Loudoun Bed & Breakfast Guild Looks Toward Rebrand

 2020-02-12  LoudounNow Article

Members of the Loudoun Bed and Breakfast Guild met with members of the county Board of Supervisors on Monday night to brief the county leaders on issues facing their industry and to roll out the early work of a rebranding effort.

The nonprofit was formed in 2004 as a small networking group and has grown to 32 lodging members with 157 rooms—helping to preserve about 800 acres of rural land.

Guild President Ellen Goldberg, owner of the Briar Patch Bed and Breakfast that hosted the event, said the B&Bs offer visitors more than just a place to sleep for the night and a morning meal. Instead, they also play an important role in helping guests get the most out of their visit and promoting the offerings of other area businesses. “What really sets us apart from those short-term rentals that are just renting a room in somebody’s house or just giving somebody a key to use their facility is that we are the concierges and ambassadors to western Loudoun, guiding visitors to our wineries, breweries, fine dining, specialty shops, historic sites and outdoor recreation experiences,” Goldberg said.

In the era of AirBnB, the guild is working to raise its profile. That includes updating its branding. The organization is in the process of changing its name and building a new web portal. When it emerges as BnBs of Loudoun, members also will be touting their offerings of “unique stays and memorable experiences.”

Visit Loudoun President Beth Erickson pointed out that Loudoun is the third largest tourism generator in the commonwealth—ahead of places like Virginia Beach and Charlottesville—and that the guild contributes to that success.

County supervisors attending the meeting thanked the organization for its leadership and said they will continue to look to that group and others like Visit Loudoun for advice on important issues.

“The guild is a strong part of our rural economy, an integral part of our rural economy. Our rural economy is one of the best in Virginia,” Supervisor Tony R. Buffington (R-Blue Ridge) said. “We’re one of the strongest in Virginia and If not for the guild we might not be as strong as we are.”

County Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) said one thing she wants to do better in her second term is bring the west and east together. “We have so many people moving to the county—33 people a day move to our county—and most of them move, obviously, into the east so they don’t know about the west,” she said.

Supervisors acknowledged that there is still work to be done on how to apply the county’s Transient Occupancy Tax to online rental businesses and have stated that the guild’s input would be important.

Goldberg said some guild members do market rooms though online services like AirBnB. “It’s not that we’re against AirBnB, we just want a level playing field,” Goldberg said. That means finding a way to ensure those businesses are paying the same taxes as others in the overnight hospitality industry. “If you are accepting compensation for renting out just one room, you should be paying the county lodging tax.”

Randall said the topic is expected to come back for board review this summer, but she’s not in favor of taxing all rentals, like a family occasionally renting out an empty room in their home.

Freshman Supervisor Caleb A. Kershner (R-Catoctin) said he’s confident the new board will continue work to protect the county’s rural areas by promoting businesses that keep land open. “I think we’re doing good things. Sometimes we agree to disagree, but overall in terms of the rural economy and B&Bs, we’ve got a pretty good consensus,” he said.

Google 2020: Developing Your Search Plan

Q4Launch held another very informative webinar on Wednesday February 12, 2020 entitled “Google 2020: Developing Your Search Plan.”

They started off first, by answering the question: Why Does this Matter? They stated that industry standards are showing ~40% of website traffic comes from Google organic searches, and 50% of direct bookings comes that organic traffic. They also state that travelers have more than 850 digital touch points on their planning journey, including over 150 searches. They noted that travelers planning their journey typically do so over a 3-month period. Bottom line: it keeps getting harder to succeed; and therefore your search strategies need to evolve to support the changes in Google and other sources If you want to stand out from the competition.

They state that basic factors will continue to be important, and therefore recommend focusing on the basics first… get back to the fundamentals: Search Engine Optimization (SEO), have an SEO presence to make your site relevant for the search query. Prominence, how popular is your site via different signals (including reviews). Are you trending? Incorporate relevant content and depth of content. Keep Your content current, fresh and up-to-date; check it and change it often. Don’t let your website content become stagnant. As links to other sites are important, so are the links pointing back to your website. Integrate reciprocal links/back links from partner sites.

There will be more competition than ever in 2020. There are more travelers, yet not growing as fast as the inventory In the marketplace. Companies like Airbnb are focusing more on host acquisition which is flooding the market for alternatives to hotels…and B&Bs/Inns. In addition, Google Travel is expanding Expanding hotel searches by adding vacation rentals. There are more Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) than ever and there is more inventory than there has ever been. Demand in 2020 is not exceeding supply, which usually means a coward trend in pricing. If supply exceeds demand – than focus on what you can control – Driving Demand for Your Product/Service.

Your website is the foundation of your SEO success. Your site needs to be easy to update, recency is key. It needs to be easy to use, have fast loading page speed and fast customer service responses, as well as proactively getting better.

Technology has definitely changed with the onset of Voice Searches to various devices such as “Hey Siri” and ”Alexa”. Voice searches is forecast to grow to 50% in 2020 when it comes to search query vehicles. They stated that This will increase long-tail, very specific key words. Voice search results are pulled from Google Featured Snippets. However, most of the forecast is for non-specific items verses items where there are a number of product specifics that need to be determined. The example they used was salt and shirt. With salt, you know exactly what you are looking for. With a shirt, there is the sleeve length, color, collar, pocket, button-down, pull over, etc. to be considered. Since lodging also has many attributes, they expect it will take time before being added to our space. However, start to prepare for it. Think about your content differently. How do people search for your product? Create your content strategy around your answer. So how do you optimize content for featured snippets… do a Google search for many suggestions, but remember that most question-based keywords start with Who, What, When, Where and How. Know what your top 10 pages are… and ensure each is doing a good job of answering these questions. Each page should make it easy for a first-time visitor to know you and for you to guide their behavior flow.

Another important thing to consider is that Google is also ranking internal pages, not just home pages. So build target ‘long-tail keywords’ to get more search traffic. Long-tail keywords are unpopular, (i.e. low volume) and highly-focused search queries that tend to convert exceptionally well. They stated that the average conversion rate of site visitors to those that book is .04%. So, if you want to accomplish 2019 results in 2020, they say you need to double your traffic and double your conversion rates.

5-Star reviews matter more in 2020 than before. Search engines are leveraging reviews and will show business with 5-stars since they will serve the need, over who’s website is best. Q4Launch says that they have a 5-star application to help lodging businesses to get more reviews. Visit their site for more information on this. They say that one of your Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) should be increasing the number of your 5-star reviews.

Google My Business – Make sure you have claimed and verified your business. Ensure your listing is complete and accurate, and updated often. Make sure your Name, Address & Phone (NAP) are consistent on every marketing vehicle. Enhance your listing with special features, blog posts, or Q&As. Respond quickly to reviewers and to those who ask you questions.

“Entity Authority,” meaning getting more people engaged in your network, will be one key factor. How popular are you in social networks? Are you using Google Mail (Gmail) to communicate – as this is Apparently a factor that is being tied to your SEO. Create content and campaigns to get attention and boast performance such as likes and comments. Then they suggest, follow-up with a selling post to drive traffic to your website. More traffic = more conversion!

Google Ads are important in 2020. Paid search results which are at the top of the results page, are pushing organic results further down the page… maybe even on the next page which can impact the number of visitors to your site. So consider a Pay Per Click advertising model to drive traffic to your website. Q4Launch, stated that $0.50 – $1.00 should be your target Cost per Click (CPC).

Shift your strategy in 2020. Have a game plan to monitor and respond proactively… remember there is more product than demand.

And lastly, Google Maps – make sure your business is listed on maps, since these results are coming up before organic search results.

What Your Website Needs in 2020

Q4Launch, a digital marketing company focused on the hospitality industry, offers a six-part marketing boot camp. These boot camps are designed to share knowledge and provide information on tools they provide that are available to successfully launch an integrated digital marketing strategy and design around driving more direct online bookings to your website. So yes, there is a sales pitch… but there is a lot of good data too! And many might be able to use their assistance.

In the Jan 29th  “What Your Website Needs in 2020” webinar, they stressed that “Your Website is the Most Critical Revenue-Generating Resource” and noted in a world of constantly changing technologies and industry trends; that we should be asking ourselves: Is my website the best? Is it up-to-date? Is it older than 3-years? Is it time for an upgrade? Of course, if you answer yes to any of these questions – they are available to help.

They stated “Speed Matters”, Go Live FAST, Get Support FAST, and Load FAST(er). Even if your website is not complete or perfect, data or pages maybe not be polished, they recommend going live FAST as time is money and there are opportunity costs with delays. Support FAST refers to having resources to assist you quickly as well as providing responses quickly to your sites visitors. Load FAST(er) speaks to the trade off from images and heavy text that look pretty and tell you more… but can also delay your site from loading and your visitor could have already bounced from your page.

On the topic of “Unique Brand Strategy”, they asked: What do you have that ONLY you have?  The answer: YOU! You’re the most special thing about your business. They suggest that you lead with the story of you. That you should show you off, since really… no one else will, well, at least not as well as you.  Also engage site visitors with messages and images that say to them “You Belong” and “You Should Be Apart of This”.  

Their mantra… “Make Every Visit Count”. How do you do that? Clear call to actions throughout your website. Make it abundantly clear what the visitor should do next. Is there anything other than the “Book Now” button that can be used? Remember that every page is a doorway to more data so keep your pages short and focused. Use pop-ups sparingly. Think about adding a live chat feature to provide instant gratification to site visitors in addressing any questions they have before booking.

In designing your website, remember that there are unique elements between designing for Desktop verses Mobile. Know how people are accessing your site. Q4Launch stated that mobile traffic which was growing year-over-year has now stabilized at about 55%. Desktop is at 35% and Tablets are at 10%. Part of this shift is due to increases in e-commerce conversion rates and the fact that users are becoming more comfortable with booking online. So when you’re designing your website design for both experiences… but focus on Mobile. Software is also constantly changing and updating and the development of websites via acquiring Software as a Service (SaaS) applications are making it easier to implement and more cost-effective over the traditional custom built platforms that were time consuming and very expensive. They say that traditional builds are dying, and that we should launch for the future. This is the service Q4 offers. They state that they develop future-proof websites for the hospitality industry. They charge a base design fee, then monthly maintenance to update the code often, add new features, implement technology patches. They take care of the back end to websites.

On the topic of 2020 Website Design Trends key attributes are minimalisation, whitespace, interactivity, and increased contrast focusing attention to American with Disabilities Act (ADA) website compliance requirements. Also… make sure your site is secure, mobile responsive, and updated regularly!

Lastly, they recommend to MEASURE EVERYTHING! How often are you looking at the analytics? What are your top 3 referral sources? What are your top 5 Landing Pages? Knowing this will help you to focus your website marketing plan to user behavior, and to also adjust your website to drive users behavior the way you want them to go.

History along the Highway: A Guided Tour from Gilbert’s Corner to Atoka

Tuesday, September 17, 2019 9:30am – 3:00pm (please RSVP by Tuesday, September 3, 2019 Middle Grove Inn middlegroveinn@comcast.net)

Join us for a day of exploring some of the Route 50 Historic areas!

 

Offered by members of the Loudoun Heritage Consortium
Free for Members and Partners of the Guild. Each attendee will need to pay for their own lunch. Transportation will be provided free of charge.

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9:30     Meet at Mt. Zion Church Historic Park, 40309 John Mosby Highway, Aldie.

Built in 1851, Mt. Zion served as a church until 1980, except for the four years of the Civil War.  As an introduction to our tour, you’ll hear from Historic Site Manager Tracy Gillespie about its prominent location at the intersection of two historic highways, and why it’s known today as a “place of war and a place of peace.”

 

10:00   Depart for Aldie Mill on-board your bus

You’ll be accompanied by Loudoun historian, esteemed educator, and former director of the Mosby Heritage Area Association, Richard Gillespie.  Rich will provide commentary during your entire tour route.

 

 

10:15   Aldie Mill Historic Park, 39401 John Mosby Highway, Aldie.

 

Award-winning miller Mike Devine will welcome you to our grist mill, which operated from 1809-1971.  See how the mill grinds corn into meal, watch the water wheel turning, and hear the stories of its founding and its role in the Civil War from Tracy and Rich.

 

11:15   Depart for lunch at Briar Patch B&B, 23130 Briar Patch Lane, Aldie.

Our lunch venue perfectly fits with our theme today, as it sits on land that was a part of the June 17, 1863 Battle of Aldie.  Rich will share some of the history of the battle with us during lunch.

 

 

1:00     Depart for Atoka, 1461 Atoka Road, Atoka.

 

Upon our arrival at Atoka, you’ll be welcomed by Jennifer Moore, President of the Mosby Heritage Area Association.  Jennifer will introduce you to the Mosby Heritage Area, which has a diverse and rich history and includes a nineteenth-century landscape that is one of the best preserved in the nation.   We’ll be inside the ca. 1801 stone house that has seen over two centuries of history pass by its front door and happen in its parlor – including Civil War history associated with JEB Stuart and John Mosby.

 

2:15     Depart for the Battle of Middleburg/Mt. Defiance Historic Park, Middleburg.

The final stop on our tour will be Mt. Defiance, site of the June 19, 1863 cavalry battle of Middleburg.  Rich will share some human interest stories of the cavalrymen from both sides who fought at the site on that hot and humid day, and we’ll see the granite monument to men of the First Maine Cavalry.

 

2:45     Depart for our return to Mt. Zion.

 

3:00     Tour ends.

 

Each attendee will pay for their lunch.  Please RSVP to Vicki Moore from Middle Grove Inn middlegroveinn@comcast.net by Tuesday, September 3, 2019.

 

 

Rural Farm Tour 2019 Was A Success!

Rural Loudoun Tour June 5, 2019

This educational, fun-filled day in the country includes:

• A tour of CEA Farms (Controlled Environment Agriculture). View their hydroponic greenhouse and learn the innovative technologies they use. Purchase farm fresh organic products at the farm market.

• A tour of Blooming Hill Lavender Farm where you will learn about the art of growing various types of lavender along with an opportunity to shop at the gift shop, purchase plants, or try homemade lavender ice cream.

• A wagon tour of the fields and orchards of Great Country Farms, including a stop to pick a ½ pint of fruit. Learn about composting, growing practices, and bees.

• A tour of Bluemont Vineyard to learn about the grape growing process, harvesting, and winemaking.

• Chef’s Table and Wine Pairing at Bluemont Vineyard. This four-course foodie experience at the farm table combines the freshest produce from Great County Farms, with favorite wines, expertly paired with each course.

$90 per person (a $200 value!), includes transportation, tours, and the Chef’s Table and Wine Pairing.  Limited to 12 participants, first come, first served basis.

Registration:

To register, please name the B&B where you are staying and then click register to be taken to Paypal to reserve your spot.  Please register by May 31st!

(Only available for guests staying at the B&Bs of the Loudoun B&B Guild)

Top 6 Reasons to Visit Loudoun’s Wine Country

One of the best things about visiting Northern Virginia is it feels like you could spend days visiting all the wineries, and still find more that you haven’t visited yet. Loudoun County alone boasts 44 of the 280 wineries in Virginia (16%) as of 2017, more than any other county in the Commonwealth.  The wineries are embraced by visitors and locals alike, with more wineries planned in the coming years.  If that isn’t reason enough to visit Loudoun County’s vineyards, here are more reasons to make your way here:

1. Enjoy the Country Vistas and Open Spaces

Loudoun County is nestled at the top of Virginia, surrounded by the Potomac River to the northwest and is surrounded by showcasing the Loudoun Valley which lies between the Catoctin and Bull Run Mountains to the east and also the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west. The area is often hilly with some great vineyards like Bluemont making full use of these views. 

In addition, Western Loudoun also has a rich farming heritage leaving much of the land undeveloped and giving visitors a chance to see gorgeous country scenes, and plenty of land to explore.  Despite being rural and quiet, Loudoun County is very accessible thanks to the Dulles International Airport, and routes in and out of the county like the Dulles Greenway and historic Route 15.

2.  Visit Our Historic Sites

Loudoun County’s wineries are surrounded by history, thanks to the county’s strategic location during the Civil War.  For an outdoor adventure you can visit Ball’s Bluff Battlefield and National Cemetery. After that, you can visit one of our man historic homes including Oatlands Historic House and Gardens and Dodona Manor which was home to George C. Marshall of the Marshall plan.

3.  Not Just Wineries

Though you might be visiting some of the best wineries in Loudoun County such as Fabbioli Cellars, Bluemont Vineyard, or Crushed Cellars you might also be interested in the many craft breweries we have.  Make sure to take a look at Lost Rhino Brewery, Dragon Hops, and Crooked Run Brewing for some great atmosphere.

Alcohol not your style?  Maybe some tea will suit your fancy.

4.  Dine at our local farm to table restaurants

There is a lot of passion for farming in Loudoun and not just about the wine.  Many restaurants are interested in sourcing local and sustainable ingredients for your dinner table.  For instance, some of our favorite farm to table restaurants are The Restaurant at Potowmack Farm, Market Table Bistro, and Grandale Restaurant.

5.  Stay at our Bed and Breakfasts hosted by locals that will guide your stay

Most importantly, we had to mention the hosts of our Bed & Breakfasts in Loudoun County that will be happy to help you plan your D.C. wine country journey by giving you the best, local advice while enjoying your stay.  The experience can be anything from a beautiful historic home to your own private cottage in the beautiful rural landscape.  There are bed & breakfasts with pools, with wedding & event sites, and of course cozy rooms with breakfast!

Check out our Bed & Breakfast members here to learn more about staying in Loudoun County in style!