Instagram has over 1 billion monthly active users. As a hotelier, you should look alive and post on Instagram in the right way. Below social media expert, Garry James shares his best tips on how to use Instagram for business and how to use Instagram Stories.
Instagram is a visual-based social network which I believe all hotels should be using more of. Instagram is also owned by Facebook, so if you are running Facebook Ads, you can place them on Instagram simultaneously.
I have worked with companies including hotel chains, tourism attractions and even a private island, and my first question to the business is to ask HOW they are using Instagram. In this article, I will share the best tips for Instagram and how to use Instagram Stories for your hotel.
Instagram is visual. This means videos and images. Once you have your Instagram account set up, think about WHAT you are going to post. Questions to ask before you post are:
IDEA: If your hotel is set in the beautiful countryside, why not focus your Instagram account around this. Forget showing off the beds. The reason why customers will come and stay with you is because of the location.
There are thousands of online guides that recommend a different number of posts per week on Instagram. What you have to remember is that it needs to be something manageable. There is no point posting three times a day and then not being able to manage this for a longer period.
If you are a small hotel, start with three times per week. This should be manageable long term.
Hashtags are a great way for Instagram users to find your account. Anyone can search a hashtag and find others who have used it.
When you post your video or image, you will want to post hashtags with it. You can actually include up to 30 hashtags with one post, I would recommend sticking to under 11. Please make sure the hashtags are relevant to what you are posting, and think creatively about what you use.
Instagram Stories are different from Instagram Posts. Instagram Stories capture the little moments of your day and vanish after 24 hours. They don’t need to be perfect and should give your followers a glimpse into what goes on in your world.
The key to producing successful Instagram Stories is staying true to your company’s personality and style.
What you share on your Instagram Story will be different from what you post. Some ideas of what you can use Instagram Stories for are:
See the original post that spurred the inspiration for Instagram for your hotel here at Hotel Speak.
Garry James is the Director of Social The World, who produce a range of workbooks to help businesses with social media. Simple to understand, and great for a novice or professional marketeer. There are no monthly fees, just one workbook.
For more strategies on how to increase revenue for your hotel, see our post here: Strategies to Increase Hotel Revenue.
