Social media marketing has become very important for hotels. In fact, it’s so effective that it’s hard to imagine hotel marketing without it. But many hotels are not using it to its full potential. Many hoteliers limit their efforts to just one or two social media platforms or focus only on promotional content. To succeed, hotels need to be more diverse and creative with their social media approach.
In this blog, we’ll look at the best social media strategies for independent hotels. We’ll go over the features of each platform, and show you how you can use them to get better results for your hotel. We’ll also highlight how Hotelogix’s tools can help improve your hotel’s online presence.
1. Infographic – 5 Basic Social Media Tips
A good social media strategy goes beyond posting room rates or discounts. It’s about sharing content your audience will enjoy. Here are five tips to get you started:
- Share User-Generated Content: Ask your guests to share their photos and tag your hotel.
- Engage with Your Followers: Reply to comments, share their posts, and build connections.
- Use Relevant Hashtags: This will help more people find your posts.
- Post Regularly: Consistent posting helps keep your brand top of mind.
- Promote Special Deals: Share exclusive offers to drive bookings.
Fact: 79% of people say user-generated content highly impacts their purchasing decisions
2. Facebook Marketing for Hotels
Facebook is still one of the most powerful platforms for hotel marketing. With over 2.8 billion active users, it offers a great way to reach potential guests. Here’s how to use it for your hotel:
Use the ‘Check-In’ Feature
Encourage your guests to check-in at your hotel on Facebook. This can help spread the word to their friends and bring in new bookings.
Fact: 93% of travelers say online reviews influence their travel booking decisions
Run Paid Promotions
With Facebook Ads, you can target your posts to the right audience. This helps you reach people who are more likely to book with you. Integrating your Web booking engine can also make it easier for guests to complete their booking after clicking on your ad.
Case Study: A study by Social Media Examiner found that Facebook Ads can increase bookings by up to 30% for hotels that actively engage with users through targeted campaigns
Use Facebook Messenger to Build Guest Engagement
Facebook Messenger is a great tool to connect with guests. You can answer their questions, provide special offers, or simply chat with them to keep them engaged.
Collect Guest Reviews on Your Facebook Page
Encourage your guests to leave reviews on your Facebook page. Good reviews will improve your hotel’s reputation and encourage others to book with you.
3. Instagram Marketing for Hotels
Instagram is all about visual content. To succeed here, you need to post high-quality, attractive photos that highlight your hotel’s best features.
Personalize Your Feed
Make sure your Instagram feed shows what makes your hotel special. Share images of your rooms, guest experiences, and even behind-the-scenes looks at your staff.
Build a Consistent Community
When you post regularly and engage with your followers, you build a community around your hotel. This can help increase loyalty and trust, leading to more bookings.
Engage with Your Guests
Respond to comments, ask questions, and share user-generated content. Building a relationship with your followers can turn them into repeat guests.
4. YouTube Marketing for Hotels
Video is becoming more important in hotel marketing. YouTube is the best platform to share videos and reach a larger audience.
Create Virtual Tours
Studies show that guests are 67% more likely to book a hotel after watching a virtual tour. Give potential guests a detailed look at your property to build trust and excitement.
Fact: Hotels with virtual tours experience a 20-30% increase in booking conversions
Keep Videos Short and Engaging
While YouTube allows longer videos, short, impactful videos tend to get more shares. Focus on creating crisp, compelling content that showcases the best of your hotel.
Respond to Your Audience
Don’t just upload videos and forget about them. Make sure to respond to comments and thank guests for sharing your videos.
5. Twitter Marketing for Hotels
Twitter is great for quick updates, answering questions, and staying connected with guests.
Handle Guest Queries
Use Twitter to quickly respond to questions or complaints. This shows that you care about guest satisfaction and are willing to solve any problems they have.
Share Updates in Real-Time
Whether it’s about a special offer or an event happening at your hotel, Twitter allows you to share information instantly.
6. Other Platforms to Explore
There are other platforms you can use to promote your hotel online.
Pinterest is perfect for showcasing beautiful visuals of your hotel and inspiring future guests.
Google+
Although its popularity has waned, Google+ still plays a role in search visibility. Hotel owners can use it to interact with guests and ensure their hotel shows up in relevant search results.
LinkedIn is useful for connecting with other professionals in the hospitality industry. It’s a good place for sharing industry insights and building your hotel’s thought leadership.
Product Focus: Hotelogix Social Media Integration Tools
Additionally, with Hotelogix’s integration of a Web booking engine, you can track conversions from social media campaigns and make the booking process seamless for guests. These tools not only enhance your hotel's social media presence but also ensure that the guest journey from browsing to booking is smooth and efficient.
Conclusion
Social media marketing is about more than just posting about discounts. It’s about connecting with your audience, building relationships, and creating a community that leads to more bookings. By using the tips and strategies we’ve shared, along with Hotelogix’s tools, you can improve your hotel’s online visibility, enhance guest engagement, and increase your bookings.
Start implementing these social media strategies today and watch your hotel’s brand grow!