Why now is the best time to start advertising your hotel or restaurant

February 2021 – While the hospitality industry is awaiting an announcement of opening dates that signal the end of lockdown, there are a multitude of reasons hotels and restaurants should start advertising earlier rather than later.

Steal the march on your competitors

You’ve done your planning, you’re ready to go as soon as the announcement is made. There’s nothing to stop you promoting your business right away. Especially if your competitors are still dusting off the keys to their premises!

Share of voice

There’s no cacophony of noise, many are still closed so you get a larger share of voice. Consumers are looking to plan ahead and showcasing what you can offer will solve a problem for them. Whether you’re offering dining, outdoor events or working space, give your potential customers something to look forward to once lockdown has ended.

Ride the crest of the wave

As we get closer to the end of lockdown, there will be a rising tide of offers coming out. If you start early and build up, you can ride the wave of publicity around hotel and restaurant openings.

Dovetail with organic content

Starting a paid social ad campaign can dovetail really well with organic post on your social media pages. Drive traffic from ads to e-news sign up and page likes so that your prospects become new customers. It will give you time to demonstrate your brand personality, develop your service offerings and build the relationship before you open your doors.

Get solid bookings in advance of opening

There’s a wonderful sense of supporting local which you shouldn’t overlook. Consumers are looking to spend their money in their local area and willing to commit in advance to help businesses towards opening up. Well worded copy can go along way to expressing this sentiment and give consumers an understanding of the pressure hospitality businesses have been under. Opening early for bookings demonstrates a commitment to your venue, which can be rewarded with solid bookings.

Look for support from your town manager, BID partnership, tourism partners and local council. There is funding for high street projects and there are opportunities to advertise locally for broad reach.

If you’re ready to take the plunge and start your ad campaign on Instagram or Facebook, get in touch and I can create and run it for you.