Word-of-mouth is the best advertising for hotels, and social media is word-of-mouth on steroids. Social media is the future of tourism marketing.
Having an online presence is essential today for any hotel as Internet has become the main information source for hotel-searchers (22% of online hotel searches, coming from mobile devices), having a website and a mobile website is highly recommended, but it’s not enough. Social Media is a great tool to stay relevant in this incredibly competitive field. However, Internet is a medium with a peculiar language that not everyone masters easily. More so, each social networks has its own rules of etiquette and common use, managing them is no easy task.
Keep track of your hotel’s social media success
It’s hard to measure the success of social media communication as it is based more on the construction on reputation than the cashing of direct revenue. A good indicator of a great strategy is the number of interactions you get from it. If there exists a fluid dialogue between you and your existing or potential customers, everything is going fine. If on the contrary, your social media communications are a monologue, you should consider changing your strategy.
Tips to create five star social media for hotels
Create content that people want to share
While social media is a great place to communicate special offers, good prizes don’t create engagement. Think from your clients’ point of view and provide them with quality content. Don’t talk only about your hotel, instead share information about your surroundings, suggest fun activities, or places to visit. If you provide your followers with interesting and relevant information, chances that people talk about your business will increase greatly.
Looks do matter
Use strong and appealing images, not only of your hotel, but also of its surroundings. Remember that the visual aspect of your communications is a key of engagement on social media networks.
Be fast and constant on your online interactions
Internet is about speed. If you answer your client questions through social media channels a week after they’d been done, is the same as if you didn’t answer at all. The same goes with social media profile maintenance.
Be proactive about negative criticism and reward loyalty
Social media is a great communication tool, but there are two sides to that coin. Remember that just as well as your clients could contribute to create a great online reputation for your hotel, unsatisfied guests could also post bad reviews about their experience, and spoil the good ones.
Keep track of negative opinions, and try to turn them into good ones by showing an open and communicative actitude.
You can create engagement by giving special treats, like discounts or prizes, to your most active users. Also, encourage them to write reviews about your hotel.
Use a professional to manage your social media
A few minutes a week are not enough to create a great social media experience for your clients. When possible, hire professional to work full or part time managing your social networks.