Affiliate Marketing in STRs?

Question

Has anyone used an affiliate marketing strategy to refresh their property, create unique experiences and provide local products to their guests?

I've noticed a lot of coffeehouses decorate their spaces by advertising local art that customers can purchase. The coffeehouses get a continuously evolving selection of art to keep their property looking fresh and interesting and the artists get a high traffic location to advertise their wares. It's a great relationship that might translate well to STRs. I've stayed in properties that offer a small selection of drinks or cheeses from local farms but have never seen it scaled to other aspects of the property.

I'm wondering if any STR investors out there employ a similar arrangement? If so, how did you structure it? What was your pitch like?

Have you seen a positive impact in your STR besides the initial cost savings?

Can this be scaled to offset larger items? Furniture?

Did you attempt it for a time but find it not worth the effort vs. other cost-cutting strategies?

Andrew Steffens · Answer

When we were smaller I had reached out to some boutique linen places and they were giving us deep discounts on the linen provided we advertised linens by X.  Since we scaled up we are in a buyer group which just provides us heavy discounts that we extend to our clients.  So I suppose there are 3 routes, you can reach out directly to suppliers to try to build a relationship, use a service like Minoan, or join a buyers group and just reap discounts.

Michael Baum · Answer

I have always thought this was an interesting proposition for STRs.

I think it would make more sense if you had a few in an area with a common theme. I haven't had anyone jump up and down for something we have in our lake house. The mattresses get positive comments (Zinus Green Tea 12") so we let them know but no one is clamoring for our sheets or towels.

I do like the art idea more however. There is always local artists who would be happy to provide pieces for display if they could make some sales.

You would work it out that you charge the guests for the piece, then pay the artist directly minus a small fee. That has tax implication though for you as a seller so that should be run by your CPA.

Sarah Kensinger · Answer

Minoan offers this for all the furnishings you can purchase for a STR through them. You can outfit the whole property and then earn a little bit if a guest decides to purchase the same item. It's pretty easy set-up and then the guest can scan a QR code that is in the home, with a shopping list/links of all the items.

Sasha Barak · Answer

You can use Viator or GetYourGuide affiliate programs to offer guests local attractions, such as tours, excursions, theatre tickets, etc. in your location. Include their affiliate links in your pre-arrival emails, digital guidebooks, or a guest app, if you use one. Viator gives an 8% rev share for orders made through your links. This can be a noticeable additional income, with minimal effort. Depending on the location, guests are likely to explore places of interest anyway, so you can help them plan and earn a bit extra.

Sarah Kensinger · Answer

Yes, I love working with them! We haven't purchased an entire home's worth of furnishings yet, but the orders I have made through them were great! There is no charge whatsoever to use Minoan, you just need to set up an account with them. I use the Minoan extension on my web browser, which drops items into my Minoan cart from the many supporting websites they've partnered with. I then submit the order and within a couple business hours they give me a quote back, if I approve the quote everything from multiple websites is ordered and shipped where I need the items to go.

Dan Slaughter · Answer

Have you looked at Minoan?   This is specifically what they do.   I've researched them and plan to start using them in my beach market STR soon as I begin to replace needed items.

I've also tried to work with some local retail vendors, coffee shops, golf cart and bike rental companies.   While they weren't interested in setting up an affiliate marketing program, they did offer discount codes I can provide to our guests.   This prevents me from purchasing and maintaining bikes & golf carts so I see it as a way to save money and give guests a better experience.

Ken Boone · Answer

So I would love to because once you get to the level of affiliate marketing anything you get is gravy.   Amazon is the main one to be a part of, however, anyone just can’t become an affiliate marketer with them.  They want to see stats.  As in how many followers you have on your YouTube channel or how many page hits you get on your web page.  I am an affiliate tied to my my small YouTube channel but it’s not STR related.  My guess is that if you were able to get setup you won’t make a killing by any means.  You just don’t have enough traffic through the STRs for that but you might make enough to go out to dinner every month or so.

Andrew Steffens · Answer

I would have to check with our operations manager, but I do not think so.  If we did, it was minimal at best.  We do often get asked for referrals for designer and also to know make and model of mattresses.

Affiliate Marketing in STRs?

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