The marketing materials that describe a vacation property must make some promises. It must promise a well-deserved vacation, lots of relaxation, and also the adventure and novelty that comes with discovering new places and spaces.
The listing is often your first and best chance to connect on an emotional level with your potential guests.
In Florida, the vacation rental market is competitive. Standing out from the crowd requires effort, creativity, and strategy. Whether you own a coastal cottage or a condo in the middle of town, the power of your photography and the story you tell with your description can be the difference between a full booking calendar and an empty home.
Let’s take a look at how to create a standout listing that will attract vacation guests to your property.
The Importance of Visual Storytelling
Before any words are read, your images will be reviewed. It’s simply easier for potential guests to scroll through photos than it is to read descriptions. Your photography needs to tell a story just as much as your property description will.
- Photography Tips
Composition is key in photography. Your main goal is to lead the eye towards the highlights of your home and show off its most attractive features. Employ the rule of thirds to keep images balanced and engaging. Use leading lines and framing within your shots to guide the viewer. Take multiple shots from the same location, experimenting with different angles and distances to find the most flattering viewpoints.
Natural light, with its soft, diffused glow, is your best friend. Take your photos during the golden hour, just after sunrise or before sunset when the light is warm and gentle. Interior shots during the day benefit from opening curtains to flood the space with sunlight. Conversely, night shots are best framed during the blue hour, when the sky is a deep, twilight blue.
Presenting a Lifestyle with Photos in Your Listing
More than just showcasing rooms, your images should sell the vacation lifestyle that potential guests are looking for. Guests should be able to envision themselves in your home, lounging by the pool, cooking in the kitchen, or enjoying a glass of wine by the fire. Add elements that invite imagination, such as a set dining table, a steaming cup of coffee by a plush armchair, or towels neatly arranged poolside.
Details are what bring your property to life. Capture close-ups of unique furnishings, architectural features, and decorative items. These shots add personality and depth to your listing. Remember, guests might choose your property for small, distinct elements that resonate with them, so highlight the unique selling points that others might not have.
Writing the Description
Once you’ve captured the attention of vacationers with your stunning images, it’s time to focus on your words. Descriptions should go beyond the basic features of your home — they should paint a detailed picture and evoke an emotional response. Effective writing in your listing description will allow potential guests to step into your property before they’ve even arrived.
You want to be detailed, and you must include all of the pertinent details, but don’t be too wordy. You’ll lose visitors if you write long paragraphs. Stick to bullet points, short paragraphs, and descriptive adjectives.
Your writing style sets the tone for the entire listing. Decide on the mood you want to convey — whether it’s cozy and intimate, fun and lively, or sophisticated and elegant. Use a consistent tone throughout your description to ensure a cohesive message. This should also align with the branding of your vacation home and any additional marketing materials.
- Sell the Experience and the Location
Focus on experiences and the special benefits of your location. Is it a bike ride from the beach? Next door to a fantastic coffee shop? Include these details.
- Keywords Help with Online Searches
Research relevant keywords to use in your description to boost your visibility on rental platforms and search engines. Think about what travelers might type into the search bar when looking for a vacation rental like yours and include those terms naturally in your text.
Be transparent about your property’s features. If your property is 20 minutes away from the nearest grocery store, mention it. It’s better to set realistic expectations from the outset to avoid disappointment. This not only builds trust but also ensures that the guests you attract are the ones who will truly enjoy and appreciate your home.
Additional Considerations for Vacation Property Marketing
When done properly, your photos and description should attract guests to your rental home. Additional things you might want to include are:
- Video Tours
Incorporate video tours to add another layer of sensory experience. A short, professionally shot clip can offer a dynamic and comprehensive view of your property that photographs simply can’t. Videos give a better sense of the flow of spaces, the interaction of natural light, and the ambience that your home exudes.
- Include Guest Reviews
Always encourage positive reviews from guests. You can link to those reviews in your listings. Reviews offer insights into your property’s strengths and can provide future guests with social proof that your home is as great as it looks in the listing.
- Be Clear about Policies and Rules
You don’t have to go into your entire list of rules and house policies when you’re creating a listing. But, you’ll want to include pertinent details such as whether pets are allowed and any cleaning fees or additional costs that are included in the rental of your property.
Keep your listing fresh by updating it regularly. If you’ve renovated a bathroom, capture new and improved professional photographs. If you’ve added a state-of-the-art espresso machine, make sure that’s highlighted in your description. Additionally, pay attention to seasonal changes in your area that could influence the appeal of your property.
When it comes to a vacation listing, the details matter.
If you’d like some help implementing these tips into a perfect rental listing for your vacation property, we’d be happy to help. We’ve been professionally managing vacation properties in this part of Florida for years. Contact us at Anchor Down Vacation Rentals.