Are your bookings down? Like the entire accommodation sector, you are subject to variations in activity. However, there are a few tips for maintaining a correct booking flow at your accommodation.
Today OIQIA offers you 8 actions to take for the sake of your short-term rentals, if bookings fluctuate negatively.
It's all a matter of mindset. Waiting for the situation to improve by itself is not the solution.
Since you have fewer bookings, you also have more time! It is then a good time to try new marketing strategies that you could not develop before.
Keep talking about your region, your accommodation, share information behind the scenes and continue to publish your messages on social networks and in your newsletters!
There is a great temptation to put a handkerchief on the situation.
Instead, we advise you to address people's concerns about issues such as the closure of tourist sites or restaurants.
Turn all the negatives into positives.
For example, fewer tourists in your area? What a boon for people looking for calm and authenticity!
Pandemic? Your beautiful home can accommodate a whole family to share convivial moments!
Take photos of your region under the snow, in the rain, the beauty of these unique landscapes will surely convince many travelers. Display photos of your cozy living room with the wood fire on.
Reinsurance is a key card to play and customers will need more reassurance than usual.
Do you already have loyal travelers? It's time to call them!
Try to personalize your emails for them. Remind them that you are still there, that your place is free, and offer them reservations and activities that they may like.
This approach also works with your former travelers or contacts. Know what dates they stayed with you last year and let them know that those dates are still free and that they can book again.
In any case, staying in touch with your customers is a great idea to keep a constant flow of bookings.
You have time to do it now, when bookings are quieter.
A “guide to seasonal activities” in your area in winter/spring/summer/fall can really help generate interest in your vacation rental.
Write the guide and then save it as a PDF. Offer it for download on your website or Facebook page in exchange for an email address. More widely, you can also share it to all of your social networks.
Here are a few ideas for your guide:
As you know, the beginning of the year is the period when vacations and future vacations are decided.
Remind your travelers that reservations are now open and that dates are still available. Encourage them to book in attractive images that already make you want to be on vacation...
Do the same if an event is taking place near you: concert, festival,...
Your short-term rental is subject to supply and demand. The price of your rental is the consequence. Be reactive when it comes to adjusting your prices. Set up a pricing strategy.
Take the time to study the competition and your positioning in the market. Set up key indicators to measure your pricing strategy and its effectiveness.
If your prices are too high, there is a risk of customer dissatisfaction. And if, on the other hand, they are too low, you have a shortfall and you could have customers who are not really your target.
It's free and doesn't commit you to anything!
Airbnb and Booking.com offer pricing plan settings that allow you to make targeted promotions to a customer segment or a specific period of time or even a reservation channel. (reservation via mobile at Booking)
Thus, OTA (reservation platform) tools are excellent vectors for increasing bookings, which are immediately measurable!
When the period is uncertain, some travelers may be reluctant to book their accommodations too early. Offer them solutions to encourage them to take action.
Here's a list of all the things we can do to make our ads more flexible:
As a result, these adjustments will increase your position in search engines. Consult our article “11 Tips to Improve Your Position in Airbnb Searches” to intensify your approach.
All tourism businesses in your region have the same problem as you.
Take advantage of their initiatives to bring content to your audience. Share their events, publications, or photos. Chances are they will do the same for you next.
The more local businesses that participate in promoting your region, the stronger and more far-reaching the message will be.
Seeing your bookings drop can be scary for some. It's important to stay positive and communicate your message to as many people as possible.
Update your website and blogs regularly and spend more time posting on social media. It's the most effective way to reach more people who are interested in you, in the least amount of time.
One last piece of advice, check the visibility of your ads every day, change your prices, change your titles, work on your strategy... The platform algorithm loves it!
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