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Marketing Promotions - Don't get thrown in Marketing Jail!
Description
Let's talk about something that trips up so many hosts – marketing promotions. You know the sort: giveaways, discounts, special offers. They can be brilliant for filling gaps and growing your audience, but get them wrong, and you'll land yourself in what I call "marketing jail."
No, there won't be sirens or handcuffs, but you might end up with angry guests, awkward refund requests, or even your social accounts shut down. And if you're really unlucky, you could find yourself in proper legal hot water.
In this episode, I'm walking you through the three big promotional pitfalls I see short-term rental and glamping owners fall into all the time.
We'll cover the UK rules around giveaways and prize draws (yes, there are actual regulations!), what Meta allows on Instagram and Facebook (spoiler: they have very different rules despite being the same company), and how to handle those dreaded messages from existing guests who want your new offer applied to their existing booking.
I'll share why promotions are one of the most complained-about marketing activities in the UK, and how to protect yourself with proper terms and conditions. Because honestly, you don't want to accidentally turn your free prize draw into a lottery, or be forced to give away a peak summer weekend because you weren't specific enough about your prize.
If you're thinking about running any kind of promotion, this episode will help you do it properly without the headaches.
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Key Takeaways:
- Prize draws must be free to enter – never require a purchase or booking to participate
- Always have clear terms and conditions that specify who can enter, what the prize is, when it's valid, and any exclusions
- Instagram and Facebook have different rules for promotions, even though they're owned by Meta
- Be strategic about why you're running a promotion – don't just do it for vanity metrics like follower counts
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More resources:
Check out my Promotions & Offers training - available in THE FULLY BOOKED BUSINESS CLUB™.
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Do you have a marketing roadmap for your business?
No more winging it and feeling like you are in constant marketing chaos! Create your easy-to-follow marketing roadmap for the year ahead. My Direct Bookings Bootcamp is now available ON DEMAND! Let’s make this the best year yet for direct bookings! Head to my website for more info.
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