February 11, 2009 141 Comments

Cafe Shaped Business – The Roger Smith Hotel

Emily and Ian TweetI just got back from a trip to New York City. Before leaving, I mentioned on Twitter that I was coming to the city. My friend, Chris Kieff, from Ripple6 and I were planning to meet up, and he mentioned that I might check out the Roger Smith Hotel, because he knew they had some kind of blogger special. Moments after this, I hear the same information from Brett Petersel of Mashable.

So, I check it out. Moments later, I have an email from Adam Wallace, their new media marketing guy telling me that they’d love to have me at their hotel, and that the winter blogger’s rate is $125 a night. (Remember, this is in Manhattan). Cool, I write back, and ask if I can book a room.

Not only do they give me a room. They have an upgrade available to a suite. So now I’m in heaven. But we don’t stop there.

They throw a TWEETUP for all the Twitter folks who want to come by. (pictures start around here). This is hosted by their other social media star, Brian Simpson, who between the two of us, gathered up quite a crowd of folks to an event where they bought the drinks, and where we had a little space just for us.

Why Do This?

Some of you already know the answer. Where will I stay the next time I go to New York? Who did I talk about every time someone asked me where I’m staying? Heck, I even brought them into my presentation at the O’Reilly Tools of Change event.

Heck, I even shot a video of my room!

So, ask yourself: if you could equip your customers to be excited, passionate carriers of your story, why wouldn’t you try a few things and see what worked?

Related posts:

  1. Cafe-Shaped Business
  2. Cafe-Shaped Conversations
  3. A Hotel Built For Media Makers
  4. Julien Smith
  5. Video of My Interview with Kris Smith

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Newer Comments →
  • http://www.BruceElkin.com Bruce Elkin

    Very sweet. A win-win for all concerned. I like your style, CB!
    Cheers!

  • http://www.BruceElkin.com Bruce Elkin

    Very sweet. A win-win for all concerned. I like your style, CB!
    Cheers!

  • http://shortpumppreppy.com Short Pump Preppy

    $125? I think some Manhattan bloggers may be looking to sublet their overpriced apartments right now. Looks wonderful!

  • http://shortpumppreppy.com Short Pump Preppy

    $125? I think some Manhattan bloggers may be looking to sublet their overpriced apartments right now. Looks wonderful!

  • http://www.winedivergirl.wordpress.com WineDiverGirl

    Agreed on all counts! I was there the same weekend…and the hospitality, fun, location, energy even better than the rooms and rates! Sweet to meet you, Chris, and share the Grammy Party late night!

  • http://www.winedivergirl.wordpress.com WineDiverGirl

    Agreed on all counts! I was there the same weekend…and the hospitality, fun, location, energy even better than the rooms and rates! Sweet to meet you, Chris, and share the Grammy Party late night!

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  • http://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=3185134&locale=en_US&trk=tab_pro TWoods

    Wow – $125/night is an awesome deal. Kudo’s to The Roger Smith Hotel for not only identifying the importance of social media, but rewarding those for using it! It’s also nice to know that the positive experience carried through all aspects of your stay. I’d love to know if they see a spike in reservations from this. Thanks for sharing.

  • http://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=3185134&locale=en_US&trk=tab_pro TWoods

    Wow – $125/night is an awesome deal. Kudo’s to The Roger Smith Hotel for not only identifying the importance of social media, but rewarding those for using it! It’s also nice to know that the positive experience carried through all aspects of your stay. I’d love to know if they see a spike in reservations from this. Thanks for sharing.

  • http://rexblog.com Rex Hammock

    They had me at $125.

  • http://rexblog.com Rex Hammock

    They had me at $125.

  • http://www.directmarketingobservations.com Marc Meyer

    Now that..is viral, it’s social, it’s CRM, it’s customer service and someone knew what they were doing..

  • http://www.directmarketingobservations.com Marc Meyer

    Now that..is viral, it’s social, it’s CRM, it’s customer service and someone knew what they were doing..

  • http://www.deanmeyers.net Dean Meyers

    Did they throw in complementary Wi-fi? I live here, but I might just book a room at that rate just for a stay-cation next time I need a cheap break but can’t afford to leave town!

  • http://www.deanmeyers.net Dean Meyers

    Did they throw in complementary Wi-fi? I live here, but I might just book a room at that rate just for a stay-cation next time I need a cheap break but can’t afford to leave town!

  • http://twitter.com/SukiFuller Suki Fuller

    Just to let you know Chris – all the artwork on the walls were done by the owners of Roger Smith Hotel. Great to see you this week and thanks for shouting out my peeps at The Roger Smith Hotel.

  • http://twitter.com/SukiFuller Suki Fuller

    Just to let you know Chris – all the artwork on the walls were done by the owners of Roger Smith Hotel. Great to see you this week and thanks for shouting out my peeps at The Roger Smith Hotel.

  • http://www.cc-chapman.com C.C. Chapman

    I wish I had read this post yesterday before I booked a night at another hotel at a HIGHER rate.

    I’m always in and out of the city and staying over night. Definitely going to check it out on a future visit.

  • http://www.cc-chapman.com C.C. Chapman

    I wish I had read this post yesterday before I booked a night at another hotel at a HIGHER rate.

    I’m always in and out of the city and staying over night. Definitely going to check it out on a future visit.

  • http://www.redgiantconsulting.com Tamara Gruber

    I drive past the Roger Williams every time I’m in the city and now I have a whole new respect for it. I love seeing stories about traditional businesses using social media or any innovative marketing for that matter. Thanks for sharing!

  • http://www.redgiantconsulting.com Tamara Gruber

    I drive past the Roger Williams every time I’m in the city and now I have a whole new respect for it. I love seeing stories about traditional businesses using social media or any innovative marketing for that matter. Thanks for sharing!

  • http://wwww.networkedinsights.com Dan Neely

    CB… This is great stuff…. maybe companies should spend a couple of hundred bucks and arm their favorite customers with cameras to spread their message real time…..rather than wasting huge amounts on social media ads that don’t work…..thanks again.

  • http://wwww.networkedinsights.com Dan Neely

    CB… This is great stuff…. maybe companies should spend a couple of hundred bucks and arm their favorite customers with cameras to spread their message real time…..rather than wasting huge amounts on social media ads that don’t work…..thanks again.

  • http://www.Ripple6.com Chris Kieff

    And a wonderful meetup it was, Chris! The brunch was fantastic, as was the Tweetup which the Roger Smith Hotel sponsored later. Thanks for meeting with me and I look forward to many more in the future.

    Chris Kieff

  • http://www.Ripple6.com Chris Kieff

    And a wonderful meetup it was, Chris! The brunch was fantastic, as was the Tweetup which the Roger Smith Hotel sponsored later. Thanks for meeting with me and I look forward to many more in the future.

    Chris Kieff

  • http://premiersocialmmedia.wordpress.com/ James Schneider

    This is absolutely amazing and should’ve been thought of a long time ago! $125 in Manhattan, and a free upgrade?

    It only makes me more curious as to what other businesses will come up with in response to this. I suppose time will tell!

    Great post as always!

  • http://premiersocialmmedia.wordpress.com/ James Schneider

    This is absolutely amazing and should’ve been thought of a long time ago! $125 in Manhattan, and a free upgrade?

    It only makes me more curious as to what other businesses will come up with in response to this. I suppose time will tell!

    Great post as always!

  • Anonymous

    Servant’s quarters?
    Love it.

  • http://www.twitter.com/blg Barbara Gavin

    Servant’s quarters?
    Love it.

  • Patty Hartwell

    People are always asking me where to say in NYC that’s not too expensive. So it is great to know about the RogerSmithHotel. Their rooms are so big, I wonder if it might have been an old apartment building before it became a hotel. I agree – who cares about the old lady wall paper, need to upgrade the bathroom- that kind of hotel room space in a Manhattan hotel is so rare, it’s worth it.

  • Patty Hartwell

    People are always asking me where to say in NYC that’s not too expensive. So it is great to know about the RogerSmithHotel. Their rooms are so big, I wonder if it might have been an old apartment building before it became a hotel. I agree – who cares about the old lady wall paper, need to upgrade the bathroom- that kind of hotel room space in a Manhattan hotel is so rare, it’s worth it.

  • http://randomsarah.com Sarah Cooley

    Proof that social media can be applied to any business.

  • http://randomsarah.com Sarah Cooley

    Proof that social media can be applied to any business.

  • http://coffeewithian.com Ian

    And of course, there was that groundbreaking social media moment two years in the making: http://twitpic.com/1e72d

    Nice to see you on Sunday.

  • http://coffeewithian.com Ian

    And of course, there was that groundbreaking social media moment two years in the making: http://twitpic.com/1e72d

    Nice to see you on Sunday.

  • Anonymous

    Chris it isn’t that difficult to be gracious to such a kind soul as yourself!
    Thank you and can’t wait to see you again soon.
    On behalf of the entire roger smith hotel it was nice to have you.
    @bsimi

  • http://rogersmithlife.com Brian Simpson

    Chris it isn’t that difficult to be gracious to such a kind soul as yourself!
    Thank you and can’t wait to see you again soon.
    On behalf of the entire roger smith hotel it was nice to have you.
    @bsimi

  • http://rogersmithlife.com Adam Wallace (Roger Smith Hote

    Chris, thank you for such a wonderful post. As for the questions, we do offer comp WiFi for all of our guests. We have also extended our “Talk About Roger”, blogger special to all bloggers until the end of March. Let us know if you have other questions about the hotel.

    Again, Chris, we were so happy to have you and look forward to seeing you next time you are here in NYC.

  • http://rogersmithlife.com Adam Wallace (Roger Smith Hotel)

    Chris, thank you for such a wonderful post. As for the questions, we do offer comp WiFi for all of our guests. We have also extended our “Talk About Roger”, blogger special to all bloggers until the end of March. Let us know if you have other questions about the hotel.

    Again, Chris, we were so happy to have you and look forward to seeing you next time you are here in NYC.

  • http://writing4life.com @sandraschubert

    Hey Chris it was great to meet you at the Roger Smith Hotel. I am one of those people who does not take advantage of what NYC has to offer because I just used to it.
    It is very good to know about the hotel and I had nice chat w. Brian about social media and customer service.
    And, I get to be in your photo stream it makes me “microfamous” in my world.

  • http://writing4life.com @sandraschubert

    Hey Chris it was great to meet you at the Roger Smith Hotel. I am one of those people who does not take advantage of what NYC has to offer because I just used to it.
    It is very good to know about the hotel and I had nice chat w. Brian about social media and customer service.
    And, I get to be in your photo stream it makes me “microfamous” in my world.

  • http://marketingtowomenonline.typepad.com/ Holly Buchanan

    Kimpton Hotels is may favorite, but after seeing the Roger Smith – I may have a new New York favorite.

  • http://marketingtowomenonline.typepad.com/ Holly Buchanan

    Kimpton Hotels is may favorite, but after seeing the Roger Smith – I may have a new New York favorite.

  • http://nexeusfatale.com Nexeus Fatale

    I’ve always been interested in the things that Roger Smith is doing, having a “space” that welcomes social media events of all sorts isn’t really heard of in NYC, yet alone the country. There used to be more cafe’s with net connections that people used for hangouts, but those have all gone. The fact there are items that cater to bloggers, social media, makes it a very unique and interesting place.
    That and it’s great to meet people like you in person :-D

  • http://nexeusfatale.com Nexeus Fatale

    I’ve always been interested in the things that Roger Smith is doing, having a “space” that welcomes social media events of all sorts isn’t really heard of in NYC, yet alone the country. There used to be more cafe’s with net connections that people used for hangouts, but those have all gone. The fact there are items that cater to bloggers, social media, makes it a very unique and interesting place.
    That and it’s great to meet people like you in person :-D

  • http://www.mybusiness-advisors.com Stuart Preston, Chandler/Gilbe

    What I love about this hotel’s idea is the compounding returns they are getting. It’s too easy to go for a buzz event/idea that gets a big bang up front with diminishing returns later on. Your challenge to all of us to find a way to work this idea is a good one, one I’ll be brainstorming with my team! Thank you!

  • http://www.mybusiness-advisors.com Stuart Preston, Chandler/Gilbert Business Coach

    What I love about this hotel’s idea is the compounding returns they are getting. It’s too easy to go for a buzz event/idea that gets a big bang up front with diminishing returns later on. Your challenge to all of us to find a way to work this idea is a good one, one I’ll be brainstorming with my team! Thank you!

  • http://www.champagneliving.net Zippy

    OK, $125 is a FABULOUS rate for NYC and the perks…WOW! So, where’s the first place I’d checkout (because of your post) of course it will be the Roger Smith. Even better, I teach how to Live Rich for Less & this is one place that’s getting LISTED. Thanks Chris.

  • http://www.champagneliving.net Zippy

    OK, $125 is a FABULOUS rate for NYC and the perks…WOW! So, where’s the first place I’d checkout (because of your post) of course it will be the Roger Smith. Even better, I teach how to Live Rich for Less & this is one place that’s getting LISTED. Thanks Chris.

  • http://openmode.ca Malcolm Bastien

    Ok, so broadcast your plans and let the *right* people know what you need. Go for the right kind of relationship formed that can pay off for both parties in the long run, and make sure to publish the results. And tweet ups are the perfect events to run! They cost virtually nothing to organize!

    You’ve given me a lot to think about!

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