Gatlinburg is a major Tennessee tourist destination, thanks to its close location to the Smokey Mountains National Park, which attracts millions of visitors every year. So, if your short-term rental business in this city isn't doing as well as you'd like, you must be doing something wrong.
There's no shortage of demand for Gatlinburg vacation rentals; you just need to bring yours to the attention of these eager tourists. Try these vacation rental marketing strategies to help you avoid costly vacancies and attract more guests than ever before.
1. Advertise on the Best Platforms
Online travel agencies are a major force in the hospitality industry, doing billions of dollars worth of trade annually. While these are all excellent platforms in their own right, you should also consider other popular options.
These include:
- Metasearch engines like HomeToGo
- Local and regional listing sites
- Niche channels for specific types of travelers
- Wholesalers and global distribution systems
- Google Travel via an approved channel manager
Keep track of your online traffic stats and compare them with your bookings to help you figure out the right mix for your target audience.
2. Create a Compelling Listing
There are millions of properties advertised online nowadays, which makes it difficult for your listing to stand out. You can give it a better chance using the following tips:
- Use professional photographs
- Create an eye-catching heading
- Hiring a copywriter to describe your property in the most appealing way
Be sure to update your listings regularly as the season changes and promote low-season specials wherever possible. This is one of the most important tasks associated with short-term rental marketing.
3. Promote Reviews
Whenever a guest leaves your rental home, ask them to write an online review about their stay. Almost every potential client will look for reviews when deciding between accommodation options.
Many positive reviews portray your property in a good light and give people the confidence to make a booking.
4. Aim for Traction on Social Media
Set up a social media page for your accommodations and post regular updates about local events, guest reviews, convenient guest services, and other interesting content.
Social media pages show up in search engines, and they also provide opportunities to engage with potential customers. Running competitions on your social media is also a good way to get traction on your page and gather potential customers' contact details.
5. Embrace Email Marketing
Email marketing might seem old-fashioned, but it's still an effective marketing tool. Contact your previous guests regularly with information about upcoming specials, seasonal events, and early bird discounts.
Get Professional Help With Vacation Rental Marketing Strategies
Marketing your vacation rental homes takes ongoing efforts and constant adjustments to attract more guests. For the uninitiated, this can become a long process of trial and error with very little reward.
PMI Smokey Mountains is your top choice when you want to take your vacation rental business to the next level. Our expert team has decades of experience helping Gatlinburg investment property owners succeed, thanks to a mix of traditional methods and the latest technologies.
We can help you with ongoing vacation rental marketing strategies to help you meet your business goals and ensure the long-term success of your Gatlinburg short-term rentals.
Reach out for success by talking to our property experts today.
