It’s a good time to own a short-term rental property. The vacation rental industry is strong right now, especially in a rental market like Florida, where there are rarely low seasons. We have vacationers and visitors flocking to our state all year long. When you want to earn high nightly rates with your investment property, rent it out to those tourists and visitors who stay for a few days, a week, or longer.
While there is a lot of interest in short-term rentals among tenants, there’s also a lot of competition. As a property owner trying to increase profitability, you need innovative and effective marketing strategies to stand out and attract more guests.
We have some great marketing strategies that will help you attract more guests to your rental. Here are some of the things you can do to immediately increase your visibility, enhance your rental home’s appeal, and ultimately fill your booking calendar.
Understanding Florida’s Short Term Tenant Population
Before you leap into marketing efforts to attract guests and visitors to your property, it’s crucial to understand who those guests are likely to be. You’ll have a broad mix of guests who are looking for the space, privacy, and unique experience that a private rental home can offer versus an impersonal hotel.
You’ll have renters who are retirees and may be in town for a good part of the winter. You’ll have spring break guests and families with children who are taking advantage of travel opportunities during school vacations. You can expect couples looking for a romantic stay and large groups of friends and family members coming together for reunions or group travel.
Remember to be as inclusive as possible when you’re marketing your property. If you focus too much on one specific demographic, you might be missing out on the opportunity to attract other vacationers. Make sure your marketing demonstrates why your rental can appeal to just about anyone looking for a Florida getaway.
Perfecting Your Online Presence
Many of your visitors will be from out of state, or at least from out of the area. They won’t be able to see your home before they decide to rent it for their stay. This is why a strong online presence is so important. They’ll need to get a good idea of where you’re located and what the property looks like based on your listing.
This is your only chance to reach them visually.
- Invest in Quality Photography
Your prospective guests will look at your photos first. This is your true first impression, so make it count. We recommend investing in a professional photographer to capture your rental in the best light. High-quality, vibrant images can be the deciding factor for potential guests browsing online listings. If you’re not going to work with a professional, make sure you’re taking high quality photos with a good camera or phone. Capture the best lighting, the right angles, and all of the superb features of your home.
- Create and Optimize a Website
If you have a website for your rental, ensure it’s user-friendly, mobile-responsive, and optimized for search engines (SEO). Highlight unique selling points, local attractions, and guest testimonials. Keep the booking process simple and intuitive.
If you don’t have a website for your rental property, now is a good time to create one.
- Leverage Social Media
Utilize platforms like Instagram and Facebook to showcase your property and the surrounding area. Use hashtags to drive views and make your listing more searchable. Engage with followers, and post content that extends beyond your property, such as local events or attractions. Your platform will attract a larger audience when you’re seen as a resource as well as a rental property owner.
Utilizing Online Rental Platforms
Even if you have your own website for your vacation rental properties and even if you know how to leverage social media, your listing does need to be on some of the more popular vacation rental platforms. This is where most tenants initiate their searches for a home.
- Choose The Right Platforms
List your property on popular rental platforms like Airbnb, VRBO, HomeAway, and Booking.com. Each platform caters to different types of travelers, so it’s a good idea to be on as many of them as possible.
- Optimize Your Listings
Craft compelling descriptions, utilize strong keywords, and keep your availability calendar up to date. Encourage satisfied guests to leave reviews, as these greatly influence prospective renters who are trying to decide between different properties.
Developing Promotional Strategies
You’re renting out a fantastic place, and you have the testimonials and reviews to prove it. Sometimes, an extra incentive can make the difference in staying completely booked and dealing with vacancies.
Offer deals and discounts. You might want to offer special rates during off-peak times to boost bookings, for example. You can also create packages or partner with local businesses for experiences or discounts, adding value to the stay.
Once you’ve garnered interest through third-party platforms, encourage guests to book directly with you next time. Offer a discount or incentive for direct bookings, which can save you from service fees and create a loyal customer base.
Remember that marketing is often about remaining flexible and adaptable so you know where you’re succeeding and where you may be wasting your time. Track the performance of your marketing efforts with analytics tools and adapt strategies accordingly. What works for one property or target audience might not work for another.
Attracting more guests to your short-term rental involves a mix of solid online presence, exceptional guest experiences, and smart promotional tactics. By understanding your audience and meeting their needs with thoughtful marketing efforts, you will not only see an increase in bookings but also develop relationships with loyal guests who return year after year and even recommend your properties to friends who are traveling to Florida.
In the short-term rental market in Florida, it’s not just about having a great space—it’s about creating an unforgettable experience from the first click to check-out.
If you need some help implementing these strategies or if you’d like us to handle the marketing and the bookings so you can earn more money on your rental while spending less time managing it, please contact us at Anchor Down Vacation Rentals.