How to date your customers!

Welcome to the 30 new subscribers this week—glad to have you on board! Now, it's up to me to prove that your decision to join was spot on. ?? As always, feel free to comment your little hearts out—remember, content only thrives through collaboration.

Alright, lets get back to business: the stages of dating and the customer journey of booking.

Trust me, there are more similarities between these two than you’d expect. After all, whether you’re planning a date or booking a room, it all comes down to connection and the process of getting there.

Stage 1: Awareness—The Spark ??

Just like a first glance across the room, the first stage in both dating and booking is all about that initial awareness. You’re out there, scrolling through profiles (or properties), and something catches your eye.

In the world of bookings, this is where the marketing magic happens: targeted ads, SEO, and word of mouth that get a property on your radar. In the dating world? Well, let’s just say a well-timed compliment or a witty one-liner does the trick.

The lesson here: First impressions count...ask yourself: Do I really wanna be the person with the spinach stuck between my teeth??? ??

Stage 2: Consideration—Is This Worth It? ??

Now, you’ve seen the profile or the hotel website. Time to dive deeper. This is the “getting to know you” phase. You check out their amenities (or mutual interests), look at reviews (do they have a sense of humor?), and of course, compare them to the competition.

Whether you’re contemplating a second date or deciding between two five-star hotels, the process is the same: weighing the pros and cons, and trying to figure out if this is worth your time, money, and effort.

Pro tip: Keep those customer reviews in mind—it's like their bestie telling you are awesome ??

Stage 3: Evaluation—The Moment of Truth ??

So, you’ve narrowed it down. You’ve been messaging for a few days, or maybe you’ve already short-listed the hotels you’re interested in. This is where the evaluation kicks into high gear.

In dating, it’s about chemistry. Will there be fireworks or just awkward silences over dinner? In bookings, you’re looking at price, location, and amenities, deciding if the value justifies the cost. Will this hotel be the perfect match for your needs, or is there something better waiting around the corner?

The anxiety here is real, and both scenarios demand attention to detail. Look out for red flags—and special deals. They both say a lot about long-term potential. ??

For the naughty ones: You gotta decide if it is nothing else than a one night stand ????????

Stage 4: Booking—Let’s Do This! ??

This is where the magic happens. You’ve considered your options, and now it’s time to commit. In dating, this could be the nerve-wracking moment you ask for a second date. In booking, you’re hitting “confirm” on that reservation, locking in your travel dates, and maybe even upgrading to that suite with the city view.

Remember, though—just like a second date doesn’t mean happily ever after, a booking confirmation doesn’t mean the journey’s over. There’s still room for things to go wrong... or really, really right. ??

Approach to take: Go get 'em Tiger!

Stage 5: The Experience—Are We Compatible? ??

Here’s the part we all look forward to: The actual experience. You’re finally on the date, or you’ve checked into your hotel room. Time to see if reality lives up to the expectation.

For the date, it’s about conversation, chemistry, and those shared moments that make you think, “Wow, we really click!” For a hotel stay, it’s about the bed’s comfort, the water pressure in the shower, and whether the minibar is properly stocked (priorities, people!).

If both go well, you’ll be thinking about future dates—or stays—before the night is even over. If not, you’ll probably ghost them faster than you can say, “Can I get a refund?”

Stage 6: Loyalty—Do We Have a Future? ??

Here’s where things get serious. Was the experience good enough for a follow-up? In dating, that could mean moving to exclusivity or at least planning the next date. In the booking world, this means loyalty programs, repeat stays, and maybe even referring your friends (or leaving a glowing review!).

The best part of this stage is the long-term connection. If it’s a fit, it feels effortless. If not, well, there’s always another hotel—or another date—just a swipe away. ??

For the naughty ones: Yes, I hear your thoughts on Loyalty programs across hotels....it's 2024...just put it down as generational gap ????????

Stage 7: Advocacy—Sharing the Love ??

Finally, when you’re in love (or just really impressed), you can’t help but tell the world. For dating, it’s that moment when you gush to your friends, “I’ve met someone amazing!” For booking, it’s leaving a five-star review or even shouting them out on social media.

At this stage, you’re no longer just a customer—you’re a fan. You’re telling others about your experience, whether it's how romantic your partner is or how the hotel staff went above and beyond. Either way, you’re spreading the love.

Conclusion

So, whether you’re navigating the world of dating or booking, just remember:

it’s all about the journey. The spark, the evaluation, the commitment, and eventually, the advocacy. And along the way? You’ll encounter a few bumps, but hey—that’s part of the adventure. ??

Love,

Fabi