There are loads of social media websites and will probably be more in the very near future. However by far and away the two most popular (and therefore effective) are Facebook and Twitter. We will ignore YouTube.com for the time being as making GOOD video demands skill and time.
Because Twitter and Facebook are SO different in set-up and operation we have described them below individually. However essentially they are for broadcasting information so the question at some point is going to arise … What do I say on Facebook or “tweet” on Twitter. Remembering that the objective is to SELL we have to write down as simply as possible .. Your Product Description and why people should “buy” into it rather than someone else’s offering. In marketing speak … A VALUE PROPOSITION.
So if you have a bed and breakfast that is near to a golf course, it makes sense to post a message on Social Media that the “British Open” is only a few miles from your accommodation this year. (and put the price up for the period of the championship).
If there is a local festival like Up Helly AA or an especially low tide, a magical sunset or just some new lambs in a field next door; why not take a picture with your phone / camera and pop that on Facebook with some keyword rich text to accompany the picture and a link to your website. You have to remember that what you find commonplace could be a selling point to a visitor.
You should also be aware that an image is worth a 1000 words. They grab attention and if the visitor is interested in the topic of the photo they are immediately engaged without having to read through paragraphs of text. On Facebook at least … ALWAYS go for the visual rather than words
If you are not sure what to “POST” to Twitter or on Facebook then why not look at what the competition is doing and emulate the good parts of their on-line marketing strategy. We usually advise our clients to pretend to be going on holiday to a destination that is similar in location (rural, urban, seaside, mountains, theme, cruise etc) but in another country or part of the country. That way you put yourself in the shoes of someone who wants to come to YOUR village or town and you will encounter both good and bad aspects of what other people think is important to post on Social Media webs sites. A lot of which you will hopefully reject as irrelevant; but some little jewels of ideas that you can utilise in your own posts.