Did you know that around 40% of adults use google voice search on their mobile every day (and the younger demographic even more)? 

Google also recognises where you are. So, if I do a voice search: "Where can I find a Mexican restaurant?", Google gives me the Mexican restaurants in Queenstown (as this is where I'm based).
Or: "What are the local walks?", Google gives me a list of websites where walks are listed. 

Voice search is growing at a fast pace and it's important and easy to optimise your website content for voice search.

Here are a few tips:

• Ask yourself: What would my customers ask google to find my business or want to know about my business?
• Add a FAQ page (frequently asked questions) to your site with the types of questions your customers would ask
• Use a conversational tone in your website content
• Longer phrases or questions are common, compared with the shorter searches in text search.
• People use voice search mainly for local content and information, so make sure your Google listing is up to date (opening hours too!) 
• Try out voice search to find similar businesses as yours and see what comes up!

Till next fortnight, Marijke

As Instagram continues to grow with over 800 million users each month, it's become the go-to channel for brands as customer engagement on Instagram is higher than Facebook.
Did you know that Instagram Stories became more popular than Snapchat just one year after it went live?
Here are 64 tips to help you make the most of Instagram:

NOTE: for the 2017/18 summer, I will be writing fortnightly tips instead of weekly ones. Last summer, I carried out a survey re tip frequency, and many of my readers preferred fortnightly tips in summer as they are busy looking after visitors (in NZ)! 

This week, I've been doing research on this year's marketing trends. I am always reading marketing books, blogs, work with clients and present marketing training programmes. It's interesting trying to find out what's the new trends are for the future.

I just found the infographic above. It compiles trends from 151 articles, so I thought you would find this interesting!
Over the next few weeks, I'll discuss several of these trends more in-depth - the ones that I think are relevant to your business.

Till next week, Marijke

Are you active on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram?

One easy way to make your website more interactive, interesting and up to date is by embedding social media widgets. With this I mean for example a live Facebook, Instagram or Tripadvisor feed.

So instead of just displaying the Facebook or Instagram logo, your website visitors will see your latest posts. It also encourages them to LIKE you, which is what you want!

Do you want to know how to add this to your website? If you have a good content management system, you should be able to do this yourself. Otherwise, get your webmaster to do this for you!

Here are the links with instructions on how to do this:
For Facebook: https://developers.facebook.com/docs/plugins/page-plugin
For Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/developer/embedding/
For Tripadvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.co.nz/Widgets 

Till next week, Marijke

20 April 2016: Tourism Marketing Bootcamp Queenstown: learn all about the latest tourism marketing trends.
Don't miss it! A few places left!
Click here for more info!

1. Create a Marketing habit! Set aside a set time each week to work on your marketing & business goals. If you do this, it becomes a habit and you will actually get the things done that you plan to do!  
2. Keep up to date with your marketing! I read 2 marketing or business books a month and I attend conferences, workshops, read online newsletters etc. I don’t remember it all, but I do pick up the things that are useful to my business. And I find it motivational and it inspires me to implement new ideas!
   Do check out the Marketing for Success Programme, you’ll love it!
3. Create a video for your website! Video is a great way to increase the conversion to sales!
4. Keep in touch! Keep in touch with your customers by sending them an update every month or quarter (keep it brief and ensure it relates to them!) Note: do personalise the message!
   
5. Get to know your customers better! Where do they hear about you, what do they want, what do they like, what social media do they use, what could be improved? Plan to survey them regularly. Then create products or experiences that suit your customers!
6. Work with complementary businesses! Develop a package or jointly market your products.
7. Make a list of topics to use in social media & newsletters – then, when you do so, you don’t have to come up with new things all the time! Examples: great photos of customers experiencing your product/service, something funny, something interesting, a link to a video, tips, special deals etc.
8. Communicate your USP’s! Why do your customers choose you over your competition? Your unique selling points, the things that set you apart from others accounts for 50% of your sales. So, do communicate these clearly on your website and promotional material!
9. Make it easy for people to book or buy your product! Whether through online booking, 0800 numbers, distribution through a range of channels. For example if you’re in tourism I mean through your own website, 3rd party websites, booking centres, wholesalers etc. The wider your distribution, the easier it will be for people to find you!
10. Focus on the quality of your service and whole customer experience! The better the service and experience, the better your reviews and word of mouth. Hire enthusiastic staff and train them well!

Do you need help planning your marketing and get support along the way? Do you want to learn new marketing skills and work with like-minded businesses? Then join the 11-month Marketing for Success Programme  starting in April. Click here for more info & testimonials!

Till next week, Marijke