Spring Clean Your Hotel’s Instagram: Essential Tips to Boost Engagement and Convert Followers to Guests

Summer is almost here, so it’s time for some spring cleaning. And no, we’re not talking about those hard-to-reach cobwebs; we’re talking about your Instagram account. Are you struggling to maintain engagement? Do you have a cluttered profile? Are you looking to convert your followers into potential customers?

Well, we hope you remember your password because we have some tips that might help you take your social media game to the next level.

How It Looks

The first thing to remember is that Instagram is, first and foremost, a visual medium.

So, what does that mean for your profile? Users can be divided into two categories: followers and non-followers. Your followers will see your posts on their timeline. However, for non-followers, your Instagram profile might be their first exposure to you and your brand. This is where your brand aesthetic comes in, specifically how your posts collectively appear on your grid.

The important part is how your posts fit together to form an appealing visual experience for the user. We recommend you pick an aesthetic and stick to it! It can help to focus on your USPs, so, for example, a nature retreat could focus on their surroundings. Luxury hotels, show it off!

Of course, you can’t forget about your followers, who may not want to see five posts in a row showing off your luxurious bedrooms. This is why content diversity is a staple of a successful Instagram page. It’s best practice to vary your posts so your followers don’t get bored, so get creative with it!

Pinning Posts

Want to highlight something important on your social media? A pinned post is the answer. Pinning a post keeps it at the top of your grid, making it the first thing users see

It can be used to draw attention to upcoming events that you want your audience to be aware of. Or if you just want to show off, a pinned post can also serve as a virtual trophy cabinet, a space where you can proudly display all your awards and achievements.

Ultimately, how you choose to use your pinned post is entirely up to you. It's a versatile tool that can be tailored to suit your specific needs and objectives. Remember, the more engaging and relevant your pinned post is, the more likely it is to resonate with your audience and fulfil your desired goals.

Utilising Highlights

Customising your Instagram highlights can be an incredibly potent tool for your business. These highlights act as an extra layer of information for users, which you can strategically use to emphasise and showcase specific business-related content that you want to promote or focus on.

A good and practical example can be a hotel or hospitality business that uses these highlights to provide a quick yet comprehensive summary of its services, making it easier for potential customers to understand what they can expect.

This hotel, for instance, could have separate highlights for each of its offerings, such as weddings, rooms or accommodations, holiday packages, special events, and so forth. This will help potential customers get a glimpse of the services provided even before they make a booking or a visit.

The most exciting part is that the options are endlessly customisable. The flexibility allows you to create and modify highlights that perfectly align with your business objectives, marketing strategies, and customer expectations. You can choose what to include, what to emphasise, and how to present it, making it a versatile tool to have in your marketing arsenal.

Pick the Perfect Cover Image

Now we’re talking about reels, and how they can disrupt the aesthetic of your now carefully curated Instagram grid. By default, Instagram selects a video still as a preview for the reel. Our advice? Change it.

Often, your reels might have text overlayed, or the frame may appear as a low-quality image, both of which would throw off the look of your grid. To avoid this, the recommended best practice is to select a high definition cover image. It might seem like a small detail, but it can make a significant difference to the overall look and feel of your grid.

Check the Link in Your Bio

There’s one thing you should know about Instagram’s users, and it’s that they don’t like to leave Instagram. Don’t worry, there’s something called a Biosite.

As the name implies, Biosites are extensions of your website accessible via your Instagram bio. They can be easily customised to support your business goals, filled with essential information, and quick links to your website's landing pages.

For instance, if users browse your Instagram and decide to book a room, they can simply click a "book now" link in your Biosite. This link will direct them straight to your booking page, reducing the chance of them changing their mind.

We suggest using either Linktree or Biosite, as both allow tracking of views and clicks and provide your click-through rate.

Huck’s Hack

Don’t tell anyone, but here’s a bonus tip—a trade secret we’ve discovered through trial and error.

This hack is very useful if you want a better music library for your posts with access to higher trending audio or preferential treatment from the algorithm. Simply change your business category to 'Entrepreneur' and then hide the business category in your settings.

It’s that simple, but we really do think it helps. Hopefully, you can use it and our other tips to take your Instagram profile to the next level.