
call in loans for unauthorised letting 
● If it’s a leasehold flat, check your building’s lease and ask consent from the                           
freeholder 
● Tell the neighbours upfront and listen to their concerns about strangers bumping                       
suitcases up the stairs at 1am 
● As with a normal let, you need an annual gas safety certificate, safe electrics, smoke                             
and carbon monoxide detectors and fire safety measures. You also need an energy                         
performance certificate if letting for more than four months 
20 
● In London you must have planning permission to short-let for more than 90 days a                             
year 
● You can earn £7,500 a year tax-free under the HMRC rent a room scheme, but that                               
applies only if you let out part of the house – not the whole place. 
Now you’re equipped with the knowledge to advertise on Airbnb and you won’t be                           
confused listing your home on Airbnb. 
 
So don’t miss the opportunity to gain great exposure for your serviced apartment or any                             
type of vacation rental at a low cost. Opt in to Airbnb via an Airbnb certified channel                                 
manager today! 
 
   
21 
Station B&B in Derry takes a giant leap forward for tech hospitality 
 
We come bearing big technology in hospitality news from one of our customers in                           
Northern Ireland: Station B&B in Londonderry has become the first in the world to launch                             
Apple TV for Hospitality from Monscierge, a US-based hospitality technology company. 
With Apple TV in all rooms, the platform enables guests to enjoy a wide range of features                                 
from the comfort of their room. This includes screen sharing, to allow international visitors                           
to watch their favourite TV channels from across the globe, and stream direct from                           
subscription services such as Netflix to the in-room screen. 
This new venture was announced at a launch event hosted at Station B&B that we were                               
kindly invited to attend. eviivo and other industry players were treated to a grand Irish                             
welcome from Station B&B owner, Liam Walsh and his mother Ursula Walsh, who runs the                             
business. Liam also works with Christy Doherty at Monscierge, who was there to represent                           
Monscierge. 
To kick things off, Liam, the owner of the B&B, gave a speech about the history of the                                   
property, telling the crowd that the B&B was originally an old fire station, where his father                               
actually trained as a firefighter. The guests were treated to some vintage images of Mr                             
22 
Walsh climbing ladders and sporting the retro fire and rescue services uniform. He told of                             
how his father bought the property years later and the family completely transformed it. 
Afterwards, Samantha Corr from Tourism Northern Ireland presented Ursula and Liam with                       
the 4 star B&B award , the highest awarded to any B&B in the city, and they were beaming                                     
from ear to ear! 
Following that, Christy gave a demonstration of the new in-room entertainment (IRE)                       
solution, powered by leading global software brand Monscierge. Through its Connect                     
platform, Monscierge provides guests with a more personalised and seamless                   
entertainment experience during their stay. 
The new technology is the most recent technological addition to Station B&B, which already                           
uses eviivo’s award-winning B&B booking software to manage online reservations, for a                       
more streamlined guest experience. Station B&B’s approach to using the latest                     
cutting-edge technology made the property the ideal location to launch the Monscierge                       
innovation. As Marcus Robinson, CEO at Monscierge, commented: 
“Pairing a hotel booking app with an in-room entertainment solution is a win for both hotel                               
staff and guests. It especially aids with regulating standards of service and keeping up with                             
travellers’ expectations – which more frequently includes having the same (if not better)                         
digital experiences as a guest than they would have in their own home.” 
Lots of local businesses came, including Visit Derry and the Londonderry Chamber of                         
Commerce, and there was lots of mingling at the lunch afterwards. Ursula and the team                             
willingly took the leftover food to firemen in the new fire station building next door to say                                 
thank you for all their hard work. 
Reflecting on the launch, Paul Saxby, Events & Marketing Director at eviivo, said: 
“Station B&B is one of Northern Ireland’s newest B&Bs and it’s great to see the property                               
leading the way to find new and innovative ways to enhance the guest experience. With the                               
combination of Monscierge’s Apple TV and eviivo’s booking software technology, Station                     
B&B have found a winning formula that will provide a wide range of benefits for both the                                 
property and its guests.” 
Do you have a story about your hospitality technology advancements at your property?                         
Comment below or tweet us @eviivo #YourStories   
23 
UK National B&B Day: falling back in love with Britain’s B&Bs 
  
 
Picture the scene: you’re a B&B owner, bookings have been lacklustre and you’re feeling a                             
little disheartened (not to mention lonely). Don’t worry if this is you; eviivo understands                           
where you’re coming from and we’re here to help! 
The very first National B&B Day took place in March of this year and was such an ardent                                   
success that we’ve vowed to do it all again next year. eviivo teamed up with the B&B                                 
Association and a number of other tourism organisations and travel sponsors in order to                           
put this very important day on the map. Thanks to our savvy marketing skills, National B&B                               
Day made national headlines, was trending on twitter and was even celebrated by an MP! 
It involved B&Bs from across the nation offering discounted rates and special offers in                           
order to encourage guests to stay in B&Bs, for a comfy stay and a sturdy breakfast with                                 
that little extra something thrown in to really woo their guests. 
In March 2019, we’d like you to do the same. Our goal is to encourage as many                                 
holidaymakers as we can to stay at independent B&Bs because we truly believe that unique                             
properties and passionate hosts make a holiday special. So for you to get involved, all you                               
need to do is ​sign up to get your B&B listed on the National B&B Day Website - it’s                                     
completely free and it’s great advertising. Then you’ll need to offer guests a National B&B                             
Day promotion, which can be anything from a bottle of bubbly, tickets to a local attraction                               
24 
or even a discounted room. These little touches are what make National B&B day unique –                               
just like your B&Bs! 
The effect of National B&B day on bookings isn’t just a flash in the pan either! According to                                   
eviivo’s Marketing Director, Ed Goldswain, “in the week following National B&B Day we                         
witnessed an 8.1% increase in bookings year on year. It’s great to see that the day has                                 
helped to reignite the UK’s love affair with B&Bs and the authentic British holiday                           
experience they provide.” 
With all these extra bookings you might find yourself a little busier than usual. To make                               
things easier for you, eviivo provides a software package designed specifically for you to get                             
your property noticed, organise your online bookings and simplify the hosting process in                         
order to free up your time for more important things. We also offer advice on how to run a                                     
business so that you have all the tools to be in control. 
At eviivo we are so much more than just a software company. B&Bs are a quintessential                               
part of the UK’s tourism industry, which makes them, their owners and their customers                           
very important to us. We know the level of dedication and commitment it takes to run your                                 
own B&B. That’s why we love and support independent businesses like yours and we’re                           
here to help “anyone with rooms to sell and a story to tell”. So get involved, and let’s make                                     
the UK and its B&Bs a love affair to remember. Just say ‘I do’! 
 
Featured image: eviivo 
   
25 
7 Romantic B&Bs to get lucky in 
 
August 15th – the day furthest away from Valentine’s Day – is arguably the least romantic                               
day of the year. Christmas and all other romantic holidays are too far away to even bear                                 
thinking about. So with nothing amorous on the horizon, we’ve taken a look at some of our                                 
most romantic B&Bs that cater exclusively for couples. 
Whether you’re looking for somewhere to pop the question or simply pop the champers,                           
we know a few romantic B&Bs that will put the love island villa to shame. 
Edgar House, Chester 
A period Georgian house lovingly         
refurbished into a chic, luxurious         
riverside retreat. ​Edgar house was         
named 2017 most romantic hotel in           
Europe and best small hotel in the             
world in 2016 by TripAdvisor! This           
adults-only hotel has gorgeous rooms,         
plush furnishings and is only a stone’s             
throw from the heart of Chester – so               
you and your loved one can explore             
arm in arm this beautiful historic city. 
 
Holmlea Guest House, Bowness 
This guest house has nailed the whole             
romance thing. First off, the B&B is             
located in the Lake District – and where               
screams romance more than beautiful         
lakes and rolling hills right outside your             
bedroom window? ​Holmlea Guest House         
offers romantic packages, such as a boat             
tour of Lake Windermere. Surely that’s           
26 
bound to make a splash with your spouse? 
 
Abel’s Harp, Shrewsbury 
Are you looking for somewhere to get             
down on one knee? Ideally         
somewhere that you and your         
significant other will remember       
fondly for the rest of your lives             
together? Well, it might be an idea to               
stay at ​Abel’s Harp in the romantic             
Cotswolds. They offer a ‘Perfect         
Proposal Package’ to ensure peak         
romance and make sure that         
everything goes smoothly on the day. And if she or he says yes? They do weddings too! 
Abbots Grange, Broadway 
 
Stellar B&B, ​Abbots Grange​, won Star           
Amongst Stars at the 2017 eviivo           
awards – and it’s not hard to see why.                 
Four-poster beds take centre stage in           
every room, which hark back to the             
history of the grange itself, dating back             
to 1320! Immerse yourself in the           
Egyptian cotton sheets and relax or           
take advantage of the many activities           
on offer, such as tennis courts and             
croquet lawn. There’s even a helipad should you need it… Abbots Grange was also the star                               
of B&B Week 2019, when it ​received a dubious special guest … 
 
   
27 
Blanch House, Brighton 
For couples who like to be in the               
heart of a vibrant city with the sea               
only yards away, ​Blanch House is           
an ideal retreat. It’s strictly Adults           
only so no little tykes will disrupt             
the blissful calm of your romantic           
break. This boutique hotel has         
swathes of unique charm and it           
even has its own Champagne and           
cocktail bar on the premises so           
you can get tipsy and romantic           
then stagger back to the room. Just make sure you find the correct one! 
 
Highland Bear Lodge, Drumnadrochit 
This lodge in the Scottish highlands is             
a nature-loving couple’s dream.       
Highland Bear Lodge offer safari         
tours for two of the surrounding area             
at night and day so lucky couples             
have the chance to spot native           
wildlife with a wee dram of whisky.             
When the exploring is finished,         
guests can relax in the beautiful           
bedrooms. In particular, the Bonnie         
Prince Charles Suite, which has a           
four-poster bed and hot tub with gorgeous views of the loch. 
They’ve also been nominated for ​Quirkiest Place to Stay at the eviivo Awards 2019. 
   
28 
Pebble House, Mevagissey 
 
Set in a quaint 14th Century fishing             
village, this luxury guesthouse,       
perched atop a cliff in sunny           
Cornwall, serves as the perfect         
romantic retreat for busy couples         
craving some sea air without being           
battered by the elements. 
The panoramic views are practically         
designed for loved-up couples to         
gaze at over a romantic drink and,             
according to the owners of ​Pebble House​, “love feels better by the sea.” We think they’re                               
probably onto something there… 
So there we have it, our top picks for romantic B&Bs. Have you had a romantic experience                                 
in a B&B or independent accommodation business? We’d love to hear from you! Tweet us                             
@eviivo​  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 

Lydia webb portfolio 2019

  • 1.
  • 2.
    1  Overview  Experienced B2B copywriterwith a flare for writing engaging and creative copy selling tech,  passionate about SEO. Adept at​ ​writing content, including blogs, trade articles, marketing  emails and other creative projects.  References available upon request.  Contents  1. Long-form: ​What is a hotel channel manager and why do you need one?​............2  2. Long-form: ​What is a hotel booking engine and why do you need one?​…..……......7  3. Long-form: ​How to advertise your vacation rental on Airbnb the right way​..….12  4. Blog:​ Station B&B in Derry takes a giant leap forward for tech hospitality​…..…21  5. Blog: ​UK National B&B Day: falling back in love with Britain’s B&Bs​……..………...23  6. Listicle:​ ​7 Romantic B&Bs to get lucky in​…………………………………………………………….25       
  • 3.
    2  What is ahotel channel manager and why do you need one?    Deciding on a ​channel manager for your bed and breakfast, hotel, or vacation rental can be                                daunting. But don’t sweat, we’re here to help make it a little less scary. Let us talk you                                    through the benefits and basics for finding the perfect channel management software.  But first, let’s kick things off with a channel manager definition:    What is a channel manager?  Channel management is the process of managing online travel agents and other online                          distribution channels through which rooms are sold online. A channel manager is a piece of                              software that connects your property to OTAs and synchronises availabilities and details                        across all platforms. It is the most cost-effective way to put your property in front of the                                  biggest audience!    What does a channel manager do?  Channel managers push out your rates, availability and content to online travel agents, like                            Booking.com, Expedia, LateRooms and Hotels.com, to advertise your rental online and                      enable your property to be visible and bookable on multiple sites simultaneously.   
  • 4.
    3  Do you needa hotel channel manager?  In short, yes. If you’re a B&B, hotel, vacation rental or any other kind of independent                                accommodation business, you won’t have a big brand name behind you and you’ll need to                              work smarter not harder in order to fill your rooms. Being on more OTAs gives you a bigger                                    chance of getting bookings but more bookings can get harder to keep track of. Luckily for                                you, having a good channel manager in place can make life a lot easier for you and your                                    staff and there are many other channel manager benefits.    What are the benefits of using a channel manager?  The main ​benefits of channel management software​ include:  Avoid double-bookings  With a channel manager, all of your rooms and availability will be synced on all OTAs at the                                    same time so there is no more room for human error or double bookings!    Streamline your admin  Rates, availability, photos, content and policies are instantly updated in real time across all                            OTAs you choose to work with so you don’t have to manually update each distribution                              channel separately. This will save you and your staff hours in tedious admin and leave you                                free to get on with the more important stuff.    Simple Management & Full Control  With channel management software, you’ll only need to learn how to handle one OTA                            travel agency and you’ll know how to manage and connect them all. There’s no need to                                learn the quirks of each travel agent and you’ll be able to manage all OTAs in one place.    Optimise How You Work With OTAs  We know working with OTAs can get a mixed reception from independent hotel owners but                              there are potentially massive upsides if you manage the relationship properly, and                        maintain control. 
  • 5.
    4  With a goodchannel manager, you can vary your prices and policies by OTA channel to                                offset bad practices. For example, if you have bookings through one particular OTA that are                              frequently cancelled last minute, you can vary your cancellation policies for that channel                          alone to give yourself a safety net.    Advertising your property on OTAs  Using a channel manager is the most cost-effective form of advertising, you can advertise                            your B&B or hotel seamlessly. Your spend goes on managing multiple channels (sometimes                          hundreds) so your property is put in front of thousands of potential customers and you                              only pay the OTA commission on confirmed bookings. It’s a no risk investment!  Compare that to running an ad in your local paper or online, which would set you back                                  hundreds of pounds but have no guarantees of bookings, and it makes more financial                            sense to invest in an ​online booking channel manager and sit back, relax and let the profits                                  roll in.    More OTAs = more bookings  OTAs are also spending big on metasearch, paid social, driving traffic via SEO, sophisticated                            email and display campaigns. In short, work with them and treat them as your outsourced                              marketing team.  OTAs are trying to become traffic acquisition and conversion machines, which drives their                          key upside – larger booking volumes and global reach  On average, businesses that work with 2 to 4 online travel agencies enjoy more than                              double the occupancy than those working with none. That’s a huge improvement!    More Direct Bookings  Another benefit from using a hotel channel manager is ‘The Billboard Effect’. This is the                              phenomenon that when properties advertise online through more than one online travel                        agency, the multiple adverts act as verification of the property and increase its credibility.  Potential visitors may find your B&B website and go looking for your property on, say,                              Booking.com to get a better look at reviews, photos and content. 
  • 6.
    5  Think of itlike a 3rd party endorsement – as consumers are so used to using travel sites to                                      find places to stay, it’s in your interest to appear on more than one to verify your property –                                      which is why a channel manager comes in handy!    Local reach  Channel managers also offer a connection to a wide array of regional community sites, that                              you may never have even heard of before! Most are commission free, or charge very low                                commission rates so it’s worth your while to connect to them, with no extra effort needed.                                Channel managers can connect to smaller scale OTAs through an ​iCal connection​, which is                            more limited than an API connection (which bigger OTAs use) but it does still update                              availability, sparing you manual effort.    Where can I find a Free Channel Manager?  Sadly, there is no such thing as a free channel manager but they are more cost effective                                  than you may think.    How much does a channel manager cost?  The truth is: it varies! Channel managers can range in price but most are charged per room,                                  therefore, the larger your property, the more you pay.  Travel agency bookings are paid on commission: you only pay once they’ve delivered a                            confirmed booking and done all the hard work – this makes it a no risk investment. If                                  you’ve integrated your property management system to your channel manager, the PMS                        may have the capabilities to handle OTA commission payments on your behalf – saving you                              even more admin time!    What is the best channel manager for small hotels, B&Bs and vacation rentals?  Well, that depends on your budget and what features you want from your hotel channel                              manager. Some channel manager software allows you to alter rates and cancellation policy                          by channel – so if there’s a travel site prone to cancellations, you can require a cancellation                                  fee as a safety net. 
  • 7.
    6  We would advisedoing a channel manager comparison based on your property type to get                              the best channel manager for you. When you do, it’s best to bear in mind the following:  ● Budget & Pricing  ● Support  ● Connectivity  ● Payment management  ● Promotions  ● Analytics  In summary, a channel manager is a life and time saver for independent accommodation                            providers. Hopefully, we’ve answered the question ‘what is channel management software?’                      and you’re equipped with all the know-how to choose one and change your work life!    If you’re looking for a ​channel manager for your B&B, hotel, self-catered accommodation or                            serviced apartments​, have a look at what eviivo can offer.   
  • 8.
    7  What is ahotel booking engine and why do you need one?    New to the accommodation business? Or just new to the idea of a booking engine for your                                  bed and breakfast, hotel, or vacation rental? Whatever the case, we’re here to make things                              a little clearer. So, here are the benefits and the basics to finding the perfect system for                                  your accommodation website.    What is a booking engine?  A hotel booking engine is a software application that plugs into your website, and allows                              you to take online bookings securely through your own website.    What is a booking button?  You may have heard of a booking button in relation to a booking engine. A booking button                                  is a button you can add to your website that will allow you to take direct bookings from                                    your website (commission-free in the case of eviivo). When a user clicks on the booking                              button, they are taken to a booking page that looks like your website, and is integrated for                                  guests to make a seamless transaction and book their stay with you.   
  • 9.
    8  How does ahotel booking engine work?  A booking engine hooks up to a hotel or B&B website. Guests enter their details on your                                  website in order to securely book a room and (if integrated with a property management                              system) the booking software synchronises the booking information with your calendar so                        that you can manage the booking. This can be incorporated into a new website for you so                                  you can start taking bookings online. Or, if you’re already happy with your accommodation                            website, you can add a booking engine via a booking button. Guests click on the ‘book now’                                  button and are redirected to your booking engine to input their details and secure their                              reservation. And that’s how a booking engine works!    Do you need a hotel booking engine?  If you plan on taking bookings online via your own website, then the simple answer is yes,                                  you need a booking engine. These days, hotels, B&Bs, self-catering accommodation and                        apartment rentals all need to be bookable online – numerous studies have shown that                            that’s what guests want. If you only take bookings via the telephone then you’re cutting                              yourself off from a huge chunk of business.    There are some plugins available for WordPress websites that let you add booking                          functionality on your website, but don’t allow for direct payment. In these instances,                          owners need to manually re-record booking details in their calendar, which isn’t as reliable                            – and is a lot more time-consuming – than a proper booking engine.    What are the benefits of using a booking engine?  There are many! So take a look at the booking engine benefits we’ve listed:    Fill more rooms with more direct bookings  It goes without saying that having a booking engine on your accommodation website will                            increase your occupancy rate. It also increases the percentage of your direct bookings,                          because guests can book instantly and securely and are less likely to book elsewhere or                              through an online travel agent (OTA). 
  • 10.
    9    Direct bookings area huge bonus for hosts and hoteliers, because they are                          commission-free and there’s no need to pay a portion of your hard-earned cash to an                              online travel agent.    Avoid double-bookings & streamline your admin  If you have a booking calendar or property management system (PMS), you can integrate                            with a booking engine and all of your direct online bookings will be transferred                            automatically to your electronic calendar, so there is no more room for human error or                              double bookings! This will save you and your staff hours in tedious admin and leave you                                free to get on with the more important stuff.    Global bookings  Another benefit for your accommodation website is that it encourages bookings from                        overseas, by offering payments in different currencies and translations of your descriptions                        in a variety of languages, making it easier for guests from around the world to book.    Safe & secure  With integrated payment software, you’re able to take payments simply and securely from                          guests. There’s no need to wait until your guests arrive to take payment!    Fewer no-shows  Booking engines can require deposits from guests in order to secure their booking. With a                              financial commitment already made, guests are more likely to show up in order to avoid a                                penalty. Handling and reducing cancellations is particularly important for independent                    hotel and bed and breakfast booking engines, as these can cause more of a hit to the                                  business’s bottom line.    Bookable 24/7 
  • 11.
    10  For overseas visitorsin different time zones – and night owls – this is especially important.                                You want the booking process to be as easy as possible for customers, and having an                                automated, online booking system allows you to take reservations while you’re asleep or                          otherwise occupied.    Business insights  The best booking engines for hotels will provide statistical analysis of your hotel website in                              easy-to-digest reports. If you’re able to interpret these and adapt to your customers’                          behaviours, you’ll be able to tweak your site or booking process to minimise the chances of                                potential guests being put off and maximise the chances of them booking.    Take share from OTAs  Customers often prefer to book directly on property websites over travel websites because                          they are often cheaper.    Did you know that 52% of guests who book online visit the accommodation’s website                            before booking – even if they don’t book on the accommodations’ own website? Therefore,                            if your website can take direct bookings you can try to convert all of these guests who                                  might otherwise have booked your property via an OTA site – and save yourself a bill for                                  commission.    How do you build a hotel booking engine for your website?  Fortunately, you don’t need to know yourself how to build one for your website – that’s                                what a booking engine provider is for! They do all the hard work and set it up, connecting                                    your website booking engine and merchant payment accounts, and integrate your PMS if                          you have one.    How much does an online booking engine cost?  The truth is: it varies. Booking engines can range in price but most are charged per room.                                  Therefore, the larger your property, the more you pay. 
  • 12.
    11    What is thebest booking engine for hotels, B&Bs and vacation rentals?  Well, that depends on your budget and what features you want. There are many hotel                              booking providers with slightly different rates and features.    We would advise doing a comparison based on your property type to get the best booking                                engine for you. When you do, see what they provide for the following:  ● Budget & pricing  ● Support  ● Setup & training  ● Payment security, such as PCI Level 1 compliance    If you have a property management system (PMS) you may want to look for a booking                                engine that offers full integration with your PMS, and can offer:  ● Promotion codes & offers  ● Analytics  ● Guest communication emails    Always ask for a demo of a product with a salesperson, so someone can talk you through                                  how to use the software, and you can decide what booking engine features are right for                                you.  In summary, a booking engine is a necessity for independent accommodation providers                        who want to make it the world of online booking.    If you’re looking for a booking engine for your B&B, hotel, rental property or serviced                              apartments, have a look at what eviivo can offer. 
  • 13.
    12  How to advertiseyour vacation rental on Airbnb the right way    With over 400m visitors in over 81,000 cities and 191+ countries, Airbnb have quickly                            become a leading source of bookings most favoured by families, young professionals as                          well as more adventurous travellers. Their market includes an ever-increasing audience                      eager to enjoy new accommodation experiences. Find out how you can market your                          vacation rental on Airbnb, increase your views on Airbnb and work with an Airbnb certified                              channel manager to put your property in front of a bigger audience of potential guests.    How do I advertise my property on Airbnb?  You’ve probably been wondering to yourself how complicated it must be to rent on Airbnb                              – but we reckon it’s probably a lot easier than you think. Airbnb is completely free to sign                                    up and it’s free to list your property. Only after you receive a booking will you need to pay                                      Airbnb hosting fees – generally 3% – so it’s a no risk investment.    First things first, this is what you will need to do to sign up and list your home on Airbnb:   
  • 14.
    13      1. Home Type  Selectwhat kind of property you’d like to advertise. There are a whole range of options you                                  can select from the ‘Other’ drop down if you’re place doesn’t fit into the common                              categories.    2. Room Type  For vacation rentals or serviced apartments, you will most likely select “Entire                        home/Apartment”.    3. Accommodates  Enter the maximum number of people that your space can comfortably accommodate. This                          doesn’t mean you’ll only be visible to the maximum number but it is good to be flexible                                  (Airbnb likes that).   
  • 15.
    14  4. City  Doesn’t haveto be a city, just wherever your place is.    5. Calendar  You’ll be asked to choose between three options of how available your property is:                            “Always”, “Sometimes” and “One Time”. Choose “Always” if you want your place to be listed                              indefinitely, “Sometimes” if you have specific dates you’d like to advertise, and “One Time” if                              you only have one period of time available.    6. Pricing  Airbnb will suggest a price for your listing based on their algorithm. If it’s the first time                                  you’re listing, Airbnb will suggest pricing lower to entice guests, who will then leave reviews                              and build your reputation. You can also set weekly and monthly prices if you are planning                                to have guests at your vacation rental for longer.    An Airbnb certified channel manager makes it even easier by automatically synchronising                        your availability and rates with Airbnb without making an account – all you need to do is                                  opt in with one click!    7. Overview  This is the title and summary potential guests will see when browsing. You only have 35                                characters to make an impression in the title so use descriptive and appealing adjectives to                              entice guests. For the summary, you have 250 characters, so really try and sell your place                                as succinctly as you can. Feel free to use bullet points!    8. Photos  The optimal number of images for an Airbnb listing is 10 but you can add more if you like,                                      as long as you make sure they are high resolution (around 1024 x 683px). Show a varied                                  selection and showcase the best angles and rooms. Airbnb offer free professional                       
  • 16.
    15  photography sessions forproperties that match certain criteria so make the most of the                            opportunity if you can!    9. Amenities & Location  Select all amenities that you have, from the essentials to the extras, so guests have a                                complete picture. Then, finish off your listing by inserting the address of your apartment or                              house. Don’t worry, the exact location won’t be revealed to guests until their booking is                              confirmed.    Vacation rentals on Airbnb – examples  Airbnb was designed with homestays in mind, which makes it the best OTA to advertise                              self-catering properties on. If you’re unsure what you need to include, here are some                            examples of self-catering and vacation rental accommodation providers on Airbnb:    Le Cocon Stephanois – Serviced Apartment   
  • 17.
    16  As you cansee from this example, the property has been listed with numerous high quality                                images of the rooms, so that guests know exactly what they can expect when staying here.    Duck Lodge – Luxury Cabin with hot tub    This property has signed up to Airbnb Plus, which acts as a verification of quality from                                Airbnb, who say:  “Airbnb Plus is a selection of only the highest quality homes with hosts known for great                                reviews and attention to detail. Every home is verified through in-person quality inspection                          to ensure quality and design. Just look for the PLUS badge. Thoughtfully designed homes.                            Exceptional hosts. Verified for quality.”    However, properties must foot the bill for this in-person inspection, which costs $149                          (£123) per listing. So it might be an idea to consider whether this is truly worth it for your                                      business.  Another downside to Airbnb Plus is you must agree to only list your property on Airbnb and                                  nowhere else (besides your own website). This is quite a commitment and it might suit you                                to advertise on OTAs to access a wider audience, and a more varied clientele.    
  • 18.
    17  How do Iincrease my views on Airbnb?  Just like SEO for accommodation businesses on google and other search engine results                          pages, Airbnb prioritises listings with the following:    Up to date calendar  If you stay on top of your availability, the Airbnb algorithm will promote your listing                              because it recognises that the host is active and responsive – which Airbnb like. If this is too                                    much effort, consider connecting to Airbnb with a channel manager, which will update your                            rates automatically and send you to the top of the list.    Accurate rates  You can use the property value calculator to work out how much to charge per room/place                                and Airbnb will suggest an appropriate price based on accommodation, amenities and                        location. To get chosen over similar listings, you’ll need to have competitive pricing, at least                              in the beginning while you accumulate reviews. As your listing gets more established, it’s                            good to bear in mind competitors pricing when deciding on rates.    One night stays  Airbnb like flexible listings (and so do their customers). If you don’t have a minimum night                                restriction, you’ll appear on more searches.    Word your listing carefully  Much like using keywords in SEO, think about the search terms guests might use to find                                you and include them in your description. You could include a landmark you’re close to or                                an aspect of your accommodation that guests might be looking for (e.g. outside space).    High quality images  Make sure you have attractive images of your property, as Airbnb has a lot of competition                                and you need to look good to stand out. Airbnb offers free professional photography for                             
  • 19.
    18  properties in certainlocations, or that meet certain criteria. You’ll attract more bookings by                            being well photographed anyway, but the Airbnb watermark on the pictures is an extra                            weapon to rank higher on Airbnb searches.    Instant Book  This, again, shows your listing is flexible and convenient for guests, and will appear in more                                searches. You’ll also be able to access a demographic of guests who don’t want to wait                                around to book. For vacation rentals this is a no-brainer!    Great reviews  Guests trust properties with more (positive) reviews so maximise good reviews by giving                          guests a great stay and promptly ask them to return the favour with a review.    How to become a Superhost on Airbnb  Another way of ranking highly on Airbnb is to take your hosting to the next level by earning                                    a Superhost badge. To get the coveted Superhost badge, you need to do the following:  ● Respond quickly  ● Don’t cancel bookings  ● Log into Airbnb everyday  ● At least 80% 5 star reviews  ● Host at least 10 trips a year  You can check your Superhost progress here.    Advertise on Airbnb with a channel manager  Airbnb Certified channel managers exist for a reason – so that they can be trusted to                                provide the optimal connection between Airbnb and your property. When choosing, see                        what information they synchronise with Airbnb, including:  ● Bookings  ● Availability 
  • 20.
    19  ● Rates  ● Images& Descriptions  ● Booking Policies  Whatever the style or shape of your property, a channel manager connected with Airbnb                            will be able to give you exposure – and bookings!    Best Channel Manager for Airbnb  Look for a channel manager provides 2-way certified Airbnb connection, built on a reliable                            API – not just via iCal – that will bring you the following benefits:  ● Real-time property management  ● Instant update of rates, availability, policies, photos & content  ● Simple commission model – no bookings, no costs!  ● One click opt-in / opt-out  ● Everything in one place, automatic onboarding and updates    Legal advice for renting through Airbnb  From the B&B Association, here is some practical advice to adhere to legal requirements                            for renting through Airbnb:    ● Get specialist insurance, as short-letting invalidates your buildings cover – leaving                      you with nothing but a mortgage to pay if the house burns down  ● Ask your lender’s consent. Not doing so is mortgage fraud and banks increasingly                          call in loans for unauthorised letting  ● If it’s a leasehold flat, check your building’s lease and ask consent from the                            freeholder  ● Tell the neighbours upfront and listen to their concerns about strangers bumping                        suitcases up the stairs at 1am  ● As with a normal let, you need an annual gas safety certificate, safe electrics, smoke                              and carbon monoxide detectors and fire safety measures. You also need an energy                          performance certificate if letting for more than four months 
  • 21.
    20  ● In Londonyou must have planning permission to short-let for more than 90 days a                              year  ● You can earn £7,500 a year tax-free under the HMRC rent a room scheme, but that                                applies only if you let out part of the house – not the whole place.  Now you’re equipped with the knowledge to advertise on Airbnb and you won’t be                            confused listing your home on Airbnb.    So don’t miss the opportunity to gain great exposure for your serviced apartment or any                              type of vacation rental at a low cost. Opt in to Airbnb via an Airbnb certified channel                                  manager today!       
  • 22.
    21  Station B&B inDerry takes a giant leap forward for tech hospitality    We come bearing big technology in hospitality news from one of our customers in                            Northern Ireland: Station B&B in Londonderry has become the first in the world to launch                              Apple TV for Hospitality from Monscierge, a US-based hospitality technology company.  With Apple TV in all rooms, the platform enables guests to enjoy a wide range of features                                  from the comfort of their room. This includes screen sharing, to allow international visitors                            to watch their favourite TV channels from across the globe, and stream direct from                            subscription services such as Netflix to the in-room screen.  This new venture was announced at a launch event hosted at Station B&B that we were                                kindly invited to attend. eviivo and other industry players were treated to a grand Irish                              welcome from Station B&B owner, Liam Walsh and his mother Ursula Walsh, who runs the                              business. Liam also works with Christy Doherty at Monscierge, who was there to represent                            Monscierge.  To kick things off, Liam, the owner of the B&B, gave a speech about the history of the                                    property, telling the crowd that the B&B was originally an old fire station, where his father                                actually trained as a firefighter. The guests were treated to some vintage images of Mr                             
  • 23.
    22  Walsh climbing laddersand sporting the retro fire and rescue services uniform. He told of                              how his father bought the property years later and the family completely transformed it.  Afterwards, Samantha Corr from Tourism Northern Ireland presented Ursula and Liam with                        the 4 star B&B award , the highest awarded to any B&B in the city, and they were beaming                                      from ear to ear!  Following that, Christy gave a demonstration of the new in-room entertainment (IRE)                        solution, powered by leading global software brand Monscierge. Through its Connect                      platform, Monscierge provides guests with a more personalised and seamless                    entertainment experience during their stay.  The new technology is the most recent technological addition to Station B&B, which already                            uses eviivo’s award-winning B&B booking software to manage online reservations, for a                        more streamlined guest experience. Station B&B’s approach to using the latest                      cutting-edge technology made the property the ideal location to launch the Monscierge                        innovation. As Marcus Robinson, CEO at Monscierge, commented:  “Pairing a hotel booking app with an in-room entertainment solution is a win for both hotel                                staff and guests. It especially aids with regulating standards of service and keeping up with                              travellers’ expectations – which more frequently includes having the same (if not better)                          digital experiences as a guest than they would have in their own home.”  Lots of local businesses came, including Visit Derry and the Londonderry Chamber of                          Commerce, and there was lots of mingling at the lunch afterwards. Ursula and the team                              willingly took the leftover food to firemen in the new fire station building next door to say                                  thank you for all their hard work.  Reflecting on the launch, Paul Saxby, Events & Marketing Director at eviivo, said:  “Station B&B is one of Northern Ireland’s newest B&Bs and it’s great to see the property                                leading the way to find new and innovative ways to enhance the guest experience. With the                                combination of Monscierge’s Apple TV and eviivo’s booking software technology, Station                      B&B have found a winning formula that will provide a wide range of benefits for both the                                  property and its guests.”  Do you have a story about your hospitality technology advancements at your property?                          Comment below or tweet us @eviivo #YourStories   
  • 24.
    23  UK National B&BDay: falling back in love with Britain’s B&Bs       Picture the scene: you’re a B&B owner, bookings have been lacklustre and you’re feeling a                              little disheartened (not to mention lonely). Don’t worry if this is you; eviivo understands                            where you’re coming from and we’re here to help!  The very first National B&B Day took place in March of this year and was such an ardent                                    success that we’ve vowed to do it all again next year. eviivo teamed up with the B&B                                  Association and a number of other tourism organisations and travel sponsors in order to                            put this very important day on the map. Thanks to our savvy marketing skills, National B&B                                Day made national headlines, was trending on twitter and was even celebrated by an MP!  It involved B&Bs from across the nation offering discounted rates and special offers in                            order to encourage guests to stay in B&Bs, for a comfy stay and a sturdy breakfast with                                  that little extra something thrown in to really woo their guests.  In March 2019, we’d like you to do the same. Our goal is to encourage as many                                  holidaymakers as we can to stay at independent B&Bs because we truly believe that unique                              properties and passionate hosts make a holiday special. So for you to get involved, all you                                need to do is ​sign up to get your B&B listed on the National B&B Day Website - it’s                                      completely free and it’s great advertising. Then you’ll need to offer guests a National B&B                              Day promotion, which can be anything from a bottle of bubbly, tickets to a local attraction                               
  • 25.
    24  or even adiscounted room. These little touches are what make National B&B day unique –                                just like your B&Bs!  The effect of National B&B day on bookings isn’t just a flash in the pan either! According to                                    eviivo’s Marketing Director, Ed Goldswain, “in the week following National B&B Day we                          witnessed an 8.1% increase in bookings year on year. It’s great to see that the day has                                  helped to reignite the UK’s love affair with B&Bs and the authentic British holiday                            experience they provide.”  With all these extra bookings you might find yourself a little busier than usual. To make                                things easier for you, eviivo provides a software package designed specifically for you to get                              your property noticed, organise your online bookings and simplify the hosting process in                          order to free up your time for more important things. We also offer advice on how to run a                                      business so that you have all the tools to be in control.  At eviivo we are so much more than just a software company. B&Bs are a quintessential                                part of the UK’s tourism industry, which makes them, their owners and their customers                            very important to us. We know the level of dedication and commitment it takes to run your                                  own B&B. That’s why we love and support independent businesses like yours and we’re                            here to help “anyone with rooms to sell and a story to tell”. So get involved, and let’s make                                      the UK and its B&Bs a love affair to remember. Just say ‘I do’!    Featured image: eviivo     
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    25  7 Romantic B&Bsto get lucky in    August 15th – the day furthest away from Valentine’s Day – is arguably the least romantic                                day of the year. Christmas and all other romantic holidays are too far away to even bear                                  thinking about. So with nothing amorous on the horizon, we’ve taken a look at some of our                                  most romantic B&Bs that cater exclusively for couples.  Whether you’re looking for somewhere to pop the question or simply pop the champers,                            we know a few romantic B&Bs that will put the love island villa to shame.  Edgar House, Chester  A period Georgian house lovingly          refurbished into a chic, luxurious          riverside retreat. ​Edgar house was          named 2017 most romantic hotel in            Europe and best small hotel in the              world in 2016 by TripAdvisor! This            adults-only hotel has gorgeous rooms,          plush furnishings and is only a stone’s              throw from the heart of Chester – so                you and your loved one can explore              arm in arm this beautiful historic city.    Holmlea Guest House, Bowness  This guest house has nailed the whole              romance thing. First off, the B&B is              located in the Lake District – and where                screams romance more than beautiful          lakes and rolling hills right outside your              bedroom window? ​Holmlea Guest House          offers romantic packages, such as a boat              tour of Lake Windermere. Surely that’s           
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    26  bound to makea splash with your spouse?    Abel’s Harp, Shrewsbury  Are you looking for somewhere to get              down on one knee? Ideally          somewhere that you and your          significant other will remember        fondly for the rest of your lives              together? Well, it might be an idea to                stay at ​Abel’s Harp in the romantic              Cotswolds. They offer a ‘Perfect          Proposal Package’ to ensure peak          romance and make sure that          everything goes smoothly on the day. And if she or he says yes? They do weddings too!  Abbots Grange, Broadway    Stellar B&B, ​Abbots Grange​, won Star            Amongst Stars at the 2017 eviivo            awards – and it’s not hard to see why.                  Four-poster beds take centre stage in            every room, which hark back to the              history of the grange itself, dating back              to 1320! Immerse yourself in the            Egyptian cotton sheets and relax or            take advantage of the many activities            on offer, such as tennis courts and              croquet lawn. There’s even a helipad should you need it… Abbots Grange was also the star                                of B&B Week 2019, when it ​received a dubious special guest …       
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    27  Blanch House, Brighton  Forcouples who like to be in the                heart of a vibrant city with the sea                only yards away, ​Blanch House is            an ideal retreat. It’s strictly Adults            only so no little tykes will disrupt              the blissful calm of your romantic            break. This boutique hotel has          swathes of unique charm and it            even has its own Champagne and            cocktail bar on the premises so            you can get tipsy and romantic            then stagger back to the room. Just make sure you find the correct one!    Highland Bear Lodge, Drumnadrochit  This lodge in the Scottish highlands is              a nature-loving couple’s dream.        Highland Bear Lodge offer safari          tours for two of the surrounding area              at night and day so lucky couples              have the chance to spot native            wildlife with a wee dram of whisky.              When the exploring is finished,          guests can relax in the beautiful            bedrooms. In particular, the Bonnie          Prince Charles Suite, which has a            four-poster bed and hot tub with gorgeous views of the loch.  They’ve also been nominated for ​Quirkiest Place to Stay at the eviivo Awards 2019.     
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    28  Pebble House, Mevagissey    Setin a quaint 14th Century fishing              village, this luxury guesthouse,        perched atop a cliff in sunny            Cornwall, serves as the perfect          romantic retreat for busy couples          craving some sea air without being            battered by the elements.  The panoramic views are practically          designed for loved-up couples to          gaze at over a romantic drink and,              according to the owners of ​Pebble House​, “love feels better by the sea.” We think they’re                                probably onto something there…  So there we have it, our top picks for romantic B&Bs. Have you had a romantic experience                                  in a B&B or independent accommodation business? We’d love to hear from you! Tweet us                              @eviivo​