INTRODUCTION
According to Pinterest, more than 200 million people use the social media site every month, and they use it to plan everything from what they’re having for dinner tonight to where they’ll go on their next vacation.
The platform’s visual and shareable nature makes it ideal for brand promotion and exposure. In fact, Pinners are 47 percent more likely to be introduced to new brands than people on other social networks.
Is your hotel taking advantage of Pinterest? Remember, users can follow your hotel as a whole or they can choose to follow specific boards.
Following are seven Pinterest boards your hotel should create.
- Showcase your rooms. Show off a variety of rooms to appeal to different types of travelers. For instance, suites or connecting rooms might appeal more to families, while single-bed rooms (with some flowers and a bottle of champagne) may be more attractive to couples.
- Feature amenities. Start by determining what makes your hotel unique and highlighting those features. For instance, if your facility houses a pool or arcade, create a board dedicated to family-friendly fun. If your location has an onsite spa or yoga studio, emphasize the luxury experience your hotel provides.
- Flaunt your restaurant. According to Statista, food and drink are among the most popular categories on Pinterest. Establishments that offer onsite dining should create a separate board for this amenity. Signature recipes and seasonal selections are good places to start. Pin photos of these items or recipe graphics to encourage repins.
- Highlight event hosting. Entice meeting and event planners by pinning examples of the types of events your hotel is capable of hosting. Larger events such as weddings, corporate meetings and company parties, as well as smaller gatherings such as family reunions, should be displayed on your hotel’s event board. Make sure to get permission before pinning any event photos that feature guests.
- Display local attractions and activities. Travel is one of the top 10 categories on Pinterest with more than 3 billion travel-related ideas and an average of 2 million saves per day. Inspire people to visit your city and stay in your hotel by highlighting area attractions such as monuments, sports teams or museums, as well as seasonal activities such as festivals and ski hills.
- Provide a behind the scenes look. Intrigue potential guests with a sneak peek of what happens behind the scenes at your hotel. For instance, you could pin an image of your staff setting up for an event or a photo of chefs preparing dinner. A lot of hard work and dedication goes into your everyday operations, so be sure to share it.
- Encourage guests to share their experiences. Create a “guest experiences” group board to allow past guests and visitors to pin some of their favorite moments at your hotel, as well as testimonials and reviews. This can help stimulate engagement and boost interest in your hotel.
As of late May 2013, that has all changed. Pinterest is taking its first steps in integrating images with brands. The process is intended to make it easier for Pinterest users to interact with brands, make their desires a reality and generate revenue for both Pinterest and those selling goods on the site.