There’s good money to be had in vacation rentals. But the key to really optimizing those profits? That lies in reducing vacancies and maintaining the place booked.
Of course, that’s easier said than done — especially as the competition grows in most cities across the nation.
Fortunately, the right marketing strategies can help. Want to maintain your rental booked and bringing in the bacon? Here are seven tactics to get you there:
List on Multiple Sites
If you want more visibility, then don’t just stick to one platform. List on at least a few, with Airbnb and VRBO at the top of your list. Other great choices include HomeAway and these Airbnb alternatives.
Advertise on Social Media
Facebook and Instagram can be great advertising platforms for your short-term rental. For one, they let you drill down deep when targeting your ads. You can market to people who recently booked vacations, users interested in travel, people from certain geographic areas, and more. Ads on these platforms are also fairly affordable, too — at least compared to other advertising choices.
Create a Property Website
A designated property site can be a smart marketing tool — especially if you leverage the power of search engine optimization (SEO). Add localized content such as neighborhood guides, restaurant recommendations, and more, and make sure you market that content on social media, too. You might also consider adding a booking calendar to the website.
Cultivate More Reviews
Why spend money on marketing when you can let satisfied customers do the work for you? Make sure renters are taken care of and happy during their stays, and then follow up and ask for a review or rating.
Typically, higher-rated properties will get more views on listing platforms, and they might even qualify you for a program such as Airbnb’s Superhost.
Leverage Local Events and Happenings
It’s important that you’re in tune with what’s happening in your market. Are there festivals or events happening? Is a holiday coming up? Update your listing and find ways to offer perks that coincide with current happenings.
The more relevant you are able to make your rental, the more bookings you will see (and you can probably charge more, too).
Try To Invest In Quality Photos
A picture’s worth a thousand words, right? That’s certainly true in real estate. After all, photos take up the bulk of any listing page. They’re how consumers evaluate a property, and they play a huge role in whether someone will go on to read your reviews or even your own description.
The moral here? Don’t scrimp on photographs. Consider them a necessary marketing price, and invest in a pro photographer’s services from the very start.