5 REASONS WHY THE ANSWER IS YES
For over a decade now, people have been using the internet for information, buying, selling or simply web surfing. Some thought it would be a fad but it’s 2013 and growing more rapidly than ever, especially regarding social media.
People, young and old, turn to social media first for an endless list such as connection, opinion, research, inspiration and so on. The hotel industry is no exception and in fact, social media may be its greatest ally.
Although many young people have left Facebook for Instagram, it’s still a trusted and popular forum for the working adults spending money on hotels. Using Facebook, people can get information from other real people known to them personally or known through friends of friends.
Twitter is highly effective in getting information out quickly and straight to the customer. One tweet can be read and retweeted a thousand times in a matter of minutes or even seconds. Many businesses, like Vodafone, have even turned to Twitter as a modern way to handle customer service complaints.
PINTEREST and INSTAGRAM
Pinterest is the modern Home Magazine. While it’s predominantly used by females, many of them stay at home moms, it shouldn’t be ignored. After all, who plans the details of the family vacation or her daughter’s wedding? Pinterest is attractive, ever-changing and interest-grabbing. To ignore Pinterest would be akin to ignoring your mother when she gives good advice.
Instagram is a photo-driven social site similar to Pinterest but without links to tutorials and blogs. While young people have flocked to Instagram and are posting numerous cross-eyed and tongues-out photos, there are thousands of beautiful travel photos posted daily including vacation stays in various hotels.
Having your hotel, or beautiful nearby sights, pictured here is the same as a travel brochure. Hotels like the Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, CA have a beautiful Instagram page and tons of great examples as to how to capitalize on this social platform.
Linkedin is a vitally amped-up version of the business magazine. Used for information and connecting with others, in the same or complementary businesses or professions, LinkedIn is quickly becoming a powerful internet tool. For the hotel industry, it’s the perfect venue for reaching the customer looking for a good business meeting or convention hotel.
Social media is being used whether your hotel is engaged or not. People enjoy social media and despite the frequent news articles regarding privacy or lack of, people have a certain trust in the social media they use. After all, each person decides for themselves who and what to follow or connect with.
Steering ahead and learning to manage the social media storm can be a huge benefit for the hotel industry, creating positive branding and reinforcing a customer’s decision to stay in a particular hotel. Social Media is a positive platform, here to stay, and shouldn’t be ignored.
Guest Article
Carla C. Burton is a self-employed Travel and Hospitality writer with a BBA in Business Administration from Bond University. Although a Gold Coast native, Carla moved to Melbourne in 2008 to further her writing career in the Travel industry.
Carla has become a top contributor to many Travel blogs world-wide, including many resorts in Orlando, FL, and thoroughly enjoys the freedom that self-employment has provided her. To find out more about Carla or to follow her other posts, follow her on Twitter @CarlaCBurton
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT AND FACEBOOK ADVERTISING FOR HOTELS
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About the author
Are Morch is the founder and owner of Are Morch – Hotel Marketing Coach. Get more from Are on Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Pinterest | Instagram| Podcast
