Renting out property short-term is becoming increasingly popular as a side business. Want to make sure potential guests notice your vacation rental property? Then a savvy vacation rental marketing strategy should be at the top of your list. Luckily, video marketing is a great way to attract interest, and a video aimed at boosting your listing could be the perfect way to show off your property in all its glory.
Can a vacation property video boost my profit?
Creating buzz around your vacation rental property generates interest, which can boost your bookings and overall profit. Many successful brands are already utilizing video marketing, and are well aware that customers often make purchase decisions based on memorable videos they’ve seen.
This trend seems set to continue, so get on it! Start grabbing the attention of potential guests with these five video marketing trends for hosts who upload rental properties to sites like Airbnb and more.
Top 5 Video Marketing Tips for Vacation Rental Hosts
1. Keep it real.
Most of us don’t have the budget to shoot a Hollywood-style blockbuster for our vacation rental video. But you don’t have to spend thousands to create a mini-masterpiece. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram are hugely popular, and users spend tons of their free time viewing pictures and videos there and engaging with the content.
Videos posted on social media tend to have an authentic feel, giving them a personal touch that resonates with viewers. Remember, honesty is the best policy. That said, you don’t have to go into detail about any negatives, but don’t oversell your property, either. Guests may complain if they don’t get what they were expecting!
Why not post your vacation rental video on Facebook or a similar platform and allow potential clients to get a glimpse into your world? Go live and take viewers on a tour of your newly decorated home. Show potential guests around your local area. Allow interested parties the chance to follow your progress as you landscape the garden.
Talk to your future guests directly, make a connection, and showcase what you have to offer.
2. Keep it short and sweet.
Though Snapchat is losing tons of followers thanks to updates to platforms like Instagram, it’s still immensely popular. Videos that expire, like the ones on Snapchat, create interest due to people’s fear of missing out and there’s an inherent need to see what’s going on and stay in the loop. A short and sweet video can capture the imagination of viewers, and spark interest in your vacation rental property.
3. Share your story.
Vacation rental marketing doesn’t have to be a hard-nosed sell; if you want to build awareness of your property, then you need to engage with potential guests. Popular brands often use genius storytelling to connect with their audience.
Take Nike, for example. The renowned sportswear company recently launched a successful marketing campaign championing equal rights and diversity – a strategy that not only played into Nike’s mission statement, but told an emotional and raw story about fairness and respect. Suddenly, customers weren’t just buying new sneakers – they were buying into Nike’s commitment to bring about positive change.
If you’re going to use your rental video to tell your story, be sure to add a pinch of creativity into the mix. Keep it authentic; embellishing the truth won’t do you any good. Aim for warmth and a sprinkle of humor, connect with your target audience on an emotional level, and boost your market appeal.
4. Create a handy how-to video guide.
Use your rental video to draw in potential guests by sharing useful information. How-to videos are a popular way to do just that, enticing viewers by showing them specifically how to do something that’s of interest to them.
Maybe you’re a master baker? Whisk your viewers off to your Airbnb’s kitchen and show them how to bake the perfect cake – and let them know your signature sponge will be there waiting for them if they book your place!
Want to show off your hosting skills? Share your top tips on how to keep a property sparkling clean. Offer your insight into how to make a home feel welcome. Or promote your organizational skills – if you use a vacation property management company, for example, highlight which you use, how it helps you keep everything organized, and tips for getting the most out of its functionality.
5. Add captivating voice-over.
Don’t underestimate the power of a captivating voice – be it big and booming or soft and soothing. The human voice conveys emotion, which appeals to our auditory senses. Adding the right voice-over to your vacation rental video could add authenticity, character, and familiarity that potential guests will warm to and appreciate.
Start making your video today.
Creating an attention-grabbing rental property video can really add value to your marketing strategy. If you want to maximize the impact of your video, it may be a good idea to find an experienced video production company to help you create the exact video you want at a price you can afford.
Of course, filming your own video is always an option. But think about the resources you have available before you get started. You’ll need an expert cameraperson, the right on-camera personality, maybe a voice actor, and ultimately a video editor to bring your filmed footage to life with transitions, cuts, graphics, and more.
If you can do all this yourself (or have the resources to hire the right talent), then you’re all set! But if you don’t, getting started can cost a pretty penny. Instead, do your research and find the right production company to help you get your creative ideas off the ground.
Finally, promote your video to boost revenue!
Creating a great vacation property video is just the first step of your journey toward building a comprehensive vacation rental marketing strategy. You also need to promote your video in order to ensure potential guests take an avid interest.
Your main goal then is to convert that avid interest into leads and active bookings, which will help you bring in that sought-after revenue.
Where can you promote your video? Check out our article, 20 Places to Promote Your Video Now That It’s Done. Use social media to its full effect, send out emails to your interested leads, you can even create your own website and blog in order to reach a wider range of people.
But the most important thing is getting started! Posting a video that brings the story of your vacation property rental to life will help you forge bonds with customers and potential guests, bringing you top of mind anytime they’re looking for their next rental property. It’s an opportunity you don’t want to miss.
By Inna Shevchenko of iGMS