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.
Hotel Sales Demystified
Uncovering misconceptions and unlocking opportunities.
Sales representatives are the lifeblood of hotels. They are responsible for bringing in new business and keeping existing customers satisfied. The hotel sales process can be complex, but it doesn't have to be mysterious.
The InnSync Show’s Cory Falter recently chatted with Tammy Gillis, sales performance expert from Gillis Consulting and Training, Inc., and we're demystifying the hotel sales process so you can close more business deals and grow the bottom line.
Hospitality B2B Marketing - Debunking Myths and Revealing Truths
It's no secret that there are a lot of misconceptions about hospitality B2B marketing. From FOMO to skewed attribution, marketers are missing the point on how to move the needle effectively.
We're here to debunk some myths (and reveal some truths) about B2B hospitality marketing and high in a recent conversation between Cory Falter, principal here at Lure Agency, and Susan Barry, president (aka "Queen Bee") of Hive Marketing, on the InnSync Show.
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.
Want to Hit Your Sales Target? Here's Why You Should Partner with a Sharpspring Agency
Is your sales team still in "spray and pray" mode?
Spray-and-pray marketing is the practice of sending marketing communications to as many individuals as possible (spray), with the hope that it will entice some of them to buy products or show interest in services (pray) – without using measures like conversion tracking to assess campaign success and ROI.
Not only does this method of prospecting burn out your team, but it’s also ineffective and costly.
Modern sales teams are finding success through a thoughtful, personalized approach; by delivering the right message at the right time. This approach is how the best sales teams achieve their quotas, build relationships, and crush their bottom lines.
It’s all about using the right tools and partnering with the right agency.
If you’re looking to modernize your sales team’s approach, you need to partner with a Sharpspring agency.
What is Sharpspring?
SharpSpring is an affordable, yet powerful all-in-one sales and marketing platform that helps businesses generate leads, improve conversions to sales, and drive higher returns on marketing investment.
With Sharpspring, there is a seamless integration of marketing automation, email, CRM, sales engagement, social media, and digital advertising all work together to optimize the funnel and drive more revenue.
We believe in Sharpspring’s mission of empowering businesses to succeed.
What is Marketing Automation?
Marketing automation is the use of software and technology to automate marketing processes, including but not limited to email marketing, social media campaigns, lead generation, and customer segmentation.
It allows sales and marketing teams to work together more efficiently by automating repetitive tasks, like sending out mass emails or creating targeted lists of leads.
Sharpspring Account Manager Scott Earnest, says, “It’s multiple tools in your tool belt. It automates your sales process, from interactions with customers to the entire sales process.”
He goes on to say, “you’re constantly dripping content to your customers and your prospects to let them know bout the services that you have to offer and how you can help them out going forward.”
In other words, delivering the right message at the right time automatically.
How Does Marketing Automation Work?
Marketing automation platforms like Sharpspring are built on a foundation of customer data.
This data is collected through various means, including website activity tracking, forms and surveys, email interactions, and CRM integration.
Once this data is collected, it’s stored in a central location (the marketing automation platform) where it can be segmented and used to create targeted lists of leads.
From there, sales teams can use the marketing automation platform to automate repetitive tasks, like sending out mass emails or creating targeted lists of leads.
The result is a more efficient sales process and higher conversion rates.
Why Partner with a Sharpspring Agency?
When you partner with a Sharpspring agency, you’re getting more than just a marketing automation platform.
You’re getting a team of experts who know how to use the Sharpspring platform to its fullest potential.
The right Sharpspring agency will work with you to create a personalized sales and marketing strategy that will help you achieve your business goals, while also providing ongoing support and training to ensure that you’re getting the most out of the Sharpspring platform.
When you partner with a Sharpspring agency, you’re investing in your business’s future.
What to Look for in a Sharpspring Agency
Not all Sharpspring agencies are created equal.
When you’re looking for a Sharpspring agency to partner with, you should look for an agency that:
– Has a proven track record of success
– Offers a comprehensive suite of services
– Provides ongoing support and training
– Is invested in your business’s success
What is Included in the Sharpspring Marketing Suite?
Sharpspring is a fully-featured marketing automation platform that includes everything you need to generate leads, improve conversions, and drive higher returns on your marketing investment.
Marketing Automation and CRM
Marketing Automation
- Email marketing
- Automation & Workflows
- Forms
- Landing Pages
- Social listening & Engagement
- Retargeting Ads
- Blogs
- Chatbots
Sales Automation & CRM
- Customizable CRM
- Lead Scoring
- Pipeline Management
- Sales Optimizer
- Smart Mail
- Meetings
- Video Calls
Tracking & Analytics
- Life-of-the-Lead
- Custom Reports
- Cloud Dashboards
- Campaign Tracking
- Asset Tracking
- Multitouch Attribution
- Monthly Usage Report
All at a fraction of the cost of other sales and marketing platforms!
What to Expect from a Sharpspring Platinum Agency
What should you expect from a Sharpspring Platinum Agency? In addition to more leads and higher-value relationships, you can also expect to fuel your business growth.
Pricing – Plans Designed to Scale
Here at Lure Agency, we offer these flexible options:
Software license Only
A software license gives you full access to the SharpSpring Sales & Marketing platform. Signing up through an agency offers sales and marketing teams more perks than signing up directly.
Self-Managed Plan
The self-managed plan is for robust in-house sales & marketing teams. You’ll get full access to the platform plus support from us that includes: onboarding, training, strategy sessions, and ongoing support.
Co-op Managed Plan
The Co-op Managed Plan is for small sales & marketing teams with limited resources, we will support you with everything from the Self-Managed plan plus creative direction and content creation.
Fully Managed Plan
A Fully-Managed plan is for businesses with sales, but no marketing support. You can expect everything from the Co-op Managed plan plus creative execution, email deployment, funnel optimization, and keyword research. You’ll be armed with all the resources your team needs to fuel your growth.
What Results Can I Expect from Working with a Sharpspring Agency?
When you partner with a Sharpspring agency like Lure, you can expect to see results like:
– More leads
– Higher-value relationships
– Increased sales
– Improved conversions
– Higher returns on your marketing investment
Are you looking for a full-service marketing agency?
If you’re looking for a full-service marketing agency that can help you generate more leads and drive higher returns on your marketing investment, then you need to partner with a Sharpspring agency.
At Lure Agency, we offer a comprehensive suite of services that includes everything from lead generation to conversion optimization. We also provide ongoing support and training to ensure that you’re getting the most out of your Sharpspring investment.
How to Know Your Digital Marketing is Set Up for Success
Are you leaving money on the table?
It's a tough question, but one that needs to be asked when it comes to your digital marketing. Do you have an effective marketing strategy in place? If not, you could be leaving money on the table.
Consider your website to be your hardest-working salesperson; one who works 24/7 without asking for a raise or time off. It is the face of your business online - it's where prospects go to learn about what you do and reach out to start a relationship. It's your storefront, your home base, your lead magnet. It's a one-stop shop for growing your business.
So how can you tell if your site is set up for success? We like to look at both the Science and Soul of your brand.
Here are a few factors to think about to determine whether or not you have an effective marketing strategy.
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!
How Video Testimonials Can Boost B2B Sales in the Hospitality Industry
Video Testimonial Marketing - The Game Changer for B2B Hospitality Brands
The hospitality industry has enjoyed unprecedented growth over the past decade, even with the impact of COVID-19 on travel and entertainment. Thanks to social media and ever-evolving digital marketing trends, people are talking about hospitality brands in a whole new way.
After the pandemic, the hospitality industry is poised to recover and keep growing substantially in the coming years. That means your hospitality brand needs to be on top of the latest trends if it’s going to compete.
This brings us to today’s topic: video testimonial marketing.
We all know the importance of customer feedback in hospitality. Up to 96% of travelers consider reviews to be an important part of their research, but we’re not just talking about Yelp reviews or TripAdvisor content.
In the world of TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram Reels, video content is making enormous waves. Video testimonial marketing is the way of the future, and we’re going to explain what they are, why you should care, and how they can dramatically boost your B2B sales.