How to increase your online rental bookings

As part of our research for a client's project, we came across Jasper Ribbers and his website GetPaidForYourPad.com. If you use the services of Airbnb to rent your resort accommodation, Jasper offers a range of tools and resources to help you maximise your bookings and save you time.

We all know that the holiday rental market is struggling at the moment. This is especially for those who offer accommodation in places where guests now need to quarantine on their return.

Jasper believes that there is some good news though as there are still people that need a place to stay, just for different reasons than travel and leisure.

Examples include:

1. Travel nurses and doctors need accommodation near hospitals
2. Students who can't return to their campuses
3. Travellers who are stuck as countries close their borders and flights are canceled
4. People looking for a place to quarantine themselves
5. People whose offices closed down and need a place to work

He believes there is a way to attract bookings from these groups.  

Lower prices

• Set prices to break-even or a bit higher
• Advertise the discount in your title
• Lower prices for dates around future events (they will most likely get cancelled)
• Let EVERYONE in your network know about the steal you're offering
• Use long-term discounts

Optimise your booking settings

• Set minimum nights stay to one
• Be ready to accept last-minute bookings
• Set your cancellation policy to flexible (strict doesn't protect you right now and Airbnb added a search filter for flexible listings)

Market your space everywhere

• You can't rely on OTAs only (i.e. Airbnb, VRBO, etc)
• Post on social media
• Post on Craigslist
• Post on FB Marketplace
• Reach out to friends and family
• Target locals (within driving distance)
• Put up printed ads in supermarkets

If you have any current guests, see if they want to extend their stay. They may not want to travel right now. And go to your reservations page on Airbnb and look for the phone numbers of your past guests. Then send a text message letting them know you're offering incredible discounts.

You may get a few guests to come back.

If you need any assistance with marketing your available rental inventory, either directly through your website and social media platforms - or your listings with OTAs like Airbnb, then please give EVC Marketing a call on +44 (0) 208 123 or complete our contact form and we'll be in touch as soon as possible.

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