Archive for the ‘Pinterest’ Category
Friday, January 25th, 2013
Fact or Fib? 80% of U.S. social network users prefer to connect to brands through Facebook.
Fact or Fib? Social media and blogs reach 80% of all U.S. Internet users.
Are you reaching your potential clients with your social media marketing?
Here are 5 powerful ways to reach a wider audience while drawing more fans, readers and followers to your social channels. By creatively funneling people from one channel to another you will leverage their involvement and help them become more engaged. They’ll get to know you better!
You know the saying; people buy from people they know and like. Here are some tips to develop that relationship.
#1 Blog Sharing 
Sexy Bookmarks is a great tool to encourage people to share your blog. It’s reactive and cool! When you hover over an icon it pops up! Plus you can customize which icons appear in your blog. Here’s what it looks like.
An RSS feed is a way to capture their attention with each new blog post.
Bonus tip: Once people see your blog, remind them to connect with you on your other social sites by including an invitation to connect via hyperlinks to each of your other social and web sites. See below for an example.
#2 Facebook | Blog 
Networked Blogs is an easy to set up app/tool that will automatically roll your latest blog post right to your Facebook page. Here’s what it looks like on your Facebook page.
#3 Pinterest |Facebook 
WooBox is the go-to tool ensuring that your Facebook fans have direct access to your Pinterest page. Simple to install it puts a Pinterest app front and center on your Facebook business page.
Bonus tip: Pinterest has just added Business pages. You can now change your personal Pinterest site into a business page and add your website verification that makes it easier for people to find you. When you complete this step by adding some code provided by Pinterest to your website .
Here’s what your Pinterest bio will look like.
#4 Twitter Engagement 
Have you uploaded your new Header image? Twitter has recently given us more real-estate to brand and show who we are and what we do. Here’s your chance to put a picture or graphic of your specialty, niche or latest fam destination. Remember to include links to your other social sites in your Twitter profile. Here are some great examples from our industry.
#5 Measure & Monitor 
Some of my favorite tools to learn more about when to post, fan demographics and HOT news are:
- SocialMention-track what’s being said about your top destinations, suppliers and your company
- Crowdbooster—measure and optimize your social marketing, plus tips to help you improve
- GoogleAlerts—set up a notification system to be alerted to top news on your key words
- TweetWhen – track your Twitter stats
- Facebook Page Insights—check your fan demographics and success of your posts
- Reachli—learn more about your Pinterest audience with analytics
- More of my favorites.
Fact or Fib? Both are FACTS! Gripping reasons to leverage your involvement and up your game!
For more stats please go to: http://bit.ly/W3mWet and http://bit.ly/U3QKGa
What success stories have you had marketing your social sites?
Connect with me online
Join me socially: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Pinterest
When you ‘like’ my Facebook page you’ll have access to Free Resources just for travel pros!
Tags: blog, blogging, Facebook, facebookfans, Facebookmarketing, facebookpromotion, hospitality, hotelsales, marketing, marketingplan, Networking, Pinterest, salestips, Selling, social engagement, Social Media, tourismbusiness, training, travelagent, travelindustry, Twitter
Posted in blogging, Facebook Marketing, hospitality, hotel industry, marketing, NACTA, National Tour Association, Networking, NTA, OASIS, Pinterest, promotion, sales, Social Media Marketing, strategy, tourism industry, Tourism Sales Tips, Travel Consultant, travel industry, Twitter | 2 Comments »
Friday, November 30th, 2012
Pinterest is the newest ‘shiny’ thing to become a part of the travel & tourism industry’s social involvement. And it’s really bright & shiny!
The biggest news is that it’s actually working to engage travellers while they’re in the trip planning stage.
Travel consultants are leveraging this by using their own library of photos along with photos from supplier image galleries to entice, enthrall and close more sales.
Destinations are reaping the benefits as travelers are posting photos to their own boards and further spreading the word to future travellers. In addition, pins a DMO posts on related boards are benefitting local businesses as they’re being frequented by travelers.
The big question now is how to leverage this exposure over other social sites. Here are some marketing tactics to help travel pros spread their Pinterest page content to their other social pages.
Pinterest |Facebook
- Make sure you add the Pinterest app to your business page. Check out Woo Box to easily add access to your Pinterest site.
- Add a Post to your Facebook page announcing your newest board
- Ask your Facebook fans to follow you on Pinterest
- Make sure your Pinterest address is in the About section on your Facebook page
- Monitor your social presence. Here are some tools for you.
Pinterest |Website
- Add a ‘Pin It’ button onto your website
- Add the Pinterest icon linking directly to your Pinterest site.
- Create ‘Pinnable’ web materials
Pinterest |Blog
- Add your Pinterest address to your blog post
- Add a ‘Pin It’ button to your blog
- Blog about your Pinterest contest or your newest board
- Get creative with your photo editing. Here are some tools for you.
Pinterest |Twitter
- Tweet about your new involvement in Pinterest and provide a link to your newest board
- Create a Welcome board that showcases photos of your latest trip, an upcoming group departure or your newest blog post and Tweet about updates to this board.
- Update your Twitter profile to include a link to your Pinterest site.
Pinterest |LinkedIn
- Add your Pinterest address to your LinkedIn profile’s Professional section
- Announce new boards to relevant groups on LinkedIn
Pinterest |Google+
- Post your latest blog or photo updates to relevant Google+ circles
- In your G+ posts, include information on your latest Pins with a link to the relevant board.
Here are some other tactics for you to make the most of your Pinterest presence and grow your following of raving fans. See Infographic below.
Tags: blog, blogging, Facebook, facebookfans, Facebookmarketing, facebookpromotion, hospitality, LinkedIn, marketing, marketingplan, NACTA, NTA, Pinterest, sales, salestips, Selling, social engagement, Social Media, tourism industry, tourismbusiness, tourismsalestips, touroperator, tourwholesaler, travelagent, travelindustry, Twitter
Posted in blogging, Facebook Marketing, hospitality, hotel industry, marketing, Monitoring tools, NACTA, National Tour Association, Networking, NTA, OASIS, Pinterest, promotion, Social Media Marketing, tourism industry, Tourism Sales Tips, Travel Consultant, travel industry, Twitter | 2 Comments »
Friday, November 23rd, 2012
freedigitalphotos.net
What social site has 23 million unique visitors/month?
Where can you showcase all your fam trip photos?
Only 28% of travel pros who attended the last Pinterest webinar I hosted had a Pinterest site. So what better time to focus on this wildly popular tool.
Here are 5 tools to power-up your Pinterest experience.
Pinerly now renamed Reachlii
This amazing site gives you the tools to measure the reach and effectiveness of your Pinterest pins. With this relevant knowledge you’ll be able to see what types of photos are being liked and re-pinned as well as the estimated reach. Great news! I’ve heard that a scheduling tool is coming soon. This will give us a chance to schedule pins to coordinate with posts on Facebook and Twitter.
Tip: Did you know that pins with a description of about 20 words are most re-pinnable?
Pinstamatic
Have you ever wondered how people get quotes turned into eye-catching pins? Would you love to add music to your boards? I love being able to create ‘sticky note’ pins that grab attention. Check it out here.
Like quotes? Here are 2 of the 6 examples of styles you can choose.
Pingraphy
Scoring, scheduling and analytics all in one! Harness the power of this knowledge to increase engagement. I found the scoring factors cumbersome. Yet if you like details this may be a valuable tool.
Pixlr.com
This online photo editor makes it really simple to create a collage or with some time and talent create your own long pin. Research has shown that long pins get re-pinned more often.
Infogr.am
Create infographics using templates and statistical information. It’s a great way to visually chart statistical information you’ve developed or read. Consider mapping your cruise sales over the years you’ve been in business. What a fresh way to lead people to purchase a cruise.
Pinpuff.com
This scoring tool helps you see how influential and popular your Pinterest site is compared to other users. Like other scoring tools you get a snapshot of your reach, activity and virality. Plus you also can see a comparison of your top 20 boards showing number of pins, re-pins, likes and followers.
Boost your effectiveness by using these tools to understand your audience and then you’ll be able to put together a relevant Pinterest strategy to engage and maximize your sales.
What are your favorite Pinterest tools?
Connect with me online
Join me socially: Facebook, Twitter , LinkedIn and Pinterest
When you ‘like’ my Facebook page you’ll have access to Free Resources just for travel pros!
Tags: hospitality, hotelsales, Infogr.am, marketing, marketingplan, NACTA, NTA, Pingraphy, Pinpuff.com, Pinstamatic, Pinterest, Pixlr.com, Reachli, sales, salestips, Selling, smallbusiness, social engagement, Social Media, tourism industry, tourismbusiness, tourismsalestips, touroperator, tourwholesaler, travelagent, travelindustry
Posted in Branding, marketing, Monitoring tools, Niche Marketing, NTA, OASIS, Pinterest, promotion, sales, Social Media Marketing, strategy, Tourism Sales Tips, Travel Consultant, travel industry, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Friday, November 16th, 2012
freedigitalphotos.net
1 Hour and 17 minutes! That’s how long people spend on Pinterest.
1 in 5 Facebook users are on Pinterest DAILY! That’s 4 million daily unique visitors to Pinterest.
Are you leveraging this untapped potential in your own marketing? Here’s how to engage your followers and turn them into clients today!
Tip #1 – 
Announce your latest Pin on your Facebook business page and provide a link.
Photos on your Facebook page are more readily shared and ‘liked’ so here’s your chance to maximize your social reach. In working with travel pros I’ve found that people are more likely to share photos of beaches, sunsets and food. Where’s your focus going to be?
Tip #2 —
Do you want to engage and sell more? A call to action is crucial to reach your goal. Ask your Facebook fans to re-pin their favorite photos from your boards.
Bonus tip: Is cruising your niche market? You may consider setting up boards for each cruise ship you’ve sailed, then ask your fans to re-pin their favorite photos to their own Pinterest boards. This is a call to action along with building remarkable reach. Then, consider making this into a contest. More on that later.
Tip #3 — 
# aren’t only for Twitter! When you’re composing a description of your latest Pin think about key words that people may search and include as many as you can using # for the most important. Picture this—you’ve just returned from a fam trip and you’re in the process of marketing that destination. How about creating a board for the destination then in the description of each pin include something like this: “#name of destination, is great for #activity enjoyed. I had a spectacular time! Tip: remember to #travel tip”
Tip #4 —
Your blog is the perfect avenue to talk about what’s exciting on your Pinterest site and ask for comments and re-pins. Have you considered inserting some of your best photos into your next blog post, talking about Pinterest in that blog and then linking people to your Pinterest site? An awesome way to stimulate conversation all while maximizing credibility!
Tip #5—
Try this…in your next e-blast announce your newest Pinterest board additions, provide links and ask people to comment and re-pin their favorites.
Bonus tip: make sure that your links in your e-blast open in a different window so you don’t lose your blog reader.
When you put these techniques to work for yourself, imagine the potential for reaching and engaging your fans in a unique new fashion. Ignite and inspire your friends, fans and followers with these techniques!
What success stories have you had with your Pinterest site?
Connect with me online
Join me socially: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Pinterest
When you ‘like’ my Facebook page you’ll have access to Free Resources just for travel pros!
Tags: blog, blogging, Facebook, facebookfans, Facebookmarketing, facebookpromotion, hospitality, hotelsales, LinkedIn, marketing, marketingplan, NACTA, Networking, Pinterest, sales, salestips, Selling, smallbusiness, social engagement, Social Media, tourism industry, tourismbusiness, tourismsalestips, touroperator, travelagent, travelindustry, Twitter
Posted in blogging, Branding, E-mail, Facebook Marketing, hospitality, hotel industry, LinkedIn, marketing, NACTA, National Tour Association, NTA, OASIS, Pinterest, promotion, sales, Social Media Marketing, tourism industry, Tourism Sales Tips, Travel Consultant, travel industry, Twitter, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Friday, November 9th, 2012
FreeDigitalPhotos.net
What’s the secret to fan engagement?
Questions are the oldest yet most effective way to get people’s attention! Posting questions on your Facebook page will double comment rates over other types of posts.
Essential Types of Questions
1. Multiple choice
- Remember many people will be viewing your posts on their mobile device so keep the answers options simple.
- Tour Operators may ask “What’s your favorite thing to do on a motor coach? A) talk with fellow travelers B) watch a movie C) Sleep
- This critical knowledge will help your tour directors understand your unique clients’ needs.
- Hotels may ask “What’s most important to you? A) a hearty breakfast B) evening cocktail hour. See LaQuinta Inns and Suites as an example.
Bonus Tip: The Question feature on Facebook is under-used and provides a graphic look that will encourage engagement. You’ll find this in your ‘Status/Share’ box:
2. Fill in the blank
- Learn insights to influence your marketing and delivery tactics and combine with other demographic data for a broader picture.
- Attractions could ask “My favorite exhibit is _________________. Fill in the blank”. “I love to visit with a/my _______________. Fill in the blank”.
- Travel agents find success with “My favorite cruise ship is__________” “What one thing is always in my suitcase________”
- Tour Operators Tauck has great examples.
- Research shows that this type of post receives 9 times more comments than other posts. Source:
3. One word
- Intriguing! These posts are similar to Fill in the Blank questions, but strive to gain a one-word answer.
- Tour Operators or destinations might want to post something in this style; “New York City makes me feel….”
- Hotels may post “Like it or Leave it…Hot breakfast….” (ok, it’s 2 words yet filled with impact
4. Open-ended questions
- These questions take a bit longer for your fans to answer but provide an invaluable emotional connection.
- Tour Operators consider these “My favorite thing about motor coach travel is…..” Or how about “What’s at the top of your travel bucket list?”
5. Photo with a question
- Post a series of 3-5 photos on your wall and in an album then ask people to ‘like’ their favorite photo.
- For more info on photos and editing images, click here.
- Tour operators can have some fun by posting different destinations, attractions or restaurants that are components in past or future tours. Imagine the market research you’ll gain when planning your next group departure.
- Attractions can intrigue people by posting photos of different features of their venue. Consider choosing a couple of highly popular exhibits as well as some often-missed or little known.
- Hotels can post 2 photos with slight differences and ask fans to tell what’s different in each photo.
- How about bringing your Pinterest boards into this equation. Check out Visit Savannah.
Quintessential tip: Create compelling posts with a call to action. This simple formula targets fans interests and provides you with all-important activity on your page. Choose a topic that you think the majority of your fans like or agree with. Then compose a post in this format: “Click ‘like’ if you’d love to…. visit Colonial Williamsburg. Try this: “Click ‘share’ and let your friends see this great photo.” How about this: “Love Girl Getaways, click ‘share’ and spread the word to your gal pals.
Using questions to boost your ‘likes’ and ‘comments’ and ‘shares’ will increase the likelihood (based on Facebook’s EdgeRank methods) that more of your fans will see your content. Why not increase traffic and comments to your Facebook page?
What question has brought you the most response?
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Join me socially: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Pinterest
When you ‘like’ my Facebook page you’ll have access to Free Resources just for travel pros!
Tags: Facebook, facebookfans, Facebookmarketing, facebookpromotion, hospitality, marketing, marketingplan, NACTA, NTA, Pinterest, Questions, sales, salestips, Selling, smallbusiness, social engagement, Social Media, Timeline, tourism industry, tourismbusiness, tourismsalestips, touroperator, tourwholesaler, travelagent, travelindustry
Posted in Branding, Facebook Marketing, hospitality, hotel industry, marketing, NACTA, National Tour Association, Niche Marketing, NTA, OASIS, Pinterest, promotion, Social Media Marketing, strategy, tourism industry, Tourism Sales Tips, Travel Consultant, travel industry | No Comments »
Saturday, September 29th, 2012
Pinterest is taking our industry by storm! Booming thunder, white lightning, the whole shebang!
Are your photos like that lightning storm? Do they throw viewers back in their seat in awe?
Are your photo descriptions like thunder leaving readers amazed and thrilled?
Be a part of this powerful storm! Be a driving force that compels clients to book with you!
Here are a couple of cool new tools that increase your storm power by showcasing your professionalism and increasing the virality of your photos and posts.
Virality is dependent on capturing attention and enticing other Pinners to view and then share your photos. See the infographic below, then we’ll explore how this whirlwind can shake up your travel and tourism marketing.
Source: pinerly.com via Pinerly on Pinterest
Source
Tool #1 iPiccy
iPiccy is a free editing tool that’s so easy to use. Edit pictures, apply beautiful photo effects, add text and even paint!
Here’s what you can do to add interest and share-ability to your photos.
Collage
How about adding a collage like this to your next newsletter or e-zine? Think about what you can do with your blog posts? A variety of collage designs are available along with a variety of tools to change color, hue, contrast as well as the borders.
Travel agents; this is a chance to leverage your last fam trip and showcase your expertise in a unique look.
Tour Operators; consider showing potential tour members the experiences they’ll have on your next group departure.
Hotels; leverage those great lobby, guest room and meeting space photos from your website. Are you interested in drawing in more group or wedding business? Pull together a collage of your event space fully decorated.
Collage - iPiccy
Adding text is easy.
Choose the text tool and insert the name of the featured destination, tour name, website address, inspirational quote. The possibilities are endless.
iPiccy text tool
TIP: If you choose to use images that you’ve purchased from an on-line gallery or a supplier gallery, please check the guidelines on making changes like these to the images. The safest route is to use your own photos.
Tool #2 PicMonkey
Check out this free tool to edit your images and resize them to fit your social sites and marketing pieces. You’ll find a bit more flexibility and creativity in creation tools here.
Borders
With a wide selection of choices you’re sure to be able to create memorable graphics for newsletters, e-mail blasts and promotional materials.
Borders - PicMonkey
Photo effects and Text
Adding effects like softening, edge effects, sepia as well as artsy and different camera looks and colors are also available and easy to use. I found the text tool had more flexibility that other image tools as you can change the font, color and boldness.
Travel agents; imagine using this to promote your next group departure. Adding words will increase the virality of this photo on Pinterest. (see infographic for stats)
Tour Operators; how about teasing your clients with a photo of an upcoming, still unannounced destination then incorporating these ideas into your next blog post.
Hotels; how about giving fans a sneak preview of your newly renovated rooms or lobby using these softening tools.
- PicMonkey text and effects
Overlays, Texture and touch ups are also available. Think of the possibilities to create stunning images that will be shared by your Pinterest and Facebook fans.
Resize can be used to create long pins that will stand out on your boards. This option will lengthen your photos to 4500 for tons of visual appeal. Research has shown that long pins are shared more often.
Tip: Socially speaking
These tools can be used to enhance your presence socially. Use these tools and try this:
Facebook:
- Change your cover photo,
- add to your photo albums,
- post an inspirational quote using one of your travel photos.
Pinterest:
- Add text to your photos to promote a destination, add special effects to capture attention.
- Use the resize tool to create beautiful long pins.
- Make sure that all of your pins include a description as well as a link to your website or Facebook page for more information and booking opportunities.
E-Blasts and e-zines:
- Include eye-catching effects that will make your photos POP,
- create collages of the tour you’re promoting,
- add text to the photo to draw attention
Blog posts:
- Use the overlays to highlight a specific feature or benefit,
- add texture to create interest.
Powerpoint presentations:
- Create more intrigue by using the photo frames
- Use sharpening/softening tools to focus on your topic.
As travel & tourism pros we constantly strive to engage, enlighten and entertain with compelling content. These tools create a tempest of virality! Leverage your assets and be remarkable in the eyes of clients and potential clients.
What tools do you use to edit your images?
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When you ‘like’ my Facebook page you’ll have access to Free Resources just for travel pros!
Tags: blog, editing tools, Facebook, facebookfans, facebookpromotion, hospitality, hotelsales, marketing, marketingplan, Photos, Pinterest, Social Media, tools, tourism industry, tourismbusiness, touroperator, tourwholesaler, training, travelagent, travelindustry
Posted in blogging, E-mail, hospitality, hotel industry, marketing, Pinterest, promotion, Social Media Marketing, strategy, tourism industry, Tourism Sales Tips, travel industry, Uncategorized | 3 Comments »
Wednesday, June 27th, 2012
Highlight on your Timeline
Have you ever noticed a large, expansive billboard that can’t help but grab your attention? Highlights are that billboard on Facebook Timeline.
Wouldn’t you love to have your latest photos spread across the entire width of your Facebook page? Highlights lets you showcase posts, photos and articles. When you ‘Highlight’ a post by clicking on the star it enlarges the post so it spreads across the entire 2-column width of your page. Talk about attention-grabbing!
How about Highlighting a series of photos that showcase an upcoming tour or your niche market.
Here’s how it looks:
Showcase your niche market or new menu items
Get more ‘likes’ when you highlight a video
Consider highlighting a preferred supplier or a new product. This is a great way to shine the light on a group departure.
Highlight a supplier or market an upcoming group.
Showcase an event – from NTA’s Facebook page
Here are some examples you’ll want to put to work for you today:
- •Hotels: Are you renovating, updating your pool, or rolling out a new lobby look? Post the photos to a new photo album then write a post about it and highlight it. Notice the photos look like a film strip?
- •Tour Operators: Do you have some great new photos related to your next group tour?
- •Attractions: How about giving people a visual tour focusing on a new experience each week.
- •Restaurants: Here’s a great way to feature new menu items, updated facilities or new décor.
- •DMO’s: Explore ways to highlight different facets of your destination while showing people enjoying unique experiences.
- •Travel Agents: Showcase a recent fam trip to maximize your credibility. Shine the light on an upcoming group departure or niche market tour you’re arranging.
- •Association: How about using Highlights to showcase a recent conference, meeting or educational tour. What an amazing way to build membership by showing potential new members the reasons to join.
What will you Highlight on your Facebook page?
Highlights generate inspired, attractive Timeline Facebook pages. Be creative as possible and have fun choosing what you want to Highlight on your Timeline.
For more information on Timeline, click here. And here! More here!
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When you ‘like’ my Facebook page you’ll have access to Free Resources just for travel pros!
Tags: CITC, Facebook, facebookfans, Facebookmarketing, facebookpromotion, Focus, hotelsales, marketing, marketingplan, nichemarket, NTA, sales, salestips, smallbusiness, Social Media, Timeline, tourismsalestips, touroperator, tourwholesaler, travelagent, travelindustry
Posted in Branding, Facebook Marketing, hospitality, hotel industry, marketing, NACTA, National Tour Association, Networking, Niche Marketing, NTA, Pinterest, sales, Social Media Marketing, strategy, tourism industry, Tourism Sales Tips, Travel Consultant, travel industry, Video | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, June 26th, 2012
Changes on Facebook seem to happen more often than airline schedule changes. Timeline gives us some remarkable new ways to enthrall and engage our tourism audiences.
Pins are no longer just for Pinterest and tack boards. Facebook now boosts it’s marketing options by giving businesses a chance to keep something top of mind and top of page for 7 days. Here are some valuable ways to maximize this new feature:
- •Travel Agents: Consider showcasing the destinations that are selling well and include a link to a package offering.
- •Tour Operators: Imagine being able to welcome page visitors with your upcoming group offering or an article about a new destination.
- •Hotels: How about showing off your newest press release or package offerings.
- •DMO’s are featuring people engaging in activities and enjoying member facilities
- •Attractions: Create a splash for your fans by Pinning information on the most popular feature, the newest show or a note-worthy article to get your fans excited.
- •Restaurants: How about posting photos of your newest menu item or a link to a video of the mixing of the hottest new cocktail.
Here’s how you do this:
- Hover over the upper right corner of a post,
- Click the pencil icon and you’ll notice a drop down box. (see below)
- Click Pin to Top
- You’ll notice a gold ribbon will appear at the top of the post.
- After 7 days this post will fall into your timeline in chronological order.
- You can re-pin it again for another 7 days.
- You can un-pin a post at any time.
Figure 1 - Pin to the Top of your Facebook Timeline
Here are some examples for you:
Notice the gold ribbon at the top of the post.
Highlight a new destination
Have fun with this new Pinning feature of Timeline! Pinning is a great tool that encourages connection and interaction with your audience and, promotes key features of the travel and tourism industry.
What do you plan to Pin to the top of your page?
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Join me socially: Facebook, Twitter , LinkedIn and Pinterest
When you ‘like’ my Facebook page you’ll have access to Free Resources just for travel pros!
Tags: Facebook, facebookfans, Facebookmarketing, facebookpromotion, hospitality, marketing, marketingplan, NACTA, NTA, Pinterest, sales, salestips, Selling, smallbusiness, Social Media, tourism industry, tourismbusiness, tourismsalestips, tourwholesaler, travelagent, travelindustry. Timeline
Posted in Branding, Facebook Marketing, hospitality, hotel industry, marketing, NACTA, National Tour Association, Networking, Niche Marketing, NTA, Pinterest, promotion, sales, Social Media Marketing, strategy, tourism industry, Tourism Sales Tips, Travel Consultant, travel industry, Uncategorized, Video | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, March 14th, 2012
Are photos from your last fam trip languishing on your laptop?
Do you want a new way to visually display your credibility?
If you answered YES to either of these questions, Pinterest is a solution for you!
This new photo and idea sharing site is the platform where users Pin items of Interest to a board on their page. Think tack board with high-tech pins! Others then follow, repin, add, Like and comment. It’s a distinctive new way to spread the word visually about upcoming group departures, areas of specialty and your top selling destinations.
Last August I began hearing about Pinterest at an industry function and found that there was a groundswell surfacing for DMO’s and CVB’s. Now is the time for travel agents to focus on this creatively popular social tool!
Build Credibility Strategically
To best showcase your business you’ll want to strategically think thru these questions and write down the answers:
#1 What are my top selling destinations? List 3-5
#2 What group departures do I have planned?
o Focus on current offerings as well as potential future tours
#3: What activities do my clients enjoy?
o Are they foodies?
o Do they live for adventure travel?
o Are they museum buffs or beach buffs?
#4 What Specialty or Niche markets do I serve?
o Cruise
o Luxury
o Family travel
Visual Showcases
Once you’ve written down the answers to the above questions begin to planning your boards to capture attention of your current clients and potential new clients. Create boards that will appeal to clients who fit into the categories you’ve described above.
For example, cruise clients would love photos of ships that you frequently sell. Focus on activities and amenity shots that may not be available on the cruise line website. More importantly, they’d love to see you aboard these ships enjoying the activities, a photo of a child taking a belly flop into the pool or you chatting with the captain or crew members. Talk about credibility building along with fun!
Your Foodie clients would love to see a board of signature dishes from top new restaurants. How about including recipes?
If your next group is departing for Italy think about the power of showcasing the hotels, restaurants and activities you’re including in this tour. This will give your people a chance to see this trip come alive.
Here are some more tips:
#5 Feature a board for each specialty you promote; weddings, soft adventure, cruising
#6 If you focus on wine or culinary tours feature a board for each region; California Wine Country, Cooking in Thailand, Winemaking in Italy
- How about including recipes to accompany the food photos.
#7 Health and Wellness specialty can be a board to itself focusing on top spas on land and sea
- Here you could also include fitness tips offered by spas you feature
#8 ‘Pin’ your last fam trip and increase your credibiity
#9 How about creating a travel trivia board listing little known or quirky museums, shops or entertainment.
Early Adopters = Market Leadership
Here are some Visitors Bureaus and DMO’s that are early adopters of this new engagement tool. When you’re looking at their sites notice the names they’ve created for their boards. I love the HA! Board on the Wyoming page. As a colleague says “Quirk Works”!
Travel Agent Examples
Sherry Laskin has done a fabulous job, in my opinion, of highlighting her top destinations while adding some fun with the board on European dogs and silly license plates. Her branding and personality shine thru in her profile statement as well as in the naming of her boards.
Lisa Sheldon is another prime example of how a travel pro can brand and boost credibility using Pinterest. I believe her profile description does a great job of branding.
Deb Watt is beginning to grow her boards. I especially like her board “Been There” as it speaks to her credibility as a travel pro.
SEO Enhancement
Pinterest adds to your SEO by giving you another searchable channel of communication along with boosting credibility.
The cool thing is that Pinners can email an image URL from a Pin or share the content as a Facebook Like and post on Twitter. All this means that your message will spread more quickly and increase your virality and reach.
Best Practices for Travel Agents
#10 Re-Pin and like other people’s photos and use a variety of sources for your own boards
#11 Tap into the resources of your suppliers, DMO’s and Tour Operators
#12 Optimize! Add a keyword rich caption to each photo along with your website or Twitter username
#13 Add other content to the description boxes as you Pin. Some Pinners get creative and add a recipe for a signature dish at a restaurant while others add a link to more information on their website.
How to add a Pin
Bonus Tips
* Ask your social and web fans to pin your blog, photos and recipes to their Pinterest boards
* Get involved with your followers and avoid blatant self-promotion
* Seek out and ‘follow’ those that are pinning and re-pinning your content or related content
* Register using your business’ Twitter account. Pinterest can be added to your personal profile on Facebook. We’re still waiting to see if/when it can be included on your Business page.
Tags: Customer Service, marketing, marketingplan, Pinning, Pinterest, sales, Showcase, travelagent, travelindustry
Posted in Branding, Facebook Marketing, marketing, Networking, Pinterest, sales, Social Media Marketing, Travel Consultant, travel industry | 4 Comments »
