Why bother with brand for your hospitality business?
Hotels and resorts around the globe have become increasingly reliant on branding to help them stand out against competitors. If you ask someone what hotel chain they go to when travelling, chances are they will say “Marriott” or “Hilton”. Brands such as these have built up an impressive reputation over time and continue to grow year after year. However, there are still plenty of hotels and resorts that operate under different names, such as ‘Best Western’ or ‘Ramada’, yet still manage to maintain a level of quality and service that often puts them head and shoulders above their competition. Hotels can easily build their own unique brand identity and use it to set themselves apart from other competitors.
Digital marketing tools allow hotels to reach out to potential customers through various channels, including social media, search engine optimisation, web design, mobile apps, and online advertising. These digital marketing tools help hotels to engage with their target audience through different channels. For example, Google AdWords allows hotels to advertise their services and products on Google Search Engine. Hotel websites can also be optimised using SEO techniques to increase their rankings on major search engines like Google. Web designers can create attractive and user-friendly websites that are easy to navigate and understand. Online ads can be displayed on third party sites to generate leads and bookings directly to your site by reassigning the budget that would normally go to the percentage booking platforms take – and you get to pocket the rest!
According to research by Google, only 5% of customer reviews occur online, while 80% of them happen face to face. As a result, only 5% of all customer reviews are shared online. That means that only 1 out of every 20 positive reviews gets shared. So, what happens when someone shares a review about your product or service? You get a chance to showcase your brand to an audience that may never have heard of you before! A great way to increase your brand awareness is to invest in a great customer experience. If you create a memorable experience for your customers, they will share their stories with others. And those stories will help you grow your business.
A brand is an intangible asset.
A brand represents the core of a company or organisation. Brands are what customers identify with a particular product or service. A brand is how a customer perceives a company, its products or services. A brand is not something tangible like a logo or name – instead, it is a promise made to a customer. A brand is the promise that a company will deliver consistent quality across all aspects of its operations. If a company does not provide the promised level of service, then the brand is tarnished. When a company misrepresents itself, the brand suffers damage. Companies spend millions of dollars creating a brand image to attract consumers. If a consumer finds out that a company did not meet expectations, the brand loses credibility. Branding is the foundation of all marketing efforts, and it should not be underestimated. A strong brand will help you stand out from the crowd, attract attention, and create loyal customers. Your brand is what makes your company unique, and it should reflect the values and personality of your company. When consumers see your logo, they get an immediate idea of what your company stands for. Branding also helps you generate revenue through advertising, promotions, and other forms of marketing.
One of the most critical steps in building your brand is to establish a consistent brand voice that reflects your brand’s personality and values. This includes developing a visual identity that expresses your brand’s personality while also being true to your brand’s mission and vision. Every facet of your business should be consistent with your brand.
Whether it’s for a quite coffee alone with your laptop, a beer with the old crew, or a romantic dinner for two (or more – we don’t judge at 7S!) there are myriad options in even small towns. So how do you differentiate yourself and stand apart from the fierce, and often overwhelming volume of competition? Through two things; facilities and brand.
Even if your place has the best coffee, wine, food, and atmosphere in the world, if the venue is named ‘The Stilkhole’ you’re absolutely missing out on business. While this may be an exaggerated illustration, it’s merely the far end of the spectrum to highlight the point that brand matters.
Your brand is your identity. It represents what you stand for and what you offer. It helps you stand out from competitors. And when you create a great brand, you give your guests a reason to choose you over your competitors. When you do well at branding, you get noticed and people remember you. Seven Spencer helps you articulate and represent that brand in full fidelity.
