First let’s start off with “Why Should You Care?” TikTok is the fastest growing app in the world and is moving quickly toward featuring small business owners. Millions of corporate dollars ar flowing in and TikTok, in my humble opinion, is the “Facebook” for business owners. For a more in depth analysis, see my article “Why Your Hostel Should be on TikTok.”
Let’s assume for now that you’ve listened to me and you’re ready to get started. Here are 15 sure fire ways to ramp up your account, build your brand and fill those beds!
One | Encourage Filming
You should create a specific filming area in your Hostel for good filming. Advertise it with a cool mural and the TikTok and Instagram logos as well as your username and say, “Tag us!”
Think about the following:
- Light
- Sound
- Resources
- Privacy
- Wifi
- Vibe
- Incentives
Two| Make Tour Videos
You want a bunch of Tour videos!
- Full Length Tour Videos (3 Min.) Show case yourself and your staff as you walk people through the property. Remember, they don’t just want a cool Hostel, they want to know that YOU are cool too!
- Tour Footage that is compiled into 30-60 second Videos. Make these emotional, use good music, captions, have lots of camera angles, good lighting, etc. The easiest way to do this to plan out your clips beforehand and make them all about the same length (3-5 seconds). Then put captions over each of those.
- Re-Use Your Footage! For every video you make combine the footage in different ways, change the theme or the music and you can make 2-3 videos out of 1 easily.
Three | 5 Things That Make Us Different
These are great videos to do because they speak to your brand and what makes you special. You want to convey emotion in these so mix it up, have some with people talking and music behind it that goes with what they’re taking about, other times just have footage, captions and music and no talking. Use guests if possible! These should be 15-60 seconds long only.
Four | Set up and encourage the “Check-in” Location Feature.
This is new to TikTok and allows people to check in from where they are filming. Make sure that you are signed up for this and encourage your guests to check in. As well, always check in yourself!
Five | Compile Guest Videos and Tag Them
Take videos of guests and ask them to make videos you can use. Make certain to respect people’s privacy an ask them! This also gives you th opportunity to let them know you are active on social media and get them to follow you and tag you.
Six | Interview Guests
Guest interviews are fantastic! Mix it up in styles and lengths!
Seven | Ask Guests to be in Videos With You
You’re making videos anyway, ask them to be in the videos with you. You can eveen come up with some fun responses to Trends or make your own Trend! Be fun and creative!
Eight | 5 Things to Do While You’re Staying With Us Videosget connected with the right ones!
These are great because they showcase the area attractions and let your clients know that you will help them
Nine | 10 Things Our Guests Love About Us (use guests!)
If you don’t know this then ask your guests… and then make a video!
Ten | Push Daily Content
Being successful at TikTok is like anything else… it needs to be a habit. Get used to making posts and interacting with your followers everyday!
Eleven | Create an Intro Video and Pin It
This is a great way for people to see what your Hostel is like and what it’s all about. Make sure this video is all about your Vibe… it’s your opportunnity for a first impression!
Twelve | Use Playlists
Playlists is a great TikTok feature that lets people find your content. Ideas include:
- Around the Hostel
- Our Guests
- Things to Do in the Area
Thirteen | Use STAN to Convert Customers and Increase Direct Bookings
When someone sees one of your videos and goes to checck out your profile, you want an easy way to take them off the app and convert them to a customer. STAN is a phenomonal way to do this. You can see this on my TikTok account or here. If you’re going to use it then use my referral link and I’ll make a few bucks.
Fourteen | Offer a TikTok Discount Code
Make videos with Discount Codes like “TikTokSuperstar” for booking off TikTok.
Fifteen | Use Micro-Influencers
This is one of the best things you can do. These people are hungry and they work hard on their content and theeir community. Offer them free stays for 4-5 Days or even pay them to come and make videos at your Hostel. Many of them will also help you with your own account and give you great advice while they’re there.
BONUS | Run a Contest
This is a great thing to do and the possibiities are endless. You can run this yourself or better yet, partner with other Hostels on TikTok, particularly if they are not your direct competition. You can evn think big and partner with Hostel World or another large company!
Well, there you go! Hope this helps! As always, connect with me If I’m in your area and I’ll swing by!
Leave A Comment