6 Twitter Tips for Tourism Offices
How Destination Management Organizations Can Maximize Micro-blogging
Twitter launched in 2006 and according to Quantcast, Twitter reaches 2.4 million Americans monthly (as of December 2008) which means tourism offices can send their marketing message to millions of potential visitors. As of December 2008, GoSeeTell Network, Inc. has identified 106 destination management organizations (DMOs) using Twitter.
According to GoSeeTell Network, a handful of tourism offices began tweeting in 2007 with the majority first posting in 2008. As Twitter gains in popularity and tourism offices look for cost effective marketing tactics, 2009 will probably see dozens, if not hundreds, of additional DMOs using the social networking site. The following Twitter tips will help tourism offices effectively maximize their tweeting marketing efforts.
DMO Twitter Tip #1: Get Tweeting!
After registering on Twitter, complete input user profile information which includes a link to the DMO’s Web site, avatar and background reflecting the organization, and transparent bio. Once done, it’s time to start tweeting!
Post information about events, activities, the quirky roadside attractions. When doing so, include as much information as possible such as the event date, time, and location or URL link where followers can find the information.
DMO Twitter Tip #2: Start Following
Following twitterers (people who use Twitter) allows you to see what interests potential visitors. Once a dozen or so tweets have been posted, find other twitterers with an interest in the destination. Begin with twitterers living in the community. Chances are they maintain a blog and will probably post about travel in their hometown, especially if they receive useful information. Follow local newspapers, news stations, travel journalists, and bloggers. Utilize tools on the Web to find others, such as WhoShouldIFollow.com, Twitterholic.com and TwitterLocal.net. See who your followers are following.
DMO Twitter Tip #3: Return the Follow
Most twitterers will return the follow, which means the marketing message can reach more potential visitors. When a twitterer follows the DMO, follow them back. In most cases, they are a potential visitor and have the potential to bring revenue into your community. They most likely have a sincere interest in the destination.
Send new followers a genuine thank you tweet or direct message (DM) and let them know you are available if they need trip planning assistance. Word of caution, do not abuse the DM function or harass and/or stalk twitterers. This is uncool and not tolerated. Being annoying will probably result in being unfollowed or worse, being blocked.
DMO Twitter Tip #4: Interact, this is Social Networking
Find a balance between posting events and posting about life in and around your destination. Reply and interact with your followers but remember to keep it professional. The most successful tweeting DMOs have passionate twitterers who interact with followers and demonstrate they are real people. Remember, this is social networking and relationship building. Think of it as a virtual cocktail networking reception except the handshakes and smiles are @ replies.
DMO Twitter Tip #5: Consistency Counts
Some empty DMO accounts sit in the twitterverse and they were probably registered because someone attended a conference, sat in a Twitter lecture, and thought it would be a good idea. An idle account is not effective marketing. The successful DMOs using Twitter are consistent. Social networking is time consuming and this does not mean DMOs should be monitoring their Twitter accounts 24/7, but they should be updated regularly.
DMO Twitter Tip #6: Tell the World
Issue a press release, include it in your communications to your industry partners and database, and post a link on your Web site telling the world your DMO is utilizing Twitter. Before doing so, be sure to have dozens of posts and a handful of followers. Telling the world the DMO is utilizing Twitter yet not having any tweets or followers looks as though the organization does not know how to use the social networking site.
Twitter allows tourism offices to increase visibility and create buzz about their destination. Utilizing the micro-blogging site is a cost effective way for DMOs to send their targeted message to potential visitors.
Twitter Tips for Tourism Offices
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@lehighvalleypa, a Successful Tweeting DMO
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