Lure Agency

Hello and Welcome! We are a Hospitality B2B marketing agency.

As master mixologists, our recipes build bridges for hotel sales teams and industry visionaries, ensuring that every handshake is the beginning of a long-lasting relationship and the promise of soaring revenue.

Whether you're an independent resort or a tech company, scaling revenue within the hospitality sector can be tricky without the right mixture of human connection and tailored strategies.

Our secret sauce is crafted to help you WIN.

With us, it's never just business; it's a journey of collaboration, and we're here, ready to concoct your success story next.

Let's shake and stir greatness together.

 Connect with us soon!

Partner and Creative

knoodle Advertising

A full-service advertising, public relations and digital agency in Phoenix, Arizona. Our philosophy begins with comprehensive strategies fueled by massive amounts of research. Use your knoodle; what can we do for you?

Managing Director | Partner

The Starmack Group

Founded in 1998, The Starmack Group is a full-service advertising and communications agency, focusing on national, personality-driven hotels and management companies, as well as clients in the lifestyle industry. We provide business partner passion and responsibility, industry experience, and creative execution in brand management, graphic design, campaign development, interactive design and implementation, as well as media research, planning and placement.

Senior Art Director

Cory Falter Creative

Cory Falter Creative is a boutique design and marketing studio, offerings a comprehensive array of services, include Branding, Graphic Design, Advertising, Web & Interactive Design, Photography and Copy Writing. For more than 20 years, I've had the pleasure of creating for a diverse group of clients ranging from Sporting Goods and Surf accessories manufacturers to Hospitality and Music Radio stations. The Ritz-Carlton Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels and Suzuki Motor Corporation to name just a few.

Account Director | Principal

454 Design

Founded in 1995 as a full-service branding and creative studio partnering with a diverse array of clients in the action sports, real estate, technology and hospitality industries.

Director | Founder

▶︎ 𝗛𝗔𝗦 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗨𝗘 𝗠𝗔𝗗𝗘 𝗔 𝗗𝗘𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘?

Why aren't independent resorts and hospitality vendors seeing consistent growth anymore?

Because buyers today don’t want to be sold to

They want to be helped. 

And outdated sales funnels? 
They’re about as useful as a “Do Not Disturb” sign in a digital-first world.

So, how do you drive real revenue without burning trust?
➜ You answer their questions. 
➜ You build relationships. 
➜ You show up before they even hit “inquire.” 

That’s what we do at Lure Agency.

Since 2012, I’ve helped independent resorts and the vendors who support them attract, convert, and retain more business using a proven transparent relationship marketing strategy.

Built for how modern buyers actually buy.

What’s the difference?

Most agencies pitch impressions. 
We deliver impact. 
With clear ROI, scalable strategies, and messaging that doesn’t just sound pretty.

It sells.

Because after 30 years in marketing, here’s what I know for sure:

No trust = no sale. 

But trust? 
Trust scales.
Along with sales.

Struggling to find sales?

Let's connect and chat about it.


▶︎ 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗦𝗘:

"Our results with Lure Agency have been crazy impressive!! This strategy has been a lifesaver for us. We're now efficiently operating with two salespeople instead of the previous 3.5, all thanks to a stream of highly qualified leads."

Julie Petit
Director of Sales & Marketing 
Stonewall Resort

_____________________________

“Cory and the Lure team have been critical in helping us grow our inbound lead flow and revenue growth year-over-year.”

Organic website traffic increased by 18%, inbound lead inquiries increased by 37%, and annual revenue growth grew by 4.6%. 

Jake Newman  
Marketing and Sales Coordinator
Newman Windows and Doors

________________________________

“Lure Agency has great ideas, increased our web presence, and generated more leads for us. 
I highly recommend their services. “

Organic website traffic increased by 23%, time spent on the site by visitors grew by 37%, and revenue grew by 6.3%.

Steve Blidner
Founder & CEO
TTI Technologies
 
________________________________

Would you like to learn how your sales team can identify, convert, and retain more revenue?

Call me directly at 619-889-8156 or email me (cory@lureagency.com) and let's have a conversation about your goals and objectives.
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#digitalmarketing #sales #hotelmarketing #hotelsales #marketing #integratedmarketing #b2bhospitality #hospitalityb2b #hoteltech #hotelrevenue #hotelbusiness

Cory Falter

Independent doesn’t mean solo.

And I couldn't be more excited about this partnership.

Benchmark Global Sales—the meetings and events team behind Benchmark Resorts & Hotels, chose Lure Agency to help drive direct group revenue across their independent portfolio.

Big thanks to…
Evan Crawford
John MacMullen
Paul Bashaw
Mousumi Johnson
and the entire Benchmark team for this opportunity. 

Looking forward to what's ahead.

Let's get after it. 🤙

Check out the release: https://lnkd.in/gtUBUbfb

Growing Revenue For Hospitality B2B Is My Bottom Line 🔺 Partner at Lure Agency 🔺 President HSMAI San Diego 🔺 Host of the InnSync Show 🔺 SDSU Dad of Twin Daughters 🔺 Former Pro Motocross Rider 🔺 80s New Wave Fanatic

Calm before the storm.

Or wave, more like it. 🏄‍♂️

As in the HSMAI San Diego Chapter inaugural, The Waves of Hospitality Awards is about to drop in.

Kimberly🌟 Hensley, MBA
Tré Wilke IV
Kelsey Prince Rocha, CHDM

Ready to welcome 88 of San Diego's finest in Hospitality.

Wish us luck. 🤙

Moments like this remind us why we ❤️ Hospitality.

The inaugural The Waves of Hospitality Awards presented by HSMAI San Diego Chapter rolled onto the shores of Belmont Park.

Like a tsunami.

Electric.
Magical.
Unforgettable.

It was named "Waves" because this city is defined by the ocean. Its energy. Its power. It's in constant motion forward.

Just like our honorees and winners.

HUGE congrats to:

➜ Marketing Professional of the Year
Keriann Greaney Martin, CHDM
Hotel del Coronado

➜ Sales Professional of the Year
Debbie Au Burlock
Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa

➜ Revenue Management Professional of the Year
Isabelle Camu, CRME, CHBA
Fairmont Grand Del Mar

➜ General Manager of the Year
Jayne Aston
Catamaran Resort Hotel & Spa

➜ James V. Cunningham Award for Hospitality
Tré Wilke IV
Evans Hotels

These are the people riding the wave of excellence. 
Pushing hospitality forward. 
Shaping the guest experiences that make San Diego unforgettable.

To every winner:
You earned this.
Your work matters.
Keep making waves.

And to everyone who showed up last night? 
You made it electric. 
The energy in that room was pure San Diego magic.

And special shout-out to Belmont Park for hosting us at your incredible venue. You guys knocked it out of the park...

This is just the beginning.

Year two is going to be even bigger.

Who's ready to ride the next wave with us?

Leadership wants an update on prospecting.

All those check-in emails.

And follow-up calls.

How's it going?

Oh, fine. 😜

Want LinkedIn results this week?

It's so easy, yet…

many are asleep on this one.

Stop lurking in the shadows and do this instead.

Leave 5 thoughtful comments on 5 of your top prospects' posts.

That's it.

No fancy tools.
No growth hacks.
Just show up and add value in 15 minutes.

Do this every day for a week.

Watch what happens.

Trust me on this one.

Are you ready to jump into the comments this week?

Let's send it. 🤙

Did you forget your business cards?

Good for you.

If you're still handing them out at events, you're basically giving people permission to forget you.

Here's why:

It expires the second anyone switches companies.

Your LinkedIn profile?
Permanent.

Think about it.

When someone changes jobs, their business card becomes a relic.

Wrong email.
Wrong number.
Wrong company.

But their LinkedIn?
Still right there.
Still connected.
Still relevant.

Next time you're at an event, skip the card shuffle.

➜ Pull out your phone. 
➜ Scan their QR code. 
➜ Connect on LinkedIn.

You'll stay in touch no matter where their career takes them.

Plus, you won't have a drawer full of cards you'll never look at again.

What's your take? 

Are business cards still worth carrying, or are they just expensive confetti at this point?

Owner says, "No one knows who we are…

we need a brand ASAP".

Marketing Manager says, “I found something on Amazon that will help.”

Owner says “Just do it” 😂

TGIF y'all.

Prospects don't need to like you.

They need to trust you.

I've done business with people I didn't particularly like. 

But I knew they'd deliver because of their track record and the results others vouched for.

That's why building trust signals matters more than being likable.

➜ Your content. 
➜ Your problem-solving. 
➜ Your expertise. 

These create the visibility engine that earns trust before you ever get on a call.

Case in point: 
I used a custom AI prompt to vet CRMs. 
Got it down to three solutions. Ran one demo. 30 minutes total.

The vendor I chose? 
I found them through their content ecosystem.
Not a sales pitch.

Trust beats likability every time.

Want to build that trust engine for your hospitality vendor business?

Our latest article breaks down the prospecting strategies that actually work.

The Warm Prospecting Playbook for Hospitality Vendors Who Hate Cold Calling

Check it out: https://vist.ly/4d5vh

We just launched something big.

The WINS Method™ is officially live.

Here's why it matters for both… 
Hotel Group Sales and Hospitality Vendors.

80% of B2B buyers have already made their decision before they ever talk to sales.

Cold emails? Dead.
"Just checking in" messages? Ignored.
Old-school tactics? Not cutting it anymore.

AI isn't replacing sales.
It's rewriting the rules.

WINS is our answer.

➜ Website
➜ Intel
➜ Nurture
➜ Sell

Four pillars that help hospitality brands show up with trust, relevance, and consistency before the RFP or form fill ever lands.

It's human-powered. AI-loved. Built to cut the fluff and fast-track results.

We've been quietly running this framework with brands like Stonewall Resort and TTI Technologies.

Now we're opening it up with a "done with you" model.

If you're tired of spray-and-pray tactics and ready for strategy-and-serve, this is for you.

See the full release here: https://vist.ly/4beiu

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Cold prospecting? 

You're basically sliding into someone's DMs from an igloo.

Warm prospecting? 

You've been showing up at the campfire so long, people already saved you a seat.

The difference isn't luck.

It's consistency.

When you engage on LinkedIn regularly, you're not interrupting strangers. 

You're connecting with people who already know your name, your vibe, and your value.

Stop being the cold caller nobody asked for.

Start being the person everyone's been waiting to hear from.

Let's warm it up y'all 🔥

Your hotel tech booth looked like Vegas. 

Your website looked like 1999.

Guess which one your buyer remembers when they get back to the office?

Spoiler: It's not the one with the free swag.

Trade shows spark interest. 

But buyers don't buy on the show floor. 

They shortlist later, when they're alone with their laptop and your website.

If your digital presence can't carry the conversation, all that booth buzz turns into crickets.

Before your next show, fix these:

➜ Clear value prop that shows real outcomes, not buzzwords

➜ Content that answers the questions buyers actually search

➜ Proof over promises: case studies, testimonials, real wins

➜ Pages that work for humans and AI search

The punchline?

Your booth gets attention for three days. 
Your website needs to close deals for 362.

Want to learn how hospitality vendors can get more out of their trade show budget and fill that gap?

Check out: https://vist.ly/4bgba

Are we still doing this?

I opened my spam folder and found a ton of "just circling back" emails and one gem that started with "Dear {FirstName}."

Seriously?

Traditional outbound is broken. 
Especially when selling to hotels.

Here's why:

Selling most SaaS is straightforward.
One product, one pitch, one use case.

Selling to hotels?
That's way different.
You're navigating legacy systems, limited IT resources, tight budgets, and a small team where every stakeholder wears multiple hats.

You can't template that.

I sat down with Kimberly🌟 Hensley, MBA from Tripleseat, on the InnSync Show to dig into this. Her take? "Every independent hotel is its own little ecosystem. What works at one property won't work at another."

Are we still doing this?

Sending generic pitch decks to properties that need customized solutions?

Independent hotels don't have enterprise budgets or dedicated tech teams. They need vendors who get that reality.

So why are vendors still blasting generic emails and hammering cold calls like it's 2010?

Because they haven't figured out what actually works.

The best tech vendors don't sell features.
They understand independent hotel operations.
They know your pain points before you tell them.
They speak your language.

Want the full breakdown on prospecting that builds trust instead of resentment?

Check out our latest article:
The Warm Prospecting Playbook for Hospitality Vendors Who Hate Cold Calling

👉 https://vist.ly/4d5vh

Dirty reps at the gym build muscle.

Dirty reps in sales build revenue.

But here's the problem with most sales training: 
It stops at the workshop.

You get pumped up for a day, learn some frameworks, then go back to your desk and... nothing changes.

Because knowing isn't doing says Celeste Berke Knisely, MTA

The real shift happens in the practice. 
The messy reps. 
The accountability check-ins. 
The ongoing reinforcement that actually changes behavior in your CRM.

Here's what else changed ➜ 80% of what was sales is now marketing.

Your cold outreach? 
It's competing with content, AI agents, and buyers who've already done their research.

So we're teaching hotel sales teams how to leverage their marketing departments to warm up that outreach. 

Make it less cringe. More human.

And we're doing it through training that's actually engaging (gamified, not death by PowerPoint).

But the secret sauce? 
We stick around after the workshop.

We track the changes. 
Hold people accountable. 
Make sure those dollars don't fall flat.

Want to see how to level up your game?

Read our latest article and see what separates a transaction from a true partnership.

Prospecting in the Age of AI: 
A Hotel Seller’s Survival Guide

READ THIS: https://lnkd.in/gZAB-RgR

Think AI only searches for celebrities?

Not a chance. 

It's searching for YOU right now.

Your personal brand isn't vanity anymore.

It's your new resume.
Your credibility score.
Your ticket to being found.

Here's the real deal… 

If you're not showing up online, you're invisible to prospects, employers, and AI agents doing the choosing.

Agentic search is here. 
And it's deciding who gets seen and who gets skipped.

Want to know how you rank right now?
And tips to improve your visibility quickly?

Use our Personal AI Grader.
CLICK HERE 👉 https://vist.ly/4c5bb

Let's get you agentic-ready.

Early Lure Agency was a hot mess.

Not because we weren't hustling.

We were swinging at everything like a newbie at TopGolf.

Chasing our tail. And clients.

The problem? 
Zero strategy. 
Just a giant menu of services we assumed clients needed.

Well, they didn't.

What they actually wanted was simple.
More qualified leads.
More deals closed.
More revenue.

Not a 47-point proposal with every service under the sun with no clear, positive outcome.

Here's what changed everything:

Susan Tucker and I stopped selling what we could do.
We started solving what they needed.
And obsessing over it.

One clear outcome:
Drive direct inquiries that convert better than cold outreach and third-party leads for hotel group and hospitality vendors.

That's it.
That's the whole deal.

And guess what? 
Our clients have stuck around for years now. 
Because when you nail one thing really well, people notice.

If you're struggling to gain traction, here's my advice:

Ditch the laundry list.
Pick one outcome you can deliver better than anyone.
Go all in on that. 
And back it up with proof.

Clients don't buy features. 
They buy results that make them money.

What's the one outcome you're obsessed with delivering? 

Drop it below and let's send it. 🤙

LondonHouse Chicago

As Director of Sales and Marketing, I instill a culture of high performance by providing consistent opportunities for growth, acknowledgement, and a vision for success the team can trust and follow. Responsible for leading all property level sales and marketing initiatives. Achieved our goal of being the most followed hotel in Chicago on Instagram, streamlined sales strategies and processes resulting in a 76% growth in year over year awarded RFP value, and ranked #1 in conversion within a comp set of eleven similar hotels.

Director of Sales and Marketing

Influencer Advisory Council – IAC

Advisor and Board Member

HSMAI Chicago Chapter

Our mission is to be the leading source for sales and marketing information, knowledge, business development, and networking for professionals in tourism, travel, and hospitality. With a strong focus on education, HSMAI has become the industry champion in identifying and communicating trends in the hospitality industry while operating as a leading voice for both hospitality and sales and marketing management disciplines, as well as connecting its members with customers.

VP of Sponsorships

The Dow Hotel Company

Responsible for marked increases in business travel, convention, corporate group and airline segments. Developed sales strategies to increase revenue and cultivate new business sources through analysis of reports, client interface, leverage of electronic media, and developmental meetings with Sales staff.

Complex Assistant Director of Sales - Embassy Suites & Doubletree Chicago O'Hare

Liberty Machinery Co.

In my Marketing and Business Development role, I helped clients with the liquidation of surplus machinery and industrial equipment. I also assisted clients in the procurement of used machinery through sales from inventory or brokerage.

Marketing and Business Development

Argyle Cut Stone

As Co-Owner, I was involved in every facet of operation in this 3rd generation owned business. My responsibilities included all accounting duties, all human resources duties, purchasing, marketing, sales, contract negotiations, field measurements and machine operations.

Co-Owner

Clear Creek Stone Company, Inc.

As Vice President of Finance and Operations, I was involved in every facet of running this limestone fabrication business. Responsibilities included accounting, human resources, purchasing, sales, union contract negotiations, and land and asset deals.

Vice President Of Finance And Operations

Renaissance Hotels

As Director of Business Travel, I was responsible for all transient preferred accounts, as well as attaining new group business from Fortune 500 companies. Surpassed 2005's inaugural year transient budget by 8%. In 2006, increased average daily rate of Preferred Accounts by 11% over the previous year. Created a highly successful contest and blog with over 500 qualified followers.

Director of Business Travel, Chicago O'Hare

Hilton Chicago Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center

Responsible for all transient preferred accounts as well as attaining new group business in the automotive, chemical, insurance and energy markets. Increased negotiated account revenue by over 30% two years in a row. Established a Loyalty Rate for small companies that other hotels would not sign on, servicing an underserved market niche that increased sales and boosted average daily rate.

Global Account Manager

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants

Responsible for building partnerships with potential preferred accounts while developing relationships with existing clientele. Integral role in supplying additional leads to the group sales team. Successfully procured accounts with Ameritech and Boeing worth over $700,000 annually.

Business Travel Sales Manager, Hotel Allegro

After 8 years of being out of the hospitality industry, I walked into a travel agency to the exclamation, "Hey! You're the Bingo Guy!" An email marketing campaign to drive sales from 8 years prior confirmed three things: 

•	The Power of Storytelling
•	The Power of Personal Branding
•	I Needed a Cooler Nickname

If you're looking to:

•	Develop creative paths to success
•	Find opportunities hiding in plain sight
•	Communicate strategic alternatives

Then let's chat!

In a world spinning with possibilities, I believe it's the genuine relationships we forge that make it go round.  And when you apply a bespoke touch to business – tailoring your sales, marketing, and personal brand to resonate with each individual – that's where the magic happens. 

Things I love talking shop about:

•	Customer service that's relationship-focused
•	Critical thinking & problem solving that gets to the root of the problem
•	Storytelling - Ask me about that bingo contest
•	Digital marketing & social media - CHDM certified!
•	Creative ideas & content development

Away from work I love spending time with my family, creating art, playing golf, and rooting for the Cubs and Bears. Additionally, I support the Michael J. Fox Foundation and Muscular Dystrophy Association. Please message me if you’d like to share your story or need help in reaching your goals.

Don Barnett

Every hotel Director of Sales when they need to add another $500K in revenue to next year's budget...

Creative Solutions for Hospitality Success | Director of Sales & Marketing at LondonHouse Chicago | Certified Hospitality Digital Marketer

Is this a great book about hospitality?
Or the 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵 book about hospitality?

If you’re in hotels, restaurants, or 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯, this book should be required reading. Twice.

A few of my favorite takeaways:

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘁 𝗗𝗼𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆
A guest mentions they didn’t get to try a real New York hot dog. So the team 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 runs out to get one, plates it like fine dining, and delivers it tableside. It cost them $2. It bought them a 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵.

𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘄𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹.
At Eleven Madison Park, “Dreamweavers” are team members whose job is to create magical, personalized moments for guests. Think human surprise & delight factory. Hospitality teams need fewer policies, more Dreamweavers.

𝗛𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 ≠ 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲. 
Service is giving someone what they asked for. Hospitality is making them feel seen. Big difference. Huge impact.

This book isn’t just for people in hotels or restaurants. It’s for anyone who wants to turn transactional moments into transformational ones.

Every hotel salesperson when someone wants a tour after 5pm.

Most people look at this view from LondonHouse Chicago and see a postcard. I see… a flashback.

Not just because I once co-owned a limestone company (yes, really), but because I helped build part of this view. Sort of.

Before jumping back into hotel life, I spent 7 years co-owning a limestone fabrication/restoration business. One of our projects? The iconic Tribune Tower. We restored intricate limestone details like the lintel you see pictured (basically a very fancy, very heavy eyebrow for a window).

The experience taught me something I carry with me to this day: 
Whether you're restoring a landmark or running a sales team, if you're trusted with something important, treat it like it’ll be around forever. 

Because if you do it right, it just might be.

🚨 Sales PSA: "Can I have 15 minutes of your time?"
My answer: You're hilarious.

You want 15 minutes of my day? Cold?
With a message that sounds like a chatbot with abandonment issues?

Let me share a few numbers with you:

• On average, I get 6 of these requests a day
• 6 x 15 minutes = 1.5 hours
• 1.5 hours x 5 days = 7.5 hours a week

Almost an entire workday.

Listen, I'm in Sales too. I get it. There are goals to make and bosses that give no breaks. But time is not free. In fact, it's my most valuable asset.

Instead of 𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 for something, try 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 something. 
Insight 🕰️ Education 🕰️ Something funny

Earn the time before you try to book it.

"Do you have 200 tiny pins with your face on them?"
...Maybe?

These ridiculous pins were the result of something very real: 𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘺. The kind you earn by showing up, performing, landing new accounts, and launching wildly successful ideas like a client Bingo contest that people actually 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘥.

So when I pitched another idea, “let’s make pins with my face on them," my boss said yes. Not because it was a good idea (it absolutely wasn’t), but because I’d built enough credibility to take a swing.

The result? A disturbing early-2000s mugshot immortalized on metal. 

And now one day, my children, their children, and their children's children will stumble across a drawer full of these and wonder how many paint chips their ancestor ate.

And who knows? Maybe one day, one of you will get one in the mail.

Performance + ideas + time = equity. 
Sometimes it pays off in promotions.
Sometimes it pays off in hundreds of unsettling souvenirs.

My son and I team up for Halloween every year. 

Costumes ready. IYKYK

You can't triple stamp a double stamp!

You flew across the country, spent $3,000 on a badge and a badge lanyard... And now you’re standing awkwardly by the coffee station trying to make small talk with a stranger about the weather in Orlando. ☕🌦️

There’s a better way.

Earn recognition through content 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 the conference, and suddenly you’re not introducing yourself. People are coming up to 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 
Because they already 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 you. 
They’ve been liking your posts, watching your videos, and thinking, “I relate to this person.”

🌟 These aren’t strangers. They’re just friends you haven’t met yet. 
And that’s a serious edge over everyone still fumbling through “So... what do you do?”

🔥 𝗛𝗼𝘁 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 🔥 
Should you hire an agency for social media? 
What's the cost? What should they actually 𝘥𝘰?

Let me be very clear: 𝗛𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆. DIY rarely goes well and isn't consistent. And don't hire just 𝘢𝘯𝘺 agency. Definitely not the ones who think “onsite content” means grabbing a photo off your outdated website.

Here’s the dealio:

💸 𝗖𝗢𝗦𝗧 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗗𝗢𝗪𝗡 (ballpark, don’t come for me if your cousin Becky charges less):
• $𝟱𝟬𝟬 - $𝟭𝗞/𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵: Basic strategy, remote posting, no onsite visits, no video.
  Think: Just going through the motions to check that box on your marketing plan.
• $𝟭𝗞–$𝟯𝗞/𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵: You’re getting strategy + real content creation + onsite visits. This is the sweet spot for many hotels when it comes to a balance of help and cost.
• $𝟯𝗞+/𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵: Full content studio vibes. Video, influencers, strategy, ads, analytics, probably a drone, posting daily.

2026 is around the corner. If your social feed is as stale as the food on that room service tray in the hallway, your guests are noticing. So is your competition.

Need a referral? I know some great people!

"We don't have a budget for that." 
Did you order a code red on your hotel's social media efforts? 
 
Here's an old school wake-up call for an old school mentality. 
  
We're in an industry where competition is fierce and standing out online is no longer optional. It's vital. A strong digital presence helps you reach a wider audience, attract new guests, and build customer loyalty.  

"But what's the ROI?" 
📈 How about driving more direct bookings to save thousands of dollars on OTA commissions. 
📈 Or an influencer post resulting in 50 dinner reservations.  
📈 Or a wedding lead worth $50K following a reel showing a wedding at your hotel.
  
What, can't handle the truth?

🔥 𝗛𝗼𝘁 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 🔥 
There are two types of salespeople:

🚫The “It takes 7 no's to get a yes” believers
🚀 And the “Cool, thanks. I'm going to go find 6 new yeses instead” realists

Here’s why I think the 7-No's crowd needs a new GPS:

𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗱. 
We work with an AV partner at our hotel who is 𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘨. Best I've ever worked with in my entire career. So if another AV company comes calling and I say “we’re good,” that’s not a challenge. It's closure. Respect the no. Repeatedly poking the bear only makes people want to permanently block you.

𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟳 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝘀? 
You’re literally on a platform right now that affords you the ability to provide edutainment and value on a daily basis to hundreds, if not thousands. Share something useful. Make them laugh. Teach them something. Stop asking and start giving.

Or, you could spam them 6 more times.

So, are you Team “7 No's to Glory” or Team “Next Opportunity, Please”?

In your feelings about an email?
Give me 30 seconds and I'll share my favorite communication hack...

Want to know the best monkey to get off your back?
(A close second is the monkey pictured, he refused to Purell his hands)

It's the judgement of others as you try to get ahead in this world.

So how do you get that monkey off your back?
🧾 Receipts.

Here's an example. I went all-in on creating content on LinkedIn a few years ago. And I've heard it all.

"What, is he trying to be an influencer?" (snark x 10)
"He's on LinkedIn all day."
"Did you know your husband has a second life online?" (said to my wife 🤣)

No, no aaaaaaaand no.

Consistent content creation, honing my writing skills, and with a lot of patience, not only have these efforts resulted in revenue booked at our hotel, but I've personally increased my annual take-home $$$.

Armored in these receipts, I don't give a s$%& what people think.

A conductor turns their back on the audience to lead a symphony. Think about 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 as you orchestrate your wins.

What price do you put on stress? Drama? Boredom?
How about happiness? Work/life harmony?

Something to ask yourself when presented with a job opportunity. 
 
Compensation is the easy part. What's harder to put a value on is: 

🤔 The boss that trusts you. 
🤔 Opportunities for growth. 
🤔 An easy (or arduous) commute. 
🤔 The colleagues that have your back. Or not.
🤔 Does this new job represent progress in your career or a step backwards? 
 
There's a shift in perspective the older you get. Money is no longer the end all be all. You put a higher value on the things that enrich your life beyond the paycheck. 

What do you value beyond the paycheck?

Everyone: Ready to get this week started!
AWS: Nope.

Will 2026 be a tougher year?
Are you protecting your future self? 
Or are you pushing back on trying something new?

You can send emails, DMs, make calls or go on a blitz. 

But if you did that to the same audience multiple times a week, the mere sight of your name would illicit a gag reflex (or gag order).

You don’t need a flux capacitor to change your future, just a new plan.

By showing up consistently and authentically on LinkedIn via content and/or comments:

➡️ People get to know you
➡️ You stay top of mind in a non-intrusive way
➡️ You meet people you wouldn't have otherwise

Is LinkedIn part of your 2026 plan?
_______________________________________________________________

If you’re ready to start, check out the link in the comments. Your future self will high-five you for it. ⚡

Eager to close a sale before the end of the year? 

Use one of the best tools at your disposal:
 
💣 Leverage Social Proof

💥 𝘖𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦'𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦'𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦.

For your hotel or company, this might mean:

• TripAdvisor
• Testimonials
• Google Reviews
• Influencer Endorsements

For your personal brand:

• LinkedIn Recommendations
• Colleague Referrals
• Client Testimonials

Have you used social proof to seal the deal?

How do you know your reputation proceeds you?
Without searching, guessing or meeting, people say...
"Let's call ___________."

Not because you post motivational quotes in bold font.
It's because you have a reputation of:

💡 Solving Problems / Getting $%&@ Done 💡

That's the power of a strong personal brand. People trust you, they remember you, and they instinctively reach for their phone when a need arises.

Who is the first person you think of when you need a problem solved?

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taplio

The Battle

Cory Falter

Don Barnett

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Cory Falter's LinkedIn Performance

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