Quick Fire Questions With Simon Soar 🚀

As always on these podcasts, I like to finish on a little quick fire question. If you could be isolated or locked down quarantine with one celebrity, who would it be?

It depends what mood I'm in. It's either going to be someone like Jim Jeffries, who is slightly outrageous but I think he would help get you through some dark times, or Billy Connolly. I think the man isn't just funny, he's got a wealth of experience and he can hold a decent conversation. I think they'd be my key to slightly on the comedic side, but one slightly darker.

I said on Friday that mine would be Joe Rogan for very similar, very similar sort of reasons. So obviously you're a busy person and you're running around and all the things everybody has a to watch list whether it's on Netflix or whatever. What has been one movie or one series that has been on your to watch list that you hadn't had the chance to do so in the past, but now getting that chance to maybe watch it back or watch it two.

Films, Captain Marvel and Avengers Endgame. I've just got Disney plus so they're happening very soon. Two series, Mandalorian and I'm also catching up on Brooklyn Nine nine also as.

Well those of you tuning in live or on the replay, leave it in the comments. What is one celebrity that you would be isolated with and what is that one movie or series? I asked today in the hospitality community Netflix suggestions and we had over 178 so there's lots to go back on. What is the one thing that you've missed since being in lockdown? So what is the one thing that you've just missed being able to do?

Actually thinking about this a lot the other day and you could say is it going to the pub? But with a three year old getting to the pub doesn't happen as much as you'd like. Is it going out for a meal in the restaurant? Yeah, we like that but we cook at home quite a lot. Anyway, I think I realized and it sounds silly it's actually going out and having a coffee with my members so I spend a lot of time, my meetings are out and about with members over a coffee and it's also a chance to catch up and speak to them.

I was thinking about this over the weekend and I think it really hit today. I really miss the football not being here, having that escapism for like that 90 minutes, not not having that and I'm a, I'm a big Liverpool fan. We are just two wins away from this Premier League if it happens. So just having that. And again the escapism falls into movies and going to the cinema again, like, is that going to be something that. That we were able to do in the future? As so many movie chains now you can see over in America, AMC are having to ask for bailouts and all the things. So, yeah, having that. Definitely missing that. So in the last 12 months, if there's something that stands out under a hundred pounds, what has been your favorite, your best purchase above £100.

Because I've got something which I don't normally spend money very often. The missus holds the purse strings, etc.

Let's do it. Let's do it. Go for it.

Machine broke after seven years. Was about 2, 222.30 I think we picked it up for. It's the best thing. I got a replacement for it.

Do you have a favorite podcast or YouTube channel? The one that you've just got in your earbuds or the one you like to just tune in on? Have you got a particular favorite?

I'm not a massive podcast. I listen to a lot of audiobooks. In particular, if I'm going out walking to see members, you know, or driving in the car, I'll stick my audiobook on. That's my little escape, I suppose. It was a David Gemmell book, I believe. I've gone through most of his. A massive fan of his and Simon Scarrow, big fan of his as well.

What is your number one advice to anybody listening to help them potentially boost their direct bookings? What's the one bit of advice that you give to members, to anybody, when it comes to if they want to increase their direct bookings, not rely on third parties to get them in the future, what would be that one piece of little nugget?

I suppose it's looking at the personal touches. A lot of things when we look, because we quite often will stay if we're going away, especially if it's for short breaks, will stay in self catering or little places. If I can see somewhere that's got a personal touch to it, a personal feel to it, that for me means more than anything else showing those little touches. In particular, if you're looking at self catering accommodation, showing things that you've done, things that you've made at your own, not that generic style, not just the typical put in repeated sort of thing. Show something that really personalises it and I think that means more than anything else.

I just want to say thank you so much for doing this, Simon. We really, really, really appreciate. I know the people in the comments appreciate it as well. If anybody wants to get in touch, where's the best place? Is it social media, is it an email? Or if anybody wants to just reach out and just say thanks for this. Is there any preferred place?

I'm on social media, they're welcome. My emails public. Anyway, it's SimonJerseyHospitality.com always happy to answer any questions I do. Look, you know I'm a member association. I do primarily look after my members during times like this. My advice is always there if anyone needs it or wants to chat or wants the downside is anything at all.

Thank you to everybody that has tuned in. If you could do me one big favor before you leave. There's a little share button in the bottom left hand corner of your screen. Tap that. Share it on your personal wall. Share it on a business page. Share it in a Facebook group. Tell people about what we're doing for today's show. Notes I have mentioned this already, booster.co.uk podcast. Go there and you can go and find out more about everything that we have chatted about today and more. And if you want to get a five step guide on how you can increase your direct bookings, go to boostly.co.uk Five Step alright, thank you very much. Tomorrow night or the next episode we are going to be back with hospitality owners that have been able to get bookings during this period. Have income and revenue come in, they're going to share their stories to see if you can pick up on anything, to see if you can put it into practice in your business. For now, thank you so much.