Hotel Photography

Introducing “Get to No University” – A Revolutionary Love Story

I am writing a book called “Get to No University – Using No and Why to Revolutionize the Status Quo”. There – I said it out loud.

As I wrote those words, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement mixed with anxiety. Get to No University is a title I have been carrying with me for years. It represents the framework through which I view the culmination of my life experiences, my journey with neurodivergence, and my unwavering belief that we can all make a difference in the world.

But for the longest time, I thought this book would be a self-help guide for others to follow in my footsteps. I soon realized that this was not the case. This book is not a how-to manual, but rather an epic love story. A love story that spans generations and embraces the power of saying “No” and asking “Why”.

The only person who I knew would truly understand the depth and complexity of this story is my beloved niece Nora. As I write this book and blog with her by my side, I am reminded of the importance of telling our stories authentically and with love.

Because if there is one thing I am good at, it’s storytelling. And if there is one thing Nora is good at, it’s love.

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Nora: Defying Expectations and Embracing Unconditional Potential

As human beings, we are often categorized and labeled by society based on a certain set of norms and expectations. We are expected to follow a certain path, achieve certain milestones, and fit into a certain mold. Kids are measured based on arbitrary milestones and a standardized spectrum that may or may not tell a complete story of their abilities or capabilities.

However, what if I told you that there is a person in this world who defies all of these expectations? A person whose potential is so unconditional that it inspires those around her every single day.

When my beloved niece Nora was born, we all fell in love with her immediately and if you meet her, trust me you will too. Nora brings a light into this world that nobody can touch. She shines with a brilliance that is so uninhibited and unfettered by external expectations that it truly defies logic. There is no word for what makes her special, because she is simply one of a kind.

Nora was born with a one-of-a-kind genetic abnormality that created a unique combination of chromosomes, affecting the physical structure of her brain in a way that doctors had never seen before. While she shares similar traits with other neurodivergent people, including her Auntie Paige, her brain is truly unique and so is she.

This meant that there were no expectations or milestones for her development, leaving us as her family to learn FROM her and embrace her unique perspective on the world.

What Nora Can Teach Us About Embracing Our Unique Abilities and Overcoming Limitations

Can you imagine coming into a world where there is nothing but upside? Where everything you do amazes and shocks and thrills the people who love you? Can you imagine milestones being thrown out the window and you were only judged based on yourself? The only curve that your grade is based on is how well you’re doing compared to how well you were doing a minute ago.

Nora and Auntie Paige: Two Minds, One Heart, and an Epic Journey of Self-Discovery

As I write this book with Nora by my side, I’m reminded of the importance of asking why. It’s about questioning the status quo and not accepting things just because they’ve always been done that way. By asking why, we can challenge the norm and create change.

Together, Nora and I are exploring these concepts and how they can be applied to our own lives and the world at large. It’s a journey of self-discovery and transformation, and we invite you to join us around the cosmic bonfire as we learn how to revolutionize the status quo.

Underestimate Nora at Your Own Peril: The Surprising Insights of a Nonconformist Mind

Nora’s abilities may be uneven, but she constantly surprises us with her unexpected insights. One day, while I was texting my other niece about our plans for the week, Nora was watching my phone screen.

We knew that Nora had some ability to read and write on her own using voice-to-text or predictive typing on her phone or Kindle. But I didn’t realize that she also now had the ability to read and comprehend what I was writing.

As I was typing, Nora asked me when I was going to the lake. Trying to avoid her tagging along, I told her I wasn’t sure which was technically true because our plans weren’t firm yet.

To my surprise, she replied, “Why did you tell Liza Tillman that you were going to the lake on Wednesday?” It was then that I realized she had been reading my messages all along, and I had underestimated her yet again. This incident showed me that Nora sets her own milestones and is capable of more than we give her credit for.

The fact is, we are all one of one, with a specific combination of traits and preferences and gifts, quirks, and idiosyncrasies that make us who we are. Nora’s unique genetics have given her the ability to be completely and unapologetically herself, without the pressure of societal norms and expectations.

Most of us can’t understand that kind of unconditional potential because most of us are measured by what is considered “normal”.

In a world where conformity is often valued over individuality, Nora reminds us that being different is not only okay, but it is something to be celebrated. She inspires us to embrace our own individuality and to strive for unconditional potential.

Discovering Your Blueprint: Asking the Right Questions to Live an Aligned Life

But this book isn’t about Nora’s uniqueness or her genetic abnormality. It’s not about how I thrived in the world of business despite and because of my own neurodivergence.

In fact, It’s not about neurodivergence or any other label that society might put on us. It’s about revolutionizing the status quo and redefining success on our own terms.

We all have our own unique blueprint, our own set of strengths, weaknesses, and desires. This book and blog and my coaching practice are all about discovering that blueprint and living a life that aligns with it. And the key to discovering that blueprint is asking the right questions starting with WHY.

But the power of “no” is equally important. It’s about setting boundaries and not being afraid to say no when something doesn’t align with our values or goals. It’s about recognizing that we have agency over our own lives and can choose the path we want to take.

Revolutionizing the Status Quo: Redefining Success on Your Own Terms

We’re not here to change you. We’re not here to tell you how to live your life. In fact, we think you’re pretty amazing just the way you are. We’re here to teach you how to ask the right questions to live the most aligned life for the blueprint of your soul.

So join us on this epic love story as we share our journey of discovery, self-love, and revolution.

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

• Both hotel lifestyle photography and videography and authentic guest experience photography and videography have their benefits, as does influencer marketing.
• When choosing a marketing strategy, hotels should consider their target audience, marketing goals, and budget.
• While influencer marketing can be effective in reaching a large audience, it may not always resonate with the hotel’s target audience.
• Authentic guest experience photography and videography, on the other hand, feels more genuine and trustworthy, but requires ongoing collaborations to produce new content.
• Ultimately, the best approach is to create a balance between all three strategies to create a comprehensive and effective hotel marketing campaign.

Understanding the difference between Influencers and Authentic Guest Experience in Hotel Marketing

Hotels these days are besieged by wanna be influencers and aspiring content creators asking for free stays with promises of amorphous social media deliverables. But how do you know what you are getting if you agree to a hotel collaboration with a content creator?

Authentic Guest Experience vs. Influencer Marketing

Authentic guest experience photography and videography has become increasingly important in hotel marketing. These visual assets are used to showcase a hotel’s amenities, atmosphere, and overall guest experience from the viewpoint of an actual guest. In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards influencer marketing, where hotels partner with social media influencers to promote their brand. While both approaches have their benefits, there are significant differences between them that hotels should consider when choosing a marketing strategy.

The focus of Influencer Marketing is on the INFLUENCER…not the HOTEL. People who see the content on their social media feeds usually are more interested in the influencer’s status than the story of their stay.

Another difference between these approaches is the cost. Hotel lifestyle photography and videography can be expensive, but it is a one-time investment that can be used for years to come. Authentic guest experience photography and videography, while typically less expensive, requires ongoing collaborations with content creators to continually produce new content. Influencer marketing can be even more costly since influencers often charge a premium for sponsored content.

Differences between Lifestyle and Authentic Guest Experience Content

The main difference between professional hotel lifestyle photography & videography or authentic guest experience photography & videography and influencer marketing is the approach to content creation. Hotel lifestyle photography and videography focus on capturing the hotel’s amenities and atmosphere in a professional and polished manner. Authentic guest experience photography and videography, on the other hand, take a more personal and authentic approach, focusing on showcasing the guest experience.

Influencer marketing, while effective in reaching a large audience, can often feel disingenuous and staged. Many social media users are becoming increasingly skeptical of sponsored content and may not trust the recommendations of influencers. Authentic guest experience photography and videography, on the other hand, feels more genuine and trustworthy since it is created by individuals who have actually stayed at the hotel.

These types of content creators are focused on telling the story of their experience as guests at the hotel with the focus being on the HOTEL. This authentic approach provides potential guests with a more relatable review versus feeling like a Hollywood movie set or overly salesy commercial video.

One such technology is user generated content (UGC) creation. While UGC has been around for a while, it is now starting to gain traction in the travel industry as a way for travelers to share their experiences and recommendations with others.

Hotel Lifestyle Photography and Videography

Hotel lifestyle photography and videography focus on capturing the “essence” of the hotel or resort. These assets showcase the hotel’s amenities, architecture, decor, and overall atmosphere. This type of visual content is created by professional photographers and videographers who understand the hotel’s brand and target audience. The content is often used on the hotel’s website, social media channels, and in marketing materials such as brochures and ads.

This type of content is usually more highly produced and edited with a focus on marketing the essence vs. the actual experience. These sweeping shots focus on small details and aesthetics to create a scene vs. to tell a story.

Authentic Guest Experience Photography and Videography

Hotel UGC will not replace traditional hotel photography or vice versa. Instead UGC will complement the type of hotel photography that brands require and owners expect. Hotel UGC will sell the experience and the lifestyle through an organic, less polished and more approachable style. Traditional Hotel photography will show the physical space and logistics if you will.

Consumers will use one to verify the other.

• Are the traditional photos overly edited to the point of inauthenticity?
• Did the UGC focus more on the creator’s experience without showing the logistics of the space?
• Do the two sets of content consistently tell the same story and show the same place only in different ways?

In summary, the evolution of new technologies often requires education and understanding before they can be fully embraced by the public. As a business, it is our job to help educate our customers about these technologies and how they can benefit them. Whether it’s virtual tours or UGC, we have a responsibility to help our customers understand and take advantage of the tools available to them.

The Backstory…Hotels don’t know what Travel UGC is yet.

Hotel builds or renovations are VERY expensive. The property needs to market their property but by the time the doors open, there is often little budget left for marketing.

Gifted Hotel Stays in exchange for Curated Content

One way for new or newly renovated hotels to generate a ton of content is to reach out to travel UGC creators and offer gifted stays at the property. This can be a win-win situation, as the creators can use the opportunity to create new content for their followers, while the property can benefit from the exposure and authentic recommendations.

I recently reached out to a newly renovated boutique hotel to introduce them to my community of UGC creators. The property has great professional hotel photography so they didn’t need our services but UGC would have been a fantastic wait to kickstart their social media presence after the renovation. The hotel enthusiastically said that they would be excited to offer midweek stays in exchange for content.

I introduced them to an absolute Rock Star of travel UGC. Our plan was to host a Curated Content Safari where we invite a group of creators to collaboratively create content for the hotel during a group stay. Instead of getting one perspective, they would get a collaborative collaboration!

Unfortunately after we talked more, the hotel said that they couldn’t afford to offer gifted stays since they were so new. The point of gifted stays is to offer rooms that would otherwise be empty! We think the actual objection was that they didn’t understand the difference in Travel UGC and Influencer Marketing.

Travel UGC vs. Influencer Marketing

It is understandable that they may be hesitant to offer free stays due to their new status…if their rooms are full every night. However, it is important to remember that gifted UGC stays can be a cost-effective way to promote a business in the early days. By investing in building relationships with travel UGC creators and encouraging them to share their experiences at your property, you can create a steady stream of authentic, credible content that will attract potential customers.

Travel User-Generated Content (UGC) is a valuable asset for any business in the travel industry, including hotels. UGC refers to content that is created by customers or travelers, such as photos, reviews, and social media posts. This type of content is particularly valuable because it is authentic and genuine, and it can help to build trust with potential customers.

However, it seems that there is still a misunderstanding in the travel industry about the difference between UGC and influencer marketing. Influencer marketing refers to the practice of partnering with social media influencers or celebrities to promote a product or service. While influencer marketing can be effective, it can also be expensive, as influencers often charge fees for their services.

On the other hand, UGC is often free or low-cost, as it is created by customers who are already interested in and engaged with a brand. Additionally, UGC can be more credible and authentic than influencer marketing, as it comes from real customers who have had first-hand experiences with a product or service.

As a business in the travel industry, it is important to understand the value of UGC and how it can be used to promote your property. While it may be tempting to focus on influencer marketing, UGC can be just as, if not more, effective in building trust and attracting customers.

In conclusion, travel UGC is a valuable asset for new businesses in the travel industry.

It is important to understand the difference between UGC and influencer marketing and to consider the benefits of utilizing UGC to promote your property. By building relationships with travel UGC creators and encouraging them to share their experiences at your property, you can create a steady stream of authentic, credible content that will attract potential customers and help your business succeed.