The key to publicity is getting noticed by your key audience. For hotels, motels and other accommodations, this is about understanding who the audience is; and then cater to that audience. A review of personas helps.
- Are the guests young or old?
- Are they business travelers or coming as part of a vacation?
- Is price a big consideration?
- Are services a big consideration?
- Do they have a sense of humor?
- Do they have a sense of adventure?
- What do they say they love about your venue?
From these probative questions, shape an understanding of your audience. Appeal to them on their level. Craft special offerings that fit who they are. Use images of your personas in the marketing so that people can see themselves in what you are saying.
1) Run contests
Running regular contests gives people a reason to Like and visit your Facebook page. Usually, the structure of the contest is that many people Like the page, but only one person wins.
Running regular contests on your Facebook page will continue to be an effective way to engage with your audience and increase your online presence. However, it’s important to offer prizes that are relevant to the current times.
Instead of just offering a prize to one winner, consider offering a reward that benefits everyone. For example, if your hotel hits 10,000 Likes, offer a discount code for a future stay or a free upgrade for all guests who book within the next month.
In 2023, it’s also important to consider the impact of social media on sustainability. Consider offering eco-friendly prizes or partnering with local organizations to promote responsible tourism. By aligning your contests with current trends and values, you can build a loyal following and make a positive impact on the world.
2) Build reviews
Past guests can recommend you via the different review systems.
To name a few:
- TripAdvisor
- Google Reviews
- Facebook Reviews
- TrustPilot
- Yelp
Pick a favorite venue for reviews. Encourage your visitors to leave reviews on that system. Then, monitor the other review venues for good and bad reviews. When you get a good review: thank them via the review system. When you get a bad review: do the outreach. Speak with them– SPEAK, don’t email if possible. People hide behind keyboard courage and you need them to help understand where your services fell short. Make improvements, make peace and then make a statement about the bad review in a response.
A lot of the time, the people checking you out will go from your TripAdvisor page, to your Google Local listing, to your Facebook page, to check that all reviews are consistent. Make sure you actively maintain and monitor all of them so that they are up to date.
3) Collect email addresses
As a small hotel marketer in 2023, expanding your marketing reach through email addresses remains a top priority. With the ever-growing competition in the industry, it’s essential to widen your net and attract new guests with enticing promotions.
One effective way to capture email addresses directly from your social media platform is through a Facebook email signup tab. By incorporating this feature on your hotel’s Facebook page, potential guests can sign up for your newsletter, which highlights all the exciting promotions and offers available at your property.
This strategy not only helps you expand your email list but also allows you to engage with your audience and keep them updated on your latest offerings. As a result, you can build a loyal customer base and increase your hotel’s revenue in 2023 and beyond.
4) Run Events
Use Facebook to get the word out about your promotional events and host them at your venue.
- Organize a charity walk or run.
- Host a yoga or meditation session.
- Plan a team-building scavenger hunt.
- Hold a dance party or Zumba class.
- Coordinate a sports tournament (basketball, soccer, volleyball, etc.).
- Offer nutrition workshops or cooking classes.
- Arrange a hiking or outdoor adventure group.
- Set up a wellness fair with vendors and speakers.
- Create a biking or cycling group.
- Schedule a group fitness class, such as Pilates or boot camp.
Eventbrite offers a Facebook app that allows people to buy tickets straight from your Facebook page.
5) Accept reservations
In addition to allowing guests to book directly from your Facebook page, you may also want to consider using third-party booking services to increase your online visibility and attract more bookings. These services can help you reach a wider audience and manage your bookings more efficiently.
Some popular third-party booking services for hotels include Booking.com, Expedia, and Hotels.com. These platforms allow you to list your property and offer online bookings to their large user base. They also provide tools for managing your reservations, pricing, and availability across multiple channels.
While using third-party booking services can be beneficial, it’s important to carefully evaluate the costs and benefits before signing up. Some services charge high commission fees or require you to offer discounts and promotions to attract bookings. Make sure to read the terms and conditions carefully and choose a service that aligns with your business goals and budget.