Instagram - It doesn’t need any introduction, does it? It is among the most popular social media platforms, after Facebook. Instagram is a part of Facebook now, with both platforms integrated in terms of posting, sharing and most importantly, marketing. If you are a hotelier, you need to use Hotel Instagram Marketing to its full advantage if you want to have a social media presence.
Here, we will discuss the basics of hotel Instagram marketing strategies, and the various tools and strategies to be used to achieve your goals. Online marketing on Instagram has gained prominence, especially among hotel guests and travellers. As such, we need to use hotel Instagram marketing strategies to beat our competitors.
Hotel Marketing Basics: Which Platform To Choose?
Before we understand Hotel Instagram Marketing Strategies, we need to understand the core principle of marketing. One of the key rules of marketing is that businesses have to be where the audience is. Before that, you need to identify who are your prominent target audience - their location, age group, and personality.
As a hotelier, you need to identify these factors, otherwise, your marketing will be of no use. Along with it, you need to also identify marketing channels that are best suited for your product or service.
Hotel Instagram Marketing: Is it Ideal For Hotels?
Now let us do an exercise - using the same rule above, and identifying the best platform for hotel marketers. First of all, most of the audience will be Gen X, Millennial and Older Gen Z travellers. As such, you need to cater your marketing to these audiences. Now, you need to check where they are.
Most of them are online - especially Millenials and Gen Z travellers. Even Gen X i.e those in their late 40s - 50s are using social media, to make the most of it. And using visuals is the best way to promote your hotel since one needs to showcase the rooms and various other amenities.
Once you scrutinize the various marketing channels - one realises that Instagram is the best channel for marketing! Hence, we need to devise effective hotel Instagram marketing strategies to gain revenue and bookings.
Millennials and Zoomers: The Target Audience
Before we dive any further, we need to understand the target audience for hotel Instagram marketing strategies - Millennials and Zoomers. Along with it, let us discuss Gen X as well. Let us go in ascending order in terms of age.
1. Gen Z - Young And Free (Sort Of…)
Gen Z, popularly known as Zoomers, are a generation born in 1997 to 2012. They range from young teens to young professionals. This is the generation which has been raised by social media and the internet. Hence, they will be among the main target for Hotel Instagram Marketing Strategies.
Businesses should focus especially on those born between 1997 to 1999, since they are mostly already in the working population, and have disposable income to spend. Those born between 2000 to 2002 should be on the radar as well since they will enter the workforce very soon.
2. Gen Y - The Millenials (The In-Between Guys)
Gen Y, most popularly known as Millenials, are those born from 1981 to 1996. They are the generation that was in the era of rapid technological change. We will call them the in-between guys (sorry millennials!) because they are neither too old, nor too young.
They are using social media AND have considerable disposable income because they are mostly settled in their careers and are starting to have families as well. Hotel Instagram marketing strategies need to be geared towards this audience, especially among the younger millennials, especially those in their late 20s to early 30s.
They started using social media in their teens and are now familiar with it to a great extent. Millennials are a perfect mix of age and disposable income. They may be younger than Zoomers but are more than willing to learn about new tools and make full use of them.
3. Gen X - Let’s Not Ignore Them!
Now let us come to the older generation, Gen X. They are born between 1965 to 1980. They have disposable income as well as free time to enjoy travelling. They are well-established in their career and also have families as well.
However, there is a slight issue, most of them are not on Instagram. They are either not on social media at all, or most of them are on Facebook. Of course, the younger Gen Xers, especially those in their 40s, will be more amiable to Instagram, and many use it as well.
There is a silver lining though, Facebook and Instagram are interconnected now. So, if you want to use reach out to Facebook users, you can easily cross-share and promote on both platforms simultaneously.
Hotel Instagram Marketing Tools
Now that we have introduced hotel Instagram marketing, and the target audience, Let us now discuss the various tools one can use to promote hotel Instagram marketing strategies. With the help of these tools, you can easily perform marketing to gain maximum advantage.
1. Instagram Stories
Instagram Stories has revolutionized the platform. It is a feature by which you can put timed posts that last temporarily on the section above the feed. The main advantage of stories is that you can post moments in real-time, as well as use Instagram as a TVC with new and engaging content.
This creates a sense of urgency and you have a better chance of reaching out to your audience as well. Hotels can use Stories for Hotel Instagram Marketing Strategies. For example, hotels can show their hotel rooms, and amenities and also promote discounts with the help of reels. One can also run campaigns and pools with the help of Instagram stories. You can use both photos and videos for Instagram stories.
2. Instagram Reels
Taking inspiration from Tiktok, Instagram Reels have now emerged as an ultimate Hotel Instagram marketing tool. Reels are basically short videos that are of limited duration. However, the things you can do with reels are unlimited!
You can post moments, share a photo with music in the background, share behind the scenes, run ad campaigns and create any type of engaging content. Reels can act like commercials for hotels, where you can showcase your hotel rooms, amenities and more. It is among the best tools for hotel Instagram marketing strategies.
3. Instagram Posts
Another effective strategy is using Instagram posts. Of course, Instagram stories and reels have gained in popularity. However, one should not ignore the good ol’ Instagram posts. Hotels need to be consistent while posting on Instagram. Posting should be done every day ideally, or every 2 - 3 days, at regular intervals. This will ensure engagement.
Another way to increase engagement is by responding to comments. Hotels can also use carousel posts to promote a particular aspect of the hotel. Ensure that you are professional in using hotel Instagram strategies.
4. Instagram Ads
For paid advertisements, Instagram ads are your go-to tool. With Instagram Ads, you can create the content you want, and target it based on age group, location and interests. It is integrated with Facebook Ads, meaning that you will need to set up a Facebook account for Instagram ads. You can also set your budget limit with Instagram Ads.
5. Cross-Posting And Sharing
One of the main advantages of Facebook and Instagram is that you can cross-share posts between both of these platforms. You can share stories, posts, reels and even ads simultaneously. All you have to do is select the option “Share on Facebook” on Instagram and voila! Both of them are taken care of.
Best Hotel Instagram Marketing Strategies
Let us now discuss the most important part of this blog, the Hotel Instagram Marketing Strategies to use to make the most out of the platform. By following these tips, you will be able to beat your competitors in the digital sphere and gain a requisite online presence as well.
1. Be Consistent
Yes, we have repeated this point multiple times in many of our blogs. However, it is a golden rule that is worth the repetition. Consistent posting is the only way to take your hotel's Instagram marketing anywhere.
Social media users, and the algorithm, both love consistency. With the help of consistent posting, you will be able to build the digital presence required for it to bear fruit. Inconsistent posting is a sign of a lack of seriousness and even worse, a lack of content.
2. Catchy Captions
Like this heading above, the captions should be catchy as well. Attractive and well-written captions are the best way to gain attention from the user. When you are writing captions for hotels, you need to have the following elements in your hotel caption:
Catchy introduction/phrase
List of all the amenities (use emojis to make it more attractive
A call to action with contact details.
A call to action is an essential part of the caption since this will be the one that will encourage the social media user to contact you, for booking the stay.
3. Username And Profile
You need to use a username which is easily identifiable and has your brand name. You have to use your logo as the profile picture. You should also use a bio that resonates with your brand.
It should also have a link to your website and other social media handles. To do this, you will need to use the flow page to connect to various sites and platforms for your hotels.
4. Tag Your Location
It is one of the most underrated tips. Users appreciate it if you tag a location in your posts. Not only will it help the users regarding the location of your property, but it will also add to the credibility of your property.
In times of fraud, customers always feel safer with their money when they know that the property is open regarding their location online, verified with an actual map snippet. This will help your hotel Instagram marketing.
5. Post At The Right Time
Hotelier’s social media marketing team should also know when is the right time to post. Post at times when the users are engaging with Instagram the most.
6. Create A Dedicated Social Media Team
Social media posting is no longer simply a side job which can be just be done as an additional task. It now requires a dedicated person or a team (depending on the size of the company and workload) to create engaging social media posts, promote them and monitor them through analytics. This team should know their goals and expectations, and formulate social media strategy accordingly.
To Conclude - We Are Here!
By following these hotel Instagram marketing strategies, you will be able to create good content as well as promote it efficiently. If you are looking for a company to take care of hotel Instagram strategies, then Bigfoot Hospitality is here for you!
We are the best hotel revenue management and marketing company, that offers social media marketing for Facebook and Instagram. Read our blogs to know more about the various social media strategies.