Hoteliers know that video is one of the most important forms of marketing content on the internet, video content gets more engagement than any other form of digital content; 

Experts believe that, by 2018, video will take up about 79% of the internet. Since video has such a large impact online, it is important to know how to properly use video to connect with your audience.

Here are some of the most popular types of videos that will help increase your hotel’s impact online:

Virtual Tours â€" What better way to show off your hotel than to show a video walk through of your property? Virtual tours give guests a live action look at your hotel. Show them what it’s like to walk through your halls or lounge by the pool. You can also show your viewers what it feels like the first time they walk into a room. Virtual Tours make your guests feel like they’re actually in your hotel and make them comfortable before they even get there.

Guests of the Month â€" Guests like to feel appreciated. A great way to show that your hotel cares about its guests is to celebrate them. By having a ‘Guest of the Month’ video, you can film your guests saying great things about their stay. Also, showing that you appreciate your guests lets the viewer know that connecting with your visitors is most important to your hotel.

User Content â€" Another way to show your hotel’s connection to its guests is by uploading user content. Ask your guests to take videos of themselves having fun at your hotel and post it on their social media. Once they post it, have them tag your hotel’s social media site so you can repost the video. When travelers see others having a great time at your hotel, it places a positive image of your property in their minds.

Staff of the Week â€" Similar to the ‘Guest of the Month’ video, the ‘Staff of the Week’ video adds a human element to your hotel. Potential guests can see that your hotel is alive and not just a building with rooms. Giving a voice to your wonderful staff puts a face to your hotel and it gives your staff a platform to speak about how great your property is.

Local Events - Sometimes the biggest draw to your hotel is what’s happening in the local area. Whenever there are annual or monthly events in your area, hoteliers can send a crew out to film themselves having a great time at those events. Whether it be a food festival, art event, farmers market, or local concert, showing these great events in your area will definitely attract interested guests to your hotel.

Hotel Facility and Amenity Updates â€" People like new things. When something new comes to your hotel, promote it with video. Did you just renovate your rooms? Create a short video showing what the new rooms look like. Maybe your hotel just added new gym equipment. A video showing guests using the equipment can increase engagement with travelers who find fitness important. If there are new foods added to your menu, create a video where the hotel chef explains his/her cooking methods. A sense a newness will always give your hotel an advantage over those that are always the same.

Your videos should tell a story about your hotel. Guests should be able to understand the culture, personality, and goals of your hotel just by watching a short clip. People that feel a connection with your hotel are more likely to book a room.

E-Marketing Associates helps independent hotels increase direct bookings and reduce reliance on OTAs. We build innovative online marketing products that deliver the best ROI for independent hotels. Our products aim to ultimately drive top-line revenue.

www.e-marketingassociates.com