Topics To Talk About On Instagram Live

12 exciting topics for your next video Are your clients clamoring to know exactly what their tour with you will look like? Do they ask questions about the experiences, activities and culinary creations?

Do your clients want to better understand what cruising or coach touring is really like?

What if you had a way to show them exactly what your tours involve and help them experience it online? Wouldn't that be an amazing way to build stronger relationships and put the human touch into your marketing!

Live streaming video gives you that star quality!

How to Use Live Streaming Video

Imagine live-streaming on your next fam or site inspection. Picture this; you're able to showcase exactly what their vacation will look and feel like.

Even though you're live streaming, you can save your new video to your camera roll and use it later in newsletters, your blog or even a consumer event. Your time and effort to create the live stream video can be used in so many other marketing projects.

Here are 12 live-stream video ideas that will have you building star-quality client relationships.

#1 — Hotel site inspection

Have you ever walked into a hotel and gasped in awe of the beautiful décor or view? When a property takes your breath away, imagine how your clients will feel. Take a couple of minutes to set up and shoot a live stream of yourself exploring the beautiful lobby. Then explore the pool area in another video. Then the restaurant in another.

Pro Tip: Each video needs to be only about 20-40 seconds. Consider using a selfie-stick so you can be in the video as the narrator. (or have a friend operate the camera while you concentrate on the narration). Invest in an external mic to ensure quality audio.

#2 — Ship inspection

Remember on your last cruise you loved hanging out in the _________ (fill in the blank with your favorite hideaway; the library, spa or private adult-only haven). Now, during your ship inspection, shoot a short video of a similar spot. Your clients will love to see and hear you describing the ambiance. You'll earn even more credibility and boost your professional image.

Pro Tip: Avoid capturing other people in your video if you don't have their permission.

#3 — Trade show

Don't you love seeing your favorite BDM's and meeting with reps from exciting destinations? Trade shows are not only a learning experience, but a social opportunity. Make the most of your time on the trade show floor by shooting a short video of the excitement. While it may be too noisy to capture good audio footage, take some still shots of yourself at the booths representing your top selling products. Then pull all these still images into a video slideshow. Your clients will love to see the backdrops of each supplier and will be impressed to see that you have relationships with these professionals.

Pro Tip: Test your external mic to make sure it doesn't capture too much of the background noise and that the interviewee voices are clear and crisp.

#4 — City tour

Jump on a tour bus during your next vacation or fam trip and shoot some video from each stop on the tour. Capturing the highlights of the city is the perfect way to capture the imagination of your clients and capture the sale.

Pro Tip: Test the lighting to be sure you're not facing into the sun. It may be a bit noisy for audio, but test it out. If you're able to capture clear audio with your external microphone, narrate a short description of the site. Otherwise, you can do a voice-over later.

If you're thinking of capturing the words of your guide, be sure to get permission first.

#5 — Culinary Experience

Imagine your clients' delight to see you in a cooking class or chatting with the chef of a top restaurant. If you can go live and interview the maître d' or chef, choose a quiet spot with a beautiful view. This will be a really powerful tool if this restaurant is on your next group tour itinerary.

Free resources

#6 — Museum Experience

While we think of museums as quiet spaces, many have outdoor exhibits that are perfect for capturing the essence of the space and the art.

Pro Tip: Make sure you have permission to take any photos or videos.

#7 — Event or Festival

Get your viewers fired up and excited about visiting an event or festival by shooting video of the excitement and vibe. DMO's are experts at this! As a tour operator or travel advisor, showing yourself in the thick of the action is not only fun, but builds credibility.

Consider using this footage as part of the marketing for a group visit or FIT package options that take in the event. Perhaps you have packages that experience Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, OctoberFest, Stampede, NFL games, MLB games, etc. Imagine the possibilities.

#8 — New Features of your Attraction, Hotel or Restaurant

Has your hotel just added a spa or upgraded their breakfast offerings? Has your restaurant just updated the private group dining space? Has your attraction just added more features or enlarged the coach parking area? All these are perfect video opportunities.

#9 — A day in the Life of….

Aren't you curious to know what the ship's captain really does? Wouldn't you love to peek behind the kitchen door and get a glimpse of a chef at work? I'll bet your clients would also like to go behind the scenes and see what their travel advisor or tour planner does to get organized for an upcoming tour.

Everyone loves the 'insider' view and live stream video gives you the opportunity to satisfy this curiosity.

Pro Tip: if you're going to be shooting video in your own office, a tri-pod may come in handy.

#10 – Host an Interview

While people love the insider view, they love the inside scoop even more. Video interviews that showcase exciting new hotel, ship or attraction features will be a hit with your clients.

Pro Tip: Set up a time in a quiet space to chat with an 'insider'. Before your interview prepare some introductory notes, a couple of questions for your guest and a savvy closing. Test your external microphone and lighting to optimize the background and foreground. A table-top or full size tri-pod may come in handy.

You may consider interviewing:

Hotel GM, DOS, chef or other staff
Past client
Tour Guide
BDM, sales manager or sales rep
Celebrity chef or cooking school chef
Wine expert
Historian or local expert

#11 — Day on the Road Snapshot

Time lapse video is perfect for this. If you don't have the technology or the set-up for time lapse, simply take a short video of each highlight of your day and pull them together into a short video. Consider each aspect of a tour that captures the essence of your day; the coach, each point of interest, the camaraderie onboard the coach, mealtimes, as well as interviews and travel tips.

#12 — An Adventure or Activity

Picture the exhilaration of rafting down a raging river, flying through the air on a zip-line, snorkeling, hiking or sky-diving. All perfect video opportunities. Capturing the excitement of these activities in raw, authentic form is the perfect way to show your future clients their future!

Video Ideas

The power of live streaming video is right in your back pocket. Facebook Live, Periscope, Twitter Live, Snapchat Live and Instagram Live are enthralling your clients. Don't miss out on the marketing opportunities as well as the opportunity to showcase your expertise and professionalism.

The beauty is that it's as easy as pressing the 'Go Live' button on your mobile device. With a bit of advance planning and prep your live stream can be a marketing masterpiece.

Did you know…. 90% of users say that seeing a video about a product is helpful in the decision process. Source

Tips to going live

Test your lighting, camera position and sound in advance. I like to use a tri-pod and an external mic. More tips here.
Market your live stream in advance
Once you go live remember people will be joining in at random, so reiterate your topic and re-introduce yourself and any guests
State the questions you see popping up on the screen before you answer them.
Give shout-outs within reason. Don't go nuts and mention everyone who's joining in.
Add value
Save your live stream to your camera roll
Have fun!

What will be the focus of your next live streaming video?

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About Catherine Heeg

Catherine Heeg is a recognized social media trail blazer passionate about social media and marketing in the tourism and hospitality industry. She takes the mystery out of marketing!

She creates and delivers meaningful, dynamic workshops that meet your unique needs in the Travel, Tourism & Hospitality Industry.

Catherine and her team help travel, tourism and hospitality pros design and implement social media marketing strategies and tactics that drive traffic to their social and web sites. Learn more…

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