New to this and getting nervous
New to this and getting nervous
Well my cottage went on with Sykes last week and is now fully booked until the middle of September which is much faster than I'd anticipated.
I have friends in there this week to make sure that I haven't overlooked anything obvious but the first "paying guests" will be there on Saturday and I'm getting some very cold feet! Reading the stories on here hasn't helped much either! If some moral support could be spared I'd be grateful.
I keep thinking of all that could possibly go wrong especially as Sykes put it on TripAdvisor!
I have friends in there this week to make sure that I haven't overlooked anything obvious but the first "paying guests" will be there on Saturday and I'm getting some very cold feet! Reading the stories on here hasn't helped much either! If some moral support could be spared I'd be grateful.
I keep thinking of all that could possibly go wrong especially as Sykes put it on TripAdvisor!
I did my first year with Sykes ,and left them simply due to pricing.They certainly get bookings I was still painting and no furniture when I got the call with first booking in a week.
It was totally new to me but my first guests were over the moon to be the first guests,wrote a lovely message in my guest book and boosted my confidence.
Only my third year ßo still lots to learn ,
Well done on the bookings.
It was totally new to me but my first guests were over the moon to be the first guests,wrote a lovely message in my guest book and boosted my confidence.
Only my third year ßo still lots to learn ,
Well done on the bookings.
Thank you all- I have spent too many years working with the great British public to have many illusions left - I don't thinkI have anything to worry about but it's been a mad rush getting the cottage decorated and furnished in time (only decided to buy the cottage at the end of April) and I'm sure I've missed something!
Just hoping the wood supply was delivered today as agreed. It's difficult being 200 miles away, I think I'd be much more relaxed about it if I could just pop over!
I went with the agent this year as being so late to the market I didn't think I could get the marketing sorted out in time and they have a bigger budget than I have. I'm not sure we'll renew next year as I like the thought of being more in control of the pricing and availability and by then I should have learned a thing or two.
Just hoping the wood supply was delivered today as agreed. It's difficult being 200 miles away, I think I'd be much more relaxed about it if I could just pop over!
I went with the agent this year as being so late to the market I didn't think I could get the marketing sorted out in time and they have a bigger budget than I have. I'm not sure we'll renew next year as I like the thought of being more in control of the pricing and availability and by then I should have learned a thing or two.
That sounds like an excellent plan and a well trodden path for many of us. Find your feet then go for lift off!BrynFfynnon wrote:I went with the agent this year as being so late to the market I didn't think I could get the marketing sorted out in time and they have a bigger budget than I have. I'm not sure we'll renew next year as I like the thought of being more in control of the pricing and availability and by then I should have learned a thing or two.
Good luck. I too remember that knot of nerves when your first few guests turn up. It does take a while for your confidence to grow....but it does.
The tip I always give is to tell your first few guests that they are the 1st, 2nd etc. And that you'd be grateful for constructuve feedback. It helps to lessen the nerves and worry that something might be/go wrong.
You've done the right thing though, having friends test it out.
Best of luck and remember there are people here with a wealth of experience all willing to help, should you ever need it!
Mousie
x
The tip I always give is to tell your first few guests that they are the 1st, 2nd etc. And that you'd be grateful for constructuve feedback. It helps to lessen the nerves and worry that something might be/go wrong.
You've done the right thing though, having friends test it out.
Best of luck and remember there are people here with a wealth of experience all willing to help, should you ever need it!
Mousie
x
Last edited by Mouse on Tue Jul 14, 2015 10:04 am, edited 1 time in total.
One martini, two martini, three martini floor!
^ What Mouse said.
Get them on your side - people do like to be asked and to feel they're able to help, and that their input is valued. If your guests know they're first in, and that you'd really appreciate any feedback and suggestions from them no matter how big or small, it changes their whole attitude to something being not quite as expected, or missing, as they already know you want things to be right; rather than complain, they can help. Complaining = feeling bad and grumpy, helping = feeling good. You then have to show yourself to be grateful for all input of course, including "an indoor swimming pool would be nice".
You have remembered the corkscrew haven't you...........? (That one kept me awake and we're on site!)
Get them on your side - people do like to be asked and to feel they're able to help, and that their input is valued. If your guests know they're first in, and that you'd really appreciate any feedback and suggestions from them no matter how big or small, it changes their whole attitude to something being not quite as expected, or missing, as they already know you want things to be right; rather than complain, they can help. Complaining = feeling bad and grumpy, helping = feeling good. You then have to show yourself to be grateful for all input of course, including "an indoor swimming pool would be nice".
You have remembered the corkscrew haven't you...........? (That one kept me awake and we're on site!)
- PW in Polemi
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- Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2012 5:23 am
- Location: A village in Paphos, Cyprus
Well done, BF - it's a steep learning curve, but much easier with LMH helpers
Hope your kitchen knives are sharp - you might feel like wielding one if your guests are too demanding
Seriously, tell your first few guests that they are your first/second/whatever guests and they will be pleased to help. It creates the right impression with them that you care enough to worry if you've remembered everything.
And the egg slicer. And the garlic crusher (4th year and first time of being asked for one!)greenbarn wrote:You have remembered the corkscrew haven't you...........? (That one kept me awake and we're on site!)
Hope your kitchen knives are sharp - you might feel like wielding one if your guests are too demanding
Seriously, tell your first few guests that they are your first/second/whatever guests and they will be pleased to help. It creates the right impression with them that you care enough to worry if you've remembered everything.
Dogs have masters. Cats have slaves!
- kevsboredagain
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- Location: France
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Welcome to LMH. The first year is scary and the fact that you've come to this forum means you care about providing a good service. Give it a few years and you won't worry so much. In fact you might even become very cynical about the whole thing
Hope my thread about Sykes I posted yesterday doesn't scare you too much. It's something you should be thinking about over the next year perhaps.
Hope my thread about Sykes I posted yesterday doesn't scare you too much. It's something you should be thinking about over the next year perhaps.
Thanks for the smiles you've given me!
Yes to the corkscrew ( and a bottle opener)
Yes to the garlic press ( and a cherry/olive pitter - no expense spared!)
No to the egg slicer although they do have a very nice bakestone and I've left my grandmother's recipe for Welsh Cakes! (yes there is a scales!)
I was wondering whether to come clean that they will be the first - I will now.
Yes to the corkscrew ( and a bottle opener)
Yes to the garlic press ( and a cherry/olive pitter - no expense spared!)
No to the egg slicer although they do have a very nice bakestone and I've left my grandmother's recipe for Welsh Cakes! (yes there is a scales!)
I was wondering whether to come clean that they will be the first - I will now.