Acorn Internet Services is Now Offering After-Hour Webinar Access

We are Constantly Looking for Ways to Help You, our Customers, be the best Online Marketers you can be! 

We know that it is not always possible for everyone to make the time to attend our Weekly Webinars. So, after popular demand, we are now going to be recording up to one hour on most of our Weekly Webinar class sessions. 

- These recordings will be great for those Innkeepers who did attend, but want to Re-Listen to a particular section for reiteration and clarification.

- The weekly recording will be available for 7 Days, and then will be replaced with the next weeks  recording.

- These recording will typically NOT include the Live Question and Answers, and will cut off at one hour.  So while these videos do not replace attending Live, they do help if you need to go over the information at your leisure, or if you simply can't be there.

As always, we appreciate your feedback, so once you give today’s session a listen …

"Press Releases and their Potential Impact on your Bottom Line"

..  please “Like” this post, or drop me an E-Mail at info@acorn-is.com!

The Details

Access: http://www.acorn-is.com/after-hour-webinars/
Access is Password Protected.

If you are a Club 60 Member or registered to attend today’s class, check your E-Mail.  You should already have an E-Mail with this access information provided.

Client Services Customers, please watch for your next scheduled report, access information will be provided in your report.

This service is available for active Acorn IS Customers only.  If you are an active Acorn IS Customer and would like access to these After-Hour Weekly Webinar videos, please E-Mail annie@acorn-is.com.

Lisa Kolb
President and Co-Founder Acorn Internet Services
Educating our Industry One Innkeeper at a Time!

Professional Association of Innkeepers International Conference in Charleston 2011

Save $100 if you Register by August 31st, 2010

Click Here to Get the Details

I received a PAII alert on August 30th, 2010 announcing that they were offering a $100 discount for the January Conference in Charleston if you register by August 31st, 2010.

At the time of registration, please make sure to choose from one of our Pre-Conference sessions (AM class or PM class).  Read below for more details!

I also wanted to take a moment and thank everyone who responded to the survey I sent out a month ago asking for your thoughts and input on the Pre-Conference sessions.

The replies were AWESOME, with so many great ideas and insights!  We are working on bringing into play many of those ideas in 2010 at Nashua, and 2011 in Charleston.  Again, THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to share this information with us.

What We Learned From Those Who Completed the Survey…

•    Approximately 60%-75% of Innkeepers said they were planning to attend an upcoming PAII conference.
•    ¾ of Innkeepers indicated that $50 or less per person for Acorn IS Education and Dining was acceptable.
•    Innkeepers LOVE the 1-on-1 time we provide.  They enjoy the time to meet and have a chance for a face to face discussion in a quiet location of a hospitality suite.

A Bit of Background…

In Austin, we wanted to support PAII by sponsoring something at the conference, so we chose to sponsor the neck badges.

And just as any Innkeeper knows, putting your logo on something that others wear is totally Fun and Exciting!

This year we’ve decided, based on the feedback from the survey, that we want to use our budget on the Pre-Conference session, and offer this educational Internet marketing class to all Innkeepers at NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE! 

Acorn IS Pre-Conference Session "Description Blurb"...

Seven Building Blocks to Your Internet Success 
Do you have an Internet Marketing Plan in place for increasing revenue today, next year and beyond?  Whether you are a "Do it Yourselfer” (DIY) or choose to hire Industry Professionals to handle your Online Presence, as an Innkeeper and business owner you MUST be aware of all the available opportunities and challenges in today’s ever changing Online world. We will provide insight into all things that impact your Online Presence starting with a Revenue Generating, Search Engine Friendly Web Site Design, Video, Mobile, Local and Organic Presence, Link Building, Social and Press Media, Newsletters, Blogging, and we’ll wrap up with how to know if your Plan is working!

You Will Have Two Times to Choose From!

Another bit of feedback from our survey shared that NOT all Innkeepers are able to get to the conference by the morning of the Pre-Conference day.  And then some Innkeepers indicated that any conference is also a chance for them to get a much needed break and getaway, so they’d like to have the afternoon open on the Pre-Conference day to do some sight-seeing!  So we decided to hold the Acorn-IS Pre-Conference session two times.  One session in the morning and a repeat session in the afternoon, allowing you to plan your first day at the conference how you prefer!

l12 - Seven Building Blocks to Your Internet Success - Morning Session

m13 - Seven Building Blocks to Your Internet Success - Afternoon Session

We look forward to seeing you at the conference.  And if you find yourself simply unable to attend in person this year, we are discussing the possibility of a virtual offering for those Innkeepers who just can’t travel.  It will be a first for an Acorn-IS session at a PAII conference!

Finally, we are working on some additional FUN and EXCITING opportunities.  As soon as we have more information, we’ll pass it along!  Stay tuned!

Lisa Kolb
President and Co-Founder Acorn Internet Services
Educating our Industry One Innkeeper at a Time!

If You are Not Trying to Keep Up, Then You are Falling Behind...

At the end of our Club 60 Webinar yesterday, I asked the Innkeepers in attendance to share their thoughts and ideas about HOW and WHY they make the time to keep up with their online marketing.  

What is Club 60?  It’s a group of Acorn IS Innkeepers who are dedicated to spending an hour a day on their marketing.  We meet once a month for a cutting edge Webinar session that includes the latest and greatest ideas out there on the Internet today.  We call these Innkeepers “Club 60ers”.  Named for the 60 minutes a day they set aside to maintain and grow their online presence.

Find Out What These Innkeepers KNOW!

If you are not spending time marketing your business on a daily basis,  your online presence won’t grow, and in some cases, you may actually lose the placement you already have.  

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Andon-Reid Inn Bed and Breakfast

Rachel Reid
Waynesville, NC
Acorn Customer Since 2006

A Waynesville North Carolina Bed and Breakfast

In answer to your question about finding time:

- In between breakfast courses.
- Between 2-3pm before check- ins.
- After check-ins 7:30-9pm.

Of course everyday changes but I can grab one of the above 3 times at least everyday.

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Carriage Way Bed and Breakfast

Bill Johnson and family, Larry, John and Jeanie
St. Augustine, FL
Acorn Customer Since 2010

A St Augustine Bed and Breakfast

When do we find time?  After Breakfast, Before Check-In, Before Dinner and Before Bed

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Garden Gate Get-A-Way Bed & Breakfast

Carol Steffey
Millersburg, OH
Acorn Customer Since 2009

An Ohio Bed and Breakfast

Anyone who wants to be a successful innkeeper shouldn’t think about “finding the time” to work on their web presence, but the need to “make the time” to work on their web presence.  I used to Google ways to improve web presence.  Today I save myself time by taking webinars from Acorn-IS and belonging to Club 60 and optimizing my choices of what I do.  I have found better results using the methods that I learn from Acorn-IS.

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Grape Arbor B&B

Peggy Hauser
North East, PA
Acorn Customer Since 2008

A North East Bed and Breakfast


You asked why I (try to) work on my website...goal is every day; but in reality in the busy season, a bit less. I think back to when I started in this business, 8 years ago. Many innkeepers still did not have websites!  And I think of the changes that have happened from then until now.  I always knew that the website was, outside of the building and myself, the most important asset of the business.  We started out from scratch, and the vast majority of business is pulled in through the website.

We clean rooms everyday; we keep the building in good shape; why wouldn't you put effort on your other public face to make it as current and viable as possible?  Knowledge is power, and although I haven't done everything that think I should or want to on the site---every little bit is more than there was before.  Your webinars help me decide how I want to allocate the time that I have.

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Harvest Moon Bed and Breakfast

Carl and Marlies Kosko
Lancater County, PA
Acorn Customer Since 2004

A Lancaster Bed and Breakfast

I find it all too important to keep up with all forms of social media. Yes, I realize that we are all busy with the running of the inn however, I truly believe though that this is the direction that the world is (has been) moving.  There is no doubt, that if I don't keep up, I will be left behind. I choose to be in the know. With the tangled mess of information we call the web, it has changed the way the world now markets. We need to keep in tune with those changes... on a daily basis! It must be one of the many hats I where.... I am no longer just a baker, gardener, bed maker or greeter... I am also an internet marketer! 

When do I find the time to do my social media? I keep up with it during the day as I check email. Drop a post on Twitter, Write a quick blog, Find a friend on Facebook, or like something in the area to establish a connection. Each time I do this, the amount of time accumulated does total up. I am always researching new and exciting ways to become more involved. I figure, the more involved I am the better off I will be in understanding how to harness the powers of the internet. Next challenge... Mobile!!

Thank you Lisa and team for being a leader and educator in our industry!!!

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Lodge at Mark Twain Lake

Carol Wibbenmyer
Stoutsville, MO
Acorn Customer Since 2009

Mark Twain Lake Lodging


I want the B&B to go over so much I'll do what ever it takes.  I listen to all of you at Acorn.  All of you provide the missing key (internet info) that I have (make that had) no knowledge about.

I also knew that I had to promote the area.  The lake chamber is just promoting the fishing.

I know it will take off, because I LOVE what I am doing, and I have a great place!  Blogging, Facebook and Twitter makes it so easy to "tell the world"!

I know the day I don't have time to do blogging, Facebook or Twitter will be the day I have all the business I need or want, and I don't see that happening any time soon.

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Night Swan Intracoastal B&B

Martha Nighswonger

New Smyrna Beach, FL
Acorn Customer Since 2008

A New Smyrna Beach Bed and Breakfast

Here are my comments to people who say they don't have time for the "extra stuff" or the "new stuff".

If you don't try to keep up with the new stuff, you are falling behind.  (This happened to us before we had our new website.)

When we had the opportunity to hire someone, we made sure that it was someone who knows more about Social Media than I do.  It is working very well.

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Lisa Kolb
President and Co-Founder Acorn Internet Services
Educating our Industry 1 Innkeeper at a Time!

Google Local Places Tags Free Offer Extended

For those who have not yet tried Google Local Places Tags, Google is extending the 30 Day Free Trial. A tag is an eye-catching little yellow arrow image that can be added to your Google Places Listing (formerly known as Google Local Business Listings) to highlight and draw attention to your listing, as seen here on Andon Reid Inn's listing:

The tags cost $25 per month, but Google is trying to draw business by offering a 30 day free trial offer. You can learn more about the tags, watch a video, and even sign up for the free offer here: Google Tags


Annie Buck
Pre-Development Manager
Acorn Internet Services

The White Oak Inn - Amish Country Ohio Inn's New Site is Keeping the Innkeeper Busy!

Yvonne Martin, owner and Innkeeper at The White Oak Inn, a Danville, OH Bed and Breakfast, came to Acorn Internet Services for a new web site.  Yvonne had specific ideas for parts of the site, and left other pieces up to our designer. Yvonne provided beautiful photography and well-written verbiage for the individual pages, and had Acorn's marketing team SEO (search engine optimize) the site.

Take a look:

The day after the site launched, we received this email from Yvonne:

"I just booked a small wedding today.   She saw the new website last night and was blown away! Talk about fast results!!! Thanks all for your hard work."

Amazing! Then, when I asked Yvonne if I could use that quote for this blog, she replied:

"Absolutely fine by me. Wish I had time to write you a longer quote but I can't get to it because THE PHONE IS RINGING SO MUCH!   Big smile here."

We can't ask for a better quote than that!

Annie Buck
Pre-Development Manager
Acorn Internet Services

Mobile Sites vs. Web Sites – An Interesting Discussion…

You may wonder how a Wedding Analogy has anything at all to do with a Mobile Site vs. Web Site discussion.   We encourage you to take a few moments and read through this post to find out the answer!

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Sharon Rowe, Professional Client Services Manager for Acorn Internet Services, wrote an article that was featured in the Summer 2010 PAII (Professional Association of Innkeepers) IQ Journal.

Mobile Friendly Websites: Why You Need Them and How They are Found.

If you would like to receive the IQ Journal and also enjoy other PAII benefits,
you may find more information at: PAII.ORG

We Often Have Customers Ask Us: Is our Web site Mobile Friendly?

To answer that question, let us walk you through a short analogy:

The Big Formal Wedding vs. A Small Elopement. 

Think about your Web site as a Formal Event such as a Wedding.  As the Bride and Groom To Be, you want your wedding day to be glorious, with all the bells and whistles you can afford.  You search for a Designer Gown, Formal Tuxes for the Groom and Groomsmen, Incredible Band, Gourmet Menu and so on.  Planning a Formal wedding is similar to an Innkeeper planning a Professional Web site design. 

You want the Best Photography for your property as part of a flash presentation, polished and professional design, including video and social media to support your business.  And just like the guests at the Big Formal Wedding, the guests that visit your Web site expect to be WOW’ed! 


Now, let’s consider the alternative of a Big Formal Wedding - - A Small Elopement.  

Instead of the Big Formal Wedding, you may choose to simply go to the Justice of the Peace with one or two attendants.  The outcome is still the same.  You will walk away with a signed marriage certificate, but the advance planning and actual experience of an Elopement at the Justice of the Peace’s office will be very much scaled down as compared to a Big Formal Wedding. 

You’ll be coming to a small office, not a large church or gathering place.  You won’t have room for 500 attendees, and the overall scheme will be smaller and more streamlined.   You can compare an Elopement to a Mobile Site.  You should not expect to squeeze all the bells and whistles of your Professional Web site into the standards of a Mobile site design.  In the case of a Mobile design, the page options must be streamlined, easy to navigate and fast to load based on the requirements of the Mobile World.

Now, granted, you could invite 500 people to attend your Justice of the Peace wedding, but it wouldn’t be the best idea to attempt to fit them all in a small Justice of the Peace office.  Just as guests who use mobile phones are “TECHNICALLY” able to see your full Web Site design on devices such as iPhones, Blackberries and Droids, and any of the hundreds of data ready phones on the market, it’s not the best idea to load all the bells and whistles of your Web Design on the handheld device. Some of these features such as Flash or JavaScript are omitted completely when seen on a Mobile device. Users end up having to zoom, scroll, and experience extended load times as compared to the navigation and load time of an abbreviated Mobile site.

So, the Moral of the Story Is

Plan and Design your Web Site to be glorious with the intent to be seen on a desktop PC or laptop.  Then build a separate Mobile site to provide those using Mobile devices the very best hand-held experience they have come to expect.  -- Fast, easy to view and navigate without zooming or scrolling, so they may easily contact you and book a room. 

And remember, a Mobile site is great for helping potential guests find you when they are already on the road.  This can be useful for people looking for last minute bookings, or even those who have booked early, and have forgotten to print directions or write down the address.

Click Here to learn more about building a Mobile Site for your business!

Lisa Kolb
President and Co-Founder Acorn Internet Services, Inc.
Educating our Industry One Innkeeper at at Time!

Chester Vermont Bed and Breakfast Happy to Partner with Acorn Internet Services for New Design

Dan and Penny Cote, the new owners/innkeepers of Inn Victoria, a  Chester, Vermont Bed and Breakfast, worked with us in stages. We started with moving the old web site over to Acorn IS hosting, then built up with Social Media and Search Engine Optimization, all the while moving forward with a new site design. Dan and Penny were learning how to be successful innkeepers while at the same time working with Acorn IS to make their web presence more robust.

The new web site launched a few weeks ago, taking Dan by surprise as we showed it to the attendees on one of our learning webinars!:

We really appreciate Dan's comments about the whole process:

"The words "thank You" simply do not portray how Penny and I feel about this new site and most important, the people from Acorn who made it happen.  Your team is professional in their ability to get the technical side done appropriately.  Most important, your team made it easy for us to communicate and work through the process.  Your team has customer service down pat, with gracious character and patience at that!  Thank you Acorn Team for making this process less daunting, more fun and customer friendly than I could have imagined.  In my previous life as an executive with an insurance company, web development was a nightmare...not so in this case.

Thank You Mark for making our transition from the previous web development company to Acorn an apparent seamless success!  I know you had a lot of work just to get this site transferred over...Thank You.  Penny and I are very happy with the partnership we have developed with Acorn and consider ourselves blessed to have done so!

take care,  and I do look forward to our continued partnership..... be patient with me, I have a steep learning curve ahead of me.

Dan"

Dan and Penny, we look forward to working with you in the future!

Annie Buck
Pre-Development Manager
Acorn Internet Services