10 Tips to get more vacation rental bookings! Written by a Salt Lake City Vacation Home Photographer & Marketing Professional
“My jaw dropped when I got our photos back! Bernadette is a master at finding the perfect lighting, highlighting details, and using creative angles that I would have never imagined.”
I have been photographing vacation rental homes and helping my clients market for two decades. I have clients located all over the Western US. I’ve watched the market change time and time again with fluctuating occupancy and nightly rates, and the all too familiar topics of oversaturation, and cleaning fees.
What I’m discussing here can be useful for literally any place in the world, but I’m targeting Salt Lake City and Utah because I live and work here, and it’s an interesting market! In general, vacation rentals do better (rent more often) near the resorts, lakes, Wasatch front, and close proximity to popular Utah Southern desert destinations, where your playground is in your backyard. However, in the valley and lesser-known towns, it’s a bit of a gamble if your home will make the liked list, and then be booked.
The good news is that there are ways to get more eyes on your listing and get more bookings in any town or location! I’m going to break down my professional tips for attracting more guests!
Ten Tips for Attracting and Booking more Vacation Home Guests
Amazing photography! You came the right place (shameless plug!) If you don’t hire me, try to avoid your typical real estate photographer. Their pricing will be inexpensive, but you get what you pay for approx. 20-30 photos, flat light at a time of day that is convenient for them (not what looks best), subpar communication and guidance, basic corner angle photographs of each room, and a few details that are not important elements that help get your home booked. Hire someone great, pay more and you will receive an amazing customer experience, exceptional photography that shows your guest what it feels like in your home, and at least 100 to 200 photos to use for all of your marketing needs including, your booking site, Instagram, and other social channels. To make it in this new era of vacation rentals, you have to market outside of Airbnb and VRBO.
Hot tub or Infrared Sauna - can’t go wrong! If your budget is on the lower end, check Facebook Marketplace for used ones!
Room for Pickleball on your property? Make sure you ask your neighbors for their blessing and have strict play hours posted!
Fitness equipment and Yoga items - especially attractive for guests staying longer than 2 nights.
Design elements - even if you are using DIY or thrifting - make your home welcoming, stylish and inviting
Highlight the outside spaces - include patio furniture, BBQ, etc.
Comfortable, quality bedding! Ditch those awful comforters and pillows, people need to sleep well or they won’t be happy. (don’t forget to highlight that aspect in your listing description!)
A well stocked kitchen complete with pour-over set up, fresh local coffee, and a nice tea selection. When your guests are not out adventuring, make sure they don’t have to run out to buy little things.
If you live in a somewhat remote or not as desirable, it’s time to market locally! Tell your neighbors you have a place for their family and friends to stay while they are visiting. Post flyers in local community spaces. I had a client whose vacation home was located near a very well-known equestrian center. I advised her to promote that in her listing and allow for toy haulers and commercial trailers on her property. Get creative!
You’re in customer service now, so remember to go above and beyond if you want to get great reviews and keep people coming back and telling their friends!
Bonus tip! Keep your library of images to around 30 or less photos. Instead of selecting a flow of photos based on your home layout, put your best 3-5 first and go from there.
Have questions for me? Ask in the comments or send me an email!
“Hiring Bernadette to capture our cabin has been the biggest game changer for our airbnb. Her photos capture the magical moments that our guests look forward to enjoying with loved ones.
Our bookings tripled once we began posting her shots on social media and our listing.”
