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Short Term Rental Marketing Trends to Watch in 2018

  • 2018-01-09

Which short term rental marketing trends should you be watching this year? Which trends are truly worth investing in, and which are likely to be a passing fad? With so many trends coming and going each year, it can be hard to know which ones add genuine value. To help sift through the clutter, we have put together a list of the trends that are most worth watching in 2018.

Short Term Rental Marketing Trends to Watch in 2018

From the rise of video to continued focus on customer experience, this year’s short term rental marketing trends closely follow broader trends in the digital marketing landscape. If you are not marketing your rental online, you are missing out on the chance to target your ideal guest, grow your reputation and increase your bookings. Still not convinced that online marketing is the way to go? Check out these trends to see the growing role that online bookings are playing in the broader short term rental market.

Short Term Rental Marketing Trends for 2018

Some of the most important short term rental marketing trends to watch in 2018 include the following:

  • Video. Continuing its rise from last year, video is set to be a vital part of vacation rental marketing. Video offers a highly effective tool that allows you to create visual listings that appeal to guests on a deeper level than ever before. Whether you put more thought into your Facebook Live updates or you start your own YouTube channel, be sure to include video in your strategy to market your rental effectively.
  • Customer experience. Customer experience, or rather, guest experience, also continues to be a driving force. In cities such as Cape Town, guests have more choice than ever before. Competition is extremely high, and standing out in a crowded market is not always easy. In order to compete, you need to be able to provide your guests with the best possible experience. That means that your marketing needs to go beyond listings in a way that builds your reputation. One of the simplest ways to ensure that your guest experience is on point is to invest in a comprehensive short term rental management solution that includes active marketing in addition to day to day management, bookings management and guest concierge.
  • Virtual reality. This trend will soon be standard. Examples include virtual tours of apartments and holiday homes, which allow guests to get a feel for your property before they have made their booking. Smart home automation, room-by-room walk-throughs and other technology will all come into play this year.
  • Multi-channel. Rather than focusing on one single channel, aim to include a selection of high-performing channels that allow you to deliver a consistent experience to guests. Channels to consider include Instagram, YouTube and Facebook, but you could also think about SnapChat and Pinterest as a way to connect with potential guests. Once again, the simplest way to ensure that you are targeting guests effectively on the right channels is to invest in a short term rental manager.

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These trends should give you a good start to the year ahead. Above all else, however, while it is always useful to look at trends each year, the most efficient way to get the most from your short term rental marketing is to work with a manager who is able to provide a holistic, comprehensive strategy that helps you grow.