Managing a hospitality business is already hard enough, and you also have to think about marketing to attract travelers and tourists to your rentals. As an Airbnb host, you’ve probably spent a lot of time and money renovating your properties, and you’re looking for a quick return on your investment. To market a vacation rental, you need to tap into a wide array of skills and tools if you want to attract the right type of clientele.
Luckily, there are tools you can use to make your life easier. For instance, Airbnb software can help you streamline operations and minimize overhead. Whether you’re a new host or looking to launch your newly renovated rentals, there’s plenty consider when it comes to rental marketing strategies.
1. Personalized text messaging
It’s safe to say that most guests want quick and easy communication with hosts and their staff. If you manage a lot of rental properties in one location, you’re going to be inundated with requests and inquiries from your guests, especially during the peak season. For that personalized touch, you might want to allow two-way communication through text messaging.
Guests don’t expect much from vacation rentals since they’re expected to go about it with minimal contact with hosts. Personalized text messages can be a pleasant surprise for many guests and allow for near-instant communication with both parties.
You can use text messages to send updates and recommendations to your guests. If they have special requests, they also have a direct line to you or your staff.
2. Get accreditation
One great way to boost your brand’s credibility is to get accreditation from your local tourism offices. It’s a signal to guests that your rental properties have been vetted and have met the standards of real authority.
Whether it’s a link on a tourism website or a feature on brochure or billboards, a recommendation gives your brand legitimacy and allows you to compete against established hotels. You can also highlight your accreditation in your marketing material as well.
3. Encourage your guests to post online
If you don’t have the budget for a widespread social media campaign, you can ask help from your guests by encouraging them to post content on social media. Reputation is the lifeblood of any hospitality business, and if you don’t have an excellent online reputation, guests may look at other listings instead.
You can solicit good photos or video reviews from your guests in exchange for extra perks or discounts. Consumers trust testimonials from friends and family above all other types of marketing. According to a 2016 Salesforce study, over half of Millennials say that user reviews play a huge role in their purchasing decisions.
These marketing tips will help you attract more bookings for your rental properties. As an Airbnb host, you have to know a bit of everything, from hospitality management to marketing. If you think that’s a tough role to take on, you’re right. Thankfully, there are lots of tools and strategies you can use to maximize your rental bookings and improve the guest experience.
