How to use Twitter, Facebook for travel plans, deals

Discover deals and information on travel spots on Twiter. Follow me on
Twiter @RoriTravel to learn more (AP Photo/twitter.com)

By now you've heard of Twitter and Facebook, and likely are at least beginning to understand that they are not the bastion of teenagers and geeks.  Indeed as these two social media venues grow monthly, adding literally millions of participants each year, they have opened up a world of opportunities for businesses to make contact with you.

While both Facebook and Twitter started as ways for friends and family to make connections online, businesses around the world have begun to discover they are also easy, free and personalized means by which to communicate with their audience; you.

That means that they are out there, talking with those who use their products or services, finding out what you like and don't like (something in and of itself an exciting prospect), and sharing with their followers and fans discounts and deals.

What does this all mean for the consumer (you) and how you can and should plan your next vacation or getaway?

It means discounts, deals, and ways to save money on those trips and getaways.

It also means that in an ever-changing and uncertain economy, not to mention a world of stress and uncertainty where you need and want to be able to take a vacation or getaways, you can do it and save money along the way.

Be it a weekend at a local hotel, a dinner at a nice restaurant, or a trip to your favorite destination, Twitter and Facebook have become a place to advertise great deals that will benefit your plans.

So, how can you take advantage?

First, get on Twitter and Facebook.

Free to join and use, by signing up you open yourself to a literal world of information and possibilties.  By going into www.twitter.com and www.facebook.com, you simply create a login and password, then begin to set up your own, personalized page.

Don't worry, you are not required to tell the world that you just got out of the shower, made toast or have kids at school.  You can share as little or as much as you wish, and you can equally control who can follow you or read your information.

Or, you can use each as a marketing platform for your own business, and get in on the action.  (Frankly, businesses that are not using these platforms are already behind the curve and many are rushing to join without proper thought.  We discuss these issues in other article of interest - please see below for a listing.)

Find businesses to follow

This is the simple part.  Perhpas you already know that a restaurant you enjoy is on Twitter or Facebook (or both).  Search for them, follow, and begin to see how they are keeping their fans and followers up-to-date on their business.

You can also search by hashtags on Twitter.  That means putting something like #floridavacation into the search space, hit search, and be amazed at all the people talking about that topic (or not if it's not something not being looked for).  Scroll through the thousands, perhaps millions of people who are talking, in 140 characters, about their throughts, experiences, and more.

See how people are not liking something, or highly recommending something.

And, find the (travel) businesses that are there.

Facebook offers a platform for travel businesses to reach
out and share information with ttheir customers. (AP
Photo/The Canadian Press, Sean Kilpatrick)

For example, a Mount Dora Inn, (@MountDora) Tremain Street Cottages, is a travel destination that I have talked about, and their accompanying website, www.whattodoinmountdora.com that provides great information on Mount Dora.  I've also written about owner, Brian Young, and how he has used Twitter to attract business.

By searching for @MountDora, you'll come up with the yellow and green logo, and a whole range of things Brian has shared with his growing list of followers.

Scrolling through, you'll see deals for staying at the cottages, find out about events throughout the quaint, eastern-charm-filled Mount Dora, and even advertising for other businesses in town.

On one occasion, Brian put out word for a local business that was giving a discount that day for lunch to anyone who came in with the coupon they'd shared on Twitter.  That afternoon, 3 customers walked in the door with the coupon.  This small town, 45 minutes north of Orlando, has jumped onto the tourism map in no small way, with the help of Brian Young.

And Brian is not the only one to use Twitter to promote their business while offering you the deals.

Many types of businesses are on Twitter and Facebook

I've been lucky in my work, to get to be able to talk with a range of people in a range of travel related businesses.  A quick browse through my other articles will demonstrate the types of businesses already using Twitter and Facebook, or starting to jump into the game now.

Recently I talked with the folks at Galena Cellars Winery.  They too have begun to participate in the social marketing world, with a presence on both Twitter and Facebook.  Take a look at what they're talking about.  You'll find tips, ideas and deals that you can use to enjoy their wines and winery.

But, wineries and cottages are not the end of it.  You will find world class hotels from across the country and around the world.  Restaurants of every size and kind are there.  CVB's (Convention and Visitors Bureau's) are joining.  Even the airlines, many actually leaders in the social media marketing venue, are on Twitter and Facebook with great deals.

Look for some of those that I follow: @VisitPensacola, @MountDora, @HiltonAnaheim, @AbbeyResort, @Costco_Travel, @GolfSigma, @gorockford, @WigwamMotel & @HiltonSedona. 

By following any of these folks on Twitter or Facebook, you'll be among the first to know about a deal or discount taking place.  Local or far away, you can take a break for lunch, or take a vacation, and find a deal along the way.

For Fans and Followers Only

Many of these businesses, as a way of showing their fans and followers their appreciation, and realistically, as a way to get people to continue to follow or look to follow them, are now offering deals only to followers and fans.

While you may stop in that restaurant a few times a week, unless you are a follower on Twitter or a fan on Facebook, you may never find out about a special coupon they're offering.

And while not all are using this tact all the time (or at all), they are only advertising those deals or discounts on Twitter and Facebook and not in another "more traditional" venue, so how else would you know or be able to take advantage?

At Mount Dora and Tremain Street Cottages are part of the Twitter
efforts of Brian Young (Photo courtesty of Tremain Street Cottages)

Save bucks, get on Twitter and Facebook

In the end you can continue to stay off of the social media road.  No problem.  But if you do, you are missing out.

This is now a fact

Increasingly businesses are using these platforms as a marketing tool.  Finding the ease of use, the aspect of it being free, and the ability to create a more personalized conversation with their audience, the businesses that are using social media are finding an increase in business, and to continue to help that business grow, they are offering a range of discounts and opportunities for their audience to take advantage of.

You do not have to tell the world your personal business, nor do you have to be on there every day.  Yet, you will find in growing numbers, ways to help you save time, money and energy when you're looking or information on a product, service or location.

And if you are wondering if this all will continue?

I'm not a fortune teller, but I have to believe, yes.

When you consider that businesses around the world can use these sites for free, are invited to communicate with people in their homes, cars and at work, and the little guy now has a real chance of competing with the big guys, yes, I think it will continue.

When you also consider that travel (and most industries) have taken a hit, they are all looking for ways to reach out and bring customers through the door.

But also, as the economy changes, you will find that as businesses learn that people are spending more time online, and less reading newspapers or sticking around for commercials during their favorite shows (think TiVo) you'll see more and more taking advantage of the Twitter-Facebook-social-media-venue to bring their message to the public.

So yes, I believe it's safe to say that social media marketing is here to stay.  And you need to take advantage for your bottom line as well.

LIst of Hotels on Twitter

A fellow Examiner posted an article, providing in it, a list of 100 hotels currently using Twitter. Please take a look at the article, and of course, use the list to help you identitfy hotels of interest. 

Additionally, I invite you to follow my RoriTravel page on Twitter. I provide followers with insights, information, tips and RT's about travel in the U.S.. I have many travel and tourism businesses following me, and frequently RT them, talk about them, and even write about them in both of my columns.