Ecolodge Marketing

When it comes to the digital world, you have to think a litte bit out of the box. Because digital marketing isn’t just what you think it is. There is always a bit more.

Digital marketing is really about reaching anyone, anywhere, on any device, and on any platform. Most people get the “device” part. Smartphone, ipad, tablet, or laptop – that makes sense. And the idea of 24-7 is common.

But different platforms might be a bit of a challenge. What platforms are you familiar with?

I would describe a platform as a destination or screen that has a community, or set of digital choices, in a searchable and organic format. Here are some familiar platforms for you to promote to or show up in:

• Google
• Yahoo
• Bing
• Facebook
• Pinterest
• Instagram
• Digital magazines
• Blogs
• Ecotourism sites

The Amazon Search Engine
I am going to suggest something a little bit different, but just as potent. Have you gone to Amazon.com lately, and looked for a book? First, you go to Amazon and search for the topic you are interested in, such as “ecolodges”. Then you look at what comes up, and all of your choices are books and guides that are at different price points.

Now when most people start thinking about “writing a book”, they think about editors, and a publisher, and months of research and work. I’d like to challenge that notion and suggest you write a book about your region and your ecolodge.

Have it show up in Amazon when someone is searching for the term “ecolodge”!

• You probably have already enough material already – if you have been writing a blog and posting pictures.
• It will put you in front of hundreds of thousands of interested prospects who are browsing in Amazon.
• You can fill up your book with pictures, links, videos, and even testimonials.
• Showcase your property with all the best photos, Trip advisor badges, inside stories, personal anecdotes, and anything other content you have created over the last 12 months.
• You can even give them tips about when you offseason is or how to get around your area, ideas for restaurants and tours, and go into as much detail as you want. Think of it as a user guide for your property, giving the reader a feeling for what it is like to be there.
• Not difficult to create – you can use a Microsoft Word document and then find an inexpensive technician to create the code for upload.
• And if you look in your area you’ll see no one is taking advantage of this vast audience inside Amazon!

Because it is a digital book, you can update it at any time. You are not tied to a printed edition of 10,000! Just upload the latest edition and it will automatically populate the digital file on Amazon. This way you can keep current with your promotions or with any new material you want to feature.

Amazon will also print paper copies for you, and you can order as many copies as you need (from 1 to 1,000+). Give them to your guests as a guide book for your area, and use extra copies to distribute locally. Visit www.createspace.com for details.