Asked 100 Times: How to Use Xiaohongshu Ads for Explosive Brand Growth Like YEYU Wilderness Hotel

With over 200 million monthly active users, Xiaohongshu combines elements of social media, e-commerce, and content discovery to create a unique ecosystem where brands can thrive through authentic storytelling—Xiaohongshu Ads amplify this potential by enabling targeted reach within its engaged community. What makes the platform particularly powerful is its highly engaged user base—primarily female millennials and Gen Z consumers who actively seek recommendations, share experiences, and make purchase decisions based on peer reviews. Unlike traditional e-commerce platforms that prioritize transactions, Xiaohongshu Ads fosters community-driven discovery, making it ideal for brands that can tell compelling visual stories.

1. Brand Story and Positioning of YEYU Wilderness Hotel

YEYU Wilderness Hotel carved out a distinct niche by positioning itself as a sanctuary for travelers seeking both adventure and tranquility. Located in Yubeng Lower Village at the foot of Meili Snow Mountain, the hotel offers unparalleled access to pristine natural landscapes, appealing to urbanites yearning for an escape from city life. Its brand philosophy—"face the wilderness and converse with your inner self"—resonates deeply with audience, which values sustainability, mindfulness, and unique experiences. Unlike conventional hotels, YEYU integrates eco-friendly practices into every aspect of its operations, from using locally sourced and recycled materials in construction to minimizing its environmental footprint. This commitment to sustainability isn't just a marketing gimmick; it's a core differentiator that aligns perfectly with the values of users, who prioritize brands that demonstrate authenticity and responsibility—qualities that Xiaohongshu Ads can highlight to attract like-minded travelers.

The hotel's visual identity further reinforces its positioning. Professional photography highlights the space’s rustic elegance through sweeping captures of wooden interiors, floor-to-ceiling windows that frame stunning mountain views, and inviting cozy nooks designed for guests to relax and unwind. These images don't just sell a place to stay—they sell a lifestyle and an emotional connection to nature. The accompanying copywriting is equally evocative, weaving narratives about solitude, self-discovery, and the healing power of the wilderness. By consistently maintaining this tone across all content, YEYU has cultivated a recognizable brand voice that feels both aspirational and relatable. This clarity in messaging ensures that every post, whether organic or boosted by Xiaohongshu Ads, reinforces the same core themes, making the hotel instantly identifiable amid the noise of generic travel recommendations.

2. Core Strategies for Explosive Growth

YEYU's meteoric rise on Xiaohongshu was fueled by three pillars: high-quality content creation, strategic influencer partnerships, and the amplification of user-generated content (UGC). The brand placed top priority on visually striking content, enlisting professional photographers to immortalize the hotel’s tranquil atmosphere and the breathtaking landscapes that surround it. These images weren't merely decorative; they told a story, transporting viewers into the experience of waking up to mist-covered mountains or soaking in a wooden bathtub under a starry sky. The accompanying copy was equally deliberate, blending practical details (like room rates and meal options) with poetic prose that tapped into wanderlust. Titles such as "A Room Where the Mountains Whisper Goodnight" performed exceptionally well because they balanced emotional appeal with searchability, ensuring discoverability while evoking desire—Xiaohongshu Ads further amplified these high-performing notes to maximize visibility.

Influencer collaborations were another critical lever. YEYU partnered with travel KOLs whose personal brands aligned with its ethos—think minimalist adventurers, eco-conscious backpackers, and wellness enthusiasts. These creators didn't just post generic reviews; they crafted immersive narratives, like "3 Days Off the Grid at YEYU" or "How This Wilderness Hotel Taught Me to Slow Down." Their content often included practical travel guides, which added value beyond promotion, positioning YEYU as both a destination and a curator of meaningful experiences. Meanwhile, UGC played a dual role: it provided social proof (guest photos and reviews built trust) and extended reach (every shared stay became free marketing). The brand encouraged this by creating Instagrammable moments throughout the property—think hammocks overlooking valleys or sunrise yoga sessions—that guests were eager to document. By repurposing this UGC in its own posts and supplementing it with Xiaohongshu Ads, YEYU created a virtuous cycle where authentic traveler content fueled further engagement and bookings.

3. Tactical Execution: From Awareness to Conversion

Turning visibility into revenue required seamless conversion mechanisms. YEYU embedded direct booking links in its Xiaohongshu notes, allowing users to transition from inspiration to action without leaving the app. This frictionless path was crucial; studies show that even minor additional steps (like redirecting to a third-party site) can drop conversion rates by up to 30%. The hotel also optimized its platform storefront, ensuring that product pages were visually cohesive with its content and included clear calls-to-action. Descriptions highlighted unique selling points—like "private terraces with unobstructed mountain views"—while practical details (check-in times, cancellation policies) were easily accessible to reduce hesitation. Xiaohongshu Ads were strategically deployed to retarget users who engaged with these notes but hadn’t yet booked, reinforcing the hotel’s value proposition.

Community engagement was equally proactive. YEYU's team monitored comments and DMs around the clock, responding to queries within minutes. This wasn't just about customer service; it was an opportunity to deepen relationships. For example, when users asked about hiking trails nearby, the staff didn't just reply with directions—they shared personal anecdotes ("Our favorite route is X—you might spot blue sheep at dawn!") and linked to related posts. They also pinned travel tips in comment sections (e.g., "Pack layers—mornings are chilly even in summer!"), which added value and kept conversations alive. These interactions transformed one-time visitors into loyal advocates, as seen in the 4.5/5 service rating that further bolstered the brand's credibility—Xiaohongshu Ads then leveraged this social proof to attract new audiences.

4. Performance Metrics and Results

The numbers tell a compelling story. YEYU's campaign achieved 17 million+ views, a figure that dwarfs many traditional advertising efforts, and its follower count surged by 13,000 in under two months. More importantly, these metrics translated into tangible business outcomes: over 1 million RMB in sales within 19 days, with many bookings attributed directly to platform referrals. The campaign's success wasn't just about scale; it was about efficiency. Compared to paid ads, which often yield diminishing returns, YEYU's content-driven approach—augmented by Xiaohongshu Ads—generated organic reach that compounded over time. For instance, notes from early influencer collaborations continued to attract new viewers months later, demonstrating the long-tail value of high-quality content.

Comparative insights from other brands underscore these lessons. Botanical Paradise, a skincare newcomer, used Xiaohongshu's KFS (KOL + Feeds + Search) strategy to achieve an 8.98 million+ note exposure and 446% brand search growth. Similarly, Estée Lauder's "Trial Center" mini-program, which capitalized on the platform's sampling culture, drove a 330% month-over-month increase in searches for its collagen cream. These cases share a common thread: they leveraged unique blend of community trust and content discovery—often accelerated by Xiaohongshu Ads—to achieve disproportionate growth relative to their marketing spend. For YEYU, this meant not just immediate sales but also sustained visibility—a critical advantage in the competitive travel sector.

For brands seeking similar outcomes, partnering with Topkee can amplify these advantages through tailored Xiaohongshu Ads solutions. Topkee’s expertise spans professional account certification (including Blue V verification and customized homepage optimization) and precise audience targeting via Xiaohongshu’s DMP system, which leverages user attributes, life stages, and shopping habits to ensure ads reach high-intent audiences. The diversified content creation—ranging from graphic notes aligned with trending topics to professionally produced video narratives—enhances engagement and conversion rates.

Beyond creative execution, Topkee’s data-driven optimization ensures continuous campaign refinement. Their note analysis tracks views, likes, and shares to identify high-performing content, while conversion analysis monitors ad click-through rates, ROI, and sales data to adjust strategies in real time. Additionally, fan analysis provides granular insights into audience demographics (age, gender, location) to tailor messaging. Topkee’s services—such as search promotion (placing ads in search results) and video streaming promotion (prioritizing video notes in feeds)—further enhance visibility. By combining these tools with the platform’s inherent community trust and Xiaohongshu Ads, brands can achieve disproportionate growth, transforming short-term wins into long-term market presence.

5. Actionable Framework for Brands

To replicate YEYU's success, brands must first identify their unique value proposition and align it with audience preferences. Start by auditing competitors and platform trends to find whitespace opportunities—for instance, YEYU capitalized on the growing demand for eco-travel. Next, invest in professional content that balances aesthetics with authenticity; even user-generated posts should reflect the brand's visual standards. Collaborate with micro- and mid-tier influencers whose followers match your target demographic, as their endorsements often carry more weight than celebrity promotions. Tools like Dandelion platform can help identify the right creators.

Avoid common pitfalls like inconsistent posting (YEYU maintained a steady flow of 2-3 high-quality notes weekly) or neglecting community interaction. Future-proof your strategy by embracing emerging formats, such as live streaming or interactive polls, which Xiaohongshu Ads is increasingly prioritizing. For example, Estée Lauder's mini-program blended sampling with social sharing, creating a feedback loop that boosted both engagement and conversions. The key is to treat the platform not as a sales channel but as a storytelling platform where trust is the currency—Xiaohongshu Ads can then amplify these stories to the right audiences.

Strategic influencer partnerships are amplified through Topkee’s certified enterprise account services, which include Blue V verification and customized homepage optimization to enhance credibility. The agency’s note ideation process combines trending industry topics with intelligent delivery systems, ensuring content achieves both visibility and engagement. 

Avoiding pitfalls requires data-driven vigilance. Topkee’s analytics suite tracks note performance (views, likes, shares) and conversion metrics (click-through rates, ROI), enabling real-time adjustments. Fan portrait analysis reveals demographic insights, allowing brands to refine messaging by age, gender, or region. Ad types like all-site smart investment and search promotion balance broad reach with precision, while fries promotion targets high-relevance audiences for warm-up campaigns—all underpinned by the strategic use of Xiaohongshu Ads.

Conclusion: Sustaining Growth Beyond Virality

YEYU Wilderness Hotel's journey underscores that virality is just the beginning. Long-term success hinges on nurturing a loyal community through consistent, value-driven content and genuine engagement. By viewing the platform as a space for ongoing conversation rather than one-off campaigns—and leveraging tools like Xiaohongshu Ads to sustain momentum—brands can transform fleeting hype into enduring loyalty. Whether you're a boutique hotel or a beauty startup, the lesson is clear: in the age of social commerce, the brands that thrive are those that marry compelling narratives with seamless consumer experiences. Ready to unlock potential for your business? Start by crafting stories worth sharing—then watch your community grow.

Appendix:

• Xiaohongshu Official Case Study: YEYU Wilderness Hotel
• Botanical Paradise's KFS Strategy
• Estée Lauder's Sampling Campaign
• Clinique's Eye Cream Case Study