We are going to be roling out our idea exchange some time in the next couple of weeks.
We'll keep you posted.
VROmarketing
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Email campaigns and your Vacation Rental
Don't forget to stay in touch with your guests. In general, people appreciate being appreciated especially if they are spending hard earned money on your vacation rental.
The existing guest can become a repeat guest but you need to remind them of the great times they had when they last stayed at your vacation home. Stay in touch with them by email because it is the most cost effective way to maintain your relationship with your guest. In the vacation rental business it is more about quality than quantity which makes maintaining contact with past guests and high probability prospects even more important.
The existing guest can become a repeat guest but you need to remind them of the great times they had when they last stayed at your vacation home. Stay in touch with them by email because it is the most cost effective way to maintain your relationship with your guest. In the vacation rental business it is more about quality than quantity which makes maintaining contact with past guests and high probability prospects even more important.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Peak Seaon Reminder
Many Vacation Home Owners and Property Managers are enjoying the spring break and are also very BUSY. Don't forget to spend a few minutes thinking about your marketing strategies for the off peak and shoulder seasons.
Good Luck Everyone,
Homespun Websites LLC
Good Luck Everyone,
Homespun Websites LLC
Monday, March 3, 2008
The Inexpensive and the free...
Vacation Home Owners and Vacation Rental Owners who have been looking for extra income have relied on the usual suspects for generating revenue to their vacation properties: HomeAway, VRBO, and CyberRentals. Others have been successful by using services such as those offered by Homespun Websites.
Many of the property owners I have had the pleasure to speak with are starting to gravitate toward the free services geared toward building content on their free listing services. In addition, many home owners have experienced success using Google Adwords, Craigs List, Vamoose, and even Ebay.
In a word, don't be afraid to use the free or inexpensive stuff because sometimes it works!
Good Luck,
Homespun Websites
Many of the property owners I have had the pleasure to speak with are starting to gravitate toward the free services geared toward building content on their free listing services. In addition, many home owners have experienced success using Google Adwords, Craigs List, Vamoose, and even Ebay.
In a word, don't be afraid to use the free or inexpensive stuff because sometimes it works!
Good Luck,
Homespun Websites
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Vacation Rentals and Extra Work
How many times has a potential guest inquired about additional information on your vacation rental?
Think about the emails you have sent to your potential guests answering questions about their vacation rental. The fact of the matter is that these potential guests make their booking decision using a common path. First they do their Google search, then they land on a website such as http://www.homeaway.com/, then they fill out the owner inquiry form, then they wait to hear back from the owner via email or phone. Usually, the end game is the potential guest gets confused and the booking you receive is more a function of luck then marketing skill or the quality of your property.
The point, make it easy for them to make their buying decision because it will increase the number of bookings you receive from your existing base of inquires.
Think about the emails you have sent to your potential guests answering questions about their vacation rental. The fact of the matter is that these potential guests make their booking decision using a common path. First they do their Google search, then they land on a website such as http://www.homeaway.com/, then they fill out the owner inquiry form, then they wait to hear back from the owner via email or phone. Usually, the end game is the potential guest gets confused and the booking you receive is more a function of luck then marketing skill or the quality of your property.
The point, make it easy for them to make their buying decision because it will increase the number of bookings you receive from your existing base of inquires.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Turn around on Vacation Rentals Inquires
How quickly do you get back to your inquires for your Vacation Rentals?
Let’s start from the top. The two types of inquires that the vast majority of home owners received via phone or email. In some cases, people with send an inquiry using phone and email. In my opinion, the best inquiry is the one that comes in over the phone because now you have an opportunity to quickly “feel out” the prospect and if appropriate close attempt to close the deal.
In the case of a phone call make sure that you have your phone “hunt” for you if you’re not available on your primary or secondary line. In other words, forward your calls to the appropriate lines. In the case of an email, make sure you auto respond with a link to a place where the guest will only see information on you’re vacation rental. Obviously, a link to a listing service is not sufficient.
Let us know if we can help,
Homespun Websites LLC
Let’s start from the top. The two types of inquires that the vast majority of home owners received via phone or email. In some cases, people with send an inquiry using phone and email. In my opinion, the best inquiry is the one that comes in over the phone because now you have an opportunity to quickly “feel out” the prospect and if appropriate close attempt to close the deal.
In the case of a phone call make sure that you have your phone “hunt” for you if you’re not available on your primary or secondary line. In other words, forward your calls to the appropriate lines. In the case of an email, make sure you auto respond with a link to a place where the guest will only see information on you’re vacation rental. Obviously, a link to a listing service is not sufficient.
Let us know if we can help,
Homespun Websites LLC
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Testimonial Tips
Have you ever been considering a purchase, and made your decision partly because of reviews submitted by other people? Testimonials, or "Guest Comments" on your website can help potential renters determine if your property will be a good fit for them. Here are a few Testimonial Tips:
1. If renters mention what a great time they had at your property, ask them for permission to publish their comments on your website.
2. Make sure that every comment listed includes the person's name and other identifying information (city/state, website, etc.) If they have a website, they may appreciate the incoming link. Identifying information makes the comments more trustworthy to future viewers.
3. Ask happy renters if they would be willing to put a link to your website on their website. Incoming links are valuable - and it never hurts to ask!
4. Make it easy for people to see testimonials - instead of putting them only on one page, consider adding a short guest comment at the bottom of each page of your website. If a potential renter is wondering about the numbers on your "Rates" page, they may be inspired by a complimentary note at the bottom of that page!
Laurel@HomeSpunWebsites.com
1. If renters mention what a great time they had at your property, ask them for permission to publish their comments on your website.
2. Make sure that every comment listed includes the person's name and other identifying information (city/state, website, etc.) If they have a website, they may appreciate the incoming link. Identifying information makes the comments more trustworthy to future viewers.
3. Ask happy renters if they would be willing to put a link to your website on their website. Incoming links are valuable - and it never hurts to ask!
4. Make it easy for people to see testimonials - instead of putting them only on one page, consider adding a short guest comment at the bottom of each page of your website. If a potential renter is wondering about the numbers on your "Rates" page, they may be inspired by a complimentary note at the bottom of that page!
Laurel@HomeSpunWebsites.com
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