Simply giving guests a great experience isn't cutting it anymore when filling up your Airbnb calendar. Nowadays, you need to use some marketing tricks to get those bookings rolling in.
However, many small and medium businesses are flying blind regarding marketing. Half of them don't even have a plan to nab customers, and a quarter are scratching their heads on how to grow their biz, Airbnb included.
So, how do you crack the code on Airbnb marketing? In this blog, we’ll share some effective marketing strategies to take your Airbnb business to the next level. So, let’s get started!
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Airbnb Marketing Stratagies
Well, putting up flyers might grab a few bookings, but let's be real: many people are booking online these days. That's why going for digital marketing is a game-changer for hosts like you. Skip it, and you could get left in the dust while your competitors rake in bookings with savvy online moves.
And it's not just about being online; you need to be strategic. Wasting time on digital strategies that flop? No thanks! Let's have a look at strategies that host and property managers have found to be effective.
Build Your Brand
Making your Airbnb business stand out in a busy crowd starts with your brand. A solid brand is super important for good marketing; it builds trust and keeps guests coming back.
Having your own brand for your vacation rental makes it easy for guests to remember you. They'll remember you when they want to book again.
To make your brand, pick a cool name for your business and make a logo. Then, use that name and logo on all your social media to boost your Airbnb marketing.
Get More Guests with Facebook
You know what? More than half of travellers (that's 52%) scout social media for trip tips. And get this. nearly half of Facebook posts (42%) are all about travel. Spreading the word about your vacation rental business is effective on Facebook.
Start by setting up a Facebook page for your properties. Then, link your posts back to your listings on rental sites.
Your Facebook page is the perfect spot to share helpful stuff for travellers, like tips on cool spots and must-do activities.
And don’t forget about running Facebook ads. They can amp up your brand, get more eyes on your rentals, and reel in followers from far and wide. Facebook even tells you right on your page how much engagement you can expect from paid ads. If you're unsure, consider hiring a Facebook ad pro to help you make the most of your ads.
Become an Instagram Pro
Sure, Facebook's cool, but right now, Instagram's where it's at. Especially if you're going for a younger crowd. With over 500 million peeps scrolling daily, Instagram's the spot to snag millennials and Gen Z travellers.
To make your business profile look sharp and professional, improve your pictures with smartphone apps like Snapseed, Lightroom, VSCO, or Afterlight.
Using these apps, you can whip up awesome content for your Insta without breaking the bank. Just don't go too crazy with the edits; you don't want to set unrealistic expectations for your guests.
Experiment with different content types, too. Insta's got posts, stories, Highlights, Reels, and iGTV videos to play around with. You can use them in different ways:
Post
Posts are perfect for shining a spotlight on one awesome thing about your place, like a killer feature or cool amenity. Keep it simple, though; no need to spill all the beans about your whole property in one go. Instead, tease users to check out more on your page, like stories and reels.
Stories
Stories are like mini content, photos or videos that hang out on your profile for 24 hours. But you don't have to let them disappear into the digital abyss. Save them by adding them to your Highlights collection.
Arrange your stories into Highlights, and bam! You've got a permanent showcase of your best moments that anyone can rewatch anytime.
Use Stories to take people on a virtual tour of your place or to show off any cool updates, like renovations or new items you've added. You can also take photos of nearby attractions and fun activities and then group them by topic in your Highlights.
Reels
Reels are perfect for showing off updates or highlighting what makes your rental stand out. Do you have killer views or a sweet jacuzzi? Capture it in a Reel to attract viewers and make them want to book!
And you should know that Instagram's pushing Reels into recommendations, so they're getting major eyeballs.
Make a Video to Show Off Your Rental
Want to get people excited about your Airbnb? Shoot a video to show it! A video gives viewers a full-on peek at your place in a way photos just can't match.
Highlight the best bits of your property and the cool stuff nearby. But remember, your rental home should steal the show; it's why people are tuning in, after all.
Film a virtual tour inside and out, and if you can, snag some aerial shots with a drone camera for that extra wow factor.
Start Your YouTube Channel for Your Brand
YouTube isn't just a video site, it's the second biggest search engine on the web after Google, with a whopping 1.9 billion users worldwide. And guess what? People can't get enough of video content these days.
Setting up a YouTube channel is the best way to give your brand a personal touch. Focus on making videos that showcase your properties and give travellers the inside scoop on your area.
But your videos need to be valuable to viewers. And don't forget to hustle to grow your subscriber base. Promote your channel on other networks to reel in more subscribers.
Team Up with Influencers
Linking up with big-name influencers is a savvy move in the world of Airbnb marketing. It's called influencer marketing, and it's a game-changer. There are tons of travel bloggers on Instagram or YouTube who can give Airbnb hosts a major boost in exposure.
Go for Local Partnership
Teaming up with local businesses can add serious value to your vacation rental business. Think about partnering with nearby restaurants, theme parks, or gear rental spots, which is stuff most of your competitors aren't tapping into. Also, your partners can spread the word about your rental in the local scene.
Get creative with your partnerships to offer guests exclusive deals and discounts. It's a win-win for both you and the local businesses involved.
Your guests will love getting special deals that help them save cash during their stay.
Conclusion
While marketing your Airbnb is crucial for business growth, you can only get so far without the right tools for property management by your side. Houst can take care of your Airbnb marketing while you can just sit and see your business growing.