How Should Fishing Charters & Hunting Guide/Outfitters Approach Social Media Marketing?
Here at Outfitter Logic, we manage and recommend social media marketing for hunting outfitters, on any and every level possible. But it can be a challenge, at times, especially with those who aren't big fans of technology.
That's right, I'm talking about you older guys...but all joking aside, this is common. And as I update this article, I'm currently the ripe age of 48 so I shouldn't talk anyways. ;-)
So the big question right out of the gate is...WHO IS GOING TO DO THE SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING?
Really you have 3 options for your social media marketing.
- You do your own posting.
- You hire someone to do it for you (which we do...hint hint).
- Have someone who works for you do it.
So which makes sense for you?
Social Media Posting by Guide or Charter
Normally, this makes the most sense whenever possible. Why? Well who really knows the business better than you anyways?
I often think people stress what needs to all go into your social media marketing way too much. All you're really trying to do is tell a story, and hope someone "bites" on the post (booking). But this is easier said then done, as often guides or captains are too busy to keep up. I get it, especially taking a lot of pictures when you have so much going on during the trip.
But I will say, if you take a few seconds here and there to capture the moment...it can pay off. What are those moments? It could be everything from sunrise/sunsets to images of clients fighting fish, etc. Not everything has to be the "grip and grin" pics where they're holding up a fish.
And also keep in mind, you can schedule your social media posting ahead, too. Got time on the can? Set up the next week's posts for your business. It's really not that time consuming once you get in a rythm.
MOST of our clients who do social, really focus on Facebook and Instagram. I will get into detail later in the articles about why, but if you're consistent with these 2 you're normally doing just fine for leads. And yes, Instagram is NOT the lead generator Facebook can be, but there's a reason. Since Instagram and Facebook are both owned by META, they place nice together.
We usually recommend posting to Instagram (which takes seconds), and have it auto-share to Facebook AND your website. So you can cover all 3 areas of your marketing in under a minute. And yes, we can show you how!
Hire an Online Marketing Agency for Social Media - Such as Outfitter Logic!
Alright, I'm about to let you in on a BIG secret in the Social Media Advertising game... it's a borderline scam. Why would I say this???
Here's what's happening FAR TOO OFTEN nowadays in the outdoor advertising industry. Guys oversell their SEO/websites, and end up pitching you big ad campaigns on Google or Facebook.
The VERY FIRST QUESTION you need to ask these companies is, HOW MUCH OF MY SPEND DO YOU POCKET??? You may want to be sitting down when you hear the answer, because it's probably around 50%. So it you spend $1,000/month on your ads, you're actually only really paying $500/month after they take their cut. Yikes.
Here's the good thing about us here at Outfitter Logic...we RARELY push ads, ever. If your website, Google Business Profile, and social media marketing are in sync...you SHOULDN'T have to pay more to fill your calendar. If your current provider isn't doing that, you may want to move on...honestly.
We also partner with our sister company, Flyway Media, as we put together the most interactive social media marketing campaigns that hits those interested in hunting and fishing. It's really all about ROI (return on investment) at the end of the day. How much are you paying for the lead?
Our goal with EVERYTHING we do marketing-wise here is geared towards making your phone ring, emails, or booking calendar clients. Everything else is simply fluff...
Have an Employee Handle the Social Media Posting
But I will note, most companies that have employees managing social media marketing aren’t hunters. And when you have some guy or gal in a suit managing your social media, the end result is often FLAT.
Usually, the best social media marketing comes from those who actually live the outdoors. You or your guides know your business best, so letting the guides “tell the tale” of what’s shaking in the hunting operation usually produces good results, as well.
But I get it, sometimes the time aspect just isn’t there. Or maybe the owner isn’t big on social media or doesn’t fully understand how to grow it. That’s where having the right company to manage your social media is vital.
Yup, here comes the shameless plug… We’re hunters here at Outfitter Logic. We know what people want to see, we know what’s ethical, we’re not just some guys in a suit. We live it, we can help tell that tale for you. We will work with you to ensure the social media presence grows.
There are a few main reasons why social media marketing for charters & outfitters is so important.
- Using social media is often vital for new websites. Social media ads are very cost-effective and can provide some quick leads. Usually, it takes awhile for a BRAND NEW website to mature on the search results. This helps fill that gap.
- An active social media presence helps provide confidence for the potential customer.
- An active social media presence can also help boost your website rankings in the search engines.
- Lastly, we can tie your social media photos/videos/etc directly into your website. That way, it keeps your website FRESH with the latest photos and videos, as well.
At the end of the day, having SOME kind of social media presence is important…but which one’s should you focus on?
The first question you should be asking yourself, is what are the demographics of your target market? For MOST of our clients, it’s those about 35 and up. Those are the guys with money and those are the age groups that are booking the hunts (in many cases, it’s really the 50+ crowd). With that being said, here are the socials we recommend you pursue.
Having the right video clips in your social media arsenal can really help increase your followers and engagements overall. And if you don't find snow geese landing in your lap fun? Well....we can no longer be friends...ha! My jokes are weak...get used to 'em.
Facebook Marketing for Hunting Outfitters & Fishing Charters
Facebook is still the best bang for your buck in quick turnaround types of online marketing. For a lack of a better way to put it, it’s an “Old People’s Social Media”. I’m old myself (in my late 40s, I think I’m old anyways), and this is where we hang out.
With the right advertisement, you can get it in front of the right demographic and for the right price. You can dial in the age group, target geographically, and manage your spend easily in the dashboard of Facebook.
We do recommend Facebook marketing for hunting outfitters or fishing charters who are newer. If the website was built recently, it will take some time for it to mature traffic-wise. Facebook is a cost-effective way to fill that gap in the short-term to fill your calendar until your SEO really kicks in.
Instagram Marketing for Hunting Guides
Instagram is kind of on the fringe in terms of the age demographics of it’s users. According to a source, roughly 24% of their users are between 25 and 34, with around half being under 21 (April 2026).
In other words, it’s full of the younger generation. But don’t overlook it’s potential, either. Instagram if you didn’t know, is owned by the same company as Facebook (Meta). Why is that important? Because they’re very tied together, as mentioned earlier.
But IG (Instagram) is just another avenue that can help your marketing online. Like anything, you just need to be consistent.
YouTube Marketing for Charters & Outfitters
While YouTube is that place where anyone and everyone has a camera nowadays, it does still have a place in your marketing if you're set up for it.
First off, having your YouTube videos properly set up to begin with can really make a difference. How you label your title and what you put into your description, can make a difference between 10 views and 10,000. It's really not a huge secret anymore, but obviously you need quality content to keep it growing.
Remember, you don't have to post JUST huge, theatrical productions on YouTube. You can simply post short clips and that's a FAST way to get a lot of eyeballs on your video. Last minute openings, etc., can often be filled that way (you'd be surprised).
Also, YouTube videos are simple to embed on websites and to post on other social medias too. Lots of great ways to utilize your video content.
Recap on Proper Online Marketing & Advertising for Fishing Charters & Hunting Outfitters
Social media gives your business another opportunity to reach your target market of interested hunters. While it’s not normally the first place people go to do research, it can trigger buyer impulses with the right ad at the right time.
Growing your social media presence over time will only help your outfitter business in terms of the amount of people you can reach. A proper posting timeline, coupled with the right content is an easy recipe for success on social media.
Are you taking advantage? Give us a shout if you’d like some assistance or opinions.
