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Hostel Friends Affiliate Program

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Darren Overby started this discussion 13 years 10 months ago

Hi Everyone,

Darren Overby here from Pacific Tradewinds Hostel in San Francisco. We are beta testing a new promotional tool for our hostel. It's called Hostel Friends Affiliate Program. You can get more information at http://www.sanfranciscohostel.org/friends

Basically this page allows anyone (hostel owners, hostel staff or even travelers) to create their own friendcode that they can distribute to travelers coming to San Francisco. When the traveler books using the code, the traveler gets $1 off and the referrer gets $1 for themselves or the charity of their choice.

Still trying it out and trying to promote it. So far not much response from the hostel guests. What do you think? I'm open to any and all feedback.

Thanks.

Darren Overby, Owner/Member
Pacific Tradewinds Hostel, LLC

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escapefrompeckham

13 years

Hey Darren

I think the technology is great and the idea of knowing where (who) your referrals are coming from is very useful.

However, I would be very skeptical of a recommendation from a fellow backpacker if I knew they personally would earn a commission from my booking. I don't think I would have this concern if I knew a charity would benefit.

I think this tool could be useful to track and incentivise staff for giving referrals. I am already expecting staff to be biased and in favour of their hostel (so I'd be expecting a recommendation anyway) but I also know that they are generally badly-paid and I would be happy to help them out like this.

There is definitely a place for rewarding those who are ambassadors for your hostel but it's getting the balance right and keeping the technology simple!

Let us know how you get on?

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DarrenOverby

13 years

Hi escapefrompeckham,

Thanks for your input. Yes, the program is ideally suited for hostel staff, managers and owners who are in a position to refer guests our way. The idea came to me as I thought about the old way guests use to find our hostel - from a flyer on the rack at some other hostel and the personal referral from the hostel staff. I'd like to see some of that personalized service come back to hostels rather than guests always using the booking engine sites.

I agree not every backpacker will be an effective referrer to our hostel. It's possible that backpackers will be skeptical, as you said, of another backpacker referring them with a card. However, over the years we have had a few evangelistic former guests that would leave the hostel and be true ambassadors for our hostel. Some of them would return on a regular basis and would of could stay for free.

It's a new experiment for us. Remind me in a few months and I'll let you know how it's going.

Thanks.

Darren Overby, Owner
Pacific Tradewinds Hostel
San Francisco

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