5 Important Social Media Platforms for Hotels to Use
- YouTube
For hotel managers and marketing professionals, finding the right social media platforms for hotels is a big concern. After all, social media is a big part of travel planning, both for vacationers and business professionals. By establishing a presence on the right platforms, it’s easier to get a hotel in front of potential customers.
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1. Instagram
Instagram is arguably the most important social media channel for hotels. This platform is image-based, which means that it’s the perfect way to show off a beautiful room or a gorgeous pool area. Post a still image of a redesigned room, or upload multiple images to provide an overview of the property’s different guest suites. For hotels that cater to specific types of travelers, the Instagram video uploader is a handy tool. It’s an easy way to give a room tour or show off the buzzing bar area — that way, travelers can get a feel for the hotel’s vibe before they book.
2. Pinterest
Pinterest is a popular platform among vacation planners; they can save image-based links to destinations, hotels, and activities. Hotels can take advantage of this by creating pins for their property using beautiful photos. When a Pinterest user clicks on that image, it takes them right to the hotel’s website or blog. Plus, since Pinterest users can share and repost individual pins, it’s easy to gain a wider audience. The trick? When creating titles and descriptions for pins, use keywords that travelers are likely to be searching for, such as “hotels in Paris” or “affordable hotels in New York City.”
3. Facebook
With its easy sharing features, Facebook is one of the top hotel social media platforms. This platform enables hotels to post a wide range of content; they can post images of guest rooms, go live on video during special events, or post discount codes for followers. Facebook also makes it easy to share other users’ content, which makes it easy to add value for followers. A hotel might share a tourism board’s article about the top 10 things to do in the area, for example, or repost a local blogger’s articles about the best restaurants nearby. Running a luxury property? According to AARP, Facebook is increasingly popular with older users. That’s good news for hotels — older users tend to have more disposable income to spend on travel.
4. YouTube
Video is becoming increasingly popular among social media users, and YouTube is the easiest way for hotels to get on board. This free platform allows hotel managers to upload and share videos of the property, so travelers know what to expect. The possibilities are endless; a family-friendly hotel might do a “day in the life” video of a young guest to show off the kids’ facilities, while a popular wedding hotel could offer a behind-the-scenes peek at different reception layouts. Since most smartphones have decent video capabilities, it’s possible to launch a YouTube channel with minimal start-up costs.
5. Twitter
Social media isn’t just for marketing; it’s also a great way to communicate with guests. Twitter, with its fast-moving feed, is an ideal hotel social media channel for customer service. Guests can tweet questions at the hotel’s Twitter account using a hashtag or the hotel’s handle, and the service staff can answer quickly. Since the entire conversation is visible to the public, other guests can get the information at a glance. This is a handy way to save time for customer service staff and keep guests happy.
For hotel managers and marketers, social media is a convenient way to connect with customers before, during, and after their trip. When it comes to social media for hotels, choosing the right platforms is the best way to maximize time and increase the return on investment.