Instagram reels are one of the latest features to come from Instagram.
NB: This is an article from Travel Media Group
This video-centered feature showcases videos on the Instagram explore page. This allows for more exposure, making it a great addition to your hotel’s social media strategy. So what exactly are reels? What can you post? And most importantly, how can they benefit hoteliers? Well, let’s dive in and find out!
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What Are Instagram Reels?
If you haven’t heard of Instagram reels, you’re missing out. These bite-sized pieces of video content are around 30 seconds long. Similar to the platform, TikTok, reels give you the ability to reach not only your pre-existing audience on Instagram but countless other more eyes across the platform. Uploading videos to reels boosts your hotel’s chances of exposure from being viewed on the explore page.
Reels come in a variety of different types, but many utilize music and/or voiceovers to entertain, educate, or inspire audiences. There are also many different trends popular with reels that can add humor and relatability to your videos. As a hotelier, you should decide which trends fit your hotel or brands’ personality to make the best choices for your content.
What Should Hoteliers Post?
Whatever content your hotel shares should be defined by a few goals. For a business like a hotel, your goals should include displaying your property features and amenities, inspiring travelers to book with you, and sharing travel tips for guests.
Based on these three goals, you can create content that connects with travelers. To display your property, you can post video tours of your rooms. To inspire travelers, you can post trending attractions or scenic views. For travel tips, you can share anything from how to pack an organized suitcase to the best ways to get around your city.
Besides creating content to fit your hotel’s goals, there are tons of other ways you can use reels to promote your hotel and reach travelers. You can do behind-the-scenes videos of events that are held on-property, such as weddings (with permission, of course). You can also team up with local influencers to show off your property. There are many benefits to influencer marketing, which we outline in this article.
How Do Instagram Reels Benefit Hotels?
As mentioned above, reels are often featured on Instagram’s explore page. The number of people who have the chance to view your content is extended from just your followers to just about anyone, which greatly increases your chances of exposure and engagement from outside your following. All this engagement helps boost your page and get it seen by more people.
With all these eyes on your content, you have a great chance of securing bookings from interested travelers who like what they see on your page. This is why it’s so important to have lots of content for travelers to scroll through and why you should also have links to your website wherever you can.
Maintaining a Well-Rounded Social Media Strategy
Reels is an exciting new feature and while the urge to abandon posting on other platforms in favor of this shiny new toy may be strong, it’s important not to forget about other social channels. Reels is only available on Instagram, so you need to make sure you’re giving your Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter accounts the same attention so your followers on those platforms don’t get bored and you don’t lose out on their business.
