The 7 Best Ways to Market Your Vacation Rental and Keep It Booked

Vacation rentals are a great way to make money. But what's the secret to maximizing those profits? The key is to keep the space booked by reducing vacancies.

Of course, that's easier said than done, especially as competition heats up in most American cities.

The right marketing strategies, fortunately, can assist. Do you want to keep your rental booked and make money? Here are seven strategies that will help you get there:

If you want more exposure, don't limit yourself to just one platform. At the very least, list on a few, with Airbnb and VRBO at the top of your list. HomeAway and these Airbnb alternatives are also viable options.

For your short-term rental, Facebook and Instagram can be excellent advertising platforms. For one thing, they allow you to get very specific with your ad targeting. You can target people who have recently booked vacations, users who are interested in traveling, people who live in specific geographical areas, and more. Ads on these platforms are also relatively inexpensive in comparison to other advertising options.

A dedicated property website can be an effective marketing tool, especially when combined with the power of SEO (SEO). Include localized content such as neighborhood guides, restaurant recommendations, and more, and make sure to promote it on social media as well. You should also think about including a booking calendar on the website.

Why waste money on marketing when you can have happy customers do it for you? Ensure that renters are well-cared for and satisfied during their stays, then follow up with a request for a review or rating. Higher-rated properties will receive more views on listing platforms and may even qualify you for an Airbnb Superhost program.

It's critical that you're aware of what's going on in your industry. Are there any upcoming festivals or events? Is there a holiday approaching? Update your listing and think of ways to include perks that correspond to current events. The more relevant your rental is, the more bookings it will receive (and you can probably charge more, too).

Isn't it true that a picture is worth a thousand words? In real estate, this is certainly true. After all, the majority of any listing page is made up of photos. They're how people assess a property, and they have a big influence on whether or not they read your reviews or even your description. What is the moral of the story? Don't skimp on the photography. Consider them a necessary marketing expense and hire a professional photographer right away.

Your previous renters can be a great source of new business in the future. Keep in touch with them and maintain open lines of communication. You can also run promotions for second and third stays, as well as reward those who refer new renters to you. You'd be surprised at the amount of business this can generate.

In vacation rental business, there is no such thing as "if you build it, they will come." A fully booked calendar is essential if you want to make consistent profits. To ensure both, make sure you're investing enough in your marketing and advertising efforts.

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