Lodging Interactive Offers Free Web 2.0 Social Media User's Guide
SEPTEMBER 23, 2008. Lodging Interactive, a leading interactive marketing agency servicing the hospitality industry, has published the hospitality industry's first Web 2.0 Social Media User's Guide. The guide serves to educate hoteliers on how to proactively establish and manage hotel profiles on the leading Social Media websites Facebook, Wikipedia, MySpace, Squidoo, Twitter, PhotoBucket and others. This comprehensive user's guide is offered by Lodging Interactive via a free download.
"While other publications communicate the importance of Social Media marketing, no other publication shows hoteliers how to deploy an effective strategy. Our Web 2.0 Social Media User's Guide shows them how," stated DJ Vallauri, Founder and President of Lodging Interactive.
There is no question about the impact of social media on the sale of services and products on the Internet. Today, 86 million people visit social media websites every day. This number is expected to grow to 95 million in 2009 and by 2011 about half of all Internet users will visit a social media website every day. One survey, related specifically to online hotel shoppers, reported that 87% of those interviewed confirmed that these reviews have a strong impact on their buying decisions.
It is clear that to market any service or product effectively online, one must have a social media strategy as much as they need a search engine marketing strategy. Actually, one compliments the other. A social media presence will enhance your organic search rankings and a search presence will attract shoppers to your social media presence and blog.
An effective social media strategy should have three important elements: (1) An efficient method of monitoring and measuring consumer generated reviews related to your service or products (2) A presence on the top social media website with photos and content about your services or product (3) The ability to communicate with consumers and to develop a an effective conversational marketing platform.
Other than monitoring for travel related social website reviews, totally automating social media is highly unlikely because it is a one-on-one conversation between one consumer and another. It is your goal to contribute your information within these conversations in a non-commercial manner. By joining the conversation and keeping your information fresh and relevant within these websites will generate sales, help build customer relations and repeat business.
Hoteliers can download the Web 2.0 Social Media User's Guide for free by visiting the following link:
http://commentcards.formbin.com/forms/sociamediausersguide
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
