You’ve heard of TikTok. But have you thought about using it for your hotel marketing? It’s time to take TikTok seriously.
The single-most downloaded app of 2020 (excluding games) is taking the social media market by storm. Initially almost exclusively the domain of Gen Z and Millenial users, you would be forgiven for dismissing TikTok as a fad that isn’t to be taken seriously as a potential marketing tool, and especially not for those in the hotel business.
However, TikTok has been coming of age recently, and with its burgeoning supply of over 800 million subscribers, many boutique and big-chain hotels are already cashing in on the potential pulling-power of this playful little app.
So What Is TikTok?
If you’re not familiar with TikTok, it is a social media platform that focuses on sharing short videos of 15-60 seconds in length, overlaid with fun filters, and custom sound and text. You can edit these to your heart’s content and use clever captions and hashtags to attract views, much like Instagram.
TikTok is divided into separate content categories for ease of viewing, and one of the most popular additions to these categories is the lifestyle section, which includes all things travel-related such as resorts and hotels.
How Can TikTok Grow Your Hotel Business?
As such, capitalizing on this fast-growing trend and the viral nature of TikTok videos is one of the smartest business moves you can make this year as a hotel manager. Learn how to work this app to your advantage and you will expand your brand awareness and increase customer engagement with ease.
There are three ways to go about this, and I recommend a combination of all of them for maximum impact, but tailor your strategy to fit in with your existing business plan.
Utilizing Hashtags
The first way to attract attention from your desired audience is to begin posting your own original content as a way of advertising your hotel. Do a little background research before you begin to gain some inspiration as to what works from your competitors. You’ll find lots of great examples under the hashtag #TikTokTravel.
Creating Content
As you’ll notice from these videos, focusing on the unique aspects of your hotel is key here, so take full advantage of the opportunity to showcase what your hotel and the surrounding location have to offer your clients.
Whether you have golden beaches on your doorstep or the eye-catching bright lights of a downtown city location, TikTok users love to be taken on a virtual tour to whet their appetite for adventure. Take your guide inside your hotel too, to exhibit all the most luxurious and personal benefits of a stay with you.
If you have a pool, a gym, a spa, or a restaurant, get creative with your videos of them being enjoyed, and don’t forget to include the welcoming faces of your staff as well. For even more interactive content, you can create hashtag challenges that encourage your guests to create content about your hotel.
Expert marketing blogger Saul Williams at Academized and Boom Essays lends us a great example of this tactic, explaining how you can utilize a scavenger hunt to “lead your clientele on a fun-filled whirlwind tour of your hotel’s secret spots in search of a prize.”
Collaborating With Travel Influencers
Moving on to the second way you can make use of TikTok as a marketing tool, why not get your hotel involved in collaborations with well-known social media influencers. As Melanie DiAngelo, a business writer at UK Services reviews and Via Writing notes, “this is an instant way to reach more app users if you don’t have a large following of your own just yet.”
You will likely need to offer an influencer a free stay at your hotel or a financial incentive to secure their help in featuring you in their content, but it’s a worthy investment for the exposure you will receive.
Paid Advertisements
Lastly, you can pay TikTok directly to feature advertisements for your hotel brand in the feeds of users. There are many different types of advertising available within the app, beginning with in-feed or top-view ads but also extending to more in-depth engagements such as brand take-overs, branded hashtag challenges, and branded effects.
This does come at a price, however, with the minimum spend coming in at $500.
My best advice is, to begin with creating your own content for free, after all, you are the people who know your brand best. Show off your hotel with pride, adding a little extra sparkle with enticing music and effects, et voila, you’ll have social media scrollers drooling over their next vacation in minutes!
Credit
Elizabeth Hines is an expert in digital marketing and also writes content for Student writing services and Top Canadian Writers. Hines specializes in unpacking cutting-edge tech and marketing trends, alongside delving into the latest innovations and strategies for businesses. Elizabeth also pens articles for online magazines and blogs such as Best essay writing services to name but one of them.
Related article: 7 Tips to Develop a Social Media Marketing Strategy for Your Hospitality Business
We are in this together!
I need to let you all know that we are in on this together. If you need to vent, talk, cry, or just have some to talk with then I am here listening. Since I am working part-time at the local Kroger, I will to the best of my ability to work it out around my schedule.
But you can reach me here:
Email: hotelblogger@aremorch.com
Also, join us at our Facebook Group – Hotel Social Media Community
We will get through this unprecedented event together! #hotelstrong #hospitalitystrong
For any specific information on COVID-19, I recommend go to CDC, WHO, AHLA, AAHOA, and HSMAI. Also, follow information from your local authorities.
NOTE
We are starting to reopen some hotels again (Yay!!!). Make sure you follow their guidelines and say THANK YOU to those that now show a unique spirit to serve, and helps us all get through this!! #hotelstrong #hospitalitystrong
About Are Morch
Hi, I am Are Morch. Your Digital Marketing Coach and Customer Experience Expert specializes in creating effective digital customer experience offer for hotels while growing and scale customer acquisition and revenue.
Get more from Are on Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Pinterest | Instagram| Podcast
