Hiring a hotel marketing task force can be the game-changer your property needs, especially during transitional periods, leadership gaps, rebranding efforts, or aggressive revenue goals. But success hinges on choosing the right team. Whether you manage an independent boutique or a full-service branded property, use this checklist to ensure you bring in the right experts to elevate your hotel marketing strategy.
1. Define Clear Objectives
Before reaching out to agencies or freelancers, clearly outline what you need support with. Are you looking for help with:
- Digital marketing strategy?
- Social media management?
- Website SEO and content refresh?
- Paid advertising campaigns?
- New brand launch or rebranding?
Clarifying your goals will help you find specialists aligned with your priorities.
2. Prioritize Hospitality Experience
Marketing for hotels isn’t the same as marketing for other industries. Look for a task force that understands:
- Seasonal booking patterns
- Revenue management principles
- Group and leisure segment marketing
- Loyalty programs
- OTA management and direct booking strategies
Experience with major brands like Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, or IHG is a plus, especially if your property is flagged under one of them.
3. Know Your Property Type
Is this for a brand, branded lifestyle, or independent hotel? Make sure the task force knows the difference and can adjust their strategy accordingly. Understanding the nuances between these property types is critical to crafting messaging and marketing tactics that resonate with the right audience.
4. Review Their Portfolio
Ask for case studies or examples of past hotel marketing work. Look for:
- Specific, measurable results (e.g., “Increased direct bookings by 30% in six months.”)
- Properties similar in size, market, or brand to yours
- Demonstrated creativity and strategic thinking
5. Confirm Their Knowledge of Brand Standards
If you operate under a brand, it’s critical that the team understands brand guidelines, approval processes, and systems like:
- Marriott’s MDS
- Hilton’s OHW
- IHG Concerto
Mistakes here can lead to costly compliance issues or delays.
6. Evaluate Their Understanding of STR Measurements
Can they read and interpret STR reports? A strong task force should be able to quickly align with your property needs, identify opportunities, and pivot strategies between properties if you operate a portfolio.
7. Evaluate Their Range of Services
Hotel marketing needs can change quickly. Seek a task force that can flex between needs, offering:
- Paid media management (SEM, social ads)
- Content creation (copywriting, photography, video)
- Website design or updates
- Reputation management and review response
- Email marketing
Bonus points if they can also support sales with B2B marketing tools.
8. Ask About Reporting and KPIs
Accountability matters. Confirm they:
- Offer regular performance reports
- Track key metrics (website traffic, conversion rates, ADR impact, RevPAR improvement)
- Provide insights and recommendations, not just data dumps
9. Check Availability and Response Time
Marketing opportunities and challenges pop up fast. Ensure the team:
- Can start quickly
- Maintains reasonable response times (especially for urgent promotions or reputation crises)
- Offers a main point of contact for streamlined communication
10. Clarify Budget and Scope
Be upfront about your budget and expectations. A good task force should:
- Provide clear pricing and payment terms
- Outline what’s included and what would be considered extra
- Recommend a timeline for key deliverables
Transparency now prevents surprises later.
11. Verify References
Finally, ask for and check references. Previous clients can tell you:
- How effective and easy to work with the team was
- How flexible and proactive they were
- Whether they delivered on time and on budget
Hiring a hotel marketing task force can give you fresh expertise, fill in leadership gaps, and drive immediate results—but only if you vet carefully. Use this checklist as your roadmap to finding the right team that understands your brand, your market, and your goals.
Want to see the difference an experienced hotel marketing team can make? View our latest case study and contact KeyBuzz Digital for a free consultation. Let’s make your hotel’s marketing efforts shine!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I hire a hotel marketing task force?
Start by defining clear objectives, reviewing hospitality-specific experience, and ensuring candidates understand your property’s brand standards and STR reporting. Use a checklist like this one to guide your selection process.
What should a hotel marketing task force know about STR reports?
An experienced task force should know how to read STR reports to benchmark your property’s performance, spot opportunities, and pivot marketing strategies quickly, especially if managing multiple properties.
Can a hotel marketing task force handle both branded and independent hotels?
Yes, but it’s important to verify that the team understands the differences between brand, branded lifestyle, and independent hotels. They should be able to tailor marketing strategies based on your specific property type and brand requirements.
