I read about a hotel that promises a “fun, colorful and flavorful” and magical experience.
Set to open in August, the hotel began taking reservations online in June.
It sold out in two minutes.
Introducing The Bell: A Taco Bell Hotel and Resort in Palm Springs, California.
The Bell is just a temporary rebranding of the V Palm Springs Hotel. From August 8-12, the hotel will be all about Taco Bell.
A gift shop with Taco Bell apparel. A salon with Taco Bell-inspired nail art, fades and a braid bar. New menu items exclusively for hotel guests. A “happier hour” with “saucier snacks.”
Taco Bell promises the hotel will be an “extra serving of Taco Bell magic” that “is going to be hot. (Literally.)”
The hotel has 70 rooms. Rates start at $169/night. That’s 70 rooms for five nights in August (350 rooms overall) that sold out in two minutes.
Impressive.
This begs a question… What does Taco Bell sell?
If you answered, “Tacos,” you’ve missed the point.
If you answered, “Tacos and hotel rooms,” you’ve missed the point.
When announcing the hotel, Taco Bell’s Chief Global Brand Officer Marisa Thalberg said, “The Bell stands to be the biggest expression of the Taco Bell lifestyle to date.”
I like that quote because, you see, Taco Bell sells a lifestyle.
Taco Bell sells fun. Taco Bell sells colorful. Taco Bell sells happiness. Taco Bell sells saucy-ness.
Forget about the hotel for a minute and think about Taco Bell ads. Visit their website. Think about the image they promote, the customer they attract.
Sure, they’ve built their business dishing out tasty(?), Mexican-inspired fast-food.
But they’re selling a feeling. They’re selling a vibe. They’re selling “magic.” And they’re selling it well.
Think I’m crazy?
Then explain to me why 350 $169+ hotel rooms sold out in 120 seconds. It’s not because the Cheesy Gordita Crunch tastes good.
What do you sell?
Tom
MarketVolt
p.s. We help businesses figure out what they sell. Then we help them identify and connect with their target markets so people will listen to what you’re saying. If you want to discuss how to make it happen for your business, email me at tom@marketvolt.com. For no charge and no strings attached, we’ll discuss with you how you’re building email lists, generating new leads and generally finding and connecting with prospects.
p.p.s. If you like these emails, please do me this favor: Forward this to someone who might also enjoy it and encourage them to sign up for future emails on our website at MarketVolt.com.