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2 Vacation Spots Killing It With Social Media Marketing

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Posted by John Beveridge on Jul 1, 2013 6:20:00 PM

Slim Shady's Back webFor Eddie Cochran, "there ain't no cure for the summertime blues." For most of us, summer conjures up memories of freedom, exploration and checking out really cool places. Which brings me to the point of this blog post - 2 of my favorite vacation destinations that make you feel like you're there all year round with their social media marketing. I'm talking about the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and the Sonoran Desert Museum in Tucson, AZ. I love both of these places because they offer nature in all its glory to their visitors. I live in the Washington DC metro area - home to the country's worst traffic and a competitive lifestyle. For me, experiencing nature is the most relaxing thing in the world. I seek it out often. In the article below, I'll explain how 2 of my favorite outdoor destinations let me experience their beauty all year long.

Shenandoah National Park

We have a mountain home 90 minutes outside of DC in Etlan, VA - roughly 5 miles from the Shenandoah National Park border. The Shenandoah Mountains hold a spritual allure for me. The timeless beauty, fishing for native brook trout and seeing wildlife up close and personal make the Shenandoah Mountains my favorite place on the planet. The picture of the bear above was taken last week 10 feet outside our front door. There's nothing like seeing a bear at close range to make you feel alive.

Even when I'm not there, the Park's Facebook Page makes me feel like I am. Here's their Facebook profile text:

Gazing across the horizon from the peaks of Shenandoah National Park, it's hard to believe you are just 75 miles from the bustle of our nation's capital. 500 miles of trails lead hikers to waterfalls, vistas, and the quiet of the woods.

Sound good? In the past week, they've shared posts with images and descriptive information on:

  • an ancient lava flow
  • woodland fungi
  • peregrine falcons
  • barred owls
  • President Hoover's fishing camp on the Rapidan River

If you've been there and enjoyed yourself, their Facebook posts will make you want to go back. They always leave me wanting more.

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

I had one of those good news-bad news situations a few years ago. The bad news was that my dive buddy, motorcycle partner and best friend moved to Tucson, AZ. The good news was that now I get to visit him in Tucson. Every time we go, we always go to the Sonoran Desert Museum. The term museum is a bit of a misnomer; it's part zoo, part desert garden and part history museum. If you want to see what the Sonoran Desert is all about, this is the place to go. Mountain lions, bighorn sheep, rattlesnakes, Gila monsters and Saguaro cacti are all on offer. It's really an amazing place.

Like the Shenandoah National Park, they have active presence on Facebook. Some of their recent Facebook activity included:

  • a contest to name their new mountain lion cub
  • information on their raptor free flight program
  • astronomy in the desert
  • photos and information on torch cactus blossoms

Like the Shenandoah's, their Facebook page makes you want to go back and let's you take a mini-vacation in your mind.

Mountain Lion cub

Mountain Lion Cub Image Courtesy of Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

How do these 2 vacation destinations delight their fans?

These 2 vacation destinations use social media best practices that you can use in your business social media marketing. Here are a few.

They know their audience and focus their social media efforts on them

Both of these destinations have two primary audiences: vacationers who either want to visit or visit again and locals who visit on a regular basis. They focus their efforts on social media networks that their fans frequent. They are Facebook marketers; they don't waste their time on LinkedIn. Their posts mix entertainment and education - what more could any Mom want for her kids?

They are consistent with their social media marketing

Both destinations consistently post to their Facebook accounts; their fans won't go for weeks without seeing a post. They make sure that each post is interesting to at least a segment of their fan base.

They incorporate different types of media into their social media marketing

Both destinations have stunning visual content at their fingertips and they take advantage of it. I always look forward to the photos and videos of the amazingly beautiful flora and fauna from the desert and eastern woodlands. It's not just looking at pictures, they always include educational information with their posts. I don't just see the pictures of the mountain lion cub, I learn how mountain lions reproduce in nature.

They give their fans opportunities to participate

Each of these destinations understands that communication is a two-way street. Here are 3 ways the Sonoran Desert Museum gave their fans a chance to participate in the last month:

  1. They held a contest to name the new mountain lion cub
  2. They offered volunteer opportunities in the free raptor program and other programs at the museum
  3. They invited fans to their Cool Summer Nights series

They both draw you in and welcome you to their community.

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Summary

I was inspired to write this post because it's summertime and I'm feeling that sense of exploration that comes to me every summer. For these two places, it doesn't matter that it's summer. Their social media marketing lets me experience them all year round. I highly encourage you to check out their Facebook pages and think about how you can incorporate some of their tactics into your social media marketing. Your business might not have a mountain lion cub to brag about, but you have customers that you can delight. Be helpful and be remarkable and your business will prosper. Lastly, get out and see America this summer - we have the most beautiful, amazing country in the world. Make an effort to see it with your friends and family.

Topics: Social Media

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