When you’re investing in travel, you want more than just experiences. Chances are, you want great pictures, too, whether you’re posting them for friends and family or as an influencer. By planning your trip well, you’ll be able to scope out the best places to see and things to do to ensure your Instagram feed truly reflects the best of your trip to Key West.
Scope Out Key West Hashtags
By checking out Key West-related hashtags, you may pick out some locations and activities that are off the beaten path. Look for locals accounts, as they may be more likely to post about hidden gems that travelers would miss. Consider common and uncommon hashtags, too, for a broad range of options. Begin this process well in advance of your trip so you can see how these locations may change seasonally, and whether there are special events that interest you in particular, such as marathons, fishing tournaments or festivals. You’ll also get clues on the optimal tags to use for your own photos.
Cue the Food Photos
They get a bad rap sometimes, but Instagram posts of food are a great way to introduce new cuisines and flavors to people who may not consider themselves adventurous eaters. What’s more, it’s a great way to showcase the menu of a stand-out restaurant and raise their profile (and yours, as an influencer). Among the most highly-rated restaurants to visit are Eaton Street Seafood Market and Restaurant for the grilled lobster and shrimp, Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe for the from-scratch key lime pie, and Duetto’s Pizza and Gelato for what’s consistently described as Key West’s best pizza. For upscale dining, book a table at Cafe Marquesa, The Little Pearl, Latitudes, or Milagro Restaurant and Bar.
Get Into the Action
Food photos are always enticing but to really give your followers a feel for a destination, action shots are where it’s at. Bicycling is a popular way to get around in Key West, and many hotels, motels, resorts, and rental homes offer bikes for guests to borrow or rent. Consider a bike tour–guided or self-guided. Eco-tours by kayak also offer great opportunities for lively photos, as do fishing charters. Be sure to book with a reliable charter company such as All In Fishing Charters for an easy and effortless experience. There’s no need to bring fishing gear as it’s all provided for you, and half-day trips make it convenient to work a fishing charter into even the most jam-packed itinerary. Fishing charters go out for reef, deep sea, wreck, and flats fishing, so you have lots of options when it comes to choosing an excursion.
Embrace Luxury Experiences
One of the reasons why people follow travel influencers is to live vicariously through them, so don’t let your friends down! Book a sandbar charter for a true local retreat where you can get away from it all and truly relax. Sandbar charter trips bring your group out to a secluded beach location where you can swim, sunbathe, and play–and even enjoy over-water swings! You’re nearly guaranteed a picturesque setting for all of your most dreamy posts that inspire self-care and rejuvenation.
Many local Key West resorts have on-site spas that are open for bookings, too. Consider adding a massage, body wrap, sauna or other beauty treatment to your itinerary. Exclusive products and one-of-a-kind indoor and outdoor treatment rooms elevate these spa services to something akin to paradise. Sharing the details of your visit, the treatment you receive, and the products used is a great way to engage with your audience as well as expand your reach beyond being a travel influencer.
Make the Most of Well-Known Landmarks
Be sure to include stops at some of Key West’s most popular destinations. If nothing else, hashtagging these as part of your trip may considerably expand your reach due to the search volume of these terms. Dry Tortugas National Park is legendary for snorkeling, for example. If you have an underwater camera, make sure to bring it along for up-close views of coral reefs and shipwrecks abundant with sea life of all kinds. Other top spots include Southernmost Point, Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, and the numerous beaches that dot Key West. Share the unique exhibits at the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum, Fort East Martello Museum, and the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum. If you’re more of a nature enthusiast, check out the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, the Key West Garden Club or the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden.
Key West is one of the most beautiful destinations in the U.S., and it makes sense to turn your trip into an opportunity to grow your followers and your reputation as a social media influencer. By thoughtfully choosing where and how to spend your time, you may transform your trip from a simple vacation into a great career move!