Picture this: Your next group tour is all put together and nearly sold out! (Great accomplishment)
Now: Do you find yourself continually answering the same questions via email or phone?
Imagine this: What if there was a way to provide:
- a sense of community
- relay information and
- ensure the itinerary is available for all participants; 24/7.
This scenario of keeping your ‘group in the loop’ is no longer a dream.
Building a sense of camaraderie and community before your group even departs can be a key part of its success on the road and in terms of future bookings. While the pre-group meeting and document party is a mainstay in our industry, what if there was another way to keep growing that sense of community?
Group Tour & Groups on Facebook
Facebook Groups are a perfect tool to build a sense of belonging amongst group members before, during and after the tour.
Simply start a private or closed group on Facebook and add each group member (how to create: http://bit.ly/FBgroupTvl). Members have the opportunity to communicate with each other by asking and responding to questions as well as posting photos.
Here’s a couple of key ways to use a Facebook Group for your next group tour:
- Include only group tour passengers in this group. This will keep the focus clear and help build relationships within the group.
- As the group coordinator, post the itinerary as a document in the group. Each group member will have 24/7 access to the itinerary.
- Before the tour a Facebook Group is a perfect place for people to ask questions. As the group coordinator, you can now answer a question 1 time, rather than fielding the same question via email and phone. Your answers can be seen by all group members.
- Remember to include video posts as well.
- Group members will naturally ask and answer each other’s questions. As the group coordinator, you can always seed that conversation with questions to get it rolling.
- During the tour people can share photos & video within the group
Create a Group on Facebook
# = Hashtags = Community
Wouldn’t you love a way to easily aggregate conversations about your next group tour? It’s a great way to keep participants in the loop as well as to entice potential new participants.
Starting a new # (hashtag) for each new group tour departure gives participants a chance to stay up to date before, during or after their tour. Plus it’s a great way for participants’ family and friends to follow along and live vicariously.
Don’t make the mistake of using too many # on Facebook. Here’s why.
When considering a new #, do a bit of research to see if that # is being used already. Test it out not only on Facebook, but also on Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat. This will help your new # stand out and be found by the right people.
During your tour, encourage passengers to use the # when they post on their social sites. As the tour coordinator, you can then search by this # and comment or share passenger posts.
Streamlining important information and creating an atmosphere of community and enthusiasm are key to the success of your group tours.
- Facebook Groups and unique hashtags are the perfect tools for this endeavor.
- Facebook Groups for individual tours will give your clients an air of having the inside scoop while also providing a platform for delivering essential information.
- Hashtags will keep the fun rolling for your clients and simultaneously get the word out to potential new clients.
Which tools are you using to assist your group tour clients?
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About Catherine Heeg
Catherine Heeg is a recognized social media trail blazer passionate about social media and marketing in the tourism and hospitality industry. She takes the mystery out of marketing!
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