Hi Meghan,
It does help and I appreciate the recommendations.
I have in the meantime contacted the universities directly by email and phone, but it's a big place and I sense we will get lost in the clutter. I know several teachers and students and went that route as well. The University does not put anything on their website in terms of links to lodging in the area. I am trying to find a brilliant idea that is free or cheap. Rare animal but possible.
As you say LinkedIn is not very appropriate to that, except via the groups, if there is a specific group.
I have to say though that on one of the LinkedIn Groups' discussion boards a former Innkeeper told me what he did which was brillantissomo.
Basically he prepared prestamped postcards with photos of his Inn, which he distributed to Students so they could write home, and let people know they were OK. Obviously in our case a small blurb about special pricing and web address would hit the spot. I think that's the bee's knees and probably the silver bullet.
FaceBook seems to be a great place to spread the news via Student groups, fan pages, and students as long as it is written as news and info rather than an ad. Text needs to be right or they get peeved.
For Twitter I am less convinced for now. It seems like chatter and clutter and the equivalent of web ADHD. Example I posted this on Twitter as a test:
"Twitter Test Run ~ First Person to Call 828-963-2626 receives a Free $100 Gift Certificate Towards Lodging"
I have 250 followers and so far zip.
The reason it is important is because we spin out specials and packages, and co-brand websites at phenomenal rates. We probably have 25 websites pointing to our main site, and from our main site to our sub-sites. It is slow waiting for Google to find, index and present. Sometimes a few months before it really becomes visible. And we do quite well with SEO, Proof in the pudding: type "North Carolina Bed and Breakfast" or "Bed and Breakfast North Carolina" in Google and you will see us right under you.
Yet by the time our specials show up on Google, it's better than nothing, but not exactly lightning.
Obviously our specials page leads to all this, but I was looking for something more targeted and outreach oriented which landed directly in front of the folks I need.
I do think social media is an art form and the more you get it, the better you can do.
After PAII Atlanta, I went into it in a big way and seee results everywhere but Twitter which until now sorta baflles me. I guess it's just not my thing. I will keep at it for a whil;e to see if I can get it.
Thanks again,
Henri
Henri Deschamps
The Mast Farm Inn
http://www.mastfarminn.com