Successful Online Travel Marketing Campaigns

There are a variety of different ways you can reach your target audience online, especially when you use social networks. These networks can allow marketers to create fun, interesting content that can gain a lot of attention to a large audience. By keeping up with the trendiest networks, you can build successful marketing materials.

Pinterest
If you don't know what Pinterest is, basically it's a website that allows users to organize images that inspire them. Each image links to a website so users can get more information on the image. Sharing images of your attraction on a site like Pinterest is a great way to increase interest in your business. Many users collect images of places they want to visit. If your images link to your website, it can help drive traffic as well.

YouTube
If your business has videos, you should consider creating a YouTube channel. By using this website, you can keep track of how many views you have on your video and see comments from viewers. Creating videos can help show travelers all of the features and amenities your business offers. You can share these videos on your other social media networks and your website as well.

Facebook
These days, most businesses have a Facebook account. The real question is, are you using it effectively? There are so many different things you can do on this website to promote your business and engage with your fans such as uploading interesting content to offering deals and investing in advertising. Tracking your engagement with the Facebook analytic tools can give you an idea of how you are doing. What types of content do your fans interact with the most and how do you gain new likes?

Twitter
Twitter is another popular social media network you may already have. Twitter can be tricky because of the limited amount of characters you can include in your tweets. It can be easy to only post about your business on your Twitter account, however posting other relevant travel content can interest your followers and increase engagement.

What is your favorite social media networks for your business? Let me know in the comments below!

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Pricing in the Travel Industry

The prices you set for you travel business play a role in consumers decisions.  People who plan trips for their families begin saving months in advance so they can afford to do everything they want. The prices you set should reflect the industry standards but changes in price may need to be made depending on your attraction's competition. One way to motivate customers is by offering specials to help lower the costs. Listed below are three ways different ways to setup your travel discounts.

Travel Deals and Specials

By offering discounts and specials, consumers will feel that they are getting a good deal. There are a few different ways you can offer deals, especially online. You could offer deals on your website for when people go to book their trip. You could also work with local and national deal websites that offer time limited specials such as Groupon. Deals can be shared on social media networks or e-newsletters you send out. You can put a deadline on sales to influence consumers to buy now before it's too late.

Partnering with Other Attractions

When people visit a particular area, they most likely will visit multiple attractions. If possible, you can team up with other local attractions to offer deals if travelers visit both locations. Both business will help promote each other as they promote the special offers. This can benefit both your business, other attractions in the community, and the customer will appreciate the special deals. 

Reward Cards
Offering rewards to repeat customers is one way to influence these consumers to come back to your business. These can be very beneficial to businesses that have chains or multiple locations, or businesses that have a strong local travel market. Customers can earn points or get special perks for visiting your attraction a certain amount of times. There's a variety of ways you can set this up.

If you can think of other ways to incorporate deals to encourage consumers, let me know in the comments!

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Mobile Marketing in the Travel Industry

With technology always changing, mobile marketing is becoming increasingly popular. The amount of people with smartphones continues to grow which means more consumers browsing the web on the go. So how can this type of marketing benefit businesses in the travel industry? There's a variety of different ways to reach consumers through their phones along with different ways consumers can use their phones to obtain information about your business.

Search Engines
Search engines like Google are just a click away on consumers' mobile devices. They can quickly find information about travel options. By having search engine optimization in place, your business can make it's way to the top of the search results.

Email Marketing
Email is another tool that is readily available to busy consumers. If you are running an email marketing campaign, you should consider how the campaign will appear on mobile devices such as image sizes and functionality.

Mobile Website Capability
Having a website that can access on mobile devices is very important. You can create a new look and feel to your website when it's accessed on mobile devices if your website is large and hard to navigate on a phone. You can highlight the important links and simplify the pages to make the consumers experience better.

Mobile Advertising
If you plan to run advertising on mobile devices, you should be careful about the size of the ads. There are certain guidelines in place to make advertising creation successful. These guidelines can be viewed here. Interactive advertising

Social Media
Having a strong social media presence can help you gain brand awareness for mobile users who like to get on their social media networks throughout the day. By updating your networks regularly or by advertising on these sites, you can help keep your brand at the top of consumers minds.

Travel Apps and Games
Everyday new mobile applications, games, and tools are being created. From travel rating apps to travel guides and games, there are many opportunities for your business to reach consumers. If possible, you can even create your own application or game to help promote your brand. Interactive content on mobile devices can be engaging and fun for the users.

Conversion
Turning mobile users into customers can be possible with new mobile tools that allow customers to book trips on their phone or buy travel deals. By having a mobile marketing plan you can generate more leads and customers.

Mobile marketing will continue to become more advanced and popular so it's important that you business keeps up with technology so you can stay connected with your target audience. By keeping up with the latest trends, you can reach your marketing goals.

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Things To Do in the Midwest

The Midwest has some great options when it comes to traveling and there are plenty of things to do.  If you are a travel business, you have a lot of competition when it comes to convincing your customers to come to your attraction instead of somewhere else. Listed below are common things people like to do in the Midwest while traveling. When it comes to your marketing plan, you have to know how to identify the strengths and weaknesses you have over these other types of attractions. From price to family friendliness, there are many different factors that can affect consumers decisions. 

• Casinos

• Amusement parks

• Museums

• Parks/Gardens

• Swimming Pools

• Musicals/Play

• Movie Theaters

• Concerts

• Sporting Games

• Shopping Malls

• Historical Sites

• Charity Events

Where does your business fall on the list? Can you think of advantages your business has over these other types of destinations? I'd love to hear your input in the comment section below!

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Why Do People Travel

Travelling is something that everyone enjoys. No matter how far you may travel, everyone loves to ditch their daily routine and do something new. What are the main reasons for traveling? If you own a business that attracts tourists, it's important to understand your customer's motivations for traveling. By knowing this, you can integrate it into your marketing strategy. Listed below, you will find some of the top reasons why people decide to travel.

Learn Something New
Traveling can teach you so many new things whether you are learning a new skill or visiting a exhibit on a new topic. When someone has a desire to learn something, they will find a way to achieve their goals. You can attract these types of visitors by showing how your attraction can benefit them through promotion.

Have Fun
People would much rather go out and do something fun then stay at home and be bored all weekend. Being entertained and having a good time is something we are always seeking. Showing travelers how they can have fun at your business can be beneficial when you are creating your advertising messages.

Spend Time with Family and Friends
People may travel far and wide to spend precious moments with loved ones. Many times they will plan activities to do such as traveling to local tourist attractions. If your business is great for groups, you can advertise admission deals and group rates.

Relax
People enjoy doing things that are relaxing and reduce stress. If you own a resort with a spa for example you can advertise online how the spa can help show an escape from their daily life.

Use up Vacation Time
People use their vacation time to take a break from work and enjoy themselves. They plan trips their families will enjoy and choose activities that everyone will like. If your destination is great for families, you may find a lot of people on their vacations

For Business
There are many travelers who are only traveling because of their job. Depending on your destination, you may be able to reach these consumers if they have free time. Your business would need to be convenient for their schedule while also being a good value to them.

By knowing why your customers are traveling, you can create better marketing campaigns to attract different target markets. Some groups may respond better to discounts while other respond to the experience they will gain by visiting your business.

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Building a Successful Travel Website

Having a functional and informational website is crucial for any business, especially those who are in the travel industry. Your website can serve as a great tool for introducing your destination to potential visitors online that can help boost sales while giving viewers a preview of what you have to offer. 

Content can make or break your website. It can help persuade people to travel to your business over other places. Here are 6 key items to include when creating your website to help guarantee success. 

1. Strong Home Page
The homepage will be the first thing most viewers will see. It should be easy to navigate and all of the important pages should be easily found. The layout should be organized and contain professional graphics and images. 

2. Promotional Materials
Your website can serve as a great place to put your promotional materials. From commercials to photos, you can designate a page that is dedicated to introducing your business. You can also include the history of the business or fun facts to increase interest. 

3. Social Media Networks
You can invite your viewers to connect with you on social media networks by including recognizable social media buttons on your every page including the homepage. Your website visitors may check out these networks to gain more information about you business. 

4. Ratings and Recommendations
You visitors can also gain more information about you by checking out ratings and reviews before they decide to travel to your business. If there is a reputable site that you want your visitors to look at you can include a link to it. You could also promote testimonials on your webpage. To learn more about the importance of ratings and reviews, check out my older post on the topic. 

5. Pricing
Price can play a huge role in consumer decisions. By having a page that outlines the costs, customers will be confident in how much they will be spending. Whether you offer admission prices or certain types of packages, its important to include this information. You may choose to let customers purchase tickets online which may be more convenient for some visitors. You can also offer special online deals from time to time. 

6. Contact Information
Visitors need to know both your location information and how to contact you. You can list your physical address and even include a map provided by Google Maps that can help visitors get directions. You should include your phone number and email if you have one. If different staff members handle different inquiries, you should include their contact information. 

Below you will find a list of successful Midwest travel websites you can check out for some more great ideas! 

• Henry Doorly Zoo, Omaha, NE: www.omahazoo.com/ 
• Adventureland, Des Moines, IA: www.adventurelandpark.com 
• Mall of America, Bloomington NE: www.mallofamerica.com/ 
• Field Muesum, Chicago, IL: fieldmuseum.org/ 
• Indianapolis Speedway, IN: www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/

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Travel Marketing in the Off-Season

Being in the Midwest, travel isn't always a popular thing, especially when the weather starts to change. Marketing efforts may seem useless, but actually this is a great time to work on your marketing plan!

So how should marketers handle their marketing strategies during the off-season of travel? To answer this question, it really first depends on how your tourist destination operates. For example, if you are an outdoor water park that closes during the colder months, your goals may be to maintain brand awareness during the winter. If your an indoor water park, travel may be lower during the summer because people would rather be outside so your goals may be to offer special travel deals to attract more customers. Maybe your destination is a museum that mainly gets local travelers during certain times of the year. No matter what your situation may be, digital marketing can help you reach your goals.

Maintaining Brand Awareness

Unless travelers are already planning to visit your travel destination in the future, it's very likely that most people aren't consciously thinking about your business.  Having a strong online presence during the off-season will help keep your business in the minds of consumers. I recently wrote an article about how you can measure your current presence. The internet allows travel destinations to reach thousands of people compared to traditional marketing and advertising which may not be as successful. You can create conversations online through social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter. You can also share photos of your destination and include photos of new updates and features you have added. You should also consider placing online advertisements that include the dates and times you will be open.

Communicate New Features
Adding new features and additions to your travel business is very common for some destinations. During the off-season, you can promote what types of things you are working on. Not only will this build excitement but again, will help you maintain the brand awareness. Adding pictures of your progress of a project is a great way to gain attention.

Travel Deals
Everyone loves deals and specials, especially when it comes to travel. It's not uncommon for destinations to offer deals during the off-season. Offering online exclusive deals has become a popular trend because it requires consumers to spend money now. Most destinations offer discounts on admission prices or offer buy one get one deals. Your business could also offer a special discounted package which could include a variety of different things. If you make special deals available for a limited time, it will motivate consumers to take advantage of the deal right away because they don't want to miss out on it. You can offer deals on your own website or take advantage of special deal sites like groupon.com or livingsocial.com. You can also post deals on local websites as well.

Local Travelers
Your destination may get more local travelers during the off-season simply because people still want to get out of the house and have things to do but don't want to drive very far. Knowing how to reach your local travel market will encourage residents to visit your business. Check out my post on marketing to local travelers from more tips!

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Marketing Your Business to Local Residents

In the Midwest, many travelers are local and live within a 4 hour radius. Local people are aware of your destination which can give your business an advantage, as long as you can successfully keep local travelers coming back.

To begin marketing to locals online, you need to know how to reach them. Whether this is through social media campaigns or advertising in local online newspapers and websites, you can influence locals to visit your business.

Special Deals
One easy way to make locals feel like they are receiving a good deal is by offering season passes. A pass will allow them to visit your destination as many times as they want for a specified period of time. These can be setup for individuals or families and are typically sold every year. To market season passes or other online deals, you can advertise online through social media and post the deals on your website. If there are local deal sites such as Groupon in your area, you can have your deals posted on there as well.

Local Events
If possible, holding events at your destination can be a fun way to get local people to come to your destination. You can hold concerts, fundraising events, or group gatherings in you have the space. Once an event is planned you can use online marketing and advertising techniques along with traditional marketing methods to spread the word. Having people come to your destination will encourgage them to come back in the future. They will also pay attention to future events you will hold.

Contests and Charity
Giving back to the community can help improve the reputation of your business. Whether you hold contests and give away free tickets or gift cards or sponsor a fundraising event, you are raising awareness about your business which can encourage people to come visit.

By staying active in your local community, you can easily market to local travelers. If you have any other suggestions, please leave a comment below!

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The Importance of Ratings and Reviews in the Travel Industry

If you run a travel destination, you know that having good ratings and reviews online can have a huge impact on how how prospective travelers view your business or organization. When travelers search for information about you online, they may come across travel rating sites, blogs written by people who have visited your destination in the past, or even comments and pictures posted on social media networks. It's important to identify ways of managing your ratings and reviews online so it can become a part of your marketing plan.

One of the first things you should consider is how to handle negative feedback. If a customer has a bad experience, the first thing they are going to do is turn to the internet and complain. You can't just ignore comments, but instead you can find ways to make the situation better by reaching out to the customer and listening to what they have to say. Options could include offering special discounts to them for their next visit or just simply apologizing for their experience and promise to find ways to make improvements. If there are multiple complaints over a certain aspect of your business, it's very likely that changes need to be made internally.

When it comes to the travel industry, it's important to have a high quantity of reviews available online. Prospective travelers would be more likely to trust 100 positive reviews instead of just 5 on a rating site. If your site doesn't have very many reviews, you can encourage travelers to leave feedback. This can be done by first collecting customer information such as their email or mailing address and then contacting them after their visit to request for them to leave a review on a travel rating site or your Facebook page. You can even offer rewards to travelers who leave feedback for your business which may also motivate them to visit you business again in the future.

If your destination has reviews online that can help your business, it's important to make sure travelers can find them easily. You can place links to reviews on your website home page and even create a page dedicated just to customer testimonials. You could even occasionally post updates on Facebook or Twitter that will lead to the ratings and reviews. If you receive any special awards or rankings its important to highlight these as well in online advertisements.

With proper management, ratings and reviews can positively impact your business. If you have other ideas for incorporating them into the marketing plan leave a comment below!

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Measuring the Online Presence of Your Travel Business

The travel industry today is completely different from just a few decades ago. The days of relying on billboards and travel guide advertisements to attract visitors are long gone. To reach your target market, creating a strong online presence should be a top priority for your organization. A strong online presence means that you can successfully draw attention to your organization online and people can easily find information on what you offer. The internet provides travelers with an abundance of information that can help guide their decisions on where to go and what to do. As a tourist myself, a lot of times I find out about new destinations online alone and I base my decisions on the information I can find about it online. If your business is unsearchable, tourists aren't going to risk visiting your destination for fear of wasting their time and money.

The first thing you need to do is evaluate your current online presence. Below you will find a list of questions to consider before you begin to start to create a new marketing strategy.

• Do you have active Facebook and Twitter accounts? 
• Do you have a interactive website? 
• Do you advertise online?
• Do you offer special online discounts and deals?
• Can people find ratings and reviews about your organization?
• Can people easily find information about you using a search engine?

If you said no to a lot of these questions, you have an opportunity to reach thousands of potential visitors if your willing to put in the effort. If you said yes to these questions, there's still probably areas for your organization to grow even more whether it be gaining more followers or getting more customers to leave reviews.

Each week I will be writing about different aspects of online marketing for your travel destination that will help you form strategies specifically for your organization from social media tips to online advertising. Make sure to follow the blog and stay tuned for more! You can also follow me on twitter or LinkedIn! 

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