Importance of digital branding in the age of social media

Back in the 1990s, the American Marketing Association defined the brand as "a name, term, design, symbol, or any other feature that identifies one seller's goods or services as distinct from those of other sellers." This definition, while accurate, did nothing for helping businesses reach consumers in the digital age. Technology put people in much closer proximity to brands they might never have heard of, as human communication was taken to the next level beyond TV and phones. Before the advent of television, hotels relied on big neon signs and newspaper ads, and word of mouth to get guests. Today, word of mouth is amplified by millions of voices potentially, and hoteliers have had to adjust to this new spotlight shining on them. To fail the humanism test today, is to lose your business to the competitor who understands. This is the simple reality of modern branding strategy. Be real, or get out of the business of hospitality.

Whether your hotel is a local landmark or a new kid on the block, it's always a good idea to add fresh, new strategies to your hotel marketing plan. You may think that innovative ideas for hotels need months of planning and a budget that's out of your reach, so let us assure you that you can implement creative marketing strategies in a short time frame and with little or no financial resources. With so much attention given to acquiring new guests, it can be easy to forget about a valuable segment of traveller: your repeat guests. Why are repeat guests so valuable, you ask? Studies show that the acquisition cost for new guests can be between 5 and 7 times that of existing guests. Furthermore, "the probability of selling to a new customer hovers around a mere 5 to 20 percent. Meanwhile, the likelihood of selling to an existing customer is between 60 to 70 percent." Essentially, guests who have stayed at your hotel are more likely than new guests to book, and a repeat guest's booking costs less than that of a new guest.

Social media is a great way for hotels to stay connected with repeat guests and build brand awareness. But in addition to flattering shots of your pool, restaurant, and bathrooms, social media is also a fantastic channel for bragging about your hotel's most valuable asset: your employees. After all, a memorable interaction with your staff is more likely to inspire a guest to return than your furniture is.

For example, Hilton recently shared a video on Instagram about an employee's journey from a refugee to an apprentice at Hilton Frankfurt City Centre. Besides just celebrating the employee's story, the post received more views than any of Hilton's other video content and over 28 times the average comment volume. Joining forces with nearby businesses can allow your hotel to offer unique amenities that aren't in-house. Do guests wish your hotel had a restaurant, a gym, or a spa? Rather than investing thousands of dollars in renovations, try investing a few hours in building a partnership with a restaurant, gym, or spa next door. For instance, the historic Lenox Hotel in Boston didn't have the space for an on-site spa, so the property partnered with G20 Spa + Salon across the street. With the ability to offer spa services to its guests, the hotel is now a stronger competitor among luxury hotels in the area. Though the partnership might not materialize immediately, you can start brainstorming potentially local business partners and start the conversation today.

Responding to guest reviews and social media comments can sometimes feel like a chore, but it's important to remember that these responses provide an excellent opportunity to market your hotel. Rather than using canned responses or templates, answer each one individually, speaking to any specific questions or situations the guest mentioned - both positive and negative. Did a guest mention they loved the shampoo in the shower? Great! You can talk up your organic eucalyptus-scented toiletries that are thoughtfully presented in eco-friendly dispensers. Or was the guest disappointed in the food at your restaurant? Then you have the perfect opportunity to mention that your hotel has just hired a new chef who will be completely revamping the menu options (only if that's true, of course).

In addition to reviews, social media comments deserve personal treatment. RIU Hotels and Resort does an excellent job of responding to each and every comment personally. Even if the comment doesn't have a question, the RIU team will say something like "thanks for your comment" or "we'd love to have you." Their responses come across as genuine and thoughtful, which is probably exactly the impression that the brand wants to make.