Know-How Exchange : Advertising/PR

Phil's right, Chris. There are a lot of questions you'd need to answer before we could even begin to help you.

First, let's begin with where the hotel is located and who are in your prime target audience. Where do they live, why do they travel to wherever your hotel is located, what do you offer that differentiates you from your competitors, etc.? If you haven't completed a SWOT analysis, that would be a good next step in thinking through the launch plan.

Next, have you actually conducted research among your prime prospects? Do you know what they look for in selecting a hotel in your area? These are all fundamental questions that must have been addressed before the hotel was even built, so you might want to poke around and see if you can find this kind of information in the archives somewhere.

Finally, if this is an important step for you and your hotel, you really ought to get a marketing professional on the case quickly. You don't mention how close the launch date is, but good launch planning should start at least 3-6 months before the target date.

Hope this helps. If you need help quickly, post a project in the Hire an Expert section of this website. Use the link in the column at the right of this page.

Dear Chris,

As much as I’d dearly love to help you, you’re asking a great deal with, it appears, not a great deal of experience to back up. You’ve received some great advice from other people, advice you really ought to take notice of.

In order to see you succeed, I urge you to repost your question with more information. You might find it helpful to speak with your manager and ask for his/her input into what it is you are both expected to accomplish.

Even though you’re the marketing manager, it ought not be solely your job to launch this venture.

You’ll need (and greatly benefit from) the input of the hotel manager, the owner (I presume there’s a head office of some description), the hospitality/housekeeping manager and his or her staff, and the heads of catering and restaurants and bars.

Everyone in your hotel has a part to play in a launch like this.

Everyone. So ask for help and don't reject any idea until you've had the chance to see how it might mesh with your bigger picture.

I hope this helps.

Gary Bloomer
Wilmington, DE, USA

Dear Chris,

Drafting strategy would require team work. It does not happen in a day and it requires a good deal of brainstorming.

However as far as writing an invitation is concerned, you can check on the websites for templates. But be sure about your target audience that whether they are corporate clients, what business thay are in, how will you cater foreigners , etc and then decide on someting.

Good Luck.