Advertising and marketing are some of the cornerstones of any successful business. They provide knowledge to your customers and persuade them to see your product or service is advantageous.
They help you stand out, and we're always trying to find new ways to reach out to our customers.
But advertising and marketing can be difficult to get into, especially when you're trying to advertise your first property. For this reason, we wanted to provide some basic tips for advertising your rental.
This list consists of some of the advertising methods we've used and could prove successful for your business.
1. Create a Website:
Most readers will have already completed this step. But creating a website can be daunting, especially if you aren't sure where to start.
First, start by looking at similar websites. Get a feel for different layouts and color palettes. Decide the features you would like to include. How do you want customers to interact with your product or service? What type of feeling do you want to provoke?
All of these are important questions when designing your website, so make sure you feel good about your online presence.
For choosing a platform, we decided to go with Wix. The user interface is pretty straightforward, once you get a hang of it, and you have a variety of options for customization.
2. List It
Once your website is up and running, create listings on reliable websites. These could be property management or rental sites.
You want your rental to show up on pages that are already reliable. This will help you appear more credible, and give your audience another avenue for discovering your rental.
Consider these sites when listing your rental:
Google (Make sure there is a maps image of the property)
Zillow (For real estate pricing and images)
Airbnb (If you are going to list your rental for short-term or long-term stays, Airbnb provides the option. Allowing your space to appear as a Sublet, will provide you with month to month renters, reducing turnaround. This also typically reduces the amount you charge, so take costs into consideration before deciding)
Vrbo (Specifically for vacation rentals, this site offers an alternative to Airbnb)
Apartments (If you plan to have your space be longterm, consider listing it here. But, be transparent about cost expectations, and provide substantial rental information. There are many listings on this site and some advertising using promotional prices, not actual costs. This may get more initial traffic but harm reputation in the long run, which is far more valuable.)
These options are some of the most popular and are intended to provide you with an array of rental types. But, there are always other sites you can list your property on, so make sure to conduct a search of your own and find the websites that work best for your situation.
3. Create a Blog:
Blogs are one of the best ways to help your website and properties get discovered. Blogging seems simple from the outside, but having a solid understanding of best practices and what makes a blog successful are key.
Make sure you do your research before deciding on this route. It can be one of the best methods for improving SEO (Search Engine Optimization), but it can also be time-consuming.
We are by no means the final source on blogging, but here are some tips that we can provide:
Focus your topics on the location of your rental. This will help you show up when people search for spaces in your city, which most should be.
Create posts above 1000 words and less than 2000. Most successful blogs range between these numbers.
Write as though you are communicating with a friend.
Don't sell yourself as an expert unless you are one.
Some of the finer aspects of blog writing, like keywords, font size and type, and titles, can be found on other resources. So make sure you do your research before diving in.
4. Use Social Media:
Social media can be your best friend with advertising, especially when you first start out. It's free, and most people already have some form of social media account, so the learning curve isn't very steep.
Deciding how to approach social media is a different subject. This will depend on time and resources. We recommend deciding on at least one social site at minimum, but extend to others only if you can. To decide on which site, consider the following:
Your current followers/friends. If you use a platform more often than another, we recommend using that platform to start. This will help you establish an initial audience, and since you're just starting, you can modify your posts to fit the platform.
The platform type. Are other rental sites using this platform? Instagram and Facebook might be great, but Twitter probably isn't the best (This is not to say you can't find a way for it to work!)
The type of posts. Are you going to use more images? Or, maybe you want to connect with a specific group that promotes local events. Consider the type of social post you want to create to help you decide on the channel to invest in.
Using images. If you decide to include an image in your post (which we recommend!) make sure it fits the dimensions of your chosen site, otherwise, a poorly formatted image will only harm your website's reputation. Simply do a quick Google search of your chosen sites recommended image dimensions to find the right size.
5. Local Networking:
You don't want to fill everyday conversations with advertising. But, if the subject comes up naturally, discuss your interest in renting your property.
Family and friends can be excellent sources of advertising. They want you to succeed, so they are naturally inclined to discuss your rental. But don't just talk to family and friends!
Typically, we wouldn't recommend everyday conversation as a "method of advertising". It simply doesn't reach enough people. But, in this case we make an exception. This is because most rental property owners are within driving distance of their property.
The people you would be talking to live in the same space as your rental. They may be your direct audience (if they are looking for a longterm rental) or they could mention it to a traveler.
6. Promote Local Events:
Promoting local events can help your rental property be found. Most of the time, this is because people traveling to your area will be going for a specific reason. It might be a convention, a concert, or a fair. Whatever it is, travelers will be looking for places to stay and information about the city.
By talking about local events and attractions, you can generate traffic to your rental website. Here are a few methods for doing just that:
Promote the event on social media. Post about the event on social, and maybe even offer reductions for travelers who are attending.
Write a blog post on the event. Maybe you have attended this local event before, and you can provide some useful information to someone who is visiting for the first time.
Promote vendors around the event. Discuss local restaurants and entertainment, providing visitors with options for their visit.
7. Personalize:
Personalizing your website and advertising allows it to stand out from similar ads, as most cities will have a long list of possible rentals. Personalization can happen in a variety of ways, all benefiting your site. Consider applying these options to our previous points to add a personal touch to your website or advertisement:
Use first-person blog posts. Talk about your own travels, your experiences renting, or what you discovered in a new city. Giving yourself a personal voice can allow people to identify with you, building trust and dependability.
Provide pictures of local events on social media. Combining our fourth and sixth points, you can show some local flair by including it in your social media feed.
Make your rentals feel welcoming. You want your tenant or renter to feel like their space is clean, but also welcoming. Many owners attempt to copy hotels in design, but this often feels cold. Consider adding some personalization to your rental with decorations. If you're looking for ways to help your rental stand out more, check out our list on preparing your vacation rental for guests.
Incorporate a second theme to your listings. With Sustainable Properties, we wanted to create rentals that were beneficial to the environment. Eco-friendly rentals and solutions became a part of our identity, helping us stand out. Consider adopting a similar approach.
Advertising can be a challenging process, but we hope this list helps you start your advertising journey and gets your rental found and booked. Good luck!
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