Past the selfies and photos of brunch, Instagram is one of the top marketing tools for building brand awareness and it’s free, which means you should be using it. As a hotelier, it is vital that you are on Instagram. Why? More people than ever, especially millennials, are using social media to discover and share new brands. “A prospective hotel’s social media presence is of interest to millennials, with 73 percent saying they check the company’s social media feed before booking. In fact, 33 percent would be put off booking altogether if a hotel had no social media presence.”
So, where do you start? Here are four easy tips to make your hotel instaworthy.
- Build your Brand Before
There is nothing sadder than going to a business’s social media profile and discovering NOTHING. People want to see what they are paying for and Instagram is all about visually showcasing creative content. You should capture content that best displays your brand, which will give your hotel a sense of credibility as well as highlight some of the key attractions. - Follow the Guest
We’ve said it once, we’ve said it twice, and we will keep saying it: the guest journey is incredibly important. From booking to check in, during stay, and after- your guests are bound to share parts of their journey on social media so it’s up to you to make sure that every part of the journey is “shareable.” - Relax and Relate
Creating relatable moments are important, especially when it comes to your guests capturing content. For example, with Cast to TV, your guests can keep up with the newest Netflix binge even while travelling. - Curate and Create
Since Instagram is all about the visual, it’s incredibly important to make sure your hotel is photo-worthy. This doesn’t mean you need to redecorate, but adding points of interest like a focal wall or even well-designed toiletries could ensure insta-exposure.
At the end of the day, your guests not only want great service and a great place to relax, but they also want to be able to share their adventures with their friends and followers. Instagram is an easy and cost-effective way to market your brand to a whole new generation of guests. So, what are you waiting for? Get on the ‘gram!