• by Erik Sass , Staff Writer @eriksass1, October 13, 2014

The hospitality industry is embracing social media marketing with offers of special deals and perks for guests who help spread the word online. The latest entry to the field is Hotelied.com, a hotel booking and comparison Web site that gives customers discounted rates based on how many online social connections they have -- the more friends and followers, the bigger the discount. Hotels can then foster relationships with these users to take advantage of online word-of-mouth advertising.

Customers seeking deals can sign into Hotelied with various social network accounts, including Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, and LinkedIn, in order to get discounts ranging up to 50% for those with the most followers. The Web site allows you to get credit for connections across multiple networks, encouraging users to sign in with multiple social networks.

The service also integrates a number of hotel loyalty programs, allowing users to draw on rewards points from big chains like Hyatt, Hilton, IHG, Marriott and Starwood, as well as popular frequent flyer programs. Currently it’s limited to a handful of big cities in the U.S., but more are on the way.

As noted plenty of big hospitality chains have already revealed social media initiatives of their own. Back in August I wrote about Hilton’s “Our Stage, Your Story” marketing push, which encourages guests to post a cool travel photo to Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, with the hashtag #HiltonStory. Each week Hilton will select one winner, who will get a free weekend at any one of 550 Hiltons around the world. The contest will continue through October 26.

Meanwhile Radisson Blu, a specialty brand of the hospitality chain, announced a contest called “Social Eyes,” which will reward travelers who share inside travel tips on the Radisson Blu blog about destinations where Radisson Blu hotels are located. Each week the traveler with the best tip will earn a free room night at any Radisson Blu hotel worldwide.

In May Marriott launched a new “PlusPoints” loyalty program, which awards redeemable points for social media activity including retweeting posts from the Marriott Rewards Twitter account, following hotels’ Twitter and Instagram accounts, checking in on Facebook, or posting photos of a Marriott stay on Instagram, among others. And Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants has created a new “Kimpton Karma Rewards” program will give guests perks and freebies for a variety of activities, including mentioning a Kimpton hotel or restaurant on social media.