If you’re feeling frustrated and overwhelmed by the lack of bookings and unhappy guests, despite your efforts to boost your short-term rental property, then you are not alone! You may be spending countless hours and resources on online marketing and promotions, only to see minimal results. Instead of a steady stream of bookings and delighted guests, you’re left with vacant listings and negative reviews.
Remember, folks don’t book a vacation rental, they book a vacation. Let’s make that experience irresistible. – Jenn Boyles
In this episode, you will be able to:
- Boost your vacation rental bookings with these proven strategies.
- Create an unforgettable guest experience by highlighting the best of your local area.
- Discover how to captivate guests with compelling content about nearby attractions.
- Learn how to use storytelling techniques to connect with your guests on a deeper level.
- Forge mutually beneficial partnerships with local businesses to enhance the guest experience.
- Unlock the secrets to boosting bookings and creating happier guests.
- Elevate your vacation rental game by shifting your content to focus on the local area experience.
The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:08 – Introduction
00:01:13 – Importance of Delivering an Experience
00:02:44 – Practical Tips for Sharing Local Area
00:03:44 – Collaborating with Local Businesses
00:04:27 – Conclusion
Show notes are available at: https://directbookingsuccess.com/podcast/
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Transcript
Hey there, it's Jenn Boyles, your host here at the Direct Booking Success podcast.
Today, I'm going to dive into a game changing approach that can help you short term rental property managers and owners boost your bookings. It's all about shifting your content from just showcasing your property to giving potential guests a vivid picture of your local area and all it has to offer. Remember, folks don't book a vacation rental, they book a vacation. Let's make that experience irresistible. This is going to be a very short episode packed with tips and no waffle, so make sure you are ready to take some notes.
As a property manager and owner myself, I've been on the same journey as you might be on now, and I've learned that providing an unforgettable experience is key. So let's talk about the importance of delivering that experience. Guests aren't just looking for a place to sleep, they're seeking a memorable vacation. So how can you do this so they will book with you? The first is to stop posting all about your properties on social media and start posting about all the things to do in your local area.
Going from selling to sharing the experience will be what helps you move the needle. Ever wondered why guests are drawn to experience and not just accommodation? It's our psychological need as a human being to have an emotional connection. This is what helps guests visualize themselves on vacation in your area while staying at your place. So let's get practical.
Here are some actionable tips to start sharing about your local area. Create some compelling content about local attractions, dining and activities. Show guests what you and your previous guests have enjoyed doing while staying there. Use storytelling techniques to make the experience come alive for potential guests. Focus on the benefits to the guest rather than the feature of your property, like how many it sleeps.
Leverage visuals like photography and video to capture the essence of the local area. Take photos and videos of everywhere you go. You never know when they will come in handy. Engage with your audience on social media by asking questions and encouraging them to share their local experiences. This is a great way to connect with guests.
Highlighting upcoming events and festivals can make a huge difference to both your booking calendar and the local businesses in your area. So let's explore the benefits of collaborating with local businesses and sharing these partnerships with your guests. An example of doing this is like a company that brings in people to your area who overlap with your ideal guest. So their ideal client must be very similar to your ideal guest or there will be a disconnect and it just won't work. So perhaps there is a winery near you that offers tours but doesn't have accommodation.
What a great business to partner up with. You promote them, they promote you greatly. What about a local business offering courses or retreats? Perhaps they have their own space to actually do the event but need accommodation for their clients to stay in. That's a win-win.
And some might actually need conference space. And if you're big enough to be able to provide that, that's a win win. Look around at your local area to see who you can partner up with. And remember that attracting guests isn't just about offering a place to stay, but an unforgettable vacation experience. This approach can lead to more bookings and happier guests.