Amelia's Blog

Officially launched this week, Trippy.com is a new travel network, which has the appearance of Pinterest, but is a friend-sourced solution to the problem of never quite knowing whose online recommendations to trust when planning a trip or vacation.The system works by syncing with social sites like Facebook, thereby using your online pals to provide recommendations for your itinerary.

I have signed-up for account and plan to check this one out.  You never know what the next big social media winner will be, and I am currently putting my book and speaking tour itinerary together for this winter.

If you obtain an account, let me know what you think of it!  Email me at amelia @ totalwebdesigner.com (remove the spaces) or post a comment here.

Over the next three to five years, the use of social media is reported to grow 256%, according to an IBM CEO survey, Leading Through Connections, Global Chief Executive Office Study.

CEOs contacted in the study predict that social media growth is expected to rise 256% in three to five years, while traditional media is expected to decline by 61%.

The decline of traditional media can be seen all across America as we witness the shrinking pages of local newspapers and the disappearance of print media.  New social media venues arrive on the Internet almost daily with Facebook and Twitter leading in popularity.

The Museum of Me
Intel’s Museum of Me uses information gathered from your Facebook account to create a visual snapshot of your life. The website, created by Fluid Inc. for Intel, turns your photos, videos, and status updates into a virtual tour de force of your life. This website is a must try for all Facebook users.

Recent research from Encore Careers show that “Approximately 25 million people – one in four Americans ages 44-70 – are interested in starting businesses or nonprofit ventures in the next five to 10 years.”

And, research from the Kauffman Foundation Americans between the ages of 55 and 64 had the highest rate of entrepreneurial activity of any age group from 1996 to 2010.

In Marc Freeman’s article “Why older Entrepreneurs Have an Edge” he points out that “University of Chicago economist David Galenson has shown that genius clusters into two categories. Conceptual geniuses tend to do their best work while young, producing breakthrough ideas early in their careers. But experimental geniuses, by contrast, need a long period of time to reach their peak, moving forward by trial and error, slowly accumulating the elements that will be integrated into their fully realized work.”

In my travels across America, my husband and I find that some of the most efficient and unique B&Bs are operated by individuals between the ages of 45 and 70.  And, often, these individuals have a very creative nature about them along with a spouse or partner that has a solid business background.  The combination seems to be a factor in the overall success of a lodging establishment.

It is not at all difficult to agree with the current research that show creativity and innovation peaking later in life for many Americans, including myself.    ~Amelia Painter

In today’s social internet world, it is more important than ever for the bed and breakfast establishments with a website to also have a strong blog connected.  The reason is simple, the internet continues to change as the devices and the people using them continue to evolve.

The innkeeper that is sharing information that fills a need for their  guests is the innkeeper that is also putting the heads in the beds. For the bed and breakfast owner, the number one thing guests expect from the website owner is finding local information. This means the innkeeper needs to constantly be sharing about the things happening on the property as well as in the immediate area, letting people know why they should come visit, and keeping them informed about what they can be doing when they stay at the B&B.

Potential guests want to know what activities can be enjoyed in the local area.