When it comes to growing your direct booking business, email marketing is one of the most effective tools in your arsenal. But to get started, you need to focus on building a high-quality email list. That means collecting emails in ways that feel natural, valuable, and respectful to your guests. In this post, we’ll explore five strategic methods to collect emails and how to ensure you’re doing it right.
1. Seamless Collection During the Booking Process
The booking process offers an ideal opportunity to collect email addresses. When guests finalize their reservation, include prompts for:
- Rental Agreements: Guests often need to sign agreements, and requesting their email for document delivery feels logical and non-intrusive.
- Insurance Confirmations: If your booking flow includes travel insurance options, these can also tie into email collection.
By integrating these steps seamlessly, you not only collect emails but also enhance the professional feel of your booking process. On platforms like CraftedStays, you can optimize your booking flow to capture these details without adding friction to the user experience.
2. WiFi Login at the Property
Offering free WiFi is a basic guest expectation, but it’s also a smart touchpoint for email collection. Guests can provide their email address to log in to your WiFi network, especially if you position it as part of a personalized welcome experience.
Tip: Pair the login with a branded splash page that explains the benefits of sharing their email, like exclusive discounts or local recommendations for their stay.
3. QR Codes On-Site
Adding QR codes at your property can encourage guests to engage. But why would guests take the time to scan them? Here’s how you can make it worthwhile:
- Exclusive Offers: Link the QR code to a landing page offering a discount on their next stay if they subscribe.
- Local Insights: Provide access to a curated guide of local activities or dining spots, unlocked by entering their email.
- Stay Feedback: Use QR codes to invite guests to share feedback, ensuring a smoother check-out process.
Keep the design clean and ensure the QR code leads to a mobile-friendly page. Platforms like CraftedStays can embed forms seamlessly into these pages, making email capture effortless.
4. Email Collection Through Your Website
Your direct booking site is one of the most powerful tools for email collection. Make use of:
- Pop-ups and Banners: Display a well-timed pop-up offering something of value—like a discount or exclusive guide—to encourage visitors to subscribe.
- Footer Opt-In: Add a simple opt-in form at the bottom of every page for guests who want to stay in touch.
A well-designed website with clear CTAs (calls to action) can do wonders for turning casual browsers into loyal subscribers.
5. Leverage a Lead Magnet
A lead magnet is a valuable resource you offer in exchange for an email address. Think about what your audience finds helpful:
- A downloadable guide like “Top 10 Things to Do in [Your Location].”
- An exclusive checklist for packing or travel planning.
- A discount code for first-time bookers.
Promote your lead magnet across channels—social media, your homepage, and even in post-stay communications. With CraftedStays, embedding these offers into your website is a breeze, ensuring the process looks professional and feels seamless.
Ensuring Compliance and Respecting Your Guests
While collecting emails is essential, how you do it matters just as much. Here are a few principles to guide your efforts:
- Ask for Consent: Guests should opt in willingly and understand why you’re collecting their email. Be transparent about how their email will be used.
- Offer Opt-Out Options: Every email you send should include an easy way to unsubscribe. This isn’t just good practice—it’s essential for maintaining trust.
- Focus on Engaged Users: A bloated email list full of uninterested recipients doesn’t help your business. By collecting emails thoughtfully, you’ll attract people genuinely interested in hearing from you.
- Use an Email Service Provider (ESP): Tools like Mailchimp or HubSpot manage opt-outs automatically, helping you stay compliant while also providing valuable insights like open rates and click-through data.
What’s Next? Nurture Your List!
Collecting emails is just the first step. Once you have a solid list, it’s time to engage and nurture those contacts. Whether you’re sending a broadcast email or setting up an automated series, the key is delivering value at every touchpoint.
Check out our blog post on series vs. broadcast emails to learn how to maximize the impact of your email marketing efforts.
From seamless booking flows to customizable lead capture forms, CraftedStays empowers you to collect emails strategically while enhancing the guest experience. Ready to optimize your email strategy? Book a demo today to see how we can help!