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Competitor Mention Follow-up Automation

The Competitor Mention automation detects when leads reference specific competitor properties and responds with strategic positioning that highlights your unique value proposition.

Overview​

Purpose: Win business when guests are comparison shopping with competitors.

Trigger: Competitor name mentioned in inquiry or conversation.

Channels: Personalized email with direct agent follow-up call.

Setup Instructions​

  1. Navigate to Automations in your SendSquared dashboard
  2. Click + Create New Automation
  3. Select Competitor Response from the template library
  4. Configure the automation with the following nodes:

Step 1: Configure Competitor Detection​

  1. Select the Keyword Trigger
  2. Set up competitor name monitoring:
    • Direct property names
    • Competitor brand names
    • Common misspellings
    • Related search terms

Step 2: Identify Competitor Context​

  1. Add Sentiment Analysis:
    • Positive mention ("I liked X but...")
    • Price comparison inquiry
    • Feature comparison
    • Availability comparison

Step 3: Create Strategic Response​

  1. Design response based on competitor:
    • Premium competitors → Value emphasis
    • Budget competitors → Quality focus
    • Similar tier → Unique differentiators

Email Template (General Competitor Mention)​

Subject: Why choose [Your Property] over [Competitor]?

Dear [Guest Name],

Thank you for your inquiry. I understand you're also considering [Competitor Property].

Having studied both properties extensively (as we often get this question), here's what makes [Your Property] the better choice for your [Date] vacation:

EXCLUSIVE ADVANTAGES:
🏆 Our Property: [Your Property]
• Recent renovation: 2023 (full remodel)
• Location: [Specific advantage] - only [X] minutes to [Attraction]
• Rating: 4.9/5.0 ([X] reviews) vs 4.3/5.0
• Response time: < 1 hour vs average 24 hours
• Special amenities: [unique features they don't have]

REAL GUEST COMPARISON:
"We stayed at [Competitor] last year and [Your Property] this year. The difference was night and day! The [specific feature] alone made our trip so much better." - Sarah K., verified guest

WHAT GUESTS DON'T NOTICE IMMEDIATELY:
• Professional property management vs. individual owners
• 24/7 local support (not just office hours)
• Stricter cleaning standards ([Certification/Process])
• Better wifi/tech infrastructure
• Complimentary services we include

CURRENT AVAILABILITY:
[Your Property] - $[Rate]/night (Book by [Date] for [X]% off)
[Competitor] - $[Rate]/night (Standard pricing)

When factoring in our included amenities, you actually save $[Amount] with us.

Would you like me to:
□ Show you a virtual tour comparison
□ Connect you with a recent guest
□ Offer a trial stay discount
□ Review specific feature comparisons

I'm confident once you see the details, you'll understand why savvy travelers choose us.

Best regards,
[Sales Manager]
[Phone] | [Direct Email]

P.S. Booking directly with us also means no platform fees - save another [X]%

Competitor-Specific Templates​

Airbnb Comparison​

Subject: Vacation Rentals: Airbnb vs Professional Management

Hi [Guest Name],

I see you're comparing our professionally managed property with Airbnb listings. Here's what the difference means for your vacation:

PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT VS. AMATEUR HOSTS:
✓ 24/7 maintenance response
✓ Consistent quality standards
✓ Professional photography (accurate representation)
✓ Immediate issue resolution
✓ Backup accommodation guarantee
✓ Verified identity/background checks
✓ Licensed and insured

HIDDEN COSTS COMPARISON:
Airbnb charges:
• Service fee: 12-20%
• Cleaning fee: $50-150
• Extra guest fees
• Booking fee

Our pricing:
• Cleaning included
• No service fees
• Free cancellation
• Price match guarantee

GUEST PROTECTION:
• Licensed by [Authority]
• Commercial insurance coverage
• Damage protection included
• Dispute resolution process

Ready to see the difference? [Book Now]

VRBO Comparison​

Subject: VRBO vs [Your Company] - The Smart Choice

Dear [Guest Name],

I noticed you're looking at us on VRBO. Booking direct with us saves you money and gets you more:

DIRECT BOOKING BENEFITS:
💰 Save 8-12% (no VRBO fees)
🎁 Exclusive upgrades available
⏰ Faster customer service
🔄 Flexible policies

WHY GUESTS BOOK DIRECT:
"I spent hours on VRBO comparing properties. When I called [Your Company] direct, I got a better rate AND better service." - Michael R.

OUR GUARANTEE:
• Match any legitimate advertised rate
• Free cancellation up to [Days]
• Immediate booking confirmation
• No hidden fees

Current special: Save additional 5% by booking direct today

[Direct Booking Link]

Questions? Call me directly: [Phone]

Agent Call Script​

[COMPETITOR COMPARISON SCRIPT]

Opening: "This is [Agent] returning your inquiry. I understand you're comparing us with [Competitor]."

Key Talking Points:
1. "What attracted you to their property?"
2. "Let me share what sets us apart..."
3. "Have you considered [specific advantage]?"
4. "Our guests who've stayed at both say..."

Objection Responses:
→ Price concern: "When you factor in [X], we're actually [X]% less expensive"
→ Location: "Our location actually provides easier access to [Y]"
→ Amenities: "We also include [Z] at no extra cost"

Closing: "I'd like to offer you [specific incentive] to book today. This helps us maintain our high occupancy and superior service levels."

Conversion Strategies​

Price Objection​

"While [Competitor] may seem cheaper initially, our all-inclusive rate often results in [X]% savings when you factor in:
• Free parking ($[Amount]/day value)
• Included amenities
• No surprise fees
• Better cancellation policy"

Location Concerns​

"Actually, our location provides unique advantages:
• [X] minutes to [Major Attraction] 
• Walking distance to [Local Feature]
• Away from tourist crowds
• Better parking availability
• Quieter neighborhood for relaxation"

Amenity Gaps​

"I notice [Competitor] doesn't offer:
• [Essential Amenity 1]
• [Essential Amenity 2]
• [Convenience Feature]

Would these be important for your stay?"

Best Practices​

  • Never disparage competitors directly
  • Focus on unique strengths
  • Use facts and verifiable data
  • Highlight exclusive offerings
  • Create value through comparison
  • Offer immediate incentives
  • Build trust with transparency
  • Track which comparisons work best

Response Timing​

  • Within 1 hour of competitor mention
  • Call within 4 hours for price comparisons
  • Daily rate checks on mentioned competitors
  • Weekly competitive analysis review

Measuring Success​

Track metrics:

  • Conversion rate from competitor mentions
  • Most effective counterarguments
  • Price sensitivity by competitor
  • Features that win bookings
  • ROI of competitive responses