How social media has 'Linkedin' to hospitality

Social media is becoming ever more popular and the competition between the various forms of networking is even greater. With it being such a diverse tool, it can be used to network yourself and gain a good reputation in the same way as keeping in touch with family and friends is very straightforward.

As social media is forever expanding, it begs the question of which is the most popular platform being used in the present day? The answer is Facebook and (Ofcom, 2014) of the 2/3 of people having an active profile on any platform in the United Kingdom (UK), 96% of them have an active Facebook account showing what a vast global brand it has become.

Twitter has always being associated with having a user rivalry with Facebook and in the UK alone ₍₁₎ 30% of social network users have an account coming up well short in comparison. Despite being well respected by many, it has now been demoted from 2^nd place in the rankings by Instagram (Sparkes, 2014) who boasts 300 million worldwide users compared to Twitters’ 271 million users. After being bought by the networking heavyweights Facebook in 2012 (BBC Technology, 2012) for a whopping $1 billion, it has grown and consequently has shot up the social media leader board.

Instagram has benefitted from its simplicity and flexibility. Users can post their photos at the touch of a button linking them in to their Facebook and Twitter profiles therefore enabling a wider audience to see the images.

As far as hospitality is concerned, LinkedIn would be a surprisingly popular choice between chefs and managers alike. It has accumulated 15 million worldwide users (Eckstein 2014)and has unlimited potential to broadcast and network yourself resulting in a growing platform despite it being a network and not a social based media website. This enables users to market themselves with a view to career progression and further networking. The hospitality trade can look between each other’s businesses in search of inspiration and in turn aspiring to be like others.

With all this exposure, is it benefitting or downgrading our industry?

BBC Technology, 2012, Facebook buys Instagram photo sharing network for $1bn, BBC, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-17658264 (Accessed 30th September 2015)

Eckstein.A, 2014, Thank you to our 15 million members in the UK, LinkedIn Official Blog, http://blog.linkedin.com/2014/03/11/15-million-members-in-the-uk/ (Accessed on 25th September 2015) 

Ofcom, 2014, A range of social media devices are being used, although Facebook remains the default service, Adults' Media use and Attitudes Report 2014,(online), http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/market-data-research/other/research-publications/adults/adults-media-lit-14/ (Accessed 23rd September 2015)

 

Sparkes.M, 2014, Instagram overtakes Twitter to 300m users, The Telegraph, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/facebook/11285727/Instagram-overtakes-Twitter-to-reach-300m-users.html , (Accessed 22nd September 2015)

Social media forever growing in hospitality industry

How many of you have a social media account? If you do it would be no surprise as it is establishing itself into a major part of many industries and the hospitality trade is no exception. Whether it is Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn or other platforms, it is used to voice the opinions of delighted guests furthermore encouraging businesses to disseminate their latest offers and upcoming events on their accounts in order to gain extra custom.

"Websites and applications used for social networking"

Collins Dictionary 17th July 2013

Social media has been around since the turn of the century and it has come on leaps and bounds and is at the forefront in many people’s lives. By evolving rapidly in a short space of time, it also has fast become an essential part of the hospitality sector ensuring that hospitality is in keeping with the times and not being left behind in the business world. A regular occurrence in the present day is when walking down the high street and seeing several advertisements stating “follow us on Twitter” or “like us on Facebook” outside any catering establishment be it a small café or a large chain hotel. A strong internet presence including an easy to use website is an essential part of any modern successful business.

Making sure you use and not abuse social media could mean a significant change in fortune for a business if advertising it in the right way. Translating a warm and open presence to your target audience could result in positive feedback and an increase in profit so using the correct wording and posting irresistible offers will ensure positive repercussions in any business. It can also be used on business cards or posters if advertising further outside from the local area.

Despite the general opinion that social media is a young person’s thing, this really is not true. We are an ageing population and the silver surfers have a substantial disposable income which enables them to select the perfect place for them to eat or spend holidays. The internet is the tool they use to research all their requirements.