Have you ever called someone and listened to them talk until they cut the call short, without asking how you are or why you called? If not, trust us when we say it is a profound experience. It is also a good way to describe what businesses do when they post, without engaging people. They are posting to ‘maintain a presence’. You can tell as they will either immediately sign off or stick around long enough to like the first few comments. With this limited engagement, and even less ROI, it’s no wonder so many small hotel owners doubt the potential of social media.
Like all things in business, you need a strategy to be successful. And that strategy has to start with being social. For small independent hotels especially, the opportunity to turn social media into a revenue-generating activity lies in your willingness to actually engage.
Even people who are ‘primed to buy’ may run in another direction when approached by a salesperson. That’s because very few people want to be sold. They want to be wooed instead. They want to know what’s in it for them. And they want to know they are more than just a “sale”, especially when buying something as emotional as travel. As a boutique hotelier, you have a unique opportunity to drive bookings by personally engaging potential guests. So forget the photo edits and clever captions. Instead, post enough to stay top of mind. And then, spend more time leaving comments on the profiles of those you’re trying to woo. In fact, add “Woo 10” to your daily to-do list, and get ready to grow.