Tourism SEO.com

Importance of Social Media Platforms as a method of creating interest

in tourism online.

In the past, those that travelled either did it because they had heard about a destination, or they had free spirited nature and they packed up the car and left for places unknown. Now, with most travellers researching their destinations online before they leave a “look before you leap mindset,” there seems to be a real need for information online in regards to tourism.

How do they search though?

and what is the difference between a good online presence

and a weak one?

Content! and content alone! With the incorporation of photos on websites, flickr accounts, Tripadvisor accounts, Slideshow presentations, Facebook Pages and Groups, and Local Tourism Magazines, we can help those tourists that are planning a stay-cation to travel to some of the most interesting Ontario landmarks, events, and cultural destinations. We can help them imagine where they want to go by providing something tangible they can focus on. But it must play upon their own desires which may include: adventure, relaxation, comfort, peacefulness, etc.

The copy that we provide next to these photos should sound like a mix of a travel blogger and a passionate traveler sharing tips to others. That is where Social Media is heading, as it is personal, so keep it that way. Stay clear of corporate messages and classic press releases online, the readers can tell when you are just trying to sell to them.

Just share great information and ask for their stories as well as they visit your region. Ask questions, and keep in touch. Social Media as a corporate strategy ends up being a tool for customer service and going that extra step will bring tourists to your doorstep. Feature interesting videos on Youtube. It is not a television and as such, it was never intended for infomercials about your Region.

You will get better results with timeless videos that may turn viral that we all love. An example would be that of a ski video from some locals that are just having a good time, perhaps a fall, some laughing, then we laugh, then the video pans around the escarpment, and the Youtube Channel can point to your Region in the link section. Let tourists imagine themselves in situations without beating them over the head with how wondrous your Region is.

Finally, keep open minded and look for fresh perspectives. There is a great deal to offer, but if you keep trying to push something that tourists do not want, you can spend huge marketing dollars just to convert the way they think. Pass on that, just play upon the hidden strengths in your Region. No independent contractor study from a large marketing firm needed. Just ask local cab drivers and the tourists themselves where they are going and why. They will tell you, and you may find a tourist treasure in your own backyard. Wiarton Willie is a good example of that. We all know where the idea came from, but we don’t care. For some reason thousands of tourists visit him every year. Perhaps the movie groundhog day plays a part in our mental psyche, but it doesn’t matter why people show up, it is the fact that they do!

Send out information about what people really want to know!

All marketing is actually supposed to be

an "investment."

It should help your business by improving your visibility, maintaining your credibility, and by activating desire in your potential clients that would want to choose your services so that it inevitably leads to a sale.

The same thing applies to Search Engine Marketing and being found on Google, Yahoo, Bing, and in local searches.  It is not too late to put imagery that inspires, content that catches a reader's attention, and a well formed attention getting offer that leads to sales online for your business.

Our company specializes in low cost solutions to helping you get sales through your online advertising dollars. The online world became very confusing over the past 2 years and many business owners have made their own websites, have opened Facebook/Twitter/Youtube accounts and are not sure how all of this is supposed to end up in sales.  With many previous happy clients, testimonials, and over 7 years in social media marketing and content creation; we offer consultation and services to businesses looking to make a big impact on the web. Let TourismSEO.com which is meant to help local businesses be found by searches online from tourists and locals... help your business.

Let us help you with professional photography, social media management, website redesigns, copywriting that sells for you, search engine optimization, creative content and more! Our clients are our testimonials, and they have made thousands from investing only a small portion of their marketing budgets with us. Before you advertise in other expensive forms of media, work with us and form a strategy so that you not only save advertising dollars in the long run, but also sell more!

Are you willing to sit down and talk about your business image over a coffee? Consider getting in touch with us at TourismSEO.com and please call us at 519 376 7193 to get an advantage over your competition. No pressure, no sales gimmicks, just a chance to get better results!

Justin Skultety-Tourism SEO

Marketing for your bed and breakfast can be much more effective if done properly the first time!

Do you own a bed and breakfast and you want the inside scoop on how to market it?

If you are just opening up a new bed and breakfast or you have a seasoned business that is currently experiencing a lull, then this article is especially for you!

When marketing/advertising a bed and breakfast, you must keep in mind that your mission is to sell the experience that vacationers and tourists may have when staying in your home.  With this in mind, you have to focus on branding your bed and breakfast from the standpoint of how it is different from the thousands of other bed and breakfast's out there.  How is this done you may ask?  Well... It starts with creating content and collecting imagery that truly embodies your bed and breakfast.  

A well devised marketing plan always starts with a strategy and as such, you should start by focusing on your strengths.  If there is a scenic view, a surrounding forest, or a waterfront, you should include associated imagery when creating your marketing materials.   If you are trying to instill the feeling of peacefulness, then perhaps meandering local rivers, forests, and landscapes should be properly photographed and cropped so that there is underlying imagery that evokes this emotion.

The next step is to pick a great name.  This is a little tricky because it seems that everyone has an opinion and even if a poor choice in name is suggested, typically it will be defended adamantly by the one that suggested it.  Once you have a decent name, my suggestion is to Google search if the name already exists.  Once you have one that works, submit it to a focus group and see if it really works properly or it does not work at all.  An example of a bad choice might be picking "Shady Pines,"  which has been used in every cartoon out there for and is in the back of our minds as being a name for retirement homes.  With the wrong name, you can throw tons of money at marketing your bed and breakfast but it will never work as planned.  The right name will serve well for years to come and may even outlive owners as the building exchanges hands.

The step that follows is to create the copy that entices visitors to stay with you instead of your competition.  If you do not have the "gift of the gab," then it is best to hire a great copywriter that specializes in tourism, or that has a background in sales and marketing.  These days, it is best to hire a travel blogger, or an seo expert that may be able to help you direct search traffic to your site by just writing great articles.

Once the content and the phtography is completed, you should start to look at a website, an association listing, a chamber of commerce listing, a tripadvisor account, and other forms of online advertising.  It is best to approach all of these with one thing in mind; Streamlining the sales process.

To explain a streamlined process, one has to get into the mindset of those looking for a bed and breakfast.  If I am travelling from far away and I am looking to book a stay, how will I look up your business?  Will I read reviews?  Will I want to see pictures?  Is there a discount?  What are the benefits to me staying there?  What extras are provided?

When these answers are provided, your business information, a link to purchase, and a link to call should be provided.  There is no second chances to sell when there are so many options out there.

• Does your website rank well in search engines? 
• Does your content appeal to the right audience? 
• Is it providing imagery that helps to make the sale and easy one?  
• Is there a video?  

These should all be considered when advertising a bed and breakfast online.

The next questions that you should ask are:

• Is your website search friendly?
• Have you applied SEO strategies to your content across all elements of advertising?
• Are your photos optimized for the web?
• Is your website friendly for mobile phones?
• Are you collecting the analytics information(statistics on viewer traffic)?
• Have you linked to regional directories?
• have you submitted your site to search engines properly?
• Is it working?  How are sales?