Making the Most out of FacebookSuccessful Social Media Marketing for Vacation Rental Managers

About John & CarrieJohn EllisSenior Online Marketing ManagerResortQuestCarrie HillDirector of Search Strategies at BlizzardTwitter.com/CarrieHillFacebook.com/carrie.hill1SearchEngineWatch.com/smb-search-marketing

Social Media in the News

Dedicated to Delivering High ROI Online Marketing to Vacation Rental Managers in the US, Canada, Mexico & the Caribbean

How Can Blizzard Solve your SEM Problems?Linkbuilding, Social Media and SEO Plans starting at $499 per monthPartnering with you to create a comprehensive online marketing strategyFinding tens of thousands of lost bookings by improving their booking process.

Why?Social Networks have the ability to reach thousands with one click of a button.

How Much Facebook is Dominating the Space!Graphic Courtesy SearchEngineGuide.com

How to Set up a Fabulous Profile!Use a Fan PAGE not a personal profileThere are tutorials available to help you – http://www.searchengineguide.com/jennifer-laycock/the-super-simple-guide-to-setting-up-you.php

Fabulous Fan PagesBrand ItUse your logo and taglines Create an experience similar to your website Mirror vocabulary, colors and images

Fabulous Fan PagesInclude Colorful PhotosPictures tell a lot about a rental and a VRM, use yours advantageously – and remember the thumbnail that shows up needs to be appealing, don’t shrink down a huge busy image and feature it as a thumbnail on your fan page

Fabulous Fan PagesBe sure to include URL & Geographic Info in your ProfileProfiles on Facebook rank well for branded search and will take over slots a competitor or negative review could occupy!Be sure you’re using your brand, location, and URL in your profile

Show off your PropertiesFeature a new Property Every Day or WeekInclude Photos, Specifications & Location InfoHighlight Attractions & Areas of Interest nearbyDon’t forget your photos & virtual toursConsider unit-specific specials to create interest and buzz

Show off your PropertiesFeature Reviews of Individual PropertiesComments from past guests for your individual properties are powerful sales tools, post a guest comment in Facebook with a link to that propertyUpload Videos & Photos – Especially Virtual ToursFacebook lets you upload photos to albums as well as videos that play right in your Facebook Fan Page. Make good use of this capability!

Show off your PropertiesLike your Website – consider the Experience you’re selling on FacebookAnything you can do to brand your Facebook fan page to resemble your homepage will help!

Lifelong Guests & Brand AdvocatesBe EnthusiasticHappiness and positive attitude are infections – be excited about your units & specials and your fans will be, too!Reach OutSend a follow up email to guests asking them to friend you on FacebookPlace Facebook icons on your websiteAnswer questions & wall posts Use your Thank-You page after a booking to invite followers to Fan your page

Lifelong Guests & Brand AdvocatesAdd “how to follow” info to your websiteCreate a social media page w/ links to your various profiles, link to that page from all pages on your site to entice visitors to follow!DON’T link directly to Facebook from every page – this invites visitors to leave w/o booking!Be engaged with your Fans, answer questions and invite feedback

Lifelong Guests & Brand AdvocatesRespond to every guest post, even complaintsOffer incentives to Fans ContestsDiscountsSneak Peeks

Realistic ExpectationsThe Return is Dependent upon the EffortTrack Clicks from your Facebook Page using a URL Shortener kl.am is our favoriteDon’t expect every interaction to result in a sale, but the more interaction you have, the more sales can be INFLUENCED by your fan page.

Top Mistakes to Avoid!Don’t post a link in every updateDon’t divert the booking message on your websiteThis is not a Set it & Forget it Medium, if you’re going to do it, do it right!Bring them to your website with realistic and honest messages, don’t cram sales messages in every post.

Facebook in 5 Minutes a Day!Read your recent wall posts & add responsesPost something new and excitingFollow back your Fans and reach out to your neighbors & area business owners to build a support network

Contact Blizzard InternetBlizzard Internet Marketinginfo@blizzardinternet.comNewsletter.blizzardinternet.comBlizzardInternet.comFacebook.com/BlizzardInternetTwitter.com/BlizzInternet

John Ellisjellis@ResortQuest.comFacebook.com/ResortQuestTwitter.com/JohnWEllis