| One of the most overlooked techniques in | | | | Use local newspapers and magazines: There are |
| marketing your vacation rentals is the use of | | | | many free and local newspapers and magazines |
| offline methods to achieve those vital bookings. | | | | where you can advertise your villas. The |
| Offline marketing can also be cost effective and if | | | | readerships for these papers are still significant, |
| done regularly can achieve good results and | | | | despite the growth of the internet. You can place |
| successfully compliment your current marketing | | | | a low cost advert in the classified section or you |
| efforts. | | | | can try out a larger ad and place it in the holiday |
| There are many Brits that would love to escape | | | | section of the news paper or magazine. However, |
| our glorious British weather and spend two weeks | | | | keep the costs as low as possible with this form |
| in a tropical destination! You just need to prompt | | | | of advertising as the cost can quickly spiral! |
| people you know that you have a Florida vacation | | | | Remember you should have a compelling advert |
| villa. The following are the key groups that you | | | | and you can also include special offers, such as |
| should target: | | | | '10% off for January'. |
| Friends, relatives, and colleagues: This group is an | | | | Newsagent / Supermarkets: You can easily place |
| excellent source of bookings. Not only is there a | | | | a postcode size advert in your local newsagents |
| trust element of renting a villas thousands of miles | | | | window. A good place would be a high street |
| away from an owner that they personally know, | | | | newsagent opposite a tube station or bus stop. |
| but this method is very cost effective. You can | | | | Placing a small advert in supermarkets such as |
| easily send an email or Facebook messages to | | | | Tesco's, Asda or Sainsbury's can yield good |
| your friends and relatives. At your workplace you | | | | results. Most supermarkets have notice boards |
| can leave a flyer on the staff noticeboard. At | | | | behind the checkout tills or even a designated |
| social gatherings, such as weddings, Christmas or | | | | commercial advertising section. Make sure your |
| birthdays mention you have a Florida vacation villa. | | | | postcard advert visually stands out amongst all |
| Offer them incentives like a small 'friends and | | | | the other adverts. |
| family' discount or provide a 'thank you' gift | | | | Community Centres, Churches, Sports Halls, |
| voucher for referring your villa to someone they | | | | Libraries: These community based locations usually |
| may know who is planning a holiday to Florida. | | | | have high traffic and they may have a general |
| Your neighbours: Neighbours are also a good | | | | noticeboard. You should place a good quality A4 |
| source of bookings. With neighbours why not post | | | | poster advertising your vacation villa and with any |
| low cost flyers in your street informing the | | | | luck, this l may generate some enquiries. |
| neighbourhood that you have a rental villa in | | | | As experienced Florida villaowners, have used |
| Florida. Again, you can offer incentives like a | | | | these methods to increase enquires and obtain |
| 'neighbourhood' discount or provide 'thank you' gift | | | | those vital bookings. You just never know when |
| vouchers for referring your villa to someone they | | | | someone is looking to go on holiday and maybe |
| may know who is planning a holiday to Florida. | | | | be enticed by your Florida vacation villas! |