Tag: Advocates

Why better conversations with travelers lead to bigger successes for Plunge Beach Resort

Building an audience of like-minded folks is a top priority for 163-key Plunge Beach Resort. After all, as an independent hotel set in the lesser-known market of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, the property would be remiss to rely on marketing efforts from the municipalities of Fort Lauderdale and Miami alone.

It’s sleek, surf-inspired design, and edgy restaurants make it an unexpected gem in its neighborhood, and while the resort provides the unique experience its guests seek out, it’s not in an obvious location where those specific planners tend to search.

With this in mind, the team at Plunge Beach Resort knew an owned audience opens up the opportunity to have better, more authentic conversations with future travelers, and to key in on a right-fit demographic for their hip beachfront hotel.

In doing so, the property is able to win over travelers with a higher return on investment than through traditional marketing alone.

Photo submission from Jennifer C. showing a woman at the beach with hands outstretched looking out onto the ocean.

Advocacy in the dreaming phase

Our team at Flip.to initially worked with Plunge Beach Resort to build and grow their audience through Advocacy. There, the resort is introduced to friends and family of their guests, which are a perfect demographic to consistently fill their marketing funnel.

Advocacy reaches the traveler at their point of inspiration, and opens a dialogue with the resort that’s nurtured by the platform to help these warm leads convert.

Photo submission from Diane S. showing a beach at sunset with an empty hammock in between palm trees.

Discovery in the planning phase

Halfway through this year, the resort also began sparking conversations with travelers in another phase of the traveler journey—the planning phase. By switching on Discovery, Plunge Beach Resort aims to learn more about visitors who land on their site, ready to plan a trip.

Discovery unveils planners deciding where to go next, learns their intent and booking time-frame, and re-engages that traveler along their decision-making journey to help win them over for Plunge Beach.

In fact, whether that window is near-term or farther out, the platform helps the property re-engage at the appropriate time and with the right message to convert, all based on their intent. And it even helps extend a guest’s stay.

The results

Both parts of the Flip.to platform are performing swimmingly (pun intended!) for Plunge Beach, leading to a 137X return on investment. While the numbers speak for themselves, the biggest takeaway is that better conversations with travelers lead to better business for our partners.

Infographic: A look at Impact, 90 Days for Plunge Beach Resort. 47,207 friends & family reached thanks to 93 advocates; 4,097 planners unveiled considering a stay at Plunge Beach Resort; Plunge Beach Resort has earned and tracked $198,033 in direct revenue, a 137X return on investment

Academy: the scoop on advocates and warm leads

At Flip.to, we help turn travelers into advocates—a powerful marketing force who introduce people around the globe to destinations and hotels. There’s really no better way to get introduced to the folks you’re already trying to reach.

Every so often, we get the question, “So, who are my advocates, and what will they do for me?” (And we’re still trying to settle that tricky advocates vs. avocado dilemma…)

Well, rather than spell it out here, we figured why not tell you ourselves! Tune in below—I’ll let our Director of Partnerships, Ricky take it from here.

A team of advocates:

 

From warm lead to future traveler:

 

In short—your advocates are powerful. When trust becomes your new currency, you can bank on big impact. The best thing? We track the impact every step of the way, from warm leads all the way down to booked room nights.

Are you a destination or hotel looking to level up? Get in touch here. We’ll share how advocacy is changing the game for the hospitality and tourism industries worldwide.