Given the overwhelming data; it is essential that hotels leverage their online presence as a tool to generate more guests and more revenues. With almost half of all travelers now possessing a page posted on a social networking sites, the social media offers tools that can make the sales process faster, more efficient and ultimately, more productive. Oh and of those travelers with a social network page; 91% percent of them are posted on Facebook.
Here are some interesting facts.
- The YPartnership reports that 78% of all travel related activity begins on the web.
- According to recent research by the Neilson Company the average Internet user spends 23% of their online time using social networking sites.
- Traffic to social networking sites has eclipsed porn surfing as reported in the book What Millions of People are Doing Online and Why It Matters by Bill Tancer.
Given the overwhelming data; it is essential that hotels leverage their online presence as a tool to generate more guests and more revenues. With almost half of all travelers now possessing a page posted on a social networking sites, the social media offers tools that can make the sales process faster, more efficient and ultimately, more productive. Oh and of those travelers with a social network page; 91% percent of them are posted on Facebook.
Here are ten quick tips to leverage the social networking sites.
1. Start with the big ones… Facebook and LinkedIn.
Create a fan page and determine your hotel’s online personality to fit your brand and your hotel.
2. Keep it fun and a little personal.
3. Decide on your page’s privacy and user settings.
What do you want people to be able to do, post and add to your page?
4. Add multimedia to your page.
Photos, videos and slideshows can tell a great story.
5. Keep it up-to-date.
Add new stuff constantly. Give guests a reason to look at your page. Consider surveys, ask your followers questions, post pictures of events, industry news, expert advice, articles, links and threads. Post information about uncommon amenities and features of your hotel or
6. ENGAGE your followers and connections.
The purpose of social media is to communicate and that’s a two way street.
7. Spread the word!
Comment on your connections and “Likers” posting. That’s how news gets around.
8. Avoid constant sales messaging.
9. Make visiting your page beneficial to followers.
Your followers want more than just your current Valentine’s Day package. Give them content, contests, opportunities to be heard and the occasional promotion.
10. ALWAYS follow through.
Never set up an expectation, and not come through or cheat on it.
About the Author:
Bradly J. Sax is a lodging industry veteran and the VP of Hotel Performance and Managing Partner of SHG Consulting|Management. Mr. Sax has held leadership positions in both single and multi-unit management and served the stakeholders of two North American lodging ownership and management firms as their Chief Operating Officer. He is qualified by the Unified Court System of New York as property receiver and manager. He has operated hotels on behalf of the US-based Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC) and overseen all aspects of a $100,000,000.00 hotel portfolio for Rockgate Hotels Corporation, a leading hotel ownership and management company. He is a published author on numerous industry topics and a frequent lecturer at industry conferences and on college and university campuses. He has also served on numerous advisory boards and committees including those of educational institutions.
In 2003 Mr. Sax founded SHG Consulting|Management, a New York based professional services firm with offices in the US and Canada. The firm is dedicated to serving the analytical, operational and marketing needs of the North American lodging industry. In addition to property and asset management services, SHG focuses on delivering cutting-edge consulting services by understanding and exploiting the emerging trends of the industry. Visit them online at www.SHGonline.com or email at INFO@SHGonline.com.
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