| As social media has exploded we have all seen | | | | can share it with others in a few clicks. If you |
| the internet become more personal. It's often | | | | haven't yet considered a video for your vacation |
| about niche these days than mass. As a vacation | | | | rental then now is the time. The figures for |
| rental owner you have a huge advantage over | | | | YouTube are incredible, with estimates of up to 2 |
| hotels because you are niche. Renters can be | | | | billion viewers per day. But to be honest, that's |
| sure that they are tapping in to something | | | | secondary - the best part is it is free to host |
| personal and that's precisely the point of vacation | | | | your video on YouTube, meaning you get |
| rentals - they usually attract people that want | | | | someone else to pay for all the streaming costs. |
| something more personal than a large corporate | | | | Costs to produce a video vary but usually start |
| hotel chain. | | | | at a few hundred dollars. If you're holding a rental |
| So if you're trying to market your rental online | | | | long term that's a small marketing investment. |
| then getting to grips with social media is a must. | | | | Photos |
| The exact numbers of people actively using social | | | | Restricted to a certain number of photos by your |
| media vary widely but what is certain is that it's | | | | vacation rental site? Why not join Flickr where |
| huge - Facebook alone is usually in the hundreds | | | | you can display photos for free. This vacation |
| of million users. But how do vacation rentals fit | | | | rental site in San Diego shows how Flickr can be |
| into this and how do you take advantage of the | | | | used to do just that. |
| trend? It's probably better to start in reverse and | | | | Last Minute Specials |
| think about what you can tell people by engaging | | | | If you're struggling to fill certain off peak weeks, |
| with social media. That will naturally lead you to | | | | or even have a few days in peak season, then |
| the right choice of which forms to use. | | | | Twitter can be a good and simple way to |
| The Virtual Travel Guide | | | | promote last minute special deals. Most people |
| If you have ever stayed at a vacation rental, or | | | | think of Twitter as a place where people "follow" |
| you own one, you will know that somewhere in | | | | you and that they only see what you write if |
| the living room there is a drawer stuffed with | | | | they are "following" you. But more and more |
| restaurant menus, theme park flyers, maps and | | | | Twitter is being used by people to search. So, |
| more. That's a great resource if you are a renter | | | | someone not following you may simply be |
| who has just arrived on the first day of your | | | | searching for "Vacation Rentals" or "Last Minute |
| vacation. But think how much more valuable that | | | | Vacation Rentals". A little like Google in that |
| information could be as a marketing tool for your | | | | respect. So you could post a tweet saying "Last |
| rental listing, available for renters to see during | | | | minute special for 2 bed Sanibel Vacation Rental, |
| their search process. What is the best local diner, | | | | only $100 a night" and this would get picked up by |
| the nearest grocery store and the best deep sea | | | | people searching for phrases like "Vacation Rental" |
| fishing charter? Why not put it on-line and become | | | | and "Sanibel Vacation Rental". On top of this |
| a virtual travel guide for your area? | | | | Google is now indexing Twitter posts. |
| Facebook is probably the best tool for this | | | | Sites that Offer Twitter and Facebook Integration |
| because it allows you to create a "Page" that you | | | | What's also great about these forms of social |
| can dedicate to your vacation rental. If you | | | | media is their ability to be used on other sites. For |
| haven't tried Facebook, it's easy - simply visit the | | | | example some new vacation rental websites like |
| site, register as a user and then create a page. | | | | Getaway Earth allow your Twitter accounts, |
| You must register as a person first before you | | | | Facebook pages, YouTube videos and more to be |
| can create a page. | | | | integrated with your listing. And that can help to |
| Video | | | | create trust in you from the renter's perspective |
| If you have created a video chances are you | | | | - to see you as a real person. This is one of the |
| have it online already with people like YouTube or | | | | greatest strengths of social media - information |
| TripFilms. If you haven't put it online, what's | | | | can be shared in an open and fast way. |
| stopping you? It's free to upload and then you | | | | |