Influencing the Right Way!

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The word ‘influence’ typically refers to the kind of effect or impression one can have on another person that may influence his or her consequent choices. Be it about buying something or checking out new experiences, in today’s world, people seek recommendations or reviews from those whom they have come to believe in order to make their own decisions. And that is what forms the fundamental crux of influencer marketing. Influencer marketing can be described as a form of ‘social media marketing involving endorsements, and product placement from influencers, people, and organizations who have a purported expert level of knowledge or social influence in their field. Influencers are someone with the power to affect the buying habits or quantifiable actions of others by uploading some form of original, often sponsored, content to social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, or other online channels.

We all have heard about social media influencers like the much-talented Bruised Passport, Prajakta Koli, etc. When they talk about a certain product or service in their own channels, it is easier for the brand to able to reach out to a wider scope of the audience who might even turn into potential customers, after being influenced by their reviews or recommendations. This is especially important in the case of the service industry, like hotels. In hotels, the product is not tangible. Rather it is experiential and cannot be duplicated. It is unique to each guest. The standards may remain the same. However, the stay experience may be different for each guest. In such a scenario, influencer marketing allows the hotels to be able to showcase their best service scape to the guest and reach out to a larger section of the audience through their influence.

According to industry veteran and Hotel Manager of The Westin Pushkar Resort and Spa, Mr. Gaurav Sekhri, “Influencer marketing is one of the most essential parts of the hotel marketing paradigms. This is because not only does it help us to reach more probable customers through the influencers but also be able to recognize the strength in our own service moments, realize what more we can do for our guests, and ultimately be able to add to the marketing and brand value of the property. Influencer marketing helps us in adding to our brand persona and value. As a luxury resort, we always look forth to hosting influencers from the diverse scapes of lifestyle, hospitality, and travel to indulge in our experience and be able to share them with their audience”. The luxury resort in the heart of the quaint valleys of Pushkar has hosted some of the most renowned social media and digital influencers like ThatBohoGirl, Pallavi Singh, Sonam Chhabra, and YouTubers like Shraddha Singh along with celebrated faces like Ellie Avram, Daisy Shah, and Harshita Gaur at the hotel.

So, what is your take on influencer marketing? How do you plan to use the same to benefit your marketing approach and brand value? Let us know in the comments.?