Are you ready to run a B & B?
Are you thinking about running your own B&B?
It's a great opportunity:
- to escape the rat race,
- to run your own business from and make money from your home,
- to give you the flexibility to live your life on your own terms,
- the potential to create a good income and the chance to meet lots of interesting new people.
But maybe you're a bit unsure about what it all entails:
- Have you got the right skills, experience and personality?
- What is the real impact on your personal and social life?
- How will having strangers in your home impact on your family or partner?
This free 3 day mini course gives you the opportunity to assess whether it's the right business for you before you commit to lots of time, effort and money in setting up your B&B.
You will receive 3 emails over three days. this emails and accompanying exercises will help you assess whether running a B&B is right for you.
You are welcome to email Karen to ask any specific questions you may have.
Karen is currently running her own successful B&B in South Shropshire. With her husband Rob she set up Hopton House B&B in 2004. This year the B&B has won the West Midlands B&B of the Year Gold award. She is also an experienced trainer, skilled at putting across information in a well structured and enjoyable well.
There is no obligation to take further courses and we never pass your email address or other details onto anyone else.
Please note that the emails are delivered automatically. If you don't receive your free email course it is probably because the emails have disappeared into your SPAM box or you have typed in your email address incorrectly. If you continue to have problems please email me
Marketing a B&B
- Price: £20.00
This email course covers everything you'll need to know to Market your own Bed & Breakfast. It is suitable both for people new to the business and more established businesses who want to attract more guests.
You will receive 5 emails over 5 days.
You may also book a coaching session with Karen at £50 for an hour to discuss any issues or questions you may have.
Day 1 An Overview of Marketing
- The differences between Advertising, Marketing and PR
- Identifying your niche market
- Writing good copy and the importance of photos
- How much to spend on marketing
Day 2 The Internet Part 1
- The importance of the internet in running a B&B
- Designing a website
- Getting a website
- Accessible websites
Day 3 The Internet Part 2 How to get your website found
- Online directories
- Pay Per click
- EBAY
Day 4 Printed Guidebooks and Brochures
- What guidebooks are out there?
- How to design your leaflets and business cards
- How to use your leaflets
Day 5 Repeat Bookings and other Promotional ideas
- How to get your guests back and recommending you
- Other innovative and Promotional Ideas
- Using the Press
Running a B&B
- Price: £20.00
This course looks at how to Run your B&B with the standard of excellent customer service that will keep your guests coming back. We start from the moment a guest first contacts to you, following through the whole customer experience to their departure and beyond! Also included in this course we discuss how to produce a first class breakfast and some more mundane (but all important) topics such as cleaning.
You will receive 5 emails over 5 days.
You may also arrange a one hour phone call or MSN chat with Karen at £50- to be arranged in advance please.
Day 1 Taking Bookings
- How to take a booking
- How to deal with guests if you’re full
- Example of guest registration forms
- Taking deposits
- House Rules
Day 2 Preparing and Cleaning the Rooms
- How to make up the rooms
- How added extras can reap benefits without costing a lot
- Cleaning and housework
Day 3 Greeting the Guests and saying Good Bye
- How to greet guests and what to do and say on arrival
- Example of guest registration forms and other documents
- Enhancing the guest experience
- Ways of getting them to come back!
- Dealing with complaints
- The Bill
- Dealing with checkout and payment
Day 4 Serving the Breakfast and Evening Meals
- What to serve for breakfast
- Preparing the guests breakfast
- Getting the timings right
- The pros and cons of serving an evening meal
- Tips on evening meals
Day 5 Staying Sane as a B&B Owner!
- Why it’s important to look after yourself
- Tricks to staying sane!
Setting Up a B&B
- Price: £20.00
This email course covers everything you'll need to know to Set Up your own Bed & Breakfast. You will also have the opportunity to have a one hour phone call or MSN chat with Karen for £50- to be arranged in advance please.
Day 1 Researching your B&B and Analysing your Market
- How to do research your market
- Getting the right location for your B&B
- Using surveys to identify your market’s needs
- Who to go to for information and help locally
- Understanding Quality Standards and making sure you get the star rating and awards you want
Day 2 Finance
- Examples of financial projection and business plans
- Setting your price right
- Keeping Financial records
- Where to go for funding
- Working out how much you might expect to earn
- Will it pay?
Day 3 Goal Setting and Action Planning
- How to set goals and plan for success
- Goal and Action Plan templates
Day 4 Legal Requirements
- An overview of the legal requirements
- Planning Permission
- Disability Discrimination Act and Accessibility
- Fire Regulations
- Health and Safety
- Food Hygiene
- The Pink Booklet
Day 5 Getting your house ready
- House Layout
- Sound Proofing
- Decoration
- Furniture
- B&B Extras
- Security