Award-winning consultant Dr. Maria Frangieh, CEO of Socialprise, shares her tips on how to leverage X for digital marketing in the holiday season.

As the holiday season approaches, hotels and restaurants have a prime opportunity to engage with customers and drive more bookings and reservations. X is a powerful platform for reaching a broader audience and sharing timely updates, promotions and festive content. By leveraging this platform effectively, hospitality businesses can build anticipation, connect with potential guests and showcase their holiday offerings in a way that feels personal and engaging. Here are five essential tips to help hotels and restaurants maximize their X presence during the holiday season.

1) Share festive content to create excitement on X

The holiday season is all about creating a joyful and festive atmosphere, and X is undoubtedly the perfect place for it. Therefore, use holiday-themed images, videos and GIFs to effectively showcase your seasonal offerings throughout this special time. For example, a hotel could share a short video tour of their beautifully decorated lobby, highlighting the festive spirit. Additionally, a restaurant could post an enticing photo of their delicious holiday dessert specials to attract potential guests.

Moreover, this kind of visual content truly stands out in X feeds, capturing attention and building excitement among potential guests effectively. By consistently sharing engaging content, businesses can enhance their visibility and strengthen connections with their audience during the holiday season.

2) Promote limited-time offers to encourage immediate action on X

One of X’s strengths is its ability to convey urgency, which makes it an ideal platform for promoting offers. Consequently, you can share exclusive deals, early-bird discounts or holiday packages that include a clear call-to-action. For example, a hotel could tweet: “Book your holiday stay with us by December 1 and enjoy a 20 percent discount! Link.” By including a deadline and an enticing incentive, you can create a sense of urgency among potential guests. This approach effectively prompts followers to make a decision before the offer expires, thereby enhancing engagement and bookings.

3) Engage your audience with polls and questions

The holiday season is a fantastic time to boost engagement by actively interacting with your audience on X effectively. Therefore, use X polls and questions to involve your followers in the exciting process of holiday planning. For example, a restaurant could post a poll asking: “What’s your favorite holiday dessert? Chocolate Yule Log, Gingerbread Cookies, Fruit Cake or Other!” Polls are quick, easy and fun for users to engage with during this festive season.

Additionally, they provide valuable insight into customer preferences, helping you understand what your audience truly wants this holiday season. This interaction can keep your brand top-of-mind as they make their holiday dining or lodging decisions, ultimately enhancing customer loyalty.

4) Highlight customer reviews and user-generated content

Social proof is a powerful tool in digital marketing, especially during the holiday season when people seek trusted recommendations. Therefore, retweet positive reviews or share user-generated content from happy customers who’ve had great experiences at your hotel. For example, if a guest tweets a photo of their stay or a meal they enjoyed, retweet it thoughtfully. You might say: “We’re thrilled you enjoyed your holiday experience with us!”

This approach not only builds credibility but also encourages others to visit and share their own experiences effectively. Consequently, this creates a ripple effect of brand loyalty and engagement on X, enhancing your presence during the holiday season.

5) Collaborate with local influencers to expand reach

Influencer partnerships on X can significantly amplify your holiday marketing efforts by effectively reaching a larger and more diverse audience. Therefore, identify local influencers or food and travel bloggers who align with your brand’s values and vision. Invite them to experience your exciting holiday offerings to enhance their engagement with your brand. For example, a hotel could host an influencer for a weekend stay, showcasing their holiday-themed rooms and seasonal menu.

Additionally, have the influencer tweet about their enjoyable experience, tagging your business while sharing captivating photos or videos. This kind of collaboration introduces your business to the influencer’s followers, ultimately generating authentic, trusted recommendations that can attract new guests. Consequently, these partnerships can enhance your brand’s visibility during the bustling holiday season.

The holiday season presents a unique opportunity for hotels and restaurants to connect with audiences in a festive, engaging way on X. By sharing holiday-themed content and promoting limited-time offers, you can effectively engage followers through polls and highlight customer reviews. Additionally, collaborating with influencers can help you create a strong digital presence that resonates with potential guests. Moreover, X allows you to build anticipation, showcase your unique offerings and drive bookings and reservations in a personal manner. With the right strategies in place, X can become a powerful ally for your hospitality business this holiday season. Therefore, leveraging this platform effectively can lead to a successful and memorable experience for both you and your guests.