Running a Bed and Breakfast
Profitably

Running a bed and breakfast profitably takes many skills and adherence to 10 marketing priorities.

This award-winning site emphasizes making the correct operating choices plus powerful resources to assist you in “getting it right.”

While your goal is to provide your guests an outstanding stay experience, your challenge is to understand the skills you require in order to be successful.

Common with any business are accounting, planning, marketing, management, staffing and technology skills.

Specific to running a bed and breakfast are the skills of cooking, serving your guests, safety, decorating, cleaning and 24/7 hours of responsibility.

That said, starting a bed and breakfast appeals to an ever-increasing number of entrepreneurs.

Bed and Breakfast Statistics

The Professional Association of Innkeepers International , (PAII) provides these latest tidbits.

These insights will aid in your business planning and give you a comparison of your situation with industry standards.

• The B&B industry has an estimated worth of $3.2 billion
• There are 17,000 inns in the U.S.
• The typical B&B has between 4 and 11 rooms, with 6 being the average
• Fully 94% have private baths
• Average size of B&Bs is 5,700 square feet
• Most B&Bs have these in-room amenities: TV, Internet (WiFi), fireplace, robes, jetted tub, upscale toiletries and a luxury bed/bed linens
• 72% of inn owners are couples, 18% are individual females, 5% individual males and 5% are non-couple partnerships
• 79% of all owners live on the premises
• Financially, the average occupancy rate is 43.7%, the average daily room rate is $150, and the revenue per available room is $58

The B&B Bible: Running a Bed and Breakfast...from the Ground Up

You may initially cast a doubt that a $29.95 ebook, Starting a Bed and Breakfast Guidebook really has the "every detail" you'll need to start, grow and operate a successful B&B.

You may hold that view because you assume "how valuable a resource can this really be for less than 30-bucks?"

But, by the time you view the complete table of contents and start reading, well, you'll not be able to stop!

What sets this ebook apart from the hundreds of paperback texts is that it is readable, realistic and contains a ton of smart information.

Even if you're just exploring or trying to determine if running a bed and breakfast is for you, this inexpensive guide provides insight into your potential bed and breakfast business like few others. And, of course, there is a money-back guarantee to back it up.

First Things First

• There are multiple websites that post B&Bs that are for sale including the PAII link above.

  If you decide to go this route, then the basic business planning work of determining your target market (tourism, business, special occasions and just an extra room for relatives/visitors of local residents), business license, proper zoning, signage, pricing your rooms, marketing opportunities, amenities to be offered, financials and reputation of the inn are available for you to examine.

  Plus, you can choose what part of the country to live in...a bonus indeed.

• If you plan to start from scratch, then, of course, you'll need to determine all of the above factors by yourself.
• Please note that running a bed and breakfast business will probably not provide a high-income.

  However, most of your day-to-day living expenses may be rolled into your business expenses...a nice bonus.

• Starting Successful Home Sewing Business Opportunitiesa bed and breakfast is not a small dollar investment.

  5,000-plus square feet is a lot of house!

  Plus there is the renovation including plumbing, electrical, parking, fixtures and the furnishing and decorating of your home and the quest quarters.

• However, by educating yourself in the operation of your style of B&B and seeking help from professionals, the likelihood that your business will be successful is great.
• To get you on the road, here is an outline of a free business plan specifically for running a bed and breakfast.

  This will offer a roadmap to guide you. Plus, your bank will require you to present your own business plan.

Marketing A Bed and Breakfast

A major factor in running a bed and breakfast lies in the marketing of it.

The concept of marketing typically starts with developing your B&B product.

Local market research including the competition's pricing structure, setting your own pricing, identifying promotions, having a visually enhanced business website and deciding how, where, when and budget level for advertising follow.

Deciding on the methods to use in marketing a bed and breakfast is generally the most difficult decision a B&B owner undertakes.

To simplify this process listed below, in order of importance, are the methods many B&Bs use in guiding them to profitability.

1. Please consider a name for your B&B which reflects the right message for your product. Your name and B&B style should support each other.

   If you decide your business will focus on being a luxury bed and breakfast, for example, your inn’s name should reflect that tenor.

2. Having a photo enhanced "business" website that is easily navigated by its visitor.

   Be sure your site uses the appropriate "keywords" best suited to your style of B&B (historic, urban, rural, tourism, business, specific location, etc., etc.).

   Just having a website will not get you found.

   Website success is determined by having your information presented so your site will PreSell its visitor (without being in-your-face).

3. A listing in multiple B&B Directories is essential. This marketing task ranks second behind having a solid business website.
4. If your B&B offers 6 or more guest rooms please strongly consider contracting with a Reservation Service (there are several in the marketplace).

   This is a private concern that supplements your reservation-making efforts, charging you a small fee for their service.

   In addition they will advertise your business.

   With 6 or more guest rooms, you will need all the help you can get in running a bed and breakfast.

   Higher occupancy rates will more than pay for their services.

5. If capturing the tourism dollar is a major focus then joining local, regional and/or state tourism organizations is your next marketing priority.

   These are all in the business of marketing their member’s businesses.

6. Specialized travel magazines abound. A small ad, even a classified-type ad is very rewarding in attracting guests. Please try one magazine at a time to track results.
7. Now it’s time to accomplish small, but effective marketing activities: business cards, a brochure, letterhead and envelopes.

   Many entrepreneurs believe these activities should be the first task to be done. However, accomplishing higher priority marketing first will drive more business your way.

8. For anticipated slow times of the year, please select multiple weekends during this time frame for special promotions.

   Pursue your personal interests in identifying these. Your imagination is limitless: mystery weekend, a couples pampering weekend (with spa and massage), relive your vows with a tie-the-knot weekend, bridge game (or other game) weekend, magic trick (as in share your own magic tricks with fellow guests) weekend, etc., etc., etc.

9. Intermingled with all of the above priorities can be locally-emphasized activities like weddings, birthday parties, retirement parties, business retreats and business seminars.

Remember to plan for a positive experience for your guests. Your guests choose you over a hotel because they want personal touches.

Therefore, the small, but large impact details of having cookies, candies, a flower in their room or on tables in the breakfast area, a personal follow-up letter (not email) and even a brief monthly/quarterly newsletter can make all the difference.

Word-of-mouth recommendations are “the most popular” way people find your B&B.

So make the time for running a bed and breakfast right!

That Special Breakfast

There is nothing like hosting a truly great breakfast coupled with the warm personality of the inn’s owners.

That’s the #1 reason people choose a B&B.

In running a bed and breakfast, you must plan this special event with foods that will please your guests and not just you.

Personal touches include having fresh, excellent quality food products served attractively.

At the time of your guest’s reservation ask for special dietary needs (proof of a personal touch). In addition, your breakfast should include whole grains; seasonal fruits (and even a vegetable or two), cereal, bran muffins or fresh baked multi-grain bread. Eggs and a meat choice may be added.

Your special breakfast is best if it includes a variety of hot and cold foods, textures, flavors and colors.

Lastly, please note that your guest will notice the cleanliness and sanitation conditions of your kitchen and dining areas. All, of course, must be spotless.

FREE On-going Help in Running a Bed and Breakfast

Truly profitable B&B owners pick the brains of fellow innkeepers. They contribute their “what worked and what failed” for them through the participation in industry forums.

It’s always easier to not reinvent the wheel when running a bed and breakfast. Forums provide a ton of friendly real world information.

The best B&B forum is innspiring.com . It is really worth your while (as in $$ to be made) to actively participate.

Running a Bed and Breakfast Summary

1. Making the time to complete a business plan and conduct the necessary market research will pay solid financial dividends.
2. Investing under $30 in the “Starting a Bed and Breakfast Guidebook” (link above) will provide a feet-on-the-ground reality check to see if starting a bed and breakfast fits your dream.
3. Successful innkeepers get their marketing priorities right.

   Developing a picture-focused “business website” is a must.

   Just having a website is not good enough. Your site must not only be found on the Web but be designed to captivate your visitor's warmth on selecting your business.

4. Hosting a special fresh breakfast to meet the desires of your guests in a clean and sanitary environment is why people chose you in the first place and generate positive word-of-mouth advertising.

Thank you for visiting Running a Bed and Breakfast Profitably.


Additional Home Business Ideas


Successful Home Sewing Business Opportunities

Start a Pet Food Delivery Business NOW

Stage Homes to Sell: A VERY Profitable Business

Run a Catering Business from Home

How to Start an Internet Business

Good Things Happen with a Drop Shipping Business

The #1 Home Business: Bookkeeping

Starting a Low Cost Handyman Business Successfully

Starting a Business Courier Service on a Budget

Start and Market Successfully a Consulting Business

Easily Start a Small Business Marketing Service

Build a Profitable Food Business from Home

Build a Custom Drapery Business That's a Goldmine

Meet the Need for a Small Business Answering Service

Choose a Bicycle Business for You

See How Easy it is to Start a Tutoring Business

Start an Internet Article Writing Business

Mystery Shopping for Fun and Profit

Starting a PIZZA Business the RIGHT Way

The Yoga Studio Business

Starting a Home Soap Making Business





See 100s more business ideas at Legitimate Small Home Business Ideas.

Please go from Running a Bed and Breakfast Profitably to the Profitable Small Business Ideas homepage.

New! Comments