How to Conduct a Digital Marketing Assessment for Your Hospitality Business with Ease
How do you know if your hospitality marketing strategy drives the most revenue possible?
From wasteful media campaigns to underperforming landing pages, there’s a lot to consider.
As a hospitality business, it’s important to understand your digital marketing ecosystem and how it all translates to the bottom line. By conducting a digital marketing assessment, you can gain valuable insights into your guests’ journey, your competition, and what digital marketing channels will work best for your business. Additionally, you’ll uncover how you can find the heart and soul of your brand.
Keep reading to learn more about conducting a digital marketing assessment for your hospitality business to ensure you’re not leaving money on the table.
How to Use Your Consumers as Your Best Marketing Channel
It is no secret that social media has drastically changed how hotels are marketing their properties.
In the past, it was typical for the hospitality industry to use traditional channels like television, print, and radio to promote their products or services. These days relationship building in marketing is essential.
While these channels are still used today, they are not nearly as effective as they once were. Thanks to social media, hoteliers not only have direct communication with their customers, customers now have more access to one another to share their experiences.
As a result, the hospitality industry has had to adapt its marketing strategies to focus on word-of-mouth and online reviews. Why? Because social media has made it possible for your customers to be your best marketing channel. Remember, you're not here to sell furniture; you're here to sell experiences. Let your customers do it for you.
We're sharing some insights and tips from a recent conversation on the InnSync Show between Cory Falter and Ed St. Onge of Flip.to on how to utilize your customers as your marketing channel best.
Words that Sell: Conversion Copywriting for B2B
Imagine crafting content so compelling that it easily convinces your prospects to become buyers. That's the power of conversion copywriting.
Conversion copywriting is the art and science of writing persuasive content that helps convince your readers to take a desired action; this could be anything from subscribing to a newsletter to making a purchase.
While it may seem daunting, crafting effective conversion copy doesn't have to be complicated. In fact, by following a few simple tips, you can start writing copy that boosts conversions and helps drive results for your business.
Here are some ideas, with a little help from our friend and B2B Copywriter and Marketing Strategist, Linda Melone.
How to Make Your Digital Marketing Less Digital
Humanization of Hotel Marketing - What it Is & Why It's Important
What is humanization? In a digital world, humanization is the act of making your brand relatable, approachable, and friendly. It's about creating connections with your customers and making them feel like they're part of a community.
Humanizing your hotel marketing is important because humans are social creatures. We crave connection and belonging. And when we feel connected to something, we're more likely to be loyal to it.
In a world where endless choices and companies are vying for our attention, humanization can be the deciding factor in whether or not someone chooses your brand.
Let's explore some ways to humanize your digital marketing with some tips from the director of field marketing support with Pyramid Global Hospitality, Evan Crawford.
Short-Form Videos for B2B: Something to Dance About?
Are you ready to embrace the hottest trend in content marketing?
Short-form videos - yes, even short-form videos for B2B - are a great way to engage with your audience and promote your business. They're quick, easy to produce, and can be used in various ways to reach your target market.
Some may argue there is no space for the B2B industry to utilize short-form videos, while others have learned to embrace them. However, there’s no doubt that more and more customers and clients are consuming short-form videos on nearly every social media platform. It’s the fastest-growing form of media consumption.
In this blog post, we'll discuss what short-form videos are, how to use them, and why they should be at least considered for your B2B marketing.
Technology for the Hospitality Industry: 3 Exciting Trends to Watch
Boost revenue. Improve efficiencies. Crush the competition.
Let's face it, the hospitality industry has seen more than its fair share of challenges in the past couple of years. It has felt a bit like a roller coaster between closures, the Great Resignation, and the surge in demand against a limited supply of resources.
One exciting result of recent challenges has been a major shift in ways technology can not only assist but also drive results, even with the toughest constraints. Embracing technology trends will help you boost revenue, improve efficiencies and get ahead of even the toughest of competition.
Technology for the Hospitality Industry - Don't Miss These Tools!
Technology trends in the hospitality industry are changing every day. This is a direct result of the way technology has advanced in recent years. From touchless technologies to robust sales platforms, here are three technology trends that are currently helping hospitality business owners stay ahead of the competition.
Here are three ways to drive more hospitality revenue when you have limited time and a limited budget.
1. Latest Technology Trends: Contactless Restaurant Ordering
OneDine is changing the restaurant technology sector by providing the most comprehensive, lowest-cost, and contactless solution available to date. It works by supercharging the existing POS systems, enabling contactless ordering and payment immediately. OneDine optimizes labor, eliminates fraudulent chargebacks, and creates a triple-win for servers, managers, and guests alike.
The coolest thing about OneDine? It learns how guests eat! OneDine will help pick the right menu item in every restaurant including suggestive modifications and allows a guest to seamlessly pay.
As a restaurant, OneDine gives you the power to increase your restaurant's sales, reduce operating costs, and deliver a frictionless dining experience in the palm of your hand.
Customer data with recognition technology creates predictive smart systems that local restaurants can use to stay ahead of their competitors.
2. Smart Hotels LOVE a Virtual Front Desk
If you're like many hotel properties around the globe, you may be experiencing a staff shortage. This puts added pressure on the management team and can create a guest experience that's less than 5-star.
A few months ago, leading ID scanner solution provider TTI Technologies announced their exclusive partnership with aavgo, the world’s first contactless, human-assisted Virtual Front Desk. Together, TTI Technologies and aavgo have constructed the world’s simplest identification virtual check-in process for hotels in an effort to combat identity theft, increase security in customer support, and improve overall efficiency.
Using this smart technology for tasks traditionally performed by hotel staff, not only helps to better manage guest data but also allows hotel management to capitalize on emerging technology for a better customer experience during a time when staff shortages are widespread in the hotel industry.
Hotel owners will love this hospitality tech!
3. Hotel Technology Trends: Lead Management (on Steroids)
SharpSpring is an affordable, yet powerful all-in-one sales and marketing platform that helps hospitality businesses generate leads, improve conversions to sales, and drive higher returns.
SharpSpring's lead management capabilities are unrivaled. With its ability to score leads, automate email marketing and drip campaigns, and track website visits and form submissions, SharpSpring gives hospitality businesses the power to convert more leads into paying customers.
With SharpSpring, the whole customer journey can be managed in a way that can allow hospitality sales professionals to provide exceptional service, cut operational costs, utilize big data and drill down on data analysis. These technological advances, especially for the hospitality sector, have not only created efficiencies but also have helped to create a much better customer experience.
Maximize Your Sales & Marketing Funnel >>
Here are some common questions about technology for hospitality.
What are the technologies used in hospitality and tourism?
There is a wide range of technologies used in hospitality and tourism. And, these are not limited to just the hotel industry!
Some of the most common hospitality technology trends include:
- Online booking and reservation systems
- Customer relationship management (CRM) software
- Property management systems (PMS)
- Financial accounting and reporting software
- Business intelligence (BI) tools
- Marketing automation software
- Custom hotel apps
- Virtual and augmented reality
- Smart room keys
- Automated administrative tasks
- Mobile check-in
- Voice control
- Digital conference facilities
These hospitality technology trends are changing the way hotels operate and how hospitality companies manage and exceed ever-changing customer expectations.
Photo by Teemu Paananen on Unsplash
What are other emerging technologies in the hospitality industry?
Some of the most promising emerging technologies in the hospitality industry include:
- Blockchain
- Virtual reality (VR)
- Augmented reality (AR)
- Chatbots
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Artificial intelligence (AI)
- Biometrics (facial recognition technology, etc)
The hospitality industry may not be prepared yet for these emerging technologies, but when looking ahead it's best to be in tune with the latest trends for future considerations.
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What are the benefits of technology in the hospitality industry?
Technology can bring a number of benefits to businesses in the hospitality industry, including:
- Increased efficiency and productivity
- Improved customer service
- Greater insight into business operations
- Enhanced marketing and promotional activities
- Reduced costs
- More guests
- Reduced energy consumption and energy costs
- More efficient revenue management
There is a multitude of benefits for the hospitality industry to embrace advancing technologies. When hospitality industry companies can manage both the expectations of key stakeholders and industry customers, everyone wins.
What are the challenges of technology in the hospitality industry?
While technology can bring many benefits to businesses in the hospitality industry, there are also some challenges that need to be considered, including:
- Ensuring data security and privacy
- Managing complex systems and software
- Keeping up with rapidly changing technology
- Addressing staff fears and resistance to change
- Training employees on how to use new technology
Technology can present some challenges for businesses in the hospitality industry, however, it is clear that the benefits far outweigh the challenges.
Technology can help businesses in the hospitality industry to improve their operations, increase their sales, and provide a better experience for their customers.
Technology for Hospitality Industry Moving Forward
Hotel technology of the future is moving in a way to best serve customers. Whether that's better understanding and responding to intent, to artificial intelligence and virtual reality.
With the recent advancements of technology, it is not hard to see where these technologies could go in the next few years.
What does this mean for businesses in the hospitality industry?
This means that businesses need to start preparing for these changes now. They need to be investing in these technologies and training their staff on how to use them. This way they can stay ahead of the curve and provide the best possible experience for their customers.
Technology is changing rapidly, and businesses in the hospitality industry need to change with it.
Driving revenue in the hospitality industry can be a daunting task, but it's not impossible. These are just a few of the many ways you can drive more hospitality revenue. With a little creativity and the right partners, your hospitality brand can rise above the challenges while also providing an unparalleled guest experience!
Hospitality Vendors, Want More Clients? Here’s What to Know
As with any industry, finding the right customers is key to success. When you’re a hospitality vendor, it’s important to know who to target. As hospitality vendors, you want to make sure that the hospitality clients you choose to work with are a good fit for your business and vice versa–it’s a win-win for both parties.
So, if you’re looking for more hospitality clients, we have outlined the key steps to not only attracting the right kind but also how to convert and delight them for many years to come. Happy, long-term clients make for successful hospitality vendors.
Let’s dive in!
Dark Social Could be the Reason Why Hospitality B2B Sales Attribution is a Bust
How Dark Social Changes Tracking Hospitality B2B Sales
Just when you thought you had a handle on your hospitality B2B sales attribution, a phenom has occurred and you may not know what to do. Fear not! We are here to explore the murky new world of Dark Social.
Supercharge Your Marketing with Social Proof - Here's How!
It's Not What You Say; It's What Your Customers Say
Social proof is a psychological phenomenon where people copy the actions of others to appear more normal. The greater the number of people doing something, the more normal it appears to be, and hence, more people tend to do it. Social proof isn't just a sales trick. It is a social reality that the decisions of others significantly influence human beings. We see what our peers are doing and make our decisions based largely on what we see. Their actions validate our decision to take action.
To put it in a sales context, the potential buyer is considering their options and evaluating options. Their mind is full of doubts. They're looking for reasons not to trust you or buy the product. Social proof helps them understand what your business offers from the point of view of another customer just like them. It's part of any rational decision-making process.
Sparking Sales Through Psychology: 7 Triggers That Convert Leads to Customers
The process of going from lead to customer is a delicate one. It's not enough to just present your product or service on your website and hope that the right people will find you. In order for this to happen, you need to know how and when to trigger the appropriate reactions in visitors so they convert into leads and eventually into customers.
This blog post discusses psychological triggers that cause us as humans to react with urgency, curiosity, fear, excitement-and more importantly-to act! Let's explore the psychology of how to convert leads into sales.