Bloggers, Influencers Visiting Belize – Will It Work For You

Let’s start with this:  An influencer is the individual whose can effect a purchase decision is in some way significant or authoritative.

I’ve been getting this question more and more from business owners in Belize.

“I recently received an email from a travel blogger, asking me for a free week’s stay for his family.  What should I do?”

And clearly I am not completely unbiased in this field but I DO think that working with a “influencer” can be one of the best ways to advertise if you do it right.  I LOVE reading blogs when I travel…or when I shop.  I can spend an hour a day flipping through photos on Instagram looking at beautiful places and things.  But in the end, this is OH SO personal – to your business and your needs…

But I have a opinion.

It goes a little something like this:

If you check on Instagram – my favorite sharing medium and perhaps the most influential for spreading one’s brand around the globe – you’ll see that there are lots of bloggers visiting Belize these days.  Travel bloggers and lifestyle bloggers – INFLUENCERS.

I LOVE seeing Belize from the perspective of visitors – especially those that take gorgeous photos.

Oneika the Traveler (Instagram OneikaTheTraveler) at Victoria House, Ambergris Caye

Javon Alvin’s AWESOME video about visiting the Phoenix on Ambergris Caye and CocoPlum Resort in the south (Instagram  @javinalvin)

Video:  The Most Beautiful Place You’ve Never Seen

Brazilian Influencers (Instagram: Vamospraonde) recently sponsored by the BTB

It’s a great question and a very tricky and highly personal one – AND I think it can be some of the best, cheapest advertising around – but only if you pick the right match.

Here are some suggestions from me.  I’d love to know what you think.  Ask for the numbers.  How many readers do they have, followers on FB, Instagram and other social media outlets that are important to your business.  Take a look at their stuff…does it speak to who YOU want to speak to?  Will they reach people that you are unable to reach in your advertising?

Talking to 400,000 Vegans in Sri Lanka (I used a random country generator – I’m not against Sri Lankan bloggers) is a huge number!  But do you think any of them will visit you?  Maybe their audience is smaller but it is an audience that you want to reach?  Perhaps check out a post they did on another hotel – is that how you would like to be portrayed?  Do they seem credible?

And maybe ask what they plan on publishing for you.  One instagram photo that is seen for a day or two?    Content on their website or a video that can be a reference – and link – on the internet for years to come?  It’s up to you.

If they are staying at your hotel, what do you want them to associate with it?  You know your brand best!  The gorgeous beach?  A trip to the Blue Hole?  A golf cart ride to show how easy it is to get around from your hotel?  A sunset dinner by the water…a massage?

I could go on for a while but this is all up to you.  All I know for sure is that the right fit could be fantastic for your brand.

I’d love to know what you think.

Posted in: