Building Relationships & Increasing Hotel Sales with Social Media

Social media is a great way to enhance your selling efforts, regardless of if you have a marketing team to lean on or need to work independently. In fact, sometimes a more personal touch is exactly what helps you stand out.

Here are some ways to kickstart and up-level your social media strategy to broaden your reach, engage with clients more effectively, and ultimately drive more bookings and revenue.

▶️ Get Comfortable with Video

Sharing photos is easy, but nowadays, video is king. That said, don’t feel like you have to be Scorsese. Taking video from your phone and polishing it with a free, easy editing tool can still help you reign supreme. Clipchamp is easy to use, and you can even add music and animated graphics to your video clips for free.

Even better, consider putting a face to a name and making your videos more personal by getting in front of the camera. Record yourself sharing:

• A property walkthrough, highlighting what makes your property special.
• Clips from a past client event (with their permission).
• Tips and tricks to planning a seamless event – both with your property and with other necessary vendors.
• Your recommendations for local restaurants and experiences. 
• Anything else to show off your talent and help clients get to know you!
  

You can even go live and host virtual tours, Q&A sessions, or events to engage directly with potential clients and planners in real-time. 

👍 Engage with Your Clients’ Posts 

If your client posts about their experience, be sure to comment on it. Not only will you display your commitment to taking an interest in your clients; you can generate awareness and interest with others who see the post and may soon be in the market for your services. You can also reshare client posts to generate engagement with your existing social following.  

🤝 Tag Your Partners

Celebrate your partners by sharing photos of their work, like beautiful floral arrangements and tablescapes. Tagging them is an easy way to show your appreciation, deepen your relationship, and get their attention – increasing your likelihood of becoming a regular referral. Likewise, contact your partners to see if they’d be willing to cross-promote your property and services, team up on a special promotions or giveaways, or partner other creative collaboration.

🗯️ Collect and Share Client Testimonials

Free tools like Canva help you create well-designed images in a flash, making it easy to compile images for social media that include client testimonials and event photos. You can also tag your client’s social media profile and show them appreciation by including a “thank you” message in your post caption.

Social media messaging is also a friendly way to ask for a testimonial, and you can offer to draft a short quote on their behalf for their approval to save them time. Alternatively, invite them leave a review online, such as on Google, after an event.

📣 Don’t Forget About Advertising 

Targeting on social media is getting smarter and smarter, helping you reach specific demographics in specific areas. By implementing retargeting ads, you can reach potential clients who’ve recently interacted with your property’s website or social profiles. This gives you a chance to seal the deal by offering discounts, special offers, or even just a more tailored sales pitch.

⭐ Lean Into Influence Culture

Referrals are always worthwhile but can especially be impactful coming from those who reach hundreds to thousands (maybe even millions!) of people. Get a sense whose audience aligns with your own and whose personal brand reflects your company’s, and invite them to enjoy an amazing experience at your property at a discount or with special perks included.  

📋 Keep Yourself Accountable

Rome wasn’t built in a day; it takes long-term commitment to grow a social media presence that generates revenue. Maintain a content calendar so you’re consistently posting. Then, keep a pulse on your engagement and if it’s growing – and if not, consider trying new approaches. Test out different types of content (messages, imagery) but also posting strategy like post days and times.

🗣️ Remember Who You’re Talking To

We’ve saved the most critical advice for last: keep in mind where your ideal audience may be and who is active on which platforms, so you can tailor your approach accordingly. Leisure event organizers, such as brides, are easier to find on Instagram or Pinterest, whereas business event organizers, such as corporate meeting planners, are easier to find on LinkedIn.