Melbourne-based Exclusively Cruising is owned by seasoned cruise industry expert, Julie O’Grady.
She contracted The Social Spider, Australia’s first digital marketing agency dedicated to the travel sector, to promote her first ever, self-hosted tour holiday.
The trip was a comprehensive 17-day ‘Winter Wonderland’ cruise tour through Norway and Finland with Havila Voyages in November for 16 guests.
Launched last October by social media professional Sam Patton, The Social Spider organised a tour flyer for the package as well as content, a blog, detailed tour map and a focused Facebook campaign for Exclusively Cruising.
The promotion ran from last November to early March when the Facebook campaign alone managed to fill 14 of the 16 available tour spots, with the remaining two places sold by Julie separately.
“I was ecstatic the tour sold out so quickly,” said Julie (above). “Anyone can do social media but Sam from The Social Spider is a master at it and the point of difference.
“I work from home and not clued up on how to target and boost via Facebook but Sam did it all and got the results.
“I’m delighted and will use The Social Spider again for new cruise tour groups I’m planning to Antarctica and Africa. It’s clear social media, when done well, is a huge priority in holiday marketing.”
Curated by Julie, the tour from Oslo to Helsinki will include the Flam Railway, fjord cruise, a six-night Norwegian cruise from Bergen to Kirkenes at the top of Norway with Havila Voyages, a husky safari tour, a visit to Santa Claus Village in Norway and a railway trip to Helsinki to finish the tour, with 10 nights’ accommodation and 36 meals included along the way.
Sam from The Social Spider said the campaign she ran for Exclusively Cruising was low in budget, short and targeted but very productive.
“Julie’s tour was unique and compelling and offered great value and she knew exactly the types of people she wanted to reach,” Sam explained. “It’s not all about likes – it’s about seeking targeted people who will react and book.
“The vivid tour map we organised along with the flyer, images and content were also visually important but we boosted the Facebook posts just three times to a tailored audience and it did the trick.
“You don’t have to spend a lot but your promotion needs to be highly targeted to yield the desired results.”
https://www.exclusivelycruising.com.au/
