Why bet big on paid social? Dustin Baker of Hidden Gem Media

Send us Fan MailThere are 10+ marketing and advertising channels which should you invest in? We break down a practical, trackable way to drive more direct bookings for outdoor hospitality using better creative, Meta ads, landing pages and email nurture. We also share what we have learned the hard way about OTAs, influencer marketing, pixels, and where AI can genuinely help operators and marketing teams. • prioritising high-quality video content over higher ad spend • treating Meta creative as the main driver of performance • allocating launch budget towards content creation and Meta ads • weighing influencer “exposure” against trackable paid social ROI • deciding when Google Ads and SEO are worth it for a property • building a direct booking funnel with landing pages and email capture • using Meta Pixel and conversion events to optimise for bookings • creating clearer customer avatars and committing to one niche • understanding creative volume and stage-based ads after Andromeda • benchmarking cost per booking against OTA commissions • using StayFi to capture guest details and enable upsells • applying AI for property knowledge bases, concierge replies and pricing ideas Learn more or book a call at hiddengem.media Follow @dustindeanbaker and @hiddengem.staysWe work really hard to bring you the best content from the best operators in our industry and we do it all absolutely free of charge. All we ask is that you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so we can keep the momentum going. Simply go to the homepage of the podcast and scroll down till you see the stars. Thanks for your support and let's keep getting more people outside.This podcast is powered by Sage Outdoor Advisory, the industry leaders in feasibility studies and appraisals.