rec.travel.bed+breakfast Policy Posting
version 1.1 * 9/6/2000
(c) 1996-2000 InnSite(sm)/Internet Concepts, LLC
This Policy Posting is regularly posted to the above newsgroup and is authored/maintained
by InnSite. Any ideas for changes, additions, or corrections are exceedingly
welcome, and should be directed to sspencer@innsite.com.
Please put "Policy Posting" or something similar in your subject line.
This Policy Posting may not be copied, redistributed, sold, or incorporated
in any document or media, whether in print or electronic form, without prior
written permission.
Some Important
Questions:
What is the purpose of this group?
This is a newsgroup forum for bed and breakfast guests.
Expected topics of discussion include (but are not limited to):
- past and current B&B guest experiences
- referrals and recommendations
- suggestions to guests and innkeepers
- reviews of guidebooks and other B&B travel resources
- discussions on food, amenities, locations, recreation, pricing, licenses,
certifications, and discounts of B&Bs and country inns
- and just general collaboration and comradery.
top
Who are the moderators of this newsgroup? How are
they involved in the B&B industry?
- Stephan M. Spencer is the creator and webmaster of InnSite (http://www.innsite.com),
a worldwide directory of bed & breakfasts, country inns, and small luxury
hotels; and InnFinder.com (http://www.innfinder.com),
a search engine of all major bed & breakfast directories, individual
inn home pages, RSOs, and B&B associations. His "day job" is running a web
site design firm, Internet Concepts (http://www.netconcepts.com/),
which creates and manages web sites for mid- to large-size corporations
and associations.
What do newsgroup moderators do anyway? Why is this list
moderated?
Moderators approve messages for posting to the newsgroup. This helps manage
traffic and the quality of the postings. With a moderated list, "inappropriate
posts" are rejected before the newsgroup subscribers have to read them.
What is proper etiquette for this newsgroup?
It's basically the same as for any other group: use informative subject lines.
If you're posting about a specific thing, include what it is in the Subject
field (e.g. "loved Cape May B&B") at the start of a Subject line for an article
discussing a B&B that you loved in Cape May.
Don't get angry if someone doesn't like your comments; listen to them and
try to answer their points. Remember, the purpose of this newsgroup is for
us to discuss ideas, opinions, suggestions, etc.
What's an "inappropriate post?"
An inappropriate post is a message that doesn't adhere to the guidelines of
the newsgroup (also known as a "charter").
Inappropriate posts would include:
- advertising. This newsgroup allows those involved and/or interested in
the B&B industry to help B&B travellers. This is NOT a forum for advertising
and commercial interests; such posts will not be welcome. If you have a
product or a tour, please post your message in rec.travel.marketplace or
other locations.
- inappropriate behavior. Inappropriate posts, spamming, advertising, profanity,
derogatory or offensive remarks directed towards an individual, group, race
or class. In other words, be respectful!
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I'm an innkeeper and I want to market my inn on
this newsgroup and I also want to adhere to the guidelines. What kinds of
postings would be appropriate?
Value-added marketing is the way of the Internet. By answering people's questions
thoughtfully and in an unbiased way (i.e. adding value to the group), your efforts
will be noticed by people reading your messages. If you then provide a short
(under four lines) "signature" telling your name, inn name, email address, phone
number, fax number, and web site address (if applicable) at the end of the message,
you'll be surprised by how many calls, faxes, emails and web site visits will
follow.
If blatant advertising is inappropriate in this newsgroup,
how can I market my B&B to potential travellers?
By providing tips, answering questions, and keeping the discussion lively
and interesting, innkeepers can make themselves visible to Internet users.
The key to successful marketing on the newsgroup is "value-added marketing,"
or in other words, the "soft sell." Add value to the discussion, then at the
bottom of your message list your name, name of your inn, email address, web
site address, and other contact information. You'll be amazed at the results:
increased traffic to your web site, email inquiries, phone inquiries, and,
most importantly -- paying guests. The "softer" the sell, the more successful
you will be. And the more you cooperate by referring to other inns, or just
by providing general travel guidance, the more it will "come back to you."
© 1994-2000 Internet Concepts <info@innsite.com>
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