Do you have a Website/Facebook for your STR?

Question

We have 5 vacation rentals in the same area (GSMNP) and 90% of our guests are first time users of Airbnb/VRBO (lets face it any other platform is worthless). The first timers are annoying and the people with 50 reviews are even more needy.

I've been thinking about starting a website and/or facebook to direct people to our listings and spread the bug. 250+ 5 star reviews per year I can't help but think social media and/or a website would help with return customers and word of mouth bookings.

Does anyone else have a website or facebook for your VRs?

Would you be willing to share the links and your experiences as to whether it's worth it or not?

Thanks!

Jared Higginbotham · Answer

I do EXACTLY this... Works like a charm... If you know a certain sports team is coming to play in your town, spend $20 and advertise there. Works like a champ!

Jared Higginbotham · Answer

Most important thing you can do is to ensure that you are tracking the right data from your guests. Airbnb and most every other rental network out there hides the true email of the guest. They do this for a reason. That email address is more than likely tied to a facebook account and for only about $20 a month I can leverage my previous guests email addresses into hundreds of thousands of leads.

I use my guestbook as a tool for all of my marketing. You should be able to utilize your previous guests to tell who your most likely future guests would be. Jets are in Tampa Nov 12th. You best believe I am looking at my prior guests who traveled to Tampa to see their team play. Using facebook advertising I can spend about 20$ in ads for some of my premier listings and direct book guests at a much higher nightly rate than normal... 20$ is a drop in the hat at this point. That is likely what I would have paid in commission on booking.com or some other site.

Get/advertise your own site and start tracking your guests. You will get return customers and you will get higher nightly rates guaranteed.

Dan Schwartz · Answer

Psst... Google "Facebook Custom Lookalike Audiences."  Cost of entry is extremely low.

Valerie Rogers · Answer

Hi Lucas,

I have a website that advertises my VRs as well as Facebook pages for each. I use my website to accept bookings from repeat guests, referrals and any other booking that comes my way outside of my listings on VRBO or Airbnb. I created the Facebook pages back when I started trying to build & promote my "brand" and it has helped some savvy travelers find my properties after first spotting them on VRBO.

I do need to learn more about using Facebook ads for more targeted marketing...sounds like I could learn a thing or two from @JaredHigginbotham.

Garry C. · Answer

I'm in the process of revamping my web site. I've had it up for a long time, but just added a booking engine and had my first reservation there. I plan to tie in postings to my various social media platforms. Facebook, G+, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest... and probably whatever else might come along. Snapchat? Basically all of the stuff I learned from Alan Egan early on in the Bookings+4G program, which looks like has now morphed into Vacation Soup.

My branded amenities at my rentals steer people towards my web site/online guide, mentioning that it's a good way to avoid extra fees. I started doing this when the listing sites became more aggressive about hiding my branding, web site, email, etc. And obviously when they added additional fees for the guests on top of what I'm billed annually for the listings.

I do have repeat guests already, and the number of those is growing. I'm looking forward to the time when it's mostly repeat guests coming direct to my web site and I think of VRBO like I do AirBNB, just something I have setup because it's expected of me. At that time I'll ditch the annual VRBO fees and go to the commission based model.

Richard White · Answer

One of the best uses of Craigslist I've heard cane from @John Underwood. He said he lists on CL but then links his VRBO as. I've done that and received a few inquiries, but I don't keep up with it the way @Paul Sandhu does.

I think a website is a great idea; just finding time to build and promote it while running the rentals and other things is getting in my way.

Myka Artis · Answer

@Lucas Carl Yes I do! I set up promotions for weeks out and it really drives people to your listings. You can set up Facebook Ad's to reach the target that you want as well. I've even heard some people say they collect data on where their guests are from and target those areas for their Ad's.

Luke Carl · Answer

@Paul Sandhu Yes you're probably right wouldn't hurt anything!! We are not in the Nashville market though and I would NOT suggest anyone getting in to VRs in Nashville you'll get nowhere. Permits are not available and you'll pay 500k for a house that would rent long term for $1800. The math doesn't work.

My VRs are in the Smoky Mountains. Pigeon Forge. Gatlinburg.

Paul Sandhu · Answer

@Lucas Carl

What I'm trying to suggest is using Craigslist.  I agree, we are in 2 totally different markets though.  I looked at "Vacation Rentals" in the Craigslist section for where I live.  There were 4 ads placed in the last 45 days.  Looking at Nashville "Vacation Rentals", there were 20 ads placed yesterday.  7 of the 20 ads were specifically in Nashville.

Craigslist is free.  It takes about 10 minutes to place the initial ad.  It takes 10 seconds to bump up the ad.  Your ad would be one of the other 7 that were listed specifically for a vacation rental in Nashville.  If it doesn't work at generating rentals, you are out 10 minutes of your time that you probably would have spent on the internet anyway.

Do you have a Website/Facebook for your STR?

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