To some people, the online world doesn't appear the way it does to the rest of us. They live their online lives not reading websites on Google or Bing, but casting about on Facebook and Twitter. They do this not because they enjoy standing apart from the crowd and being quirky (although there must be some of that to be sure), but because there are some fabulous opportunities available to them when they go about things this way. For instance, what is the best travel website you go to, to buy a round-trip to somewhere or the other? Expedia? Orbitz? Priceline?
As far as these people are concerned, that's almost like saying you use Ask Jeeves or Alta Vista (or some other sad and lost search engine) to look for information. To them, when it comes to travel deals, Twitter is where all the action is. All-in-one, it gives you access to the best flight and hotel prices, when there is a problem, it helps you get attention like nothing else, and it allows you personalized service (and upgrades).
Actually, most Twitter users do know pretty well that there are travel deals to be had. They even know that complaining on Twitter can make businesses jump like few other things can. It's just this personalized service thing that Twitter users don’t usually know enough to take advantage of. And in this way, it’s the best travel website experience ever.
For instance, you know that you’ll be arriving at a city late at night; but you still want something off the lunch menu because at that hotel, tucking into that is the favorite part of your entire stay. Sending a tweet over ahead of your visit asking for a little special consideration will usually get what you need – the lunch menu available at 1 AM in the middle of the night. For those who know their way around Twitter, the social networking and microblogging website provides them with a way of getting personalized service in a world filled with bland mass-produced service.
Twitter can do things for you that the best travel website of the regular kind never could. Need hotel recommendations from friends or self-styled experts around the country whom you've never met? Feel lonely after work in a new city and would like a temporary friend to catch a play with or go to dinner with? What other travel websites could help you achieve these things?
Certainly, travelers can go to Twitter for some extra service. Travel companies – hotels and airlines – love Twitter too though for how it allows them to stay on top of that their customers minds. JetBlue has such an entertaining Twitter feed, it has 1 million followers. In Las Vegas, the MGM Grand casino puts out to the public and classic Vegas fashion – on a large lighted sign on the strip.
Still, not everyone really understands how best to engage Twitter in a way that serves their needs. Companies, to begin with, aren't really doing all they can to entertain their regulars with tips and news bits that will keep them engaged with the company. All they do is to ply their followers with advertising and drive them away. In general, companies need to realize that there are two kinds of followers – those who like advertising and deals, and those who like information. They need to keep separate Twitter accounts for both.
As for travelers, they need to understand how to get into all of this. The first thing you need to do is to get on Twitter and broadcast your travel plans. You can be sure that hotels in the city you're going to will be listening and they will come in with some special offers.
Travel Accessories Samsonite Space Saver Bags Medium Packs Set of 4
0 comments:
Post a Comment