5 benefits of social media for experience businesses
A good social media strategy doesn’t have to be complicated. By setting aside some time each week to plan regular posts, you can reap huge rewards in terms of growth and customer engagement.
Here are 5 benefits social media can bring to your experience business.
Source: Whoosh Explore
Build awareness
As an experience business, your activities are at the centre of everything you do. Social media is a great way to show potential customers the fun they could be having, and encourage them to make that booking. Use location tags and relevant hashtags to help reach your target audience, and remind your customers to post about the amazing experiences they’ve had.
They say a picture is worth 1000 words - with imagery and video content you can truly capture the essence of what makes your business great, and share that with the world. Most modern smartphones are capable of capturing high quality images and video. Make sure you crop and straighten images where necessary, to ensure they look as engaging as possible. You want potential new customers to feel like they’re right there with you!
Find out more in our article - How to use images to inspire and engage.
Source: Alpine Snowsports
Increase bookings
Did you know that 91% of social media users who follow a business will visit that business’s website, and a staggering 89% will buy something from that business! With 53 million active social media users in the UK, countless potential customers are actively searching social media for activities to book onto. Make sure your business’s website or Book Now button is clearly visible on social media to encourage clicks and, ultimately, bookings.
Source: Go with the Flo
Encourage loyalty and retention
A customer who feels valued is far more likely to make another booking. Encouraging your customers to follow your activity centre on social media will help them stay connected to your business. They can ask questions, give feedback directly, and keep up-to-date with your business as it grows and develops. By replying directly to comments and messages, you can do wonders for your customer relationships.
Source: Edge Watersports
Save money
All major social media platforms are 100% free to use for everyone. Whilst paid advertising is an option, it’s completely possible to build a healthy social media presence without spending a penny.
Focus on posting great content regularly and engaging with your audience to help boost your follower count and grow your business for free. Keep your posts focused on great imagery or short video clips and add simple descriptions. Free scheduling software such as Later, Buffer, or Planable means you can plan multiple posts in advance, helping you approach social media more strategically.
Source: Adventures Wales
Connect with your community
Whether you’re a surf school, a mountain guide, or a paintball centre, there’s sure to be a thriving online community surrounding your activity. You can use social media to engage with like-minded businesses, keep up-to-date with industry trends, and cement your brand’s positioning as part of a worldwide community.
Don’t be afraid to like and comment on your followers' posts to keep that conversation going. By encouraging your participants to post about their experience on social media, you can even secure free marketing!
Source: Full Circle Experiences
When used properly, with good content and consistent engagement, social media can be one of the most powerful tools for building your audience and generating bookings.
Be sure to check out our own content on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and take a look at the eola Academy for more tips and tricks.
Read more
How to use images to inspire and engage
How online reviews can be your most powerful marketing tool
