Social media has gathered significant momentum in the last couple of years and hoteliers are now turning to it to gain online visibility and market their hotels.
Social media offers instant and improved engagement with potential customers and hoteliers are experimenting with different social media platforms, in order to boost loyalty programs, improve, customer engagement and most importantly increase room bookings.
Studies show that hotels that have invested in mobile websites, social media marketing and have a strategic approach to digital spaces have better chances of wooing customers. According to Mckinsey, businesses need to re-look at their entire business model to succeed in the digital space. Which includes establishing new structure; metrics and processes to ensure marketing and sales are adequately linked.
Benefits of Using Social Media to hospitality properties
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Personalized guests communication
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Better Loyalty
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Increased booking
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Clear dissemination of marketing massages
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Cost effective
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Precise & accurate in terms of targeting
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Measurable results
Hotels that are engaging customers on social media platforms are garnering tremendous benefits as compared to costly push advertising.
Before planning social media campaigns make sure you:
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Understand digital media adequately
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Choose a platform eg Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc that suits your needs
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Carefully draft marketing messages
Social media is a boon to hoteliers as it has revolutionized the way hotels across the world communicate and market their services, most importantly, it is cost effective during this time when the hospitality market is not at its brightest.
Social Media is a great resource for hotels and can be useful in numerous ways. Any hotel, regardless of location, can benefit from using social media to reach people in ways that in the past were not possible.