Email marketing for hotels is a powerful tool, it’s perfect if you’re looking to build relationships with guests, drive repeat bookings, and expand their brand reach.
With the right strategies, your hotel can grow its guest list, engage with potential customers, and increase direct bookings.
In this blog, we'll cover eight top email marketing tips that can help your hotel maximise its email campaigns and grow its guest list.
At Net Affinity, we believe one of the most effective ways to boost the performance of your email marketing is through segmentation. Not all your guests are the same, so your emails shouldn’t be either.
Segment your email list based on various factors such as past stay history, booking frequency, or guest preferences. For instance, repeat guests could receive a loyalty offer, while first-time visitors might be enticed with a welcome discount.
Tailoring your messages to specific segments will make your emails more relevant and engaging, which can lead to higher open rates and conversions.
Beyond just using the guest’s name, personalisation involves tailoring content based on guest preferences, past behaviours, and more.
If a guest recently stayed at your hotel, you could send them a follow-up email with a survey, offering a discount on their next stay if they complete it.
The more personal and relevant your emails feel the more likely guests are to engage with them.
3. Craft Compelling Subject Lines | Email Marketing For Hotels
Your subject line is the first thing recipients see, and it greatly impacts whether they open your email.
Keep it short, clear, and intriguing. It should give a sneak peek into the value of the email without giving everything away. For example, "Unlock Your Exclusive Offer – Just For You!" or "Thank You for Staying – Here’s a Special Gift!”
A/B testing different subject lines can help you determine which ones resonate most with your audience.
4. Use Eye-Catching Design and Imagery | Email Marketing For Hotels
First impressions count, and the design of your emails plays a significant role in this. Ensure that your emails are visually appealing and reflect your hotel's brand.
Use high-quality images, especially if you’re including images of your hotel, and ensure your email template is mobile-friendly — normally you can check this in your email design software.
A well-designed email not only captures attention but also encourages recipients to take action, whether it’s clicking a link or making a booking.
People love to feel special, and offering exclusive deals via email can make your subscribers feel valued.
These could be early access to promotions, special rates for subscribers, or unique content like a local travel guide. When guests know they’ll receive special offers by staying subscribed, they’re more likely to stay on your list and open your emails regularly.
With more people checking emails on their phones, your emails must be mobile-optimised.
This means using a responsive design that adjusts to different screen sizes, making buttons large enough to click on a touchscreen, and keeping your content concise.
A poor mobile experience can lead to lower engagement and even unsubscribes, so make sure your emails look great on all devices.
7. Encourage Social Sharing | Email Marketing For Hotels
Expand your reach by encouraging recipients to share your content on social media.
Include social media buttons in your emails and consider offering incentives for sharing, like entry into a contest or additional discounts. This not only helps you grow your email list but also increases your social media presence, creating more touchpoints with potential guests.
A guest’s experience doesn’t end when they check out, and neither should your communication.
Send a follow-up email after their stay, thanking them for choosing your hotel, and asking for feedback or a review. You can also offer a discount on their next stay or encourage them to join your loyalty programme.
Post-stay emails are also a great way to maintain the relationship and encourage repeat bookings.
If you’d like to start implementing these tips today to grow your guest list and boost your hotel’s success, get in touch with a member of our team today.
Alternatively, why not learn more about using your hotel tech stack to increase guest profitability?