Social media is pervasive. You can't get away from it. Smartphones, laptops, iPads and the like ensure that wherever you are wherever you go you are only a click away from Twitter, Facebook, your personal blog, your company's blog, your favorite newsfeeds, etc. There is a perception, especially among Gen X and Gen Y, that if you're not online you might as well not exist.
Visit Carlsbad has recognized the importance of creating social media strategies that will support our traditional marketing strategies, while still providing a unique experience online. 2011 marketing planning for Visit Carlsbad will include creating a platform that can provide valuable 'go-to' information, enabling travel planners to first consult Visit Carlsbad's Facebook page before a visit to Google or visitcarlsbad.com. When social media is used correctly the results can be impressive.
Promoting social media presence is extremely important as people are spending more time on social media platforms such as Facebook and YouTube than actual websites. Mobile apps are also on the shopping list. As more people use their smartphones to connect to the net, the business of mobile apps has boomed (just ask Apple). It makes sense for any business in the travel industry to jump on the app bandwagon to promote brands, products and services and to stay in the forefront of the consumer's mind.
Let us not forget the humble tweet. Twitter can be a powerful medium if used correctly (if used incorrectly it can backfire). It's not an end in itself but is rather a means to an end. Twitter can alert followers to the imminent opening of a new attraction and can drive traffic to specific web pages. Many travel portals already have Twitter profiles, which make it easy for followers to keep up with new trends, developments, destinations events and the like. The trick is to be authentic and not spew marketing spam.
Venturing into social media waters is not for the faint-hearted, but it is necessary. If you're not confident in your ability to make a success of your social media endeavors out-source the function, but whatever you do, don't ignore it.
Ideally, the tourism industry is a win-win situation. While travelers escape their normal routines to Visit Carlsbad, they enhance the quality of life for the community by creating employment, generating tax dollars and attracting facilities and events that appeal to both visitors and locals.
Research shows that travelers are increasingly using the internet to learn about destinations, and that they trust the reviews and recommendations from other travelers more than traditional media channels. User-generated photos, videos and opinions give travelers the quick, current information they need, from anywhere in the world, in a highly emotional and attractive way.
Visit Carlsbad strives to maintain the flow of destination information in order to stay connected with busy travel planners. If a traveler finds a surfing school with an amazing social media presence and decide to book a trip, they'll want to find out more about the region. Instinct tells them to wander over to the local tourism association's website, where all the info is bundled into a neat package. But when they look at the accommodations page, it's a big list of participating businesses?something they could have Googled.
Visit Carlsbad has partnered again with Mindgruve, an interactive digital marketing firm, to strategically plan our social media outreach. Our marketing efforts in the social marketing arena have garnered 17,983 fans on Visit Carlsbad's Facebook page. Facebook fan numbers, from other comparable Southern California destinations are; Santa Barbara 24,152, Monterrey 14,367, Huntington Beach 792, Laguna Beach 791 and Newport Beach with 18,661.
Visit Carlsbad has recognized the importance of creating social media strategies that will support our traditional marketing strategies, while still providing a unique experience online. 2011 marketing planning for Visit Carlsbad will include creating a platform that can provide valuable 'go-to' information, enabling travel planners to first consult Visit Carlsbad's Facebook page before a visit to Google or visitcarlsbad.com. When social media is used correctly the results can be impressive.
Promoting social media presence is extremely important as people are spending more time on social media platforms such as Facebook and YouTube than actual websites. Mobile apps are also on the shopping list. As more people use their smartphones to connect to the net, the business of mobile apps has boomed (just ask Apple). It makes sense for any business in the travel industry to jump on the app bandwagon to promote brands, products and services and to stay in the forefront of the consumer's mind.
Let us not forget the humble tweet. Twitter can be a powerful medium if used correctly (if used incorrectly it can backfire). It's not an end in itself but is rather a means to an end. Twitter can alert followers to the imminent opening of a new attraction and can drive traffic to specific web pages. Many travel portals already have Twitter profiles, which make it easy for followers to keep up with new trends, developments, destinations events and the like. The trick is to be authentic and not spew marketing spam.
Venturing into social media waters is not for the faint-hearted, but it is necessary. If you're not confident in your ability to make a success of your social media endeavors out-source the function, but whatever you do, don't ignore it.
Ideally, the tourism industry is a win-win situation. While travelers escape their normal routines to Visit Carlsbad, they enhance the quality of life for the community by creating employment, generating tax dollars and attracting facilities and events that appeal to both visitors and locals.
Research shows that travelers are increasingly using the internet to learn about destinations, and that they trust the reviews and recommendations from other travelers more than traditional media channels. User-generated photos, videos and opinions give travelers the quick, current information they need, from anywhere in the world, in a highly emotional and attractive way.
Visit Carlsbad strives to maintain the flow of destination information in order to stay connected with busy travel planners. If a traveler finds a surfing school with an amazing social media presence and decide to book a trip, they'll want to find out more about the region. Instinct tells them to wander over to the local tourism association's website, where all the info is bundled into a neat package. But when they look at the accommodations page, it's a big list of participating businesses?something they could have Googled.
Visit Carlsbad has partnered again with Mindgruve, an interactive digital marketing firm, to strategically plan our social media outreach. Our marketing efforts in the social marketing arena have garnered 17,983 fans on Visit Carlsbad's Facebook page. Facebook fan numbers, from other comparable Southern California destinations are; Santa Barbara 24,152, Monterrey 14,367, Huntington Beach 792, Laguna Beach 791 and Newport Beach with 18,661.