Generating exposure can be tough for any brand, no matter how big or small. And that goes for the hotel industry too.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter how beautiful your lakeside view is or how crisp your linens are if nobody sees them. You need to spread the word far and wide, and one of the most incredible ways to do it is with influencer marketing.
This new approach to social media marketing can generate up to 11 times the ROI of traditional advertising – and it’s hard to argue with cold hard numbers. Keep reading to find out how your hotel brand can take advantage of the up-and-coming trend…
Your target market is turning to social media
In this modern age, people are going online to perform in-depth research before making decisions on purchases – and they’re turning to influencers for guidance too.
Did you know that 66% of your audience trust consumer opinions posted online? Add in the fact that only 1% of millennials (that’s people aged 18-34 to me and you) have been influenced by a traditional advert, and it’s easy to see why influencer marketing is skyrocketing.
95% of millennials follow brands through social media. That’s a huge demographic – fresh to the workforce with disposable income – all flocking to the same few online platforms. Whether it’s Snapchat, Twitter or Instagram, it’s incredibly important to ensure your brand is represented in a positive light on the same platforms your target customers are using. And influencer marketing is a powerful way to achieve this goal.
Photo credit to Em Sheldon
Does influencer marketing work in the hotel industry?
100% yes. In fact, 42% of baby boomers admit that social media influences their booking decision. And, according to research into millennial travel trends, 87% look at Facebook for travel inspiration with 97% posting their experiences online whilst travelling.
Influencers hold significant weight, whether it’s through tweets, blogging or vlogging. They have the power to affect purchase decisions. From 1,000 to 100,000 followers, influencers have clout which can’t be ignored. This is especially prevalent in the travel industry, where consumers are more likely to use social media for inspiration, reviews and recommendations.
Consumers react positively to influencer marketing due to increased loyalty. And people trust influencers to deliver posts that are #travelgoals.
Can influencer marketing help my hotel brand?
With the right know how and the appropriate influencers, hotels and accommodation providers can build prosperous and significant relationships.
As a hotel, you may be missing out on a whole range of guests. Influencers can navigate these people to your website directly, using hashtags, images and videos. The aim is to entice customers with content that makes them want to hop, skip and jump all the way to your front door.
The beauty of the influencer is that they can help you understand and adapt your strategies. Influencers capture data, create original content and boost sales. With relatively little input on your part, you can enjoy a fantastic ROI and a wider global reach.
Finding the best influencer for your business
Before jumping into influencer marketing there’s a couple of things to keep in mind.
You want to build lasting relationships – The more the influencer trusts and enjoys your hotel, the more other guests will. It’s about the long-term engagement, it shouldn’t be a quick fix.
You understand your brand more than anyone else – That’s why it’s important to connect with an influencer who can match this brand seamlessly, whilst still bringing their own original ideas and content. This makes the marketing seem less “staged” and gives a sense of authentic content.
Need some help?
Not sure where to start with your influencer marketing campaign? Contact us today on 0161 731 0048 or email us on hello@findyourinfluencer.co.uk