Social Media and Your Brand
Easy Steps to Building an Online Visual Presence that Resonates with potential clients.
Evolving Your Business to a Digital Nature
If you're a rural tourism operator looking to establish yourself as a brand on social media, there are a few key elements you should focus on to make sure your presence is both recognizable, memorable, persuasive and communicates that you can be trusted.
Visual Identity: Have a Logo, Color Scheme, Style
First and foremost, you need to have a strong visual identity. This means having a consistent logo, color scheme, and style that you use across all of your social media channels. Your logo should be simple, memorable, and reflective of your business's personality and values. Consider hiring a professional graphic designer to help you create a unique logo that stands out.
In addition to your logo, your social media profiles should feature high-quality images that showcase the beauty of your location and the unique experiences you offer. Use imagery that evokes the emotions and feelings you want your brand to convey, and make sure it's consistent across all platforms.
It is beyond the scope of this short article to cover all necessary aspects for creating and implementing a branding strategy. Nevertheless, this is important subject matter and can not be ignored. The difference between success and failure is small. And the future belongs to those who make the transition to the digital realm.
Resources:
- Free logo maker: https://www.canva.com/create/logos/
- Create a color scheme for your branded online profiles: https://color.adobe.com/create/color-wheel
Social Media Profiles Have Clear, Concise Descriptions; Geo-tags are Accurate!
Your profiles should also include a clear and concise description of your business, what you offer, and what makes you stand out. Use language that reflects your brand's personality and values and make sure to include relevant keywords and phrases that will help potential customers find you. For example, if many of your clients are sustainable tourism-minded, be sure to include that you respect the environment and support the local communities as a matter of practice.
Content Communicates Your Values and Resonates
Another important aspect of establishing yourself as a brand on social media is creating content that reflects your brand's values and resonates with your target audience. This means creating engaging posts and videos that showcase your unique selling points and provide value to your followers. Use storytelling to create an emotional connection with your audience and differentiate yourself from competitors.
For example, the image below was of a group exploring rural Cambodia. The palms and colors are epic, this is a good image for a post on Facebook/INSTAGRAM. Be sure to use unique and attractive imagery, even if the images are unplanned.
Engage with Followers on Social Media
Finally, make sure to engage with your followers and respond to their comments and messages promptly. Building a strong community around your brand is essential for creating a loyal customer base and establishing yourself as a thought leader in the industry. As an operator with a presence on social media, you are affecting the perceptions of rural places and also motivating tourists’ travel intentions and the sustainability of the destination.
- If someone comments on a photo, thank them and give a location and name. Your reply can include a relevant hastag.
- Mention the best times to visit a location; or mention that a certain location integrates will with a standard tour.
In summary, to establish yourself as a brand on social media, focus on creating a strong visual identity, featuring high-quality images, using clear and concise language in your profile descriptions, creating content that reflects your brand's values, and engaging with your followers. With these elements in place, you'll be well on your way to building a recognizable and memorable brand on social media, one that visitors will be happy and proud to recommend to others.