If you had just three or four minutes to tell your property or company’s green story on video, what would you include? Who would you interview? What background music would you choose? Who would you hire to produce it? I thought about this after writing an article about the new Hotel Skyler in Syracuse, N.Y. (see article), and its owner’s quest for LEED Platinum certification. (The hotel will have its soft opening on April 1.) Turns out there was a video made about the project that includes comments from the hotel’s owner, the LEED AP on the project, the head architect, president of the chamber of commerce, and the interior designer. I have posted the video in the “More Cool Videos” section of Green Lodging News. Be sure to check it out.
I spoke with Tom Fernandez, director of marketing for the Syracuse-based Woodbine Group, which owns Hotel Skyler, and he informed me that the video was not produced by the Woodbine Group but by Syracuse University students. Those of you intimidated by video technology or video production costs are probably sitting there thinking, “Why didn’t I think of that! Students!”
If you have not noticed, I have been slowly building up the number of videos posted in the “More Cool Videos” section of the Green Lodging News website. In addition to the Hotel Skyler video in More Cool Videos, you will find videos covering topics ranging from bee keeping to micro-hydro generation. While there are now 24 videos posted, I know I have missed some and that is where I need your help. If you are aware of a video that would be an appropriate fit for More Cool Videos, e-mail the link to editor@greenlodgingnews.com. The video must already be on YouTube.
Vendor Videos
In addition to More Cool Videos, Green Lodging News also has a Vendor Videos section with five companies represented. Be sure to visit this section! Video is a great way to demonstrate how a product or service works; unfortunately few suppliers have invested in video. They are missing an opportunity to expand their message into a social media segment that is growing quickly in importance.
The next time you sit down with your marketing team, discuss all of the ways you can use video to your marketing advantage. Think beyond YouTube to your own website, e-mail blasts to potential customers, and to press releases to the media. As prevalent as video is, it can still be a very unique way to differentiate your property or company from its competitors.
I have been giving video some thought myself—perhaps having a different celebrity filmed reading my column each week. I was thinking of starting with Charlie Sheen but not after the last couple of weeks…oh my goodness the last couple of weeks.
Earth Day & Earth Hour
Earth Day is coming up on April 22 and Earth Hour on March 26. If your property is planning to participate in either or both of these events, send details to editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
Green Lodging News Adds Venus Group as Directory Partner
Green Lodging News welcomes the Venus Group as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Venus Group’s ECOtouch towel collection is made from 100 percent natural cotton. The collection is designed with classic dobby styling and engineered to be plush, soft and absorbent. Venus offers its customers premium quality Farm to Finish (F2F) towels, manufactured through responsible processes. The company’s vertical manufacturing capabilities enable it to develop products made from biodegradable materials such as hemp, seaweed, bamboo, and kapok. For additional information, e-mail tlister@venusgroup.com, call (800) 421-6599, or go to www.venusgroup.com.
Advertising Opportunities
Green Lodging News is accepting reservations for advertising spots available throughout the remainder of 2011. Several new slots have opened up on the Green Lodging News website—two skyscraper ad spots on the right hand side of the site, the home page bottom banner ad spot, and the Featured Product ad spot in the lower center area of the home page. Be sure to contact me as soon as possible at (440) 243-2055, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com if you are interested in these ad spots. There are also many Green Supplier Spotlight dates available, and other spots on the website and in the weekly e-newsletter. The 2011 media kit is available by request or by clicking here. Thank you to all of those companies that consistently support Green Lodging News.
Green Lodging News Blog & Twitter
Be sure to bookmark the Green Lodging News Blog in your browser. More importantly, participate with your comments. Green Lodging News is also now on Twitter. To follow my postings, go to http://twitter.com/greenlodging. Be sure to add Green Lodging News to those tweets that you follow. Green Lodging News now has 712 Twitter followers.
As always, I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
