In some areas, putting your listing up on Airbnb or VRBO is all it takes for the bookings to start rolling in. If you have a property in that type of area, congrats! For other owners, though, bookings may be seasonal or simply slow for whatever reason. If you find yourself in a position where you want to get more bookings, there are several things you can do.
Set Up A Promotion on Airbnb
On Airbnb, you can start by running a promotion and setting up a discount. Every time I have set up and run a promotion I have received at least one booking within 24 hours. The first couple times I thought it was coincidental but I cannot deny the truth anymore. Promos really can work! Basically, you get some extra marketing through Airbnb when you run a promotion. It gets your listing in front of more eyeballs. I have a video you can watch that explains exactly how to do that on your laptop. Here it is!
If you are interested in learning to set up promos for your Airbnb with your phone – and do everything else related to running your Airbnb with your phone – I have a course for that! You can sign up for the waitlist on the form below and be the first to know when everything is ready!
If you want to go a step further in an effort to really get your short-term rental out there, keep reading to learn about more options for marketing your property. To truly maximize your rental’s visibility and appeal, adopting a multifaceted marketing strategy that goes beyond traditional listings is essential. The marketing strategies outlined below are for hosts looking to expand their reach, connect with potential guests, and drive more bookings.
Establish a Strong Online Presence
Dedicated Website: Create a dedicated website for your rental property. This not only enhances your professional image but also provides a platform for you to control your brand, showcase your property in detail, and offer direct bookings. It also puts you in a position to still thrive even if something happens to the platforms or you choose to leave them. Ensure the website is user-friendly, mobile-responsive, and SEO-optimized to rank well in search engine results.
It can be frustrating to set up and run a website on your own (as I have learned with this one) but you can get help setting up a simple website using a freelancer on a site like Fiverr. I did that with my husband’s business and it saved me a ton of frustration and a lot of money when compared with using an agency.
Social Media Marketing: Leverage social media platforms to promote your rental and engage with your audience. Platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook are ideal for showcasing the aesthetic appeal of your property and sharing guest testimonials, local attractions, and special offers. Consistent posting, engaging visuals, and strategic use of hashtags can help increase your property’s visibility and attract bookings.
If your property has a cute name, check and see if that name is available across the social media platforms. This will make it easier for people to remember your property and be able to look it up on social medial. This model also allows friends and family to easily share your property with others when it comes up.
Content Marketing
Blogging: Start a blog related to your rental property or local area attractions. Share posts about upcoming events, travel tips, and highlights of your property. Blogging not only positions you as a knowledgeable host but also improves your website’s SEO, drawing more organic traffic.
Video Tours: Create a video tour of your property and share it on your website, social media channels, and listing platforms. Video content is highly engaging and can give potential guests a better feel for your space than photos alone. If you do not want to have a website, you can still do a video and post it on YouTube and share on social media. This is a fairly simple process and it’s free!
Email Marketing
Newsletter: Collect email addresses from past guests and interested prospects to build an email list. Send out a regular newsletter with updates about your property, special promotions, and local happenings. Personalized email campaigns can keep your property top of mind and encourage repeat bookings. I would call this an advanced strategy. Setting up an email list is something worth doing if you plan on moving toward a model where you have guests book directly with you.
Partnering with Local Businesses
Collaborations: Collaborate with local businesses to offer your guests exclusive deals or packages. Whether it’s a discount at a nearby restaurant, a special rate for local tours, or access to rental equipment, partnerships can enhance your guests’ experience and provide added value. It is a win-win for you and the local business.
Utilizing Guest Reviews and User-Generated Content
Leverage Positive Reviews: Encourage satisfied guests to share their experiences on social media and review sites. Highlighting positive reviews in your marketing materials and on your website can build trust with potential guests. Since reviews on the platforms are there for everyone to see, you can also direct potential guests to your public reviews for social proof about the quality of your rental.
User-Generated Content: Encourage guests to tag your property in their social media posts or use a specific hashtag. Sharing user-generated content (with permission) can provide authentic insights into the guest experience at your property. You can create a ‘photo op’ area at your property and encourage guests to share it online and tag your social media profiles.
Paid Advertising
Targeted Ads: Consider using paid advertising on social media platforms or Google Ads to target potential guests. Carefully crafted ads can reach individuals planning trips to your area, increasing your property’s visibility to a relevant audience. This is another advanced strategy that only makes sense for certain types of properties. Ads could make sense for a super high-end property that is in a unique location but may not be helpful for a family home in a suburb of a big city.
Marketing your rental property outside of the listing platforms requires creativity, effort, and a willingness to explore new channels and strategies. By establishing a strong online presence, engaging in content and email marketing, forging local partnerships, and leveraging guest reviews and paid advertising, you can significantly enhance your rental’s appeal and drive more bookings. Remember, the key to successful marketing is consistency and engagement—keep your content fresh, your offers enticing, and your communication open and responsive.
*Before you spend any time or money marketing your property in areas outside of the listing platforms like Airbnb and VRBO, take some time to look at the quality of your listing. There may be elements you can adjust in your listing that will make it more appealing to potential guests. If you want help with this process, please reach out!*