The United States is home to about 91,000 hotels and motels, generating an annual revenue of over $194 billion every year. The hospitality industry is vibrant, which is why you decided to start a hotel.
However, building a successful hotel is easier said than done. The competition for customers is fierce and the COVID-19 pandemic brought economic devastation to the industry. If your hotel survived the pandemic or you’re planning to start a new hotel from scratch, it’s essential to have a proper hotel marketing strategy.
The big question is: how do you build a winning strategy?
Read on to find out.
Be Visible on Search Engines
Over 70 percent of customers look up hotels online. Most of these people make their bookings online and the remaining use the information they found on the web to make a physical visit to a hotel or call in to make a reservation.
Is your hotel visible on the web?
You certainly already have a hotel website. What you need to do is optimize it for search. There’s a lot that goes into SEO for hotel websites, including web development and content creation, which is why it’s advisable to hire a professional to do the job for you.
View here for more information on what an SEO pro can do for your hotel.
Build Partnerships
Your hotel isn’t going to get many guests if you all do is open its doors and run online ads. A well-built online marketing strategy will deliver, but it can only do so much.
You need to invest in local partnerships as well. Reach out to travel agencies, for instance. Since these agencies serve clients who’re on the move, they can direct good traffic to your hotel. Of course, your hotel also needs to measure up.
With so many hotels to choose from, customers need more than one reason to choose your hotel. As such, throw in good discounts and ensure the level of guest service at your hotel is top-notch.
Other businesses to partner with can include local airlines and taxi companies.
Turn Up Your Social Media
Some social media platforms were created for hotels.
No, seriously! Scroll through your Instagram feed and it won’t take long before you come across posts of people vacationing in a hotel. Flip it, and it could be your hotel’s best photos and videos showcasing what it has to offer.
To succeed on social media, start by identifying the platform that your target audience uses. If your hotel’s target market predominantly comprises boomers, for example, focus on Facebook, which is where they spend most of their social media time. Instagram and Tiktok might appear more attractive, but the truth is you won’t yield good results because your target consumers don’t use them.
A Winning Hotel Marketing Strategy
Running a hotel business can be richly rewarding. Americans love to travel and spend time in hotels. However, you need an effective hotel marketing strategy to ensure you stay ahead of your competitors.
Explore our blog for more marketing advice.