Huge List of Lessons Learned at HSMAI’s Digital Marketing Strategy Conference – Travel Tuesday

At last week’s HSMAI Digital Marketing Strategy Conference, Yahoo Travel executive editor Laura Begley (@laurabegley) said, “Hospitality is 2nd oldest profession, but there’s been more innovation in the first.” Which, I’ve gotta admit, feels true. But is it really true? As many of the outstanding presentations and discussions during the day illustrated, maybe not.

I basically live-tweeted the event, trying to capture the very best takeaways from the various speakers. Here’s what I got from the day:

Customer Experience

• As @AdeleGutman noted, customer experience provides entire basis for hospitality marketing. So true.
• The level of connection with guest on-property depends on what guest needs/wants.
• Very interesting @CornellCHR data from Chris Anderson
• Hugely important concept: value of reviews to driving rates/pricing featuring great data from Chris Anderson
• Customer experience matters. A lot. So says @CornellCHR’s Chris Anderson—and he’s got the data to back it up:
• Treat every guest like a VIP travel writer (which they are today), you’ll never go wrong via @AdeleGutman

Digital Execution

• Google’s Tiffany Miller says 50% of travelers start their buyer’s journey without a brand in mind.
• Great proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Nice job, @AdeleGutman
• @NowItsLaura Yes. But when alternative is “none at all,” even modest improvement is step in right direction.
• So true: Bernard Ellis says before worrying about big data, worry about your data
• Yep. Good stuff. RT @jennzajac: The funnel is not linear – handle your big problems first
• 2.4 weeks to convince travelers to choose you across 18 sites and 8 sessions. @google
• Yep: Prioritize channels you own, not channels you rent. Travelers still visit hotel sites.
• RT @gregbodenlos: “Hotels near me” = smart keyword to purchase for mobile users near airports with bad weather – @RyanDGibson
• Jet Blue using team of stay-at-home parents for social media listening/response per @laurabegley . Smart.

Content

• Provide shareable content to guests before they travel. Great idea from @laurabegley
• Interesting use of @instagram photos on hotel websites by @Kimpton and @HiltonHotels. Smart idea from
• “If this, then that…” style message sequencing is brilliant personalization idea from @Kimpton’s Heather Richer
• RT @goorooryan: Hotel Del Coronado uses soft messaging to engage guests post-stay: i.e. recipe from the chef or a spa ritual.
• Smart idea: Co-create content with customers, involve in process to tell brand story. @google
• Excellent strategy to drive traffic/bookings: multiply influencers. @google

Mobile

• More than half of travelers called to purchase in 2013. Why? Mobile booking still needs work. @eMarketer
• So true: Mobile apps and mobile web must work together, depends on customer need. @eMarketer
• Social or site login necessary to track customers across devices/channels. BUT, you must provide value for login. @eMarketer
• @eMarketer says hotels are 1/3 of all mobile #travel purchases. Must provide better mobile booking experience.
• More than 1 in 5 purchases will happen on mobile in 2015. 1 in 4 in #travel. Via @eMarketer
• Time spent on mobile by US adults greater than on desktop according to @eMarketer
• @eMarketer summed it up best: Mobile strategy MUST start with customer first

All in all, it was a great day. I’m already looking forward to next year’s conference and hearing more from the industry’s thought leaders. Be sure to follow all these folks (and, while you’re at it follow me) on Twitter to get even more great insights.

If you want to learn even more about how customers changing behavior shapes e-commerce and marketing, be sure an register to receive a special report I’ve produced in conjunction with hotel marketing firm Vizergy, “Digital Hotel Marketing in a Multiscreen World.” While it’s targeted specifically at hotel and resort marketers, the lessons apply to just about any business. You can get your free copy of the report here.

Plus, don’t miss these slides and video from my recent webinar, “Digital Marketing Directions: Three Key Trends Driving Your Marketing Next Year”:

Finally, you might also want to check out some of our past coverage of the mobile, local, social web and how to make it work for your business, including:

• 10 Key Posts about Millennials and Mobile: E-commerce Link Digest
• The Secrets Behind “It’s All E-commerce” for 2014
• Should Marketers Really Trust Google in 2014?
• The Zen of Digital Marketing Strategy
• 7 Steps to E-Commerce Heaven
• Today and Tomorrow: Mobile and The Changing Customer Journey
• Mobile Makes E-commerce Even More “Frictionless”
• Your 2014 Internet Marketing New Year’s Resolutions – Thinks Out Loud Episode 56