The Importance of Influencer Collaborations in Hospitality

The Challenges of Unstructured Influencer Visits

Many hospitality businesses get unexpected influencer visits. However, without visibility into who these people are and what their audience looks like, you're left in the dark. Here are the three biggest pitfalls:

1. No visibility on who's walking in: In today's world, anyone can call themselves an influencer. It’s hard to know who truly has an impact. Some visitors might have thousands of followers but low engagement. Others have smaller but highly loyal audiences. Understanding this distinction is crucial to assess whether their visit is valuable.

   
   

2. The content rarely highlights your venue: Most influencers are drawn to aesthetics – great lighting, photogenic dishes, and cozy vibes. They create stunning visuals, but often the focus is primarily on their lifestyle. Without tagging your venue or mentioning your specialties, like that homemade chai or local collaborations, their audience doesn’t learn anything meaningful about your business.

   
   

3. No relationship, no trackability: Without communication between the influencer and your venue, the interaction remains casual and unstructured. You won’t know when or if they post, nor will you gain insights into performance metrics. If the relationship concludes after one visit, there’s no groundwork for long-term value.

   
   

What Should You Do Instead?

If you want to take influencer marketing for hospitality seriously, you need to take charge. Here are four practical steps to get started:

1. Review their profile and engagement: Don't just consider follower counts. Examine the content style and interaction level. What kind of comments do they receive? Do they align with your brand’s vibe? Are they individuals who can genuinely share your story? Bonus tip: local creators often have more relevant reach.

   
   

2. Set clear expectations: A successful collaboration begins with clarity. What will they post (photo, reel, story)? When will it go live? What hashtags and tags will be used? What do they receive in return? By aligning these aspects beforehand, you can avoid disappointment and create a win-win scenario.

   
   

3. Work with micro or nano-influencers: Creators with smaller followings (1,000–15,000 followers) often have a loyal and engaged audience that trusts them. Their fans pay attention, follow recommendations, and enjoy discovering local gems. They're usually more flexible and often collaborate for a small fee or in exchange for food and drinks.

   
   

4. Make it measurable: Request a tag, a location pin, or a unique discount code. You can even ask for a story highlight that keeps your café visible long after their visit. Afterward, request basic stats, like reach and saves. This will help you understand what works and improve future partnerships.

   
   

Why This Matters Especially for Small Businesses

If you're running a small venue, you likely don't have a large marketing budget. This makes every effort count. By selecting micro-influencers and establishing clear agreements, you can create significant impact with a modest investment – or even through barter arrangements. More importantly, you ensure the spotlight shines on you, not just on the influencer.

Even better, you start building genuine relationships. When a creator connects with your place authentically, they’re more likely to return, bring friends, and become long-term advocates for your café. It’s not just about one-time exposure – it’s about fostering repeat recognition and authentic support.

At Plekkies, we match hospitality venues with the right creators. Our focus is on engaging people with real followers, real impact, and a genuine love for the spots they visit. We ensure that collaborations are clear, fair, and effective – maximizing the benefits of every visit.

Curious how we do this? Feel free to drop us a message. We’d love to brainstorm and collaborate with you.

---wix---