Everything You Need to Know About Hotel Social Media Strategy and Why You Need It

Over the years, the use of social media has skyrocketed. It is increasingly rare that someone does not have a profile on at least one social media platform, if not many. Not only do consumers use it to catch up with friends and family, it has also become a place to learn more about a business. Hotel social media has now earned its place as a marketing tool. You need to create a business profile to stay relevant, and you need to know how to use it to maximize its potential.

Do you have questions about implementing a successful hotel social media strategy? Fill out our contact form or give us a call so we can start helping you with your strategy today.

3 of the Top Reasons Why You Need Hospitality Social Media Marketing

Social media marketing for hotels used to be considered trivial. Now, it is more important than ever. There is an unspoken assumption that hotel social media has little to no impact on revenue. However, if you do it right, you could see a huge return on your investment. Here’s how:

1. Creating a Relationship

Social media is all about creating a relationship with your customer. Whether someone follows your page or has stumbled upon it for the first time, your hotel social media should reflect who you are as a brand. For the people that follow you, your content is seen when you post. However, there are also times that people will come to your page for the first time, especially when researching your company. According to Inc, 84 percent trust online reviews as much as a personal recommendation. No matter how people reach your page, your hotel social media marketing is the perfect opportunity to show potential customers who you really are by what you post. Take your brand a step further!

2. Rule of 7

If you’re not familiar with the “rule of 7,” it basically means that consumers need to hear or see an advertisement at least seven times before they purchase that product or service. Reaching a potential client seven times can be a challenge. Luckily for you, hotel social media can help. If you go by a successful hotel social media marketing strategy, your posts can reach thousands of people in no time.

3. Get Direct Bookings

As time goes on, online travel agencies seem to be charging higher and higher commissions; and as their prices go up, your revenue goes down. The more a client interacts with you, the more likely they are to book directly. Hotel social media is a great way to let your followers know about any deals you may be having and to remind them about the benefits of booking direct.

3 Tips for Social Media Marketing for Hotels

1. Know Your Marketing Trends

Social media is constantly changing, so your hospitality social media marketing strategy has to, too. Keep up with the trends to stay relevant. Algorithms are continuously modified, so what once worked before might not work again. For example, right now, live video is the highest-reaching content on Facebook. Will it be in the future? We’ll have to wait and find out!

2. Stay On-Brand

As mentioned before, social media is a great place to truly show customers your brand. That being said, you need to make sure each post reflects it. Show followers who you are and what your hotel or property offers. Post a photo of tonight’s dessert selection with a clever caption or promote a room that you want to be booked. A consistent voice through each social network you use is key.

3. Focus on the Right Social Media Networks

The list of social media networks keeps expanding. Which networks are right for you? That’s for you to decide. At Q4Launch, we highly recommend Facebook. Out of all the networks available, this is the one consumers average the most time on. Other popular options include Instagram and Twitter. Instagram can lure potential guests with beautiful photos and Twitter offers quick spurts of information. If you’re looking for business-to-business relationships, LinkedIn is the way to go.

Q4Launch: Your Team of Social Media Experts

We understand that all of this can seem a bit overwhelming. We’re here to help! To do hotel social media right, it takes time and strategy. As an innkeeper or hotel owner, you may not have the time to commit to such an important marketing strategy ingredient. Whether you just have a question or need someone to implement a new strategy, Q4Launch is here. All you have to do is contact us.

Social media marketing for hotels is just one of the many things Q4Launch specializes in and is just one part of a successful marketing strategy. Our digital marketing company provides a full-service approach, offering:

• Lead generation
• Content marketing creation
• Email marketing
• Search engine optimization
• Website design

If you’re looking for a good place to start, consider our complimentary Social Media Guide. It has everything you need to know to start building your strategy!