Facebook, with its more than 1 billion worldwide users, is at the top of the social media world. The world’s most popular social network not only provides hotels with the most exposure, but offers the opportunity for direct bookings as well. A hotel’s Facebook presence must be both attractive and engaging, while also staying fresh and useful to its fans. Facebook apps specifically designed for hotels can highlight the best features and important information needed by potential guests.
Make It Visually Appealing
Facebook’s relatively new Timeline format is perfect for showing off your hotel beautifully, creating a positive all-important first impression. The cover photo is the first thing people will see when they come to your page. Choose a high resolution image that projects the message you want to display. Remember, the cover photo can be changed at any time and it is a good idea to switch it out periodically.
Engage Your Audience
You need to give your fans compelling reasons to come back to your page. Respond to their comments and make them feel like you are listening; make it a conversation. Show them that you care about their opinions and don’t be afraid to give some of your own. Keep your audience engaged and entertained with your hotel. A little light hearted humor can go a long way. Ask them questions in addition to answering theirs. For example, conduct polls of things they love about your locale. Make them think about what they enjoy when they stay with you. Promotions and giveaways will keep them coming back as well.
Keep It Fresh
Providing your fans with fresh, new content will also bring them back again and again. This doesn’t have to necessarily be done every day, but once or twice a week at least. Include photos in all of your updates and encourage the fans to share theirs. This will keep the traffic and interest level up.
It Should Be Useful
Your hotel Facebook page must have a booking engine and offer the audience an opportunity to see rooms, rates, and availability. This is essential to converting a fan into a paying guest. Hotel-specific Facebook apps are available to make this a smooth and easy transaction.
Facebook is the perfect social media venue for the hospitality industry and the best place to start for any hotel without a social media presence. There are other social network platforms to explore that present opportunity as well. In the next part in this series we will see what Twitter can offer the hotelier.
Written and produced in beautiful Naples, Florida by OnFast.com. Visit OnFast.com today to get your free trial subscription to our Social Media Marketing Service.
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