You want to fit in, but you also want to stand out. The same is true for your rental properties. If you've found that your property isn't gaining maximum visibility through traditional booking sites, here are free social media strategies to boost it. With over 3.6 billion people on social media, the audience is there — you just need to reach it.
Target Your Community
Learning about local community events is a great way to understand what's attracting renters. Learn the events' hashtags and contact coordinators to explore cross-promotions. Tag local businesses and restaurants for community-building, which allows users to see what's nearby. Pinterest is particularly effective for showcasing what your local community has to offer to those seeking longer-term stays.
Give Virtual Tours
The more photos the better, but 3D virtual walkthroughs have become increasingly popular and allow users to experience your home in a personal way. The more certain a renter feels, the less likely they are to cancel. Just make sure lighting is flattering — and the toilet seat is down.
While embedding a virtual tour directly in Instagram or Facebook isn't always possible, both platforms have places for links. Highlight any recent upgrades or special amenities in the tour.
Offer Giveaways
Hotels do this all the time: five nights for the price of four, a free weekend, etc. Your business is no different. Giveaways generate interest, especially for properties in seasonal locations. Twitter makes re-sharing these announcements easy. To make the giveaway work for you too, require entrants to tag three friends and share a photo card. If you can't afford to give away stays, drum up local promotions with nearby restaurants: "Two free lattes at Coffee Brewers, within walking distance!"
Pay for Upgraded Ad Space Strategically
Posting on Facebook and Instagram is free at the basic level and upgrades are affordable. Target your ads around dates renters find most attractive: holidays, three-day weekends, and local events. This is also an optimal place to announce your giveaways.
Encourage Renters to Share
In your welcome guide and on your webpage, make it easy for renters to share photos of their experience. Create a personalized hashtag for your property that builds a visible history of guest experiences. Ask guests to share your booking page on their personal accounts. Most importantly, stay on top of these posts and respond promptly to anything that could be construed as negative.