When the economy is low, the first thing that most businesses want to save on is their marketing. This might not be a good thing for hotels because they need some quality content to attract more guests during bad times. HubSpot carried out a study that established the fact that the more customer engagement and bookings take place, the better a business focuses on content marketing (HubSpot, 2023).
In this blog, we’ll go over simple content marketing ideas that hotels can use to attract more guests and keep them coming back. We’ll also talk about how Hotelogix can make content marketing easier and more effective.
5 Reasons Hotels Need Content Marketing
Helps More People Find Your Hotel
To attract more guests, your hotel must be easy to find online. This means having a good website, a strong social media presence, and updated listings on travel sites. When people search for a place to stay, they should be able to find your hotel quickly. If your hotel isn’t visible online, potential guests will likely book somewhere else. SEO strategies, blog posts, and social media ads will help push your hotel to the limelight.
To increase guests, your hotel needs to be online accessible. This includes a good website, presence on social media sites, and up-to-date listings on travel web pages. If they can’t find your hotel when they are searching, they won’t book there.
Keeps Guests Interested
Marketing is not just about advertising. It’s keeping people interested with interesting content. Sharing useful information like travel tips, local events, and fun activities makes potential guests excited about staying at your hotel. Regular blog posts, engaging social media updates, and interactive polls keep your audience connected. When guests see that you care about their experience, they are more likely to book a stay with you.
Marketing is not only about advertisement. Useful content, such as travel tips, local events, and fun activities, will make people excited to visit your hotel. This also helps to build trust with potential guests.
Travel Trends Adaptation
Travel trends change with time. Some statistics now reveal that more people are working remotely and are therefore looking for quiet workspaces and strong Wi-Fi in hotels. You should, therefore, develop content that highlights these. One of the ways is by writing blogs and posting about new offerings. Posting patron testimonials from digital nomads may also reach out to the target audience. Keeping the trend will always attract the right audience to your hotel.
Travel trends keep changing. For example, many people now work remotely and want hotels that offer good workspaces. If you create content about how your hotel fits new trends, more people will book a stay.
Gets More Direct Bookings
With strong content on your website, the guests are likely to book directly instead of third-party sites. Virtual room tours, guest testimonials, and special offers help create distinct and differentiating effects for your hotel. An easily accessible booking system on your site really makes a difference. The more that guests can find all the details they need and book with a few clicks, the more likely they are to choose your hotel over competitors who rely solely on travel agencies or booking platforms.
If you have good content on your website, then guests are more likely to book directly rather than through third-party sites. Virtual room tours, guest reviews, and special offers can make direct booking more appealing.
Makes Your Hotel Look Trustworthy
The sharing of useful and interesting information depicts your hotel as professional and reliable. Updated content on the website, comments on guest reviews, and great posts all increase the reliability of your hotel. If they read good reviews, informative blog posts, or even fun posts on social media, guests feel confident that they are choosing a reliable accommodation service. Therefore, trust generated by a well-structured content strategy results in more bookings and return guests.
7 Proven Ways to Create Engaging Content That Brings Guests In
Improve Your Website
Your website should be easy to use and look good on all devices. Here are some key things to include:
- High-quality photos of rooms and amenities.
- Clear and simple descriptions of what your hotel offers.
- Fast loading speeds and mobile-friendly design.
- Live chat to help answer guest questions quickly.
Write Blog Posts
Blogs can help attract more guests to your website. Here are some ideas for blog topics:
- Local Attractions: Write about fun places near your hotel.
- Travel Tips: Advice on the best times to visit or how to plan a great trip.
- Guest Stories: Share interviews or reviews from happy guests.
- Special Offers: Promote discounts or packages.
Share User-Generated Content
Here are some ways to encourage guests to share content:
- Ask guests to post their experiences using a branded hashtag.
- Feature guest photos and reviews on your website and social media.
- Offer discounts or rewards for guests who share their stay on social platforms.
- Run contests where guests can win free stays by posting content.
Create Video Content
Videos help guests visualize their stay. Consider these video ideas:
- Virtual Tours: Show different areas of your property, including rooms and amenities.
- Guest Testimonials: Record happy guests sharing their experience.
- Behind-the-Scenes: Give a sneak peek into daily hotel operations.
- Local Attractions: Highlight fun things to do near your hotel.
Post Consistently on Social Media
Here’s how to keep your social media engaging:
- Share daily updates about events, promotions, or news.
- Use Instagram Stories and Reels to showcase real-time experiences.
- Engage with followers by responding to comments and messages.
- Schedule posts in advance to maintain consistency.
Offer Exclusive Deals Through Email
Make your email marketing more effective by:
- Sending special offers to past guests to encourage repeat visits.
- Creating personalized subject lines to increase open rates.
- Including clear call-to-actions like “Book Now” or “Claim Your Discount.”
- Sending emails during peak booking times for better engagement.
Use Influencer Marketing
Partnering with influencers can expand your hotel’s reach. Here’s how:
- Invite travel bloggers or social media influencers for a free stay.
- Ask influencers to create content, such as Instagram posts or YouTube vlogs.
- Collaborate on giveaways to engage their followers.
- Choose influencers whose audience aligns with your hotel’s target market
Pick the Right Social Media Platforms
Different social media sites work best for different kinds of guests:
- Instagram: Share beautiful photos and videos of your hotel.
- LinkedIn: Connect with business travelers by showing off meeting rooms and work-friendly spaces.
- Facebook: Post about special events, deals, and behind-the-scenes moments.
- YouTube: Upload video tours and guest testimonials.
Make Content That People Want to Share
To reach more people, create posts that encourage sharing:
- Run contests where guests can win free stays.
- Share real guest experiences and reviews.
- Highlight your hotel’s special features, like eco-friendly programs.
- Host live Q&A sessions with hotel staff.
The Power of Guest Reviews
Show Off Good Reviews
Guest reviews can convince others to book a stay. Make sure to display them on your website and social media. You can even create eye-catching graphics that feature five-star reviews.
Respond to Reviews
Replying to guest reviews shows that you care. Always thank guests for positive reviews and politely address any negative feedback. This builds trust and shows future guests that you listen to their concerns.
Get Guests to Leave Video Reviews
Ask happy guests to record short video testimonials. You can encourage them by offering small perks, like a discount on their next stay. Make it easy for them to submit videos by having a simple upload option on your website or by emailing a request after their stay.
Ways Email Marketing Can Bring Guests Back
Send Personalized Emails
Email marketing is a cheap and effective way to bring guests back. Here are some ideas for what to send:
- Birthday discounts.
- Special holiday offers.
- Travel tips related to your location.
- Loyalty program perks and rewards.
Send Emails at the Right Time
- Email guests when they are likely planning their next trip.
- Keep emails short and clear with a direct call to action.
- Use segmented email lists so guests receive offers that match their interests.
- Test different email subjects and layouts to see what works best.
Real-Life Examples of Successful Hotel Content Marketing
Ardo Hotel’s Instagram Success
Ardo, a luxury hotel in Townsville, gained huge popularity through Instagram and word-of-mouth promotion. By encouraging celebrities to share their experiences on social media, they boosted visibility and direct bookings.
Stage Coach Lodge’s Digital Marketing Strategy
The Stage Coach Lodge in Monterey improved its online presence with a digital marketing campaign. By revamping its website and focusing on SEO-driven content, it significantly increased direct bookings.
Meliá Hotels International’s Social Media Strategy
Meliá Hotels used Hootsuite to manage their global social media strategy. This helped them streamline their marketing efforts, improve engagement, and build a strong online brand presence.
How Hotelogix Can Help
Better Booking System
– Helps guests book rooms directly on your website.
– Reduces the need for third-party booking platforms.
– Updates room availability in real time.
Organizes Guest Data
– Collects and stores guest details for personalized marketing.
– Lets you send offers based on guest preferences.
– Helps improve guest retention by tracking past bookings.
Automates Marketing
– Sends automated emails for promotions and special offers.
– Connects with social media to make posting easier.
– Uses AI to analyze content performance and improve engagement.
Tracks Performance
– Shows real-time data on how well your marketing is working.
– Helps identify the best types of content for your audience.
– Gives tips on how to improve future marketing efforts.
With Hotelogix, hotels can improve guest experiences, increase direct bookings, and use hotel data to market smarter.
Conclusion
Content marketing need not be all complicated. Hotels can attract, retain, and outsmart the game by sharing very useful and engaging content. Hotelogix makes the process of content marketing easy for hotels as it helps a hotel to automate their campaigns along with evaluating the performance results.
Start with small steps: update your website, post regularly on social media, and stay in touch with guests through email. For instance, a boutique hotel in New York City increased its direct bookings by 35% in six months by posting engaging blogs, running social media promotions, and sending targeted email campaigns. This simple but effective approach helped them grow their business. Try improving your hotel’s content marketing today and see the difference it makes!