"When I started BnBFinder.com, innkeepers were more interested in getting a fax machine than creating a professional website," White said. "Google and the term 'search engine optimization' were non-existent. Today, innkeepers are taking reservations online and embracing technology by using availability systems, online reservation programs, property management systems and communicating with their guests electronically."
White is also the author of Running a Bed & Breakfast for Dummies, published in 2009 by Wiley Publishing. The book is a fantastic resource for aspiring innkeepers and even current innkeepers who want to do a better job.
It is packed with the practical, down-to-earth information that anyone considering becoming a bed and breakfast innkeeper really needs to know. The For Dummies format works well for the information presented, with many checklists spread through the book and chapters covering topics from record-keeping to breakfast preparation, from buying an inn to hiring employees.
I highly recommend Running a Bed & Breakfast for Dummies for anyone considering innkeeping as a career.
White answered some questions for us about her book, why she wrote it, and what it takes to be a successful innkeeper.
There are a number of excellent "how to become an innkeeper" books already available. Why did you decide to write Running a Bed and Breakfast For Dummies?
At BnBFinder.com we get numerous calls from prospective innkeepers who have "been cutting out recipes for five years," "who have beautiful homes" or "whose friends tell them they would be great innkeepers."
But, anyone who works or has worked in the bed and breakfast industry knows, these traits are just a starting point. Running a bed and breakfast is a business that takes effort, discipline, money, a well constructed plan and management skills.
When Wiley Publishing approached me to write this book as part of the For Dummies series, I jumped at the chance to write a book that would address real issues and challenges that are often overlooked. My goal was to create a realistic, up-to-date, practical guide that incorporated all types, styles and B&B locations for new and existing innkeepers that wanted to run a successful bed and breakfast.
Although there are a number of great "how to become an innkeeper" type of books on the market, a lot of changes have taken place within the B&B industry since these books were written. For example, today's aspiring innkeeper needs an overview of search engines, social networking, branding and technology. All these topics are covered in Running a Bed & Breakfast For Dummies.
How does your book stand out from the others?
Running a Bed & Breakfast For Dummies is the most current, relevant and comprehensive resource book that is available today. It's an all-inclusive guide that answers basic and complex questions and addresses issues and stumbling blocks that innkeepers face on a daily basis.
My 11-plus years of experience in the industry has allowed me to work with thousands of innkeepers who run various inns around the world, as well as consult with a team of innkeeping professionals to create this how-to book that answers questions and offers practical solutions with real-life examples.
What are the biggest misconceptions that people have about being an innkeeper?
There are two big misconceptions that people have about innkeeping. First people underestimate the amount of work that is involved and second, many people are unaware of the number of permits and variances that are required to run an inn.
Good innkeepers make innkeeping look easy, so many people have an idyllic view of a charmed life that involves living in a nice house, visiting with interesting guests, cooking, being creative and all of the fun perks, all the while overlooking the long hours and the cleaning!
Prospective innkeepers also make the mistake that a great location is all it takes to open the right B&B without seriously taking the time to consider zoning restrictions and other obstacles before putting an offer down on a property.
What qualities does it take to be a successful innkeeper?
For starters, successful innkeepers must like people, have good stamina, possess a sense of humor and have a realistic plan.
The old saying, failure to plan is planning to fail, is especially true when it comes to innkeeping. Prospective innkeepers need to consider their personal strengths and weaknesses as well as their likes and dislikes to find out if one has what it takes to succeed and to most importantly enjoy what they are doing.
What are the biggest changes that you have seen in the B&B industry since you started BnBFinder.com?
It's been exciting to be a part of the B&B industry and watch the industry develop. The growth of professional industry associations, the resources and the training that they offer have made the B&B industry more professional and cohesive.
The biggest change that I've noticed is how innkeepers use the Internet to market to their guests. I believe the Internet will be the driving force in the changes that we see over the next ten years, as evidenced by the boom in social networking.
Blogging, user reviews and email newsletters are here to stay and I predict that they will increase in importance.
Did anything surprise you while writing this book?
No, not really, although I always find it interesting how many different solutions innkeepers offer to the same scenario. For example, the different ways that innkeepers handle cancellations, what they do about late arrivals, how they deal with picky eaters, their differing opinions on decorating guest rooms and even their strategies for pricing their rooms. All these make the B&B lodging experience unique and one-of-a-kind.
