Establishing a successful food tour is like preparing Thanksgiving dinner: There’s thousands of ways to put your own unique twist on every dish, but skip the fundamental ingredients, and things might not come together the way you envisioned. Whether launching a new business or looking for more ways to improve the customer experience, sink your teeth into these eight best practices for running a successful epicurean excursion.

1. Work With The Visitor's Bureau And/Or Local Community Organizations

Partnering with a local community organization can help accelerate growth, build beneficial connections, inspire new offerings and amplify visibility for your business.Walks of New York is one example of a company directly benefitting from its membership with NYC & Company—the official destination marketing organization for New York’s five boroughs. Stephen Oddo, Walks of New York co-founder, says his business is promoted through NYC & Company’s online and offline publications that reach millions annually, along with the organization’s website, visitor guides, maps and materials distributed directly to travel and meeting planners.Getting promoted in NYC & Company's many online and print publications is just one way Walks of New York benefits from its membership with the marketing organization.Over on the West Coast, no one could agree more than President Donald Contursi of Lip Smacking Foodie Tours in Las Vegas. To say Contursi understands the value of partnerships would be an understatement: He's on the Board of Directors for the Las Vegas Hospitality Association; a corporate sponsor for the Southern Nevada Hotel Concierge Association; and an affiliate member of the National Concierge Association.“Las Vegas has a lot of really amazing restaurants and most people don’t realize they can experience four or five of those restaurants all in one night,” he explains. “It’s about getting the word out there, and there’s a lot of different organizations that will help you do so. I try to get involved with all of them.”Jumpstart your own success story: Research membership requirements with local groups such as the visitor’s bureau, economic development corporation, chamber of commerce, cultural society or downtown business association. Start by visiting your city’s website to get a feel for what types of resources are available to local business owners.

2. Mind Your Marketing

Dining is as much a visual experience as it is savory: You wouldn’t put a beautiful batch of mocha cupcakes with espresso buttercream frosting in a dark cupboard where no one will be tempted to buy them. Tractor beam potential customers like kids to a bakery case by allocating a portion of your operating budget for Internet marketing.Along with online sales distribution channels, Walk of New York focuses most of its marketing efforts on Social Media Marketing (SMM), Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Search Engine Optimization (SEO), and YouTube. Offline, their primary focus is on word-of-mouth marketing (WOMM), attending conventions for hospitality professionals and travel agents. Working with a digital marketing firm to design a strategy that includes the aforementioned solutions will help create a digital footprint that boosts your search rank and bottom line.Being proactive with outreach and attending industry events is also key. In addition to inviting hotel concierges, members of the media and event planners on complimentary tours, Contursi stays connected with organizations that promote the city, such as the Las Vegas Convention & Visitor’s Authority.

3. Create An Authentic Experience

A generic corndog isn’t going to whet the appetite of a gourmand, and neither will a culinary tour that feels cookie-cutter. Designing an authentic experience will delight foodies seeking something truly unique, and also generate word-of-mouth marketing as satisfied customers happily recommend you to their foodie friends.When Walks of New York was designing its Authentic Italian Greenwich Village Food Tour & Tastings, the company set its sights on securing a partnership with celebrity chef Mario Batali because they liked his philosophies and felt he was well-connected to the community. The tour features two of Batali’s restaurants in Greenwich Village, a district rooted in Italian-American history and a staple of New York's food industry. Teaming up with a local chef connected to the city, its culture and its food was important, Oddo tells us.For Contursi, it’s a matter of balance. People want to try something different and learn new things, but that doesn’t mean the experience needs to be too out-of-the-box.“We don’t want to have a food challenge or be too extreme, but we don’t want to provide pizza that anyone could have found on their own, either,” he explains. “It needs to be well-rounded."It’s also important to “elevate” the experience at each venue by treating guests to something special and exclusive—whether it’s a VIP dining experience or a private audience with the chef.“We want to have something that’s unique and provide an experience the guests wouldn’t be able to put together on their own, so that means elevating the experience at each venue they visit,” Contursi says.

4. From Parties Of Two, To Groups Of 20—Be Consistent

“Even if it’s only two people you have booked for the tour, don’t cancel. Show those two people an amazing time, and they’ll go and tell 10 more people about it.”— Donald Contursi, President of Lip Smacking Food ToursDelivering a stellar experience that exceeds expectations should be the benchmark for every single tour, no matter the number of guests. Business doesn’t get off the ground in large groups, Contursi reminds. Starting small and “delivering the product the same way it should be each and every time” is how you grow.

Even if it’s only two people you have booked for the tour, don’t cancel. Show those two people an amazing time, and they’ll go and tell 10 more people about it.

5. What To Look For In A Guide

When exploring a new area, no statement is more compelling to out-of-towners than “this is where the locals go.” At Walks of New York, local guides are handpicked for their expertise and passion, guaranteeing guests an insider's view of the Big Apple.Leverage the power of firsthand knowledge by hiring guides with (1) strong ties to the neighborhoods and cultures featured on different tours, (2) a palpable enthusiasm for celebrating the city and it's culinary scene, and (3) a talent for articulating the story, context and history behind every dish.Having a background in the food and beverage industry is just one component for Contursi. The ideal guide can provide guests with a healthy helping of local insight on other tours, activities, an additional restaurants to try while visiting the area.

6. Hit The Sweet Spot For Duration: 2.5-3 Hours

The typical duration for most food tours is 2.5-3 hours long. This leaves enough time for customers to enjoy two to four experiences, whether walking to multiple venues or experiencing a series of pairings and tastings.“We don’t want it to be too short where they feel like they’re longing for more, but not stretched out for too long where they’re exhausted,” Contursi notes.

7. Pay Attention To Customer Reviews

We can’t stress it enough: Paying attention to online reviews is worth your time. It shows you're an engaged business. It's an opportunity to build one-on-one relationships with guests. It presents ideas for how to improve or adapt based on popular demand. And perhaps most importantly, it helps customers feel like they've been heard and understood.Read more:10 Ways to Increase Positive ReviewsNegative Travel Reviews: Why They Aren't Necessarily Bad

8. Use An Online Booking System

Having an online booking system like Peek Pro can significantly streamline the reservation process and save you from being glued to the phone all day. Some benefits for food tour operators include...* Customize questions for the checkout flow: Improve and personalize the overall experience by having your customers answer a few questions during the booking process. Ask about meal preferences, allergies, favorite flavors, etc.During checkout, Olive & Sinclair Chocolate Co. asks guests about allergies or dietary restrictions, along with their favorite flavor of chocolate bar. Guests are then treated to a complimentary bar in their favorite flavor at the end of the tour.* Automate emails: Build and customize emails to contain essential tour details, such as when and where to meet, how to get there, what to wear, etc. This helps make expectations clear and increase overall customer satisfaction and retention.* Ask for a review: Customize automated review emails sent after the tour. Make it easy for customers to provide feedback by embedding links to Yelp or Trip Advisor directly in the email.* Sell and manage gift cards: Increase revenue during the holidays and throughout the year.* Easily manage and redeem vouchers: Allow customers to redeem vouchers (like Groupon or Living Social) through the checkout flow. This saves staff’s time while providing an improved checkout process for first-time and returning customers.* Save time & maximize revenue with group discounting: Easily create and manage group discounting.* Share manifest reports: Help your tour guides stay prepared with rosters containing all the important booking details and key information (add-ons, preferences, contact info, etc.) to tailor the customer experience. Tour guides can access these rosters anytime, anywhere from their mobile phones.Whether you specialize in rustic food and farm tours that educate guests on sustainable agriculture and artisan food production, or operate hundreds of eclectic culinary events and experiences across the country, these basic ingredients can help your tour rise to the top of the food chain. Bon Appétit!

Whether you're eight or 38, certain activities will always be entertaining. And laser tag—the ultimate hall pass to dart around like a gleeful goofball while zapping your buddies—is definitely one of those experiences.From its niche origins as a real-life action game for sci-fi enthusiasts in the '80s, to its status today as a $288 million dollar industry, proprietors of this blast-of-a-pastime should get acquainted with the new taggers in town: Generation Z, the conscientious, tech-savvy demographic born from 1996 to 2010.With more than 74 million individuals falling into this bracket, Generation Z will comprise 40 percent of the U.S. population by 2020. This group hates talking on the phone. They're wary of disclosing personal information. They've never known life without a mobile device. They might even have to ask Siri, "Who is Billy Dee Williams?" after discovering that Donald Glover is not, in fact, the first actor to play Lando Calrissian in a "Star Wars" movie.At some point, Gen Z kids who grew up playing and loving laser tag will start booking and paying for games on their own. As a laser tag business operator, preparing to engage with this new generation of customers is crucial to keeping your arena forever glowing with infrared-lit fun.Here are five easy ways to engage Generation Z with your laser tag business:

1. Be Thoroughly Detailed On The Web

The first step is as easy as slipping into your vest. Make every detail about your business accessible anytime, anywhere—on your website, that is. Here’s why: Generation Z has never known a world without Internet access. If they're dying to know the nearest place to get a cheesesteak at 11 a.m., they'll Yelp it. If they need to know who sings that old “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” song, they'll Shazam it. And when they want to find a place to play laser tag, Google is the first—and quite possibly the only—place they’ll look.

2. Be Mobile-Friendly

On average, the kids of Generation Z use five screens a day: a smartphone, TV, laptop, desktop and iPad. They send and receive more than 67 texts a day according to a Pew Research Center study, and you can bet they'll be snapping photos while playing in your laser tag arena. If Generation Z is spending most of their time browsing from a mobile screen, a website that’s not mobile-friendly won’t cut it.Make sure your website is responsive—a.k.a., it “responds to” or resizes itself depending on the type of device it is being viewed on—so customers can easily access all of your information on-the-go. Request this if someone is designing your website for you, or choose a responsive template such as Wordpress, Squarespace, Webflow or Weebly if you're building the website yourself.

Make sure your website is responsive so customers can easily access all you your information on-the-go

3. Encourage Social Media Interaction

According to a Pew Research study, half of teens use social media for research purposes—not just sharing funny cat videos with friends, or applying 23 different SnapChat filters to their selfie before deciding on the flower crown. Again.If your laser tag business isn't on social media, you're likely to miss out big time on Generation Z customers. Start by creating a fun hashtag, then offer an incentive for customers who share your posts on their own accounts and tag you in it (either with your hashtag, or by tagging your company's social media handle). Encourage this by offering to take team photos before and after each laser tag game, and let your guests know the photo with the most "likes" wins a discount or complimentary game.You can also choose a winner at random: For example, let customers know that anyone who posts and tags their photo is eligible to win, and that a winner will be chosen at random every week, month, etc. Generation Z likes to see real-life customers in action, and running a laser tag facility means there's no shortage of photo ops.Code Red Laser Tag does a fabulous job posting high-quality images from different group games on their Facebook page. Staying active on your social pages will attract more followers and encourage fans to share your posts.Don't limit your company's social presence to one network, though. Generation Z prefers more personal platforms like Instagram, Whisper, Secret and Snapchat, rather than widely broadcasting their information over Facebook or Twitter. Try making a Snapchat account and adding cool snippets of battle scenes to your Snapchat Story. Or post a photo or video from each of your games on Instagram. It could help you gain followers, and entice players to return when they're reminded of how much fun it is.

4. Have A Secure Payment Process

Having a safe, secure payment process is important to Generation Z. Growing up in the midst of the Great Recession and regular fraud scams, these customers don't trust much. Asking them to email credit card numbers or fill out online forms that aren't accredited processors won't fly. Find a safe, secure way to accept payments so your customers aren't discouraged from booking.

5. Use An Online Booking Software

Almost half of Generation Z spends more than three hours a day on the computer for non-school-related purposes. These individuals are true digital natives—and will go through great lengths to avoid talking to you on the phone. Don’t lose customers just because they don’t want to dial your number. Use an online booking system that lets customers book a laser tag game anytime, anywhere—whether during a midnight Taco Bell run in an Uber, or while standing in line at Philz Coffee during a break between classes. Online booking software shouldn't limit the way you can accept payments, either. Find one that works for both phone and mobile reservations..Here are a few more ways laser tag businesses can benefit from an online booking system such as Peek Pro:

• Manually accept bookings with large groups: Allow customers to request a large booking and approve it manually. Bookings can be automatically approved or approved manually by you.
• Add-ons: Customize the checkout flow so customers can easily purchase add-ons when booking (party packages, a better gun, meals, etc.) with their reservation.
• Automated emails: Improve customer expectations, satisfaction and retention with customized emails containing essential details.
• Set prices: Easily set prices for various group sizes or individuals.
• Make it easy for private parties to book: Save certain time slots on the calendar specifically for private parties.
• Ask for a review: Customize automated emails sent to customers after the game. Make it easy for guests to provide feedback by embedding links to Yelp or Trip Advisor directly in the email.
• Sell and manage gift cards: Increase revenue during the holidays and throughout the year.
• Easily manage and redeem vouchers: Allow customers to redeem vouchers (like Groupon or Living Social) through the checkout flow. This saves staff’s time while providing an improved checkout process for first-time and returning customers.

While Generation Z might not have as many original "Star Wars" fans, vesting up and playing laser tag is something all demographics can enjoy. These five tips will help your business stay engaged with the biggest consumer base of the future.

As a sports rental company, you’re not just loaning out equipment by the hour—you’re providing customers with an experience.But one of the biggest mistakes rental companies make is not portraying that experience online. For sports rentals, this should start with exciting and inspiring images.Luckily, you don’t need expensive equipment or a professional photographer to take photos from "so-so" to "spectacular." Here are seven easy and effective tricks for taking better photos with your iPhone:

1. Use the Rule of Thirds

One of the easiest but most overlooked photography techniques is the "rule of thirds." It works by placing the object along one of three intersecting lines—the "thirds."The key is to situate primary and secondary focal points along the grid’s intersections..It’s easy to do if you enable the grid on your iPhone camera. Simply...

1. Go to your iPhone's settings
2. Scroll to "Photos & Camera"
3. Enable the camera grid.

Voila! Now the grid will show up automatically, making it easy to practice the rule of thirds.

2. Follow the Action with Burst Mode

Another challenge sports rental companies face is that many of their best images are action shots featuring hard-to-capture movement.The result? Blurry photos that do nothing to boost your brand. The solution? Burst mode. Where photos capture static moments in time, and video captures the action in its entirety, burst mode takes a series of stills that follow a motion.To shoot in burst mode, hold down the shutter button until the phone begins taking continuous shots. You can then view all photos in the series, delete the ones that turn out blurry and post the ones with a real "wow" factor.

Use Burst Mode to take a series of still pictures following a motion. Delete the blurry photos and post the "wow" action shots

3. Switch to Manual Focus

Most of the time, the iPhone's automatic focus is a real lifesaver. But when the camera auto-adjusts to spotlight the wrong thing, it can be a real frustration. Using manual model lets you take control, drawing attention to particular areas within a frame.To switch to manual, just tap the screen and hold on the spot you want to use as the focal point. A small box will appear to confirm your selection. Once it's set where you want it, just snap and go.

4. Lead the Subject with POV Shots

Want to make people online feel like they are experiencing your activity? Shoot from the perspective of the subject.Using point of view, you can help customers imagine what it'll be like to invest in an experience—putting them directly in the driver's (or paddler's) seat.

5. Leave a Mark with Geotagging

iPhone photos will record exactly where a picture is taken, if geotagging is enabled. And while privacy issues are involved when dealing with shots that were snapped in, say, your kitchen, tagging your photos with towns, roads and sites can gain the attention of locals and visitors alike when you're out exploring the world.And if you're wary of geotagging all your pictures, you can always tag your photos on Instagram, which allows you to add them to a photo map or set your business as a permanent location with its own name.

6. Capitalize on Contrast

Even lackluster photos can benefit from an HDR (High Dynamic Range) filter that dramatically improves detail.When getting ready to take a photo, HDR is at the top left of the camera app. Choose Auto, On, or Off. It works best when a picture has contrasting colors with areas of brightness and darkness, giving an epic feel to any image.Bonus: Didn't think to turn on HDR? Running your photos through filters can give them the same magical quality. Two of our faves are Snapseed and eyeEm.

7. Pair inspirational copy with inviting photos

Whether sharing your photos on Instagram, Facebook, or your own website, think about how the text can complement and add excitement to your image.Add excitement to your photos by including text with action words, authentic emotion and, yes, exclamation points (but try not to go overboard).Wondering how to get started on social media? Take a look at our 10 Social Media Marketing Tips for Tour and Activity Operators.Remember, you’re selling an experience! Pictures convey the excitement and value of offered services. Get out there, get your iPhone ready and make the next photos you post spectacular.

There's stiff competition for attention in the tour and activity industry. Customers have far more options than time, so to thrive your company needs to provide a customer experience that inspires repeat visits and positive reviews.Customer experience includes the actual activity, but it’s more than just the hour or two they spend with you. The experience begins the first time the customer encounters your company and continues well after they've gone home.Great customer experience involves providing flexibility, increasing options, and removing obstacles. Here are a few examples of how online booking software can help improve the customer experience at every stage:

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1. Customers Can Book on Their Terms

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Some business owners still make customers book on the company’s terms. “You must call two weeks in advance between the hours of 10am and 2pm.” “You can only book in person.” “You have to send an email.”With online booking software, the customer is in charge of the experience. They can book online, over the phone, or in person. Booking can be on the day of the activity or weeks in advance. But don't think that means your schedule becomes a free-for-all—admins can set parameters for how soon before an activity a booking can take place and how far out your activities are available.

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2. It’s Easy to See the Schedule

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Online booking software takes the guesswork out of scheduling for customers. The software can show, in real time, what appointments and equipment are available. Instead of calling the business, or going back-and-forth via email, customers can see their options and pick the perfect time. The process is simple and transparent, helping remove a massive obstacle.

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Online booking software shows real time availability so customers can see their options and pick the perfect time

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3. Flexible Payment Methods

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The days of the “CASH ONLY” sign are numbered. Imagine your customer’s relief at not being confronted with an astronomical ATM fee just to do business with you. Or how delighted they'll be to arrive with the booking already paid, ready to embark on the activity.With the right booking software, customers can pay ahead online, with a card at the moment of sale or even in cash if they really want to. The more flexibility you offer, the better the customer experience.

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4. Reminder Emails Keep Enthusiasm Up

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One of the advantages of online booking software is that it can automate email delivery before and after the activity. Customers receive a thoughtful reminder of their upcoming trip, with some tips for what to expect and what to bring. These emails keep the customer excited for the activity, set expectations and improve their in-person experience.

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5. Customers Can Make Changes

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The same flexibility the software brings to booking and payment extends to last-minute changes on the day of the activity. If the customer wants to add a person to their party or reschedule, they may be able to handle the change themselves through the software. But even if they need to speak with you directly, you'll immediately know whether you can accommodate the change, so customers won’t have to wait while you flip through printed (or handwritten) pages or squint at spreadsheets.

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6. Follow-up Emails Continue the Positive Experience

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Like reminder emails, follow-up emails can be automatically generated and sent after the activity. These emails give you an opportunity to thank the customer, ask for reviews and offer a discount on their next booking. This level of attention makes the customer feel appreciated and assures them that you value both their business and their feedback.

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You're in the business of helping people have a good time. The right online booking software supports that mission from the moment a customer decides to book with you to the moment they become a repeat visitor, and that's a win for you both.

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Benefits of Online Booking Software

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You need booking software to make the booking process faster, easier, and more convenient for both you and your customers. It’s one of the tools that every tour and activity operator should use.

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Potential clients no longer need to send an email or call your office during business hours. They can now book a service anytime (and get a confirmation) from their laptops or phones. 

From a customer’s point of view, this streamlined process feels effortless. They can easily view available dates and times, select the best option, and receive instant feedback. There are no waiting periods or back-and-forth messages. It’s simple, efficient, and reassuring.

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Automation saves businesses time. It frees your staff from tasks like sending confirmations, reminders, and updates. You can process cancellations and rescheduling with just a few clicks, reducing administrative workload and preventing double bookings or missed appointments.

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Whether it’s a tour company managing group reservations, a spa offering appointments, or a clinic scheduling patients, online booking software helps businesses run more smoothly. It becomes an essential tool for increasing bookings and creating a better customer experience across any service-based industry.

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Read: 9 Benefits of an Online Booking System for Customers

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How Do Customer Reviews Play into the Online Booking Process?

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People want to know what others experienced before committing to an appointment, tour, or class. That’s why customer reviews can be a deciding factor when it comes to booking services online, especially when they’re detailed and honest. 

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For instance, a traveler might choose your zipline tour over the competition if reviews mention your staff’s friendliness and adherence to safety measures.

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Many online booking platforms make it easier for users to read and leave reviews on booking pages. This is particularly handy for businesses that prefer to keep everything in one place. 

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Potential customers can now see reviews as they learn more about your services. It also encourages more people to leave reviews right after their experience, helping businesses collect a steady flow of fresh, authentic feedback.

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Key Takeaways

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• Online booking software removes barriers and keeps the experience stress-free from start to finish. When customers can book anytime, anywhere, they’re more likely to return. 
• Automatic confirmations, reminders, and updates reduce administrative work. It allows your team to focus on delivering a great customer experience.
• Real-time availability and instant booking confirmations make the process clear and reliable. These help your customers feel more secure in their choices.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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What Kind of Businesses Can Benefit from Online Booking Software?

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Businesses that depend on appointments, reservations, or event scheduling benefit most from online booking software. Hotels, spas, salons, fitness studios, clinics, schools, and event venues use it to automate bookings, reduce errors, and improve satisfaction. These tools streamline operations and support 24/7 customer access.

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Can Online Booking Software Integrate with Your Website?

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Yes. Online booking software integrates easily with your website by embedding booking forms, widgets, or APIs. Most platforms support builders like WordPress, Shopify, Squarespace, and Wix. This integration allows customers to book directly without redirection, creating a faster, seamless, and more professional user experience.

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Can Online Booking Systems Improve Customer Retention?

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Yes. Online booking systems improve customer retention by simplifying scheduling, automating reminders, and offering personalized experiences. Features like saved preferences, loyalty programs, and follow-up messages help build trust and encourage repeat engagement. By reducing friction and maintaining consistent communication, these systems convert first-time users into loyal customers.

As a business owner, the way you respond to negative reviews can have a big impact on your bottom line. What some miss, though, is how much positive reviews contribute to a customer’s purchase decision. More than 72% of respondents in a local business survey said positive reviews make them trust a business more. Research shows customers spend up to 31% more on a business with excellent reviews.These statistics demonstrate it’s high time for tour and activity operators to be more proactive in encouraging positive reviews, especially given these eye-opening figures: 83% of satisfied customers are willing to refer a product or service, but only 29% actually do.Here are five easy ways to encourage positive reviews.

1. Ask for Reviews On Site

The best time to ask for a review is while the activity is fresh in your customer’s mind. Get them before they sit in traffic on the way home, sleep on it and go to work the next day. The happy memories get more out-of-focus with every minute that passes.If possible, have a tablet or computer handy with review sites loaded up and ready (like Yelp, TripAdvisor, and your business’ Facebook page). If that’s not feasible, ask customers to visit a specific site and write a quick review with their smartphone. Just the act of verbally asking for a review can be enough to get people inspired.

2. Send a Follow-Up Email

A week or so after the activity, send an email to your customer. Let them know your goal is to create the best experience possible, and that you value their feedback. Thank them again for coming, and provide links to places they can write a review. With online booking software, you can automate these emails to make sure you reach everyone in a timely fashion.

Send a follow-up email to thank your customer and ask for feedback (with links to review sites)

3. Offer an Incentive

Of course, it wouldn’t be appropriate to bribe a customer for a positive review. But offering a small incentive for writing a review (regardless of its tone) is different—the goal is to get feedback, not to game the system. Encourage people to participate by offering a discount on a future booking, or running a monthly contest where writing a review is the entry ticket.

4. Respond to Reviews

Show customers that you’re available to talk by responding personally to each review. It’s a good idea to make accounts on review sites so you can create a dialog. And, of course, respond to messages on Facebook and Twitter as promptly as possible.You don’t need to be present 24/7—it’s OK to post hours of operation on your Facebook page. Just strive to be responsive when you can be. When your future customers see you read and consider reviews, they’ll be more likely to write their own.

5. Promote Great Reviews (and Reviewers)

A little recognition goes a long way to developing a community of enthusiastic reviewers. Let your past, present and future customers know you value their input. You can feature great reviews on your social media pages and your website, and give a shout-out to the reviewer by name.When a customer has a negative experience, they won’t hesitate to let you know. But the ones who have a great time most likely need a little encouragement to write their review. It’s important to encourage a dialog with customers on either side of the spectrum, to resolve negative reviews and cultivate an environment of positive feedback.

Instagram has become a social media phenomenon. The innovative photo-sharing app is considered the fastest-growing social network with the highest level of engagement. Popular with individuals and businesses alike, it's become a necessity for tour and activity business owners to use as part of their marketing efforts.Instagram allows companies to showcase their services and personality by quickly sharing “real time" photographs. This provides opportunities for attracting potential customers and communicating to your existing client base. But surprisingly, there are still many travel and tour operators that don't use Instagram to its full potential.Here are some quick and easy ways to incorporate Instagram into your company's daily activities:

Quality over Quantity: It's all about the photos

Luckily, you don't need to be a professional photographer to post amazing Instagram images. But you do need an impressive and consistent photo “feed" that appeals to your customer. Check out your own favorite Instagram pros and experiment with the many diverse filters before posting your favorites—and if you want to try more fun filters, apps like “Snapseed" offer a multitude of cool options. But quality is imperative to any photo, so be selective when posting pics that capture the essence of your tour company.Quick tip: To lighten darker photos, use the “brightness" button first (before using a filter) as that usually quickly enhances the image.With millions of users worldwide, Instagram allows companies to follow and regularly interact with your neighboring businesses as well as friends and customers. These can include your own employees, vendors, local tourism boards, reporters, area hotels and restaurants. Following other users, as well as liking and commenting on other posts, will result in increased exposure and potentially lead to new customers who discover your company online.Quick tip: Make new connections every day. Through repeated interactions with your followers, you can inspire local friends and businesses to mention and tag your company as well.

Start your activities with a fun hashtag

Kick off your activity with an Instagram shout-out. Let clients know your Instagram handle and to tag you when they post photos.Plus, if you create a clever hashtag to go with each activity, they'll be inspired to post more photos and interact with your company (and each other) more frequently. As an added bonus, hashtags like #WineTastingWednesday and #FabulousPhillyFoodTour enables you to easily track ongoing interactions. If you take photos, make sure to “tag" or at mention your participants to encourage continued social media banter.

Create a clever hashtag to go with your activities to encourage more engagement from your customers

Quick tip: If you have an especially creative and lively group, encourage them to come up with the day's hashtag.

Fun and Games

Another way to engage with your customers and add an extra level of excitement and interest is to host an Instagram photo contest. For example, you can suggest that customers post photos (with creative captions) surrounding a certain theme or place you visit on your tour. The added element of competition can inspire visually interesting shots and clever descriptions, too.Quick tip: Contests can be done daily, weekly, monthly, or whenever you wish.

Analyze this

After mastering Instagram, a great way to monitor your followers, interactions, and overall activity is by signing up for services such as iconosquare. This site provides analytics and even specific tips, such as the optimal time of day to post. (The program offers a free trial for new customers).Quick tip: There are many services like these, so check out your options before choosing one.

Looking for more easy tips on how to use social media to attract new customers?

Check out our blog, How To Create a Strong Social Media Presence.