How to Leverage LinkedIn to Grow Your Hotel Business

NB: This is an article from : Booking Success

As a hotel business owner, you’re always on the lookout for new ways to attract guests and increase bookings. One platform that you may not have considered as part of your marketing strategy is LinkedIn.

LinkedIn is a professional networking site that is typically associated with job searching and recruitment, but it can also be a powerful tool for growing your hotel business.

In this Booking Success Insider, we’ll explore how to leverage LinkedIn to promote your hotel, connect with potential guests and build your brand.

Why LinkedIn?

LinkedIn has over 700 million users worldwide, and it’s a platform that is specifically designed for business professionals.

Unlike other social media platforms, LinkedIn users are generally more focused on building their careers and expanding their professional networks. This means that you have the opportunity to connect with potential guests who are actively seeking business-related information and services.

Precision Targeting: Reach decision makers in the travel industry

Another advantage of LinkedIn is that it allows you to target your audience with precision. You can search for people based on their industry, job title, location, and other criteria.

This means that you can connect with decision-makers in the travel industry, such as travel agents and event planners, as well as potential guests who are interested in your hotel’s location or amenities.

Finally, LinkedIn is a platform that values high-quality content. If you can provide valuable information and insights to your audience, you have the opportunity to establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry and build trust with potential guests.

Steps to take:

1) Create a LinkedIn Company Page

The first step to leveraging LinkedIn for your hotel business is to create a LinkedIn Company Page.

This is a dedicated page for your hotel that allows you to showcase your brand, share updates and insights, and connect with followers. Here’s how to create a LinkedIn Company Page:

1. Log in to your LinkedIn account and click the “Work” icon in the top right corner of the screen.
2. Click “Create a Company Page.”
3. Choose the type of page you want to create (e.g., small business or medium to large business) and enter your company name and email address.
4. Follow the prompts to complete your page setup, including adding your logo, cover image, and company description.

Once you’ve created your Company Page, you can start adding updates and engaging with your followers.

2) Create Engaging Content

To attract and engage your LinkedIn followers, you need to create content that is valuable, informative, and relevant to their interests. Here are some ideas for the types of content that you can share on LinkedIn:

• Hotel updates: Share news and updates about your hotel, such as renovations, new amenities, or special promotions.
• Industry insights: Share your expertise and insights on industry trends and topics, such as sustainable tourism, local tourism, or experiential travel.
• Guest testimonials: Share guest reviews and testimonials to build social proof and credibility.
• Employee spotlights: Introduce your team members and highlight their expertise and contributions to your hotel.
• Event highlights: Share highlights from events that you’ve hosted at your hotel, such as weddings, conferences, or retreats.
• Destination highlights: Share information and insights about your hotel’s location, including local attractions, restaurants, and events.

Remember to use high-quality images and videos in your content to make it more engaging and shareable. You can also use LinkedIn’s native video feature to create short videos that showcase your hotel and its amenities.

3) Connect with Potential Guests

One of the key advantages of LinkedIn is that it allows you to connect with potential guests who are interested in your hotel or location. Here are some tips for finding and connecting with potential guests on LinkedIn:

• Search for relevant keywords: Use the LinkedIn search function to find people who are talking about topics that are relevant to your hotel, such as travel, tourism or events.
• Use LinkedIn groups: Join relevant LinkedIn groups related to your industry, location, or target audience. This will give you the opportunity to connect with other professionals and potential guests who are interested in your hotel.
• Engage with followers: Respond to comments and messages from your LinkedIn followers, and engage with their content as well. This will help you build relationships and establish trust with potential guests.
• Share your content: Share your LinkedIn updates and content with your other social media channels and email list to increase your reach and attract potential guests to your page.

4) Optimize Your LinkedIn Company Page

To maximize the impact of your LinkedIn Company Page, you need to optimize it for search engines and user experience. Here are some tips for optimizing your page:

• Use keywords: Incorporate relevant keywords into your Company Page description and updates to improve your visibility in LinkedIn search results.
• Showcase your brand: Use high-quality images and videos that showcase your hotel and its amenities, and ensure that your brand message is consistent across all of your LinkedIn content.
• Provide contact information: Make it easy for potential guests to contact you by including your hotel’s email address, phone number, and website URL on your Company Page.
• Add career opportunities: Consider adding job postings or internship opportunities to your Company Page to attract top talent to your hotel.
• Monitor analytics: Use LinkedIn’s analytics tools to track the performance of your Company Page and identify opportunities for improvement.

5) Calls to Action

As you’re creating content and engaging with potential guests on LinkedIn, it’s important to provide calls to action (CTAs) that encourage them to take action, such as booking a stay at your hotel or signing up for your email list. Here are some examples of CTAs that you can use:

• Book now: Encourage potential guests to book a stay at your hotel by providing a direct link to your booking page.
• Sign up for our email list: Offer a lead magnet, such as a “7 Day Itinerary Sample (in your destination)” or “Corporate Event Planning Checklist”  in exchange for signing up for your email list.
• Follow us on social media: Encourage potential guests to follow your other social media channels, such as Facebook or Instagram for more updates and content.
• Contact us: Provide your hotel’s email address or phone number and encourage potential guests to reach out to you for more information or to book a stay.

LinkedIn is a powerful tool for growing your hotel business and connecting with potential guests. By creating a LinkedIn Company Page, sharing engaging content, connecting with relevant professionals, and optimizing your page, you can establish your hotel as a thought leader in your industry and attract more bookings.

Don’t forget to provide calls to action that encourage potential guests to take action, such as booking a stay or signing up for your email list.