Top 10 Strategies for Successful Hospitality Marketing Campaigns

Of course, you know your hotel or resort is the ultimate choice for travelers to stay …but how do you convince more potential guests?

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It all comes down to your marketing strategies.

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In the competitive hospitality industry, just having a great property and awesome amenities isn’t enough! To attract and retain more guests, you also need effective marketing campaigns that highlight what makes your establishment unique and why potential guests should choose you over all of our competitors. Whether it’s your luxurious amenities, exceptional services, or your doesn’t-get-any-better-than-this location, the right marketing approach can make all the difference for your brand.

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So, if it’s effective marketing strategies your hospitality brand needs, then today’s blog has you covered. We’re taking you through our top 10 strategies to boost your visibility, attract more guests, and drive more bookings for your property!

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The Challenges of Hospitality Marketing

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And just why are your marketing strategies so important?

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Well, hospitality is an intensely competitive industry that has challenges you need to overcome in order to convince guests that your property is the right choice for them.

Here are some of those challenges now:

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• Intense Competition — The hospitality industry is loaded with hotels, resorts, and other alternatives like Airbnb. Standing out requires a unique value proposition and innovative marketing strategies, especially for smaller or newer brands still building a reputation.
• Changing Consumer Preferences — Travelers’ preferences are constantly evolving, influenced by trends like sustainable tourism, experiential travel, and technological advancements.
• Seasonality and Fluctuating Demand — The hospitality industry often experiences seasonal fluctuations, with peak and off-peak periods that can affect occupancy and revenue.
• Maintaining a Strong Online Presence — In the digital age, a strong online presence is crucial for attracting guests. This includes having an optimized website, active social media profiles, and positive online reviews.
• The Need for Reputation Management — A single negative review or social media post can significantly impact your property's reputation. Effective reputation management is crucial to keep your positive image.
• Technological Advancements — Rapid advancements in technology, like mobile bookings, virtual tours, and AI-driven personalization, require hotels to continually update their systems and marketing approaches.
• Cost of Acquisition — The cost of acquiring new guests can be high, especially with the rising cost of digital advertising and commissions paid to online travel agencies (OTAs).
• Keeping Consistency Across Channels — Ensuring a consistent brand message and customer experience across various marketing channels, including online, print, and in-person interactions, is vital.
• Data Privacy and Security — With increasing concerns about data privacy and security, hotels must ensure they comply with regulations and protect guest information.
• Cultural Sensitivity — Hospitality marketing often targets an international audience with diverse cultural backgrounds and preferences.

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10 Strategies for an Effective Hospitality Marketing Campaign

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So, if you’re ready for the strategies you need to boost awareness and keep your units full, then you’ve found them!

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Below are our picks of the 10 best marketing strategies for your hospitality brand to use. Have a look and see which would be best to help you accomplish your goals!

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1. Put Your Socials to Work

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Everybody travels and takes vacations, which means you’ve got a huge variety of demographics to appeal to.

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And, since everyone is also on social media, one of the best ways to do that is to make sure your property has a presence on multiple platforms, like Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, TikTok, and wherever else your target audience can be found.

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Once you have a presence, then put your socials to work to get your brand out there! Here are some ideas to attract followers and grab attention:

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• High-Quality Photos — Invest in professional photoshoots to capture stunning images of your property, rooms, amenities, and appealing surroundings, whether it's the bustling downtown of a city center, beach access, or serene forests or mountains. You can also encourage guests to share their photos and tag your property. Be sure to feature the best ones on your official social media channels to encourage more guests to participate!
• Hashtags and Trends — Use popular hashtags (#TravelTuesday, #VacationGoals, #LuxuryStay) to boost the reach of your posts. Participating in trending topics and challenges on platforms like TikTok and Instagram can also keep your content current and engaging. Consider creating unique hashtags for your property, like #StayAtYourHotelName, to encourage guests to tag their posts and start building a community around your brand.
• Social Media Campaigns — Host regular contests and giveaways on your socials and give your followers an opportunity to win fun prizes like free stays, discounts, or exclusive experiences by participating and sharing your content. You can also partner with local businesses or influencers for joint campaigns to get your property in front of new potential guests!
• User-Generated Content (UGC) — Get your followers in on the action by encouraging your guests to share their experiences on social media and tag your property. Be sure to offer incentives like discounts or freebies to get more followers to participate. Set some ground rules by creating specific campaigns around a theme, like #BestVacationMoment or #ResortLife. Regularly highlight your user-generated content on your social media profiles to show off your follower’s content and get more people in on the action!
• Interactive Content — Use fun, interactive content like polls, quizzes, and Q&A sessions to engage with your audience and gather feedback. You can also host live tours of your property to explore amenities or new additions, Q&A sessions with staff, or live coverage of events happening at your location. 
• Behind-the-Scenes —Share behind-the-scenes photos of your staff preparing for events, special moments, or day-to-day operations to give your brand a more personal touch and connect with your once and future guests!

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2. Optimize for SEO

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You can have an amazing property in a great location with luxurious amenities ... but you'll still have trouble keeping your rooms full if travelers can’t find you online!

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SEO (search engine optimization) is how well your website ranks on search engines like Google, and it determines how often your business pops up while users are searching online using terms like “hotel in <location>,” “best-rated hotels in <location>,” or “resort with inside pool in <city>.” Which is a big deal if you want new guests to discover what you have to offer.

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So, optimize your content using the following SEO best practices:

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• Keyword Research — Identify relevant keywords using SEO tools like Ahrefs or SEMRush that potential guests use to search for hospitality services and use them strategically in your web content to make sure it aligns with what travelers are looking for.
• On-Page Optimization — Optimize your website's meta tags, headers, and content to improve search engine rankings. This includes using appropriate keywords, creating compelling meta descriptions, and giving each page a clear, descriptive title.
• Local SEO — Make sure your property appears in local search results by claiming and optimizing your Google My Business profile and using location-specific keywords. Encouraging guests to leave reviews on Google can also boost your local search presence, so do what you can to get those reviews!
• Mobile Optimization — Make sure your website is mobile-friendly for travelers who search on the go. A responsive design and fast loading times are essential for a positive user experience and better search rankings.
• Quality Content — Keep your website updated and fresh with content like engaging blog posts, articles, and guides to attract organic traffic. High-quality content not only improves your SEO but also establishes your property as a valuable resource for travelers.

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3. Stay Connected with Email Marketing

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In the hospitality game, it’s extremely important to keep your brand top of mind for guests.

Email marketing offers a direct line of communication to past guests, future guests, and potential leads, and is an excellent way to keep your brand top of mind to encourage repeat business. 

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Here’s how you can get it done:

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• Build Up a Subscriber List — Collect email addresses from website visitors, social media followers, and your past guests. Make it easy and appealing to sign up too, using short, easy-to-complete sign-up forms and offering tempting incentives like discounts or exclusive content.
• Personalized Campaigns — Segment your email list based on things like guest preferences, behaviors, booking history, and demographics, and then send targeted campaigns that speak directly to those different segments (families, business travelers, luxury seekers, etc.) to increase engagement and relevance.
• Engaging Content — Create compelling and engaging content that includes special offers, upcoming events, and personalized recommendations. Highlight exclusive deals, seasonal promotions, and local attractions to keep your subscribers interested and motivated to book their next stay.
• Automated Emails — Set up automated email sequences to streamline communication and boost your guests’ experience. Things like welcome messages for new subscribers, booking confirmations, pre-arrival tips, recommended attractions and restaurants in the area, and post-stay follow-ups do wonders to show your appreciation for their business and encourage repeat bookings.
• Performance Tracking — Monitor key email marketing metrics like email open rates, click-through rates, and conversions to evaluate the success of your campaigns. Use this data to refine your email marketing strategy, optimize content, and improve overall performance to keep your campaigns as effective as possible.

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4. Implement Tempting Loyalty Programs

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Once a guest has a positive experience staying at your property, you want to make sure that they come back again and again!

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To do this, implement loyalty programs that make it easy for them to choose to book with you again. You can offer points, discounts, complimentary services, whatever your brand wants to offer to encourage repeat visits and future loyal customers!

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You can also create different membership levels with an increasing number of benefits to incentivize stays at your location.

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Whatever method you use, just be sure it’s easy to enroll, easy to track, and gets plenty of highlights on your website and social media pages so that guests can see all of the amazing benefits of your loyalty program!

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5. Engage with Reviews and Feedback

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There are plenty of platforms where your guests can leave reviews about your stay and, more importantly, where future guests can read about what they have to expect about an experience with your brand.

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Be sure to regularly check platforms like TripAdvisor, Google Reviews, and Yelp to monitor reviews and gather up valuable feedback that you could use to improve your amenities and services.

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Engage too! Thank your guests for their glowing reviews and feature them on your website and other promotional material.

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And, because it’s bound to happen, address any negative reviews you might see as well. Doing this will give you a chance to potentially mend a broken fence and also highlight to your guests and any visitors to the site your dedication to customer service and professionalism, and that you truly value your guests’ opinions.

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6. Produce Five-Star Content

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Content is king and in order to differentiate your hospitality brand, then you’re going to need the kind of five-star content that attracts guests and positions your hotel or resort as the ultimate choice for a getaway!

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Here are some great ideas for content you can use on your website, email marketing campaigns, landing pages, social media channels, and more:

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• High-Quality Visuals — Invest in professional photography and videography to showcase your property’s best features. Share stunning images of your hotel rooms, amenities, the food and beverage in your dining area, and surroundings, along with engaging videos that highlight guest experiences and what your hotel offers.
• Guest Stories and Testimonials — Share stories and testimonials from happy guests on your socials and your marketing material to build trust and credibility in your brand and show potential guests why your property is the perfect choice.
• Behind-the-Scenes Content — Give your audience a peek behind the scenes with content that highlights your staff, daily operations, special events, or even the preparations that go into those events. This personal touch can humanize your brand and create a deeper connection with your audience.
• Seasonal and Event-Based Content — Create content around seasonal themes, holidays, and local events. Promote special packages, festive activities, and exclusive deals to attract guests during peak travel times.
• Interactive Content — Engage your audience with interactive elements like virtual tours, polls, quizzes, and Q&A sessions. This type of content is not only entertaining but also allows potential guests to explore your property and learn more about what you offer.
• Blog Posts and Articles — Regularly publish informative and engaging blog posts and articles on topics related to travel, local attractions, and tips for an enjoyable stay. This is not only a place to use keywords and phrases that boost your SEO but also positions your property as a valuable resource for travelers.
• Social Media Stories and Highlights — Use Instagram and Facebook Stories to share daily updates, special moments, and guest experiences. Create highlights to keep important stories accessible on your profile, giving any potential guests a sneak peek of what they can expect during their stay.

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7. Partner Up with Local Businesses

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Are there any fantastic restaurants, theme parks, attractions, or sights around your location?

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If so, why not partner up to create packages and deals awesome enough to tempt any potential travelers and highlight those awesome promotions on social media, digital ads, and email campaigns?

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Partnering up with local businesses is mutually beneficial and can make booking a stay at your property even more appealing to guests looking for lodging in your area. You can collaborate with nearby restaurants to offer dining discounts or work with attractions like museums and theme parks to create bundled packages that provide added value and convenience for your guests (which will be especially appreciated if they’ve got small children in their party!).

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And everybody wins too, because highlighting local experiences not only attracts more guests who are interested in exploring the area but strengthens your ties to the community and helps to boost local tourism!

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8. Invest in PPC Advertising

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Don’t be afraid to invest in pay-per-click (PPC) advertising to target specific demographics and geographic areas!

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PPC ads (Google Ads, LinkedIn Ads, YouTube Ads, Instagram Ads, Facebook Ads, etc.) are excellent ways to reach potential guests who are already actively looking for a place to stay for a vacation or business trip that aligns with what you have to offer.

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By creating targeted ads, you can focus on specific groups like families with kids, couples, business travelers, fun-seekers, and more to reach best-fit leads and make the most of your marketing budget.

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PPC ads also make retargeting easier, allowing you to reach those visitors who have previously shown interest in your property but didn’t book, keeping you top of mind for the next time they’re searching for hotels or resorts in your area!

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9. Team Up with Influencers

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In the same way your hotel or resort can team up with local businesses, you can also team up with influencers.

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Find social media influencers who vibe with your brand and work with them to create authentic and engaging content featuring your property and all you have to offer. Whether they’re featuring you on a list of best places to stay or giving you a glowing review after an exclusive offer or experience, positive word of mouth from someone your audience follows and is familiar with is a great way to spread the word, boost your credibility, and put your brand in front of new potential guests!

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10. Host Events and Promotions

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Hosting events and promotions can be a powerful way to attract new guests and keep your property buzzing!

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Organize unique events that cater to different interests, like themed parties, workshops, wellness retreats, and more. These events can draw in a diverse crowd, from locals looking for something fun to do to travelers looking for a new experience during their summer vacation. 

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Seasonal promotions are another effective way to draw in a crowd. Offer special deals during holidays, local events and festivals, or even during off-peak seasons to boost occupancy rates and help keep your rooms full during the slow months.

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You can also create a sense of urgency to drive bookings by offering limited-time deals and discounts to appeal to both new and returning guests. Highlight your exclusive deals on your socials, through email campaigns, or through PPC ads to attract more guests, keep your property top of mind, and build up a loyal customer base!

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Your Most Important Hospitality Marketing Strategy

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Of course, implementing all of these strategies and having the kind of content that makes them effective is a tough job.

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Content creation takes time, effort, and a team of strategists who understand the industry, are up with all the latest hospitality marketing trends, and know what travelers are looking for in their hospitality brands.

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So, if you’re looking for an easier and more convenient way of getting this done, a way that also lets your hospitality management team focus on their job without drowning in a pile of marketing projects, then we have a solution.

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Why not partner with Designity?

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Designity is made up of the top 3% of all of the talented designers, writers, and social media and marketing experts that apply each year, meaning that our creative community is the best of the best and ready to create the kind of content and strategy to take your hospitality brand to the next level. And with the guidance of a Creative Director, a marketing and design expert with experience with the hospitality and tourism industry, to manage your account and source your talent, you can get it all done faster than you ever thought possible.

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Why not check out our hospitality marketing page and portfolio to see how our talented team was able to elevate the brands of hospitality businesses just like yours?

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If our style vibes with yours, then take the next step and book a demo call.

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It takes only a few minutes and once you’re done, you can get started with your two-week, no-obligation trial and see firsthand how Designity is the only hospitality marketing partner your brand will ever need.

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