Influencer marketing is the type of marketing through which the company invites influential personalities on social media, or any other medium, to come and review their services and products. It is a form of advertisement for your hotel, but rather than the advert coming from a random source, it comes from the mouth of an influencer who is trusted by their followers.
Your target market is turning to social media
In this modern age, people are going online to perform in-depth research before making decisions on purchases – and they are turning to influencers for guidance too.
Did you know that 66% of your audience trust consumer opinions posted online? Add in the fact that only 1% of millennials (consumers aged 18-34) have been influenced by a traditional advert, and it’s easy to see why influencer marketing is skyrocketing.
95% of millennials follow brands through social media. That’s a huge demographic – fresh to the workforce with disposable income – all flocking to the same few online platforms. Whether it’s Snapchat, Twitter or Instagram, it’s incredibly important to ensure your brand is represented in a positive light on the same platforms your target customers are using. And influencer marketing is a powerful way to achieve this goal.
Does influencer marketing work in the hotel industry?
100% yes. In fact, 42% of baby boomers admit that social media influences their booking decision. And, according to research into millennial travel trends, 87% look at Facebook for travel inspiration with 97% posting their experiences online whilst travelling.
Influencers hold significant weight, whether it’s through tweets, blogging or vlogging. They have the power to affect purchase decisions. From 1,000 to 100,000 followers, influencers have clout which cannot be ignored. This is especially prevalent in the travel industry, where consumers are more likely to use social media for inspiration, reviews and recommendations.
Can influencer marketing help my hotel brand?
With the right know-how and the appropriate influencers, hotels and accommodation providers can build significant relationships.
As a hotel, you may be missing out on a whole range of guests. Influencers can navigate these people to your website directly, using hashtags, images and videos.
The beauty of the influencer is that they can help you understand and adapt your strategies. Influencers capture data, create original content and boost sales. With relatively little input on your part, you can enjoy a fantastic return on investment.