by Stephanie Smith | Jun 24, 2019 | IHG, SEO
IHG Brand websites received an upgrade with functionality that allows you to do custom call to action buttons on the home page. Located at the bottom of the home page, these buttons stand out with custom images and content. Even better, you can send them to a...
by Stephanie Smith | May 30, 2019 | Hilton, IHG, Marriott, OTAs, SEO, Strategy
Stephanie Sparks Smith of Cogwheel Marketing was interviewed by Russell L Edmond of Russell of Hotels on LA Talk Radio on May 28, 2019. Also available via Podcast from Russell of Hotels. Topics of discussion: Hotel digital marketing for branded versus independent...
by Stephanie Smith | Dec 11, 2018 | Content, Hilton, IHG, Marriott, OTAs, Paid Marketing, SEO, Social, Strategy
Where does the Brand Level Marketing Stop and Hotel Level Marketing Begin? You own or manage a franchised hotel under a specific flag. The brand may or may not have given you some marketing guidelines, or was wrapped up in onboarding training. Maybe your hotel just...
by Stephanie Smith | Oct 31, 2018 | Content, Hilton, IHG, Images, Marriott, OTAs, Paid Marketing, SEO, Social, Strategy
A new hotel opening or changing of flags has so many moving parts. As an owner or manager overseeing this transition, you are likely wearing multiple hats. Here is a hotel pre-opening marketing plan and checklist from a digital standpoint to ensure you are building...
by Brett & Sally Patterson | Oct 23, 2018 | Hilton, IHG, Images, Marriott, Vendors
Hotel photography rules and standards have changed quickly. Previously, any photographer could shoot your hotel. Resolution requirements, brand standards for photography, and images rejected by websites did not exist. Read these 7 tips to ensure your company has...
by Stephanie Smith | Sep 20, 2018 | IHG
IHG recently decided to make it a policy that vanity (or independent) sites were not allowed for certain brands, with a 3 month compliance. Brands don’t approve of vanity sites because they are hard to control, may cause guest confusion, lack of loyalty integration...
