Introduction: Why Video is the New Word-of-Mouth
In 2026, social video isn’t just part of your marketing strategy — it is your marketing strategy.
The next generation of guests — especially Gen Z and Millennials — don’t search Google first when looking for things to do. They open TikTok or Instagram Reels. They watch short, punchy videos of venues just like yours before deciding where to spend their money.
So if your business isn’t visible in these spaces, you’re invisible to your next wave of customers.
But the good news? You don’t need a huge budget or celebrity partnerships to get noticed. With the right approach, you can turn local influencers and everyday guests into an unstoppable, organic marketing force.
🌟 Why Influencer & User Video Marketing Works
Video content performs better than any other medium because it’s authentic, emotional, and shareable.
For leisure and hospitality venues, this type of marketing delivers three major wins:
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Authenticity: People trust real guests over polished brand ads.
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Reach: Influencers and visitors share content to audiences that you’d never reach with paid ads alone.
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Longevity: Great videos live on — TikToks and Reels can keep bringing in traffic for months after posting.
In short, influencer content isn’t just about exposure — it’s about social proof that makes new guests want to experience the fun for themselves.
📱 Identify the Right Influencers for Your Venue
The best influencers aren’t necessarily the biggest ones. For leisure businesses, it’s all about finding local voices with engaged audiences.
Here’s how to do it:
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Search your location hashtags: Try “#thingstodoin[YOURTOWN]”, “#funin[YOURTOWN]”, or “#familydaysoutuk”.
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Look at tagged posts: Check who’s already filming at similar venues or sharing experiences like yours.
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Focus on micro-influencers: People with 5k–50k followers usually have more engaged and local audiences.
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Check their engagement rate: A smaller creator with 1,000 likes per video is often more valuable than a larger account with low interaction.
💡 Example: A local parent influencer might create a “Top 5 rainy day activities for kids in Kent” video — and if you feature, that’s authentic visibility to thousands of potential visitors.
🎯 Build an Influencer Partnership Programme
Instead of waiting for creators to find you, actively invite them.
Create a simple Influencer Collaboration Programme and promote it on your website and social channels.
What to offer:
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Free entry or experience (for them + a guest).
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Exclusive filming access during quieter hours.
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Discount codes or giveaways for their followers.
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Ongoing partnerships (invite them back for new attractions or seasonal events).
What to ask for:
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A minimum of 1–2 TikToks or Reels showcasing your venue.
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Proper tagging (your location + Instagram handle).
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Permission to repost their content on your channels.
Always keep it casual and genuine. You want them to feel like partners, not salespeople.
💬 Example Message Template: “Hey [Name], we love your content — especially your local recommendations! We’d love to invite you to [Venue Name] for a free session to capture your experience. We think your audience would love it!”
🎬 Encourage Guests to Create and Share Videos
You don’t need influencers to get video content — your everyday guests are your best marketers.
Here’s how to make it effortless for them:
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Add photo & video zones: Create dedicated selfie spots, neon signs, or immersive backgrounds that beg to be filmed.
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Use hashtags: Display a clear, catchy hashtag (e.g., #LaserQuestKingston or #MissionLaser) across your venue and screens.
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Run social challenges: Offer monthly prizes for the best TikTok or Reel filmed in your venue.
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Include prompts: Add signs like “Tag us in your epic game footage for a chance to win!”
When guests share your venue with genuine excitement, it spreads like wildfire — especially if you engage with them by commenting, reposting, and celebrating their creativity.
💡 Create Video Content In-House (That Looks Organic)
Even if you’re not working with influencers, you can still create your own video content that feels influencer-made.
Here’s what works best:
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Short, natural clips: 10–20 seconds of gameplay, reactions, or laughter.
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Trendy sounds: Use popular TikTok audio or Instagram Reel songs.
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Behind-the-scenes: Staff setting up games, decorating for parties, or guests arriving.
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POV experiences: Show what it feels like to play, not just what it looks like.
💡 Pro Tip: Film vertically, in natural light, and keep editing minimal. Realness beats polish every time.
📈 Combine Organic Video with Paid Boosts
Once you have strong user or influencer content, amplify it.
Platforms like Meta Ads and TikTok Ads let you turn top-performing videos into paid ads with precise targeting — all while retaining the authentic, native look of a user post.
You can target:
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Local audiences within 20 miles.
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Parents, students, or corporate groups.
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Retarget past website visitors or party enquiries.
By blending influencer reach with smart targeting, you can turn £50 into thousands of impressions — and a stream of new bookings.
💬 Legal & Ethical Considerations
Before sharing or reusing influencer or user content, make sure you have explicit permission.
A quick DM or email saying,
“We’d love to share your video on our socials — is that OK?”
is usually enough.
For paid collaborations, always be transparent and ask influencers to include #ad or #gifted if required. Transparency builds trust — both with audiences and creators.
🚀 Future Trends: What’s Coming Next
Influencer and user video marketing will only get bigger, but here’s what’s changing in 2026 and beyond:
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AI-generated influencers: virtual brand ambassadors are becoming mainstream.
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Longer-form TikToks: 60–90 seconds of immersive storytelling are outperforming short clips.
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Community-driven creators: audiences prefer creators who feel local and relatable, not just viral.
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AR and VR experiences: brands will use filters, effects, and immersive technology to make video content more interactive.
The earlier you embrace this evolution, the more visible your venue will become.
Conclusion: Turn Visitors Into Your Biggest Marketing Asset
The most powerful marketing doesn’t come from your brand — it comes from the people who love your brand.
By encouraging influencers and guests to share authentic, engaging videos, you’re not just filling your social feeds — you’re building trust, excitement, and community.
And in 2026, that’s the difference between a venue that’s seen… and one that’s booked solid.
At LeisureBoost, we help UK leisure and hospitality venues harness influencer and user-generated content to boost visibility, engagement, and revenue — the smart, organic way.
