Marketing for Hotels: Strategies for Attracting More Guests and Driving Revenue

Hey there, hoteliers and marketers!

If you're in the hospitality industry and eager to boost your bookings and revenue, then you must have a solid hotel marketing strategy in place. And the key to a successful strategy is understanding your target audience and setting clear objectives.

When defining your target audience, it's crucial to keep in mind that different groups will respond differently to your messaging. For example, the needs and preferences of international travelers will differ from those of local guests. By knowing your audience, you can set realistic goals that optimize your bookings while building brand awareness and managing your reputation.

As the market constantly changes, your marketing strategies should also evolve to stay ahead of the competition. 

With so many marketing strategies out there claiming to deliver the results you want, it can be a challenge to know which one works best for hotels. 

But fear not, we're here to help you out.

So, let’s explore some of the most effective hotel marketing strategies together that skyrocket your bookings.

7 Most Effective Strategies for Attracting More Guests and Driving Revenue

1. Optimize Your Website For Mobile

In the digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial for driving bookings and revenue. And, as the trend of mobile usage continues to grow, it's more important than ever to optimize your hotel website for mobile devices.

According to Hotel Benchmarking(source), 53% of global traffic on hotel websites in 2020 was generated on mobile devices. This trend is expected to continue growing exponentially throughout the decade. 

In response, proactive marketing managers across the hospitality solutions industry are creating mobile-friendly marketing campaigns to reach the growing audience of online bookers.

So, what does it mean to optimize your hotel website for mobile? 

It means designing a website that is easy to navigate, loads quickly and fits the smaller screens of mobile devices. 

Additionally, mobile-friendly marketing tactics like paid in-app advertisements, SMS, MMS (multimedia marketing), in-game ads, QR codes, banner advertisements, and many others can help boost your mobile bookings.

2. Win Customers With Competitive Pricing

When it comes to attracting customers and driving bookings, pricing is a crucial factor for hotels to get right. But manually checking your competitors' pricing can be time-consuming and inefficient. That's where hotel rate shopping softwares come in, giving you access to your competitors' data and helping you set competitive pricing that wins over customers. With the right tools and strategy, hotels can leverage competitive pricing to stand out in a crowded market and drive more bookings than ever before.

3. Be Active On Social Media

If you’re not utilizing social media in your online marketing campaign

Start now!

Creating accounts on popular platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube is completely free, and using tools like Canva to create dynamic social media pages is easier than ever.

But let me tell you, launching a social media presence is only the first step. 

If you want to see results, you need to maintain your presence and keep your audience engaged. Make sure you have at least one person assigned to keep your hotel's social media message fresh and exciting.

Fresh content is the key to success on social media, so be sure to create a content delivery schedule that works for you. Believe, being active in Social Media will dramatically boost your traffic. If you're short on time to create new content, consider launching a hotel blog that you can link back to from your social pages on a regular basis.

4. Market Your Website On OTAs

Online travel agencies like Expedia and Booking.com, are the Amazon of the hospitality industry - and they can be a game-changer for your business.

Now, I know what you're thinking - with so many OTAs out there, how do you know which ones to focus on? 

Well, it's all about diversification. 

While the big players are important, don't overlook the smaller, niche booking sites that can help you reach a more targeted audience. 

By spreading out your distribution strategy across multiple channels, you can maximize your online exposure and attract more potential guests.

Of course, no third-party channel is perfect, and dealing with the challenges that come with working with OTAs is just a part of daily life for hoteliers. 

But the marketing power of these platforms is undeniable - and many hoteliers continue to use them despite the challenges.

And with the rapid evolution of the OTA market - especially with Airbnb's entry - it's more important than ever to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and changes. 

Bonus Read: Top Tools That Are Being Used by Digital Marketers

5. Manage Your Online Reputation By Keeping Eye On Reviews

It's no secret that online reviews can make or break your hotel's reputation. Where a good review can earn you a new customer, on the other hand, a negative review can cost you hundreds. That's why it's essential to manage your online reputation by keeping a close eye on reviews.

The first step in managing your online reputation is to encourage better reviews and recommendations from your previous guests. After check-out, engage with your guests and ask them for feedback. If they had a great experience, encourage them to leave a positive review on popular sites like TripAdvisor, Google, and Yelp.

But what if you do receive a negative review? It's crucial to monitor reviews on the most popular sites and take note of any bad reviews. Don't ignore negative feedback - instead, engage with dissatisfied guests and offer helpful and constructive feedback. Try to neutralize negative feedback wherever you can by addressing their concerns and offering solutions.

Remember, your hotel could feature dozens, if not hundreds, of times on review websites. So, it's vital to ensure that each page is loaded with positive reviews and complimentary content. Consistently monitor and manage your online reputation to attract more potential guests and build a positive image for your hotel. 

Going on each review site and checking out what people are talking about in your hotel is tedious, time taking, and simply non-productive. Using tools like Talkwalker, Reputation, Repustate, and Brand24 you can do sentiment analysis in a matter of minutes.

6. Invest In SEO

If you want to make sure your website is attracting potential customers, you need to focus on search engine optimization or SEO. After all, there's no point in having a website if it's difficult for people to find it on their preferred search engine.

To ensure your website is SEO-friendly, there are a few basics to keep in mind. 

First and foremost, your content needs to be rich and relevant, with strong keyword combinations that give your website the best chance of being clicked on by potential guests.

When planning your hotel marketing SEO campaigns, consider likely search terms that people might use to find hotels in your area. Make sure to include your main keywords, as well as strong secondary ones, like the name of your local neighborhood or district. 

In addition to direct customers, hotels can also attract their B2B clients through SEO,

Yes, Hotels aren't just for direct customers anymore. 

Hoteliers are attracting high-value B2B clients like big corporations, travel agencies, and event planners by investing in saas SEO to rank for relevant keywords. By optimizing their websites, hotels can boost their authority and attract more clients while generating extra income.

Remember, SEO is all about optimizing your website to appear as high up as possible in search engine results pages (SERPs). The higher your website ranks, the more likely potential guests are to click through and book a room at your hotel. By following SEO best practices, you can increase your website's visibility and attract more potential guests.

7. Expand Your Audience Through Influencer Marketing

Looking to reach a wider audience and build your brand in the hotel industry?

Influencer marketing could be just the ticket. 

By partnering with social media influencers who have large and loyal followings, you can leverage their clout to influence behavior and perceptions of your hotel. 

While it's true that big-name influencers can be pricey to work with, there are plenty of micro-influencers out there who may be willing to promote your property in exchange for a complimentary stay and meals. 

Be sure to seek out influencers who specialize in travel and have highly engaged followers for the best results.

With the right influencer marketing strategy, you can broaden your exposure, build your following, and ultimately drive more bookings and revenue for your hotel.

Bonus Read: Video Content Marketing

Conclusion:

Marketing for hotels isn't just about attracting guests - it's about creating an unforgettable experience that keeps them coming back for more. 

From personalized email campaign to social media influencer partnerships, hotels have a plethora of marketing strategies at their disposal. 

By leveraging these tactics and staying on top of industry trends, hotels can attract more guests and drive revenue while delivering the exceptional service and experiences that keep them coming back.

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