Wednesday, July 13, 2011

How to Get your Hotel’s Facebook Account to Stand Out


Avoid using Facebook simply to post your promotions and packages that you already have on your website. Below are five tips on how you can stand out from the rest.

1. Your posts are boring.
Get your fans involved and ensure they feel a part of your community.  Encourage your fans to post comments, pictures and videos of their holiday or stay at your hotel. Actively engage with your customers with organized, quality content and brand new, up-to-date information about what's happenin at your hotel, the area, upcoming events etc.

2. You don’t have a social media roadmap.
If you don’t have a map, chances are you won’t make it to your destination, especially if it’s in an unfamiliar area. Outline your objectives and goals so you can coordinate your marketing efforts and cross-utilize the various social media applications that will work best for each of your targeted market segments. It is essential to know what you plan to do, how you plan to do it and, most importantly, why you are doing it in the first place. 

3. Your promotions are just like everyone else’s.
According to the 2010 Social Media Marketing Industry Report, more than 75% of marketers plan on increasing their use of Facebook in 2011. But with more than 5 million active Facebook business pages, how do you get your promotions and your page to stand out from all of the others? Avoid using Facebook simply to post your packages and promotions that you already promote on your website. Give your facebook followers special perks and discounts that they can’t get anywhere else. Eg, a free upgrade for the first 10 people that redeem the coupon using a special facebook promotion code, or a facebook only sale for one day only. Th options are endless!

4. Guests have no reason to keep you in their primary news feed.
Remember Field of Dreams and the whispered message to Kevin Costner, “If you build it, they will come.” They might come once, but will they stick around or make a repeat visit? Take a long, hard look at your business facebook page. Are the posts lively, compelling and unique? There’s nothing worse than a dull Facebook page. Take photos of staff and put them on Facebook - personalise your page and let followers know more about the people behind your business. Take photos of guests during check-in or check-out or at an event you held and tag them.

Make the most of your facebook page’s tab settings by distributing special offers and coupons or holding contests and sweepstakes (be sure to follow Facebook’s full terms and conditions). The idea of winning something is a great incentive to keep fans coming back for more, not to mention it helps to attract new fans. Reward your loyal supporters and don’t forget to remind your users to like and share.

5. Commitment! 
Your Facebook page is a daily commitment, so if you're not ready, don’t go there. If you strive for one post a day, you’re on track to creating a successful page. Watch the activity on your page and post when your followers are most active, usually between mid-morning and mid-afternoon. And don't be afraid to mix it up by posting observations, tips, travel-related topics, breaking news and, without fail, open-ended questions to get followers to join in the conversation. 

If you want to be liked, you have to be likeable. Test various approaches to determine what works best with your fan base. Show your personality, be warm and inviting and have fun with your page!

For more information on how to get your property’s Facebook page to stand out from others and drive more bookings to your website, please contact one of the marketing consultants on +61 7 3040 3588. TA Fastrack can also assist with a personalised welcome page design for your facebook page. Call us now to find out more.

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