Here’s Little Story 7 of 13. Each considers (some of) why, I think, Old Post Office Riverside Holiday Cottages have spiking occupancy and 95% perfect 10/10 reviews.
7. Speaking in ‘chunks’.
A better question than, ‘What’s the best way for me to say this?’ is ‘What’s the best way for them to hear this?’
We greet guest in person at Old Post Office. And when doing so I used to say (say):
‘Hello! I’m Mychael. This is Lisa. And Izobel. And here’s Ziggy. We know you of course, Mary and Brian. And Mabel the spaniel.’
Then they’d say something. Then me:
‘OK, The Bowes Arms is 100 yards away. ‘Serves food until 7.30. The manager’s Ed. It’s Friday, so you’ll need to book. The local shop’s 100 yards away. Wifi? yes! Password is ‘createspace’. Those lights there, you turn off with those shin-high switches here. Bed there. Kitchen there. Bathroom there. Walks for Mabel… out the gate, turn right, over the railway, past the bluh, turn bleh, blah bleh, bluh blu.’
They remember my name. But that’s about it.
Nowadays, I say hello, invite them to text or call me (personally) anytime (they have my number), ask what they want to ask, answer, then bugger off. And if they want to eat, I book a table for them. Done.
Now, back to ‘What’s the best way for them to hear this?’
We deliver all info in ‘chunks’. So guests consume what they want, when they want.
Walks and runs. The ‘Nearby’ section of our website (https://lnkd.in/eDQuFkpi) lists circular walks/dogwalks/runs from 1km to 12km. Shortest to longest.
Then, in chunks, there’s:
1. Unmissables.
2. Dog Friendly Dining.
3. Takeaways.
4. Food Shopping.
5. Public transport.
All with telephone and web links. All here: https://lnkd.in/eDQuFkpi
There’s a portfolio in all cottages too. Unwordy. One subject per page.
I suppose the trick is knowing exactly what guests want to know. Then making sure they know exactly where to look when they want to know it. Instead of spraying guests with too much information all at once.
And a a PS, a note on editing the chunks…
Recently, when we stayed in somebody else’s cottage, there was a little book by the cooker. So I knew how to heat a pie. And, it turned out, how to install the cooker too. And troubleshoot the cooker. And dispose of the cooker should I want to replace it. In seven languages.
Hmm.
ENDNOTE.
A better question than, ‘What’s the best way for me to say this?’ is ‘What’s the best way for them to hear this?’
_________________________________
I’ll post 10 times throughout November 2026, about Old Post Office Riverside Holiday Cottages.
Because occupancy is spiking, the first 30-odd reviews in 2026 were a perfect 10/10 and 95% of ALL reviews (500+) are a perfect 10/10.
If you have holiday cottages, or want to have holiday cottages, this might help.
Please repost and tag if anyone you know might want to read the series throughout November 2026.
Thank you. And Merry Christmas.
Mychael.
Website: www.oldpostoffice.co.uk