Here’s something a little different for 50odd.
A focussed series of short stories about Old Post Office. Our holiday cottages.
The cottages are doing OK. And when that happens, I try to think about why, then replicate it. So, in the next dozen or so stories I’ll try to pinpoint what (I think) is helping our Old Post Office Riverside Holiday Cottages business and, maybe, some of the thing I spotlight might help a business that you run or know.
Here goes.
…
I’m going to post 10 times throughout November 2026, about Old Post Office Riverside Holiday Cottages.
Because:
1. Occupancy percentages, and return visits, peaked in 2026. They’re both 30% higher than in 2025.
2. The first 30-odd reviews in 2026 were a perfect 10/10 or 5 stars. All of them.
3. 95% of ALL reviews (500+ historical) are now a perfect 10/10 or 5 stars.
Here’s a list, so I don’t forget, of the 10 things I’ll post about. These are some of the things that – I think – made the most difference for Old Post Office cottages in Northumberland, in 2026. Some are obvious, but many don’t do them. Some are weird. All are easy – if you can be bothered, of course.
I’m doing this so that, if you have holiday cottages, or want to have holiday cottages, there may be something for you to add your own twist to, in 2027. To help you.
The 10 things I’ll talk about and expand on in November 2026 are:
1. Brown paper bags.
2. Talking to dogs.
3. Making names up for things.
4. Being weird.
5. Removing worry.
6. Visual shorthand.
7. Speaking in ‘chunks’.
8. Redefining and undermining industry norms.
9. Being telepathic.
10. Knowing what not to charge for.
11. Merch (I know. That’s 11).
12. Speed (OK. I’ll stop now).
Thank you.
And Merry Christmas.
Mychael.