Thursday, September 6, 2012

Off-Season Marketing Tips - Staying Booked After the Peak Season

Just the view of trying to book a vacation rental during the low-season may attack some owners as daunting, but any owner implicated about attracting renters after the peak season should remember that there are abundance of people who prefer to voyage anytime but high season. Couples or families with very young children are not constrained by school schedules. Some people prefer traveling when the crowds have ebbed or when the temperature drops. It may want a petite extra creativity, but the rewards will come this slow season and the next. Here are just a few tips for keen to these great not-so-off-season markets:

1. Winter marketing tips. Playing up features like hot tubs and fireplaces and sprinkling your article with words like warm or cozy will attract renters interested in braving the cold weather for some relaxation. Remember that photos often speak louder than words, so try to post images of your vacation home framed in brilliant autumn leaves or dusted with snow. You can even swap out pictures of your rooms to show beds overflowing with fleeces and comforters or a roaring fire in your fireplace.

2. Get as much mileage as inherent out of the holidays. Holiday trappings are a great marketing tool because practically any person gets excited about taking off from work or school to spend potential time with house and friends.

3. Try contribution specials or discounts. The truth is that people expect a reduction during the slow season and so you might reconsider a deal like, "rent three nights and get one free". Or, reconsider calling or e-mailing prior "Vip" guests and contribution them discounted stays.

4. Sacrifice your minimum stay. In the low-season, people are typically looking for shorter getaways and maybe more local trips. Shorter minimum stays will also mean lower prices, and this will attract the deal hunters that just need a quick vacation.

5. Make your home smaller. You can close off (lock) a few bedrooms in your vacation rental, development it a one or two bedroom home, and lower your rates accordingly. Remember to negotiate a cleaning fee with your housekeeper for the lower number of bedrooms.

6. Make your home baby- and toddler-friendly. people with very young children are more likely to voyage during off-season because they're not constrained by school schedules. Petition to these travelers by together with baby and toddler paraphernalia. A high chair and a port-a-crib should cost less than 0 combined, and can drastically growth your low season bookings.

7. Accept pets. Vacation rental homes that accept pets growth their occupancy by 10 to 50 percent. When you accept pets, it's okay to take an added to /night or 0 to 5/week. This extra (which pet owners would have to spend anyway on boarding fees) is enough to pay for any rug cleaning that may need to be done.

8. Advertise to European travelers. Many Europeans have a fixed holiday period so they are other group of inherent renters who will be arriving after the high season. Advertising on websites in Europe will help you reach this target market.

9. Feature special events. Don't forget about alumni or sports fans that will be heading to (or near) college towns in quest of sporting event tickets. Local festivals and events might draw in a semi-local crowd looking for a getaway. In addition, many people book vacation rentals for weddings or church retreats. You may be able to register your vacation home as a venue for corporate retreats with your visitors and convention bureau.

One a word of caution: rehearsal moderation. It's okay to spend some money on things to attract slow season renters, but don't go overboard. You're renting at a deeply discounted rate so you don't want to spend too much. Doing a good job with the basics and being a friendly, hospitable host is plenty. As word gets nearby and your guests come to be 'regulars,' your off-season question will solve itself.

funny post Off-Season Marketing Tips - Staying Booked After the Peak Season funny post


No comments:

Post a Comment