Deciding to manage and operate a vacation rental can be overwhelming in the beginning. Particularly; when you are not working with any property agent, and you are the decision-maker. About half the people who purchase a second home have the aim of generating revenue from it. If you strategically market your vacation rental property in the right way, you will make your property visible to the right people who can make a reservation.
So it’s very crucial to have a strong marketing strategy behind the advertising to potential customers. Here are some points that should be kept in mind to do the right marketing:
Working on your Property Listing
A compelling listing requires your time and effort. Be very thoughtful when you’re working on your property listing description and the photographs of the property. The title and the body of the listing description should be compelling and include all the required information a guest would be looking for in a vacation rental.
If you’re not sure how to begin writing, perform online research to see how others have described their property. Once you’re confident, frame a compelling description of your property. Also, give attention to photographs you are tagging; it should clear and good resolution images of your beautiful property.
Displaying pricing information
Displaying the price range of your property is another important aspect that should include in the listing. An understanding of the peak and the off-peak season pricing is quite imperative. Always ensure that your reservation calendar and pricing is updated accordingly. You can also automate this process.
Offering discounts and offers can also be used as a marketing strategy to attract guests. You can strategically work on your weekday and weekend rates. Perform a thorough research on competitor pricing and try to work on pricing that you would list to attract your potential guests.
Listing the detailed list of amenities available for guests
Provide an exhaustive list of the amenities available for guests on your property. These lists can help with decision making for the guests. Some of the guests may be looking for a few facilities that could be important for them and help them in making the right decision while selecting your property. Therefore it’s quite imperative to list everything that you’re providing the guests, which will make their stay convenient and comfortable.
Prompt response to inquiries
When people are looking for booking a vacation rental, they expect a prompt answer to their inquiry, based on which they can make a decision. So try the respond to any inquiry within an hour or so. If it’s taking 10 hours or a day to answer a guest’s inquiry, there is a high chance that your potential customer has already moved on with booking a different rental. There is a solution; if you are busy enough to attend to the inquiries, you can hire a property manager who can give a timely response to your guest within an hour.
Know your target audience
Develop a marketing strategy and have a strong plan of action, it’s essential that you know whom you are marketing to. Senior travelers may not have the same needs as a guest who travels in groups or those with a family with children and also sometimes pets. If you know your target audience you can create special offers to appeal to them. For instance, if your guests are families with children, consider providing a discount to a nearby theme park. You can target your audience through the social media platform as well.
Explain the experience you are selling
Every potential client is looking for a getaway destination to get away from their hectic routine and relax. So you need to prove to them why they should pick your vacation rental property. Make strategies to attract with information about nearby attractions, places to dine, amusement park, shopping center, and so on. Use pictures and expressive words to describe your property and location to appeal to them. Guests should feel that visiting your property is worth their time and money.
Showcase your reviews
Reviews play an important role in promoting your property. A positive experience of another guest will have a positive impact on other guests looking for vacation rental properties. It will play a key role when travelers are looking for booking a vacation rental property. If they have are choosing between a few rentals in the area, they would go for the one with the most number of positive reviews and ratings. Therefore, it is important that you request your guests to leave reviews and ratings to attract future potential guests.
An exclusive vacation rental website
A website for your vacation rental can be useful and help you better manage bookings. It is one way of listing your property online. You can manage direct bookings and create a brand identity. Display professional photographs and entice your guests with the beautiful scenery of your location and your property. It will help you increase your credibility as a host.
Final Thoughts
By using the above strategies for marketing your vacation rental, you will receive more bookings, as it will gain more exposure for your property. We at Rentcubo are known for our skills in developing user-friendly vacation rental software and websites.
