Blogging Your Way to Success!

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What is Blogging?

First off, blogging falls under the category of content marketing. Content marketing is a strategy geared towards using content (such as articles, blogs, social media, videos, etc…) to drive traffic to your website or business that will eventually convert into sales (or bookings for vacation rental managers and owners). Content marketing really isn’t the easiest thing to do, and it takes a lot of time and effort.  You won’t see results immediately and it can take years before blogging converts into bookings.

The act of blogging is simply writing a series of short to medium length articles (300-1000 words) on your website. There are many blog platforms out there that you can either add to your website, or build your website around (WordPress, Blogger, and Tumblr).

Why Should You Blog

1. Blogging is good, because if you have a great strategy, and actually publish good and interesting content, you might actually get a couple of articles to rank on search engines and generate traffic to your site.

2. Google likes it if you’re constantly updating the content on your site. Therefore, blogging is good for your website’s overall SEO.

3. If done properly, your articles should help to establish authority about your region. Which will in return help to establish credibility and earn trust with your readers.

 

Why it Might be a Waste of Your Time

 

1. For blogging to actually work, you need to write very helpful content, and write a lot of it. Realistically, one post per month probably won’t do anything for you. Writing a lot takes time. And if you’re not a good writer, or you don’t particularly like to write, creating good content will be even more difficult and more time consuming.

2. If your articles don’t generate any real traffic, what’s the point? Great question! If your articles don’t generate organic traffic, no one sees them, and you’re doing all of it for nothing.

On the other hand, you are helping your site a little in terms of SEO. But the chances that the effects are significant enough to improve your search engine rankings is debatable at best.

3. Writing just for the sake of writing is borderline useless, and most probably a big waste of your time. You need to real strategy behind your writing. Even if your articles do in fact generate some traffic, is the traffic just there for the article? Or is the article helping to convert readers into bookings?

4. You will only start seeing the traffic way down the line. We’re talking three to six months at best (excluding exceptions to the rule). And that’s if you’ve been doing everything the right way!

 

Conclusion about Blogging

More exposure is always good. There’s no arguing that. But when it takes three to six months before you start to see any significant traffic, that’s a hard pill to swallow.

Three to six months of blogging every week, about local news, attractions, restaurants and stories. Then maybe, just maybe you’ll start to see some traffic to your blog.

And how much of this traffic will actually turn into bookings? More realistically, how many of these readers will even sign up to your newsletter to receive future discounts?

Blogging really isn’t as “easy” as most are making it out to be. It has literally become it’s own industry, with it’s own conversion science behind it and high paid professionals that are hired just to do that one job.

At the end of the day, it’s a pretty big risk to take if you’re going at it alone. It’s a lot of time and energy that’s being focused on something that just isn’t a sure bet.

What I’ve found from blogging,  and what really counts in getting more followers to your blog is the frequency of  producing more blogs and posting them on all your social media network.  This is the way to reach your target market.

My audience finds my blogs on all my social media sites.  I’ve gotten more followers because of  both my blog content and frequency.   I’m blogging every day a few times a day and since I started to blog this frequent….guess what?  I have many more followers reading my blogs.

Whether you blog or not is entirely a personal choice and only you can decide if Blogging is worth your time and effort.

 

Happy Blogging,

Maria Rekrut

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Answer 10 Questions – Voila! You Have A Rental Marketing Plan

What a daunting thought of getting a Vacation Rental Marketing Plan started and how utterly boring and a waste of time.  Why do I think it’s a waste of time?   It’s  a waste of time because you probably don’t know anything about marketing,  or have a fuzzy idea about it, (as I did years ago ), you also probably don’t know where to start, and what will the end results be?  You’ll keep asking yourself……Is this the best use of my time?

Writing a Vacation Rental Marketing plan will be one of the boring parts of you business!!  None of us like to do it and if you’ve had any corporate experience in the process, it’s no wonder.  But planning is an absolute necessity if you want to be successful in your vacation rental business. So how do we reconcile our need to succeed with our propensity for procrastination?

Just re-frame how you look at planning. We hate planning because we remember the endless meetings, hours of research that doesn’t seem to get you closer to an answer and documents the size of An Historical War Novel.  But it doesn’t have to be that way. Developing a Marketing Plan is nothing more than setting goals and making a to-do list that will get you there. It’s really not much different than planning a party.

You’re basically creating a plan for inviting more people who want to spend their money staying at your vacation rental and  ( your guests will) tell other people why they should give you their money too.  Sounds like a great idea to me.  How about you?  Are you ready to join the party?

I’ve included a set of 10 questions that will help your process of creating an easy marketing plan.  Use this guide when you have 2-4 hours available so  that you can concentrate and answer these 10 questions:

Answer these 10 Questions and Voila! You’ve Created a Vacation Rental Marketing Plan

1.   Marketing Strategy: How will your marketing plan support your business goals?
2.   Mission Statement: What are you trying to accomplish, and why?
3.   Target Market: Who are you trying to reach with your marketing activities?
4.   Competitive Analysis: Who are you up against, and where do you rank?
5.   Unique Selling Proposition: What makes your business unique?
6.   Pricing Strategy: What will you charge, and why?
7.   Promotional Plan: How will you reach your target market?
8.   Marketing Budget: How much money will you spend, and on what?
9.   Action List: What tasks do you need to complete to reach your marketing goals?
10.  Metrics: How are you implementing, and where can you improve?

Once you have completed each step, you will have a marketing plan that you are ready to use as a blueprint for your marketing activities regarding your vacation rental business. What are your thoughts on the list?  Do you have any additional tips on how you developed a marketing plan? I have a simple marketing form I’d love to share with you, just comment below your interest in the form and I’ll email it out to you.  Please share your thoughts and advice below.

Happy Investing,

Maria Rekrut

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You Never Get A Second Chance To Make A First Impression

You never get a second chance to make a first impression when it comes to your vacation rental’s curb appeal, make sure your guests find your vacation rental inviting to their eyes and senses.

 

First impressions count when it comes to having guests choose your property over another vacation rental property. A majority of guests will not even get out of their car if they do not find the exterior appealing. The best way to improve your exterior should include washing windows, pressure washing roofs, vinyl siding. sidewalks, and driveway. Repairing and replacing shutters, gutters, and window screens are a must just a painting your siding and shutters.

If you are going to spend any money on renovations, the one area where you will see the greatest return is in the kitchen. Replacing light fixtures, installing under cabinet lighting, replacing cabinet doors and hardware. Replacing outdated shelving with pantry and cabinet organizers to maximize space. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on kitchen renovations, seek help from a professional who can guide you on your renovations and keep a budget in mind.

The front door to your home should invite guests to enter. Placing a new welcome mat and a group of seasonal potted plants and flowers are the first thing your guests will see. Cleaning or replacing the door knocker, locks, and handles, also painting the front door in a glossy, cheerful color that compliments the exterior color will make the first impression that much more appealing. Repair screen doors, porch light and house numbers are a few ways to improve your front entrance.

People associate the condition of your lawn and landscape with the condition of your home’s interior. Sweeping and weeding the street curb along your property, removing trash especially along fences and underneath hedges. Adding and planting colorful seasonal flowers in existing plant beds along with weeding and mulching plant beds. Mowing, seeding, and weeding the lawn should be done on a regular basis in order to keep up the appearance of your yard.

The cleanliness of your home is vital when owing a vacation rental. Eliminating house odors, especially if you have pet, can be particularly offensive to your guests. Cleaning carpets, area rugs, and draperies. Removing stains from carpets, floors, counters, sinks, and baths is also vital. The appearance of the kitchen and bathrooms will play a considerable role in your customers feeling comfortable in your vacation rental.

Your main goal when your guests first see your vacation rental is to be impressed by your curb appeal. Once they enter your home that impression should continue up to and including their bedrooms. You will never get a second chance to make a first impression. If they don’t like what they see outside, they’ll never walk inside. The view from the street can net you more traffic than you might think, make sure you make it work to your advantage.

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So You Want To Be A Bed And Breakfast Owner?

What is a Bed & Breakfast?

A bed and breakfast (often referred to as a B&B) is a type of boarding house typically operated out of a large single family residence. Guests can be accommodated at night in private bedrooms (which may or may not have private baths) and where breakfast is served in the morning.

 

The business may be operated either as a primary occupation or as a secondary source of income. The staff often consists of the house’s owners and members of their family who live there.

Typical Owner of a Bed & Breakfast

The Bed and Breakfast business is run by many Baby Boomers, who are professionals wanting to live in a beautiful home while running their own hospitality business.

Guests can stay  for more than one night, but in some cases they will be expected to be away from the house during the main part of the day. This arrangement however is generally found to be convenient, for many of the more popular B&B’s that are located in beach, mountain and historic areas,  where daytime recreation and tourism activities are popular.

Advantages of Staying at a Bed & Breakfast

One advantage of staying at a B&B is readier access to popular locations “off the beaten path” which may not be convenient to the city center. Because most B&B’s are small, rarely with room for more than about 10-15 guests, it is advisable for anyone wanting to stay at a bed and breakfast to make reservations well in advance of their travel date.

Consultation with a qualified travel agent knowledgeable in this type of accommodation is recommended; many B&B’s belong to associations, have a web presence, and are described in various books and travel guides.

The B&B arrangement is actually a very old one; before the 20th century, it was quite normal for country travellers to spend the night at a private house rather than an inn, and the custom persists in many parts of the world.

Snap Shot Of a Bed & Breakfast Business

Modern B&B’s often consciously seek to recall earlier days; they are frequently established in attractive older houses that have been renovated and filled with antique furniture. Most B&B’s serve a traditional breakfast as a point of pride.  The owners often publish their breakfast menus on their website.

The term “bed and breakfast” is also used to refer to breakfast being the only meal provided, commonly in package holidays, in a major hotel that may provide other meals to only some customers.

As they are often run by amateurs, with little lodge management experience, strict laws govern the operation of bed and breakfasts, which vary in each jurisdiction.  The Bed and Breakfast is inspected every year by a By-Law officer, health inspector, and fire department. These yearly inspections can vary from province to province, state to state and country to country.

The most common regulations B&B’s must follow pertain to safety. They are required to have fire resistance, a sufficient fire escape plan in place, and smoke detectors in each guest room.  If the Bed and Breakfast has a kitchen, then the health inspector will inspect the kitchen. The By-Law Officer will inspect for parking and the general over all state of the Bed and Breakfast dwelling.

Kitchens and equipment used to serve meals must also be monitored for sanitation. Most B&B’s are generally compliant with their jurisdiction’s laws.

Email me or leave a comment below if you have any additional questions about being a Bed & Breakfast Owner.

Maria Rekrut

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Home Stays – How To Make Money While You Live In Your Dream Home

Home Stays comes from the idea to give a visitor or student the typical local experience, complete with living with a host family, tasting local cuisine and visiting areas of interest. To put it simply, a home stay combines the comforts of a home setting, with bedrooms in a host family home, with the personal hospitality and sharing of knowledge of the local culture by the host family.

 

Home stays have also emerged as a popular option which offers younger guests experience of eating home-cooked food, living in the host family home, observing and participating in their life styles and shopping with a local family.

This form of tourism has become more popular in recent years as younger travelers want to experience the cultural varieties and differences from their homeland. Young travelers are looking for a unique experience, just watch the TV shows such as Xtreme Trecker.

Gone are the days of going only to Europe, this was the experiences of the majority of Baby Boomers, when they were looking for an adventure. Student exchange programs promote tolerance, maturity and independence. They also encourage an international perspective. In a very competitive world these are highly sought after qualities.

Student exchange programs are an investment for life. The experience can be beneficial in many different and valuable ways such as:

• Learning another language and opening career doors that students may not know existed
• Get to know how others live and come to see the world from another perspective
• Test themselves to acquire independence and maturity
• Make new friends and appreciate old ones
• Gain experience
• Learn about the world first hand

Long after the student returns home the exchange experience will influence and influence the students’ life. The Home Stay experience will provide the students with a substantial backdrop from which to make future study and career that much more important.

This exchange experience will set them apart from the crowd and mark them as someone who has proven themselves in challenging circumstances. Experience is everything, employers are increasingly alert to the knowledge gained from the Home Stay. This experience will set them apart from the crowd and mark them as very mature.

Students are eligible to participate on an exchange program if they meet the following requirements:

• still at school when applying
• in good physical and mental health
• have maintained the equivalent or better than a C grade average since Year 9
• are mature and open-minded
• are flexible, adaptable, responsible and ready to learn
• are between 15 and 18 years old (exceptions can be made for 14 and 19 year olds)

Now you have learned another way to make money from your personal home that will allow you to purchase a home of your choice and make money while living in your “dream home”.

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Making Money While On Vacation

Today’s Travellers are looking for ways to save money. Monthly or weekly rentals are common and are often equal in price to a three or four night stay at a comparable hotel or resort.

Vacation rentals offer much greater value than typical hotel rooms. Ranging in size from one bedroom to four or five bedroom vacation homes, with two full bathrooms, these vacation rentals are priced well below typical hotel rates.

Vacation Rentals offer more amenities and many of the vacation rental properties include other conveniences that the owners themselves use. Owners take good care of their properties since they stay there too.

Often times they clean the house or are vigilant when they get cleaning staff, therefore you know that the house has been well taken care of. There have been many times that I have gone to a Hotel to be disappointed by the cleanliness of the bathroom.

Vacation properties often times include free wireless internet, large TV’s, CD and DVD players,  music systems, game tables, BBQ’s and more are often found in the houses you will rent.

As a guest you have access to things like a private pool, hot tubs, saunas.  Vacation rentals are often found nearby lakes, golf courses, tennis courts, walking and cycling trails. Motels and hotels often times can’t compete with the amenities you will find in many vacation rentals.

You get more space, much more space than a hotel or motel could ever offer. A variety of sizes, styles and holiday homes types exist within vacation rentals. Units can range from studios to four or five bedrooms, sleeping up to 10 or more guests comfortably.

Vacation Rentals feature some of the most diverse and exciting amenities available. Guests can choose from budget conscious resorts to some of the most luxurious all-inclusive villas available.

Indoor pools are increasingly common, while outdoor pools can be found at nearly all vacation rental resorts.

Normally when you stay at a vacation rental it is all inclusive and at times that includes a self serve breakfast that you can enjoy in your pyjamas and you can eat at any time. Breakfast an be an all day event!!

So for you who are going on Vacation why not try out a Vacation Rental for a change.  Send in your comments and experiences to me. Happy Holidays to all.

 

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10 Tips For Vacation Rental Owners

1. Fill Your Rental Calendar With Last Minute Travelers

While most people rent vacation homes in advance, some wait until the last minute. You can position yourself to scoop up those travellers by making a few adjustments to your marketing and rental procedures. Then, you will make more money, as you will be able to keep your calendar full throughout the year.

2. Amenities for Golfers

Is your vacation rental located near a golf course? If so, you should make the most out of your location. Include golf amenities in your home so renters will be more likely to stay with you. By including certain amenities, you will be able to keep a full rental calendar.

3. Enhance Your Listing with a Virtual Tour

Vacation rental owners need to have the best listing possible. Part of providing a great listing is including a virtual tour. A virtual tour is a tour that is filmed and then put online so others can view it. There are many benefits to include.

4. Finding the Right Vacation Rental Management Agency

If you are a vacation rental owner that wants to use a management agency, you need to be sure you pick the right one. There are lots of agencies available that are competing for your business. You need to narrow down the prospects by examining each company.

5. Avoid Vacation Rental Bans

Bans prevent in some states and provinces, owners from renting their property to short-term guests. State and local governments, as well as home owners associations, can initiate vacation rental bans.

These bans are devastating to owners. However, they can be avoided. Those who follow a certain set of guidelines will form good relationships with the community, and thus be able to continue renting their property to guests.

6. Insure Your Vacation Rental Property

Your vacation rental property is an investment, and thus it is important to protect it. One of the best ways to protect it is with insurance. There are many different types of insurance for owners to consider before advertising their property to renters.

7. Lower Prices Mean Fewer Customers

The vacation rental industry is booming, and the boom has caused some owners to re evaluate their pricing strategy. They feel they have to lower their prices to remain competitive, when in fact lowering prices can lower their chances of renting the property. When vacation rental owners lower their prices, they fall victim to a variety of problems.

8. Increase Bookings in the Off Season

The off season presents some challenges to vacation rental owners. Business slows down a bit, and owners have to become more creative in order to keep their bookings steady. One of the best ways to make bookings in the off season is to market to couples.

9. Finding an Investment Property

Return on investment and location are important for investors who are buying vacation rentals. Investors want to make money from renters, and they want a property they can spend time at during their own vacations. Because of that, people have to be careful during the property selection process. They must find a home that meets their personal needs, as well as their business needs.

10. The Art of the Headline

The headline is one of the most basic, and yet most important, aspects of creating a vacation rental listing. It is essential for owners and managers to write a headline that is both compelling and informative. In order to do this, they must master some basic copy writing and research skills.

Happy Letting and Investing!!

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Timeshares The Good The Bad And The Ugly

Timeshares are based on the concept of fractional ownership in a property. You can purchase one month,then you own 1/12 of the unit. Other buyers will purchase the remaining fractions. When you purchase one week at a timeshare condominium each year, you own 1/52 portion of the unit.

 

There are two general programs:

  • Deeded – You purchase an ownership interest in the property.
  • Non-Deeded – You lease the right to use the property for a specific amount of time each year for a pre set number of years.

From there, the various ownership structures become more complex. Some properties operate on points systems. These are often referred to as “vacation clubs”. With these, you purchase a specific number of points that can be redeemed at a variety of destinations.

Some plans let you “bank” unused points. You can purchase a fixed week, which means that you own the right to use the unit during the same week each year, or you can purchase a floating week, which generally gives you the right to use the property during a predetermined period of time.

Timeshare properties can often feature larger and more luxurious accommodations than standard hotels and are generally located in desirable places.

The pitch timeshare sales people use to convince consumers to purchase billions of dollars worth of timeshares each year. How would you like to have a wonderful vacation in a beautiful location at a reasonable price? Would you like to repeat that vacation every year?

When you are standing in a beautiful condominium overlooking the perfect beach and sparkling blue water, it is easy to succumb to the sales pitch. Remember, timeshare salespeople are in the business of selling. But just because they tell you that you are getting a great deal, doesn’t mean that you really are.

Before you buy, take some time to research the property and talk to other timeshare owners. Don’t make your decision in haste and never let the salespeople rush you.

I would suggest that you go back to your home and think about it before you jump in and buy. Banks will not give you a mortgage to purchase timeshares.  People either pay for their timeshares by going into their saving’s accounts or use their lines of credit.

Look for my next article where I will discuss what owners can expect for their money when they invest in timeshares.

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Timeshares, Good Or Bad Investment?

A timeshare is not an investment. Investments are designed to appreciate in value, generate income, or do both. A timeshare is unlikely to do either, despite what the salesperson says. Thus, selling for a profit is an uphill battle considering you need to convince someone to pay more for a used unit and factor in all the fees you paid over the years.

The huge volume of used timeshares on the market, the appeal of buying new versus used, and the marketing muscle of the firms selling new timeshares all work against the idea that you will make a profit reselling your used timeshare.

A timeshare is not an investment, it’s a vacation. It’s also an asset that is likely to lose value over time. Ultimately, timeshares are like swimming pools, if you buy one, do so because you love the idea of owning it, not because you expect to make a profit.

If you do take the plunge, remember that you are buying a repeatable vacation. Just as spending $2,000 on a trip to an exotic beach is not an investment; neither is spending $50,000 plus maintenance fees on a timeshare.

The very nature of the sales process should be a hint about the reality of the issue and the hard sales techniques used by the sales people. Have you ever heard of a mutual fund, purchasing a house, or any other investment that offered you a free weekend in an exotic spot just for giving the product a try?

Like any major purchase, the decision to buy into a timeshare is a decision that requires careful consideration. It involves a large amount of money up front and considerable recurring costs. You should ask plenty of questions, be aware that you should know that the value of these timeshares is in their use as vacation destinations, not as investments.12-12-12-timeshare-300x214

 

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Vacation Marketing For Success

This article is for owners who have their own website for their vacation rental. If you don’t have your own website, hire someone to build it for you. If you can’t afford to hire someone, then have a friend make a site for you. The point is, in today’s market it’s important to have not only a regular website but also a mobile website.Did you know that mobile web usage is set to overtake desktop usage by the year 2014?

 

The first thing you have to do as a new vacation rental owner is to have a website built by an experienced webmaster who understands the importance of Social Media, SEO, and placement of Vacation Rentals on all major search engines. I highly recommend that you find a webmaster who has experience with building vacation rental websites and is knowledgeable with this form of business.

These days, with a bad overall economy, it is even more important to keep that revenue coming in even when you are not in your peak season. After having your website built, then you need to get down to the business of marketing your vacation rental website online.

Savvy marketing can be an excellent way to keep your property fully booked. Fortunately, there are lots of options for vacation rental owners to choose from when it comes to selecting an online vacation rental advertising medium.

That can be a good and a bad thing – just because a vacation rental website exists, that does not mean that paying an annual fee to have a listing on that website is going to lead to inquiries and bookings for the owner. As with many things, there are lots of dependencies that will determine success.

The higher the vacation rental website is on that list, the better you are likely going to do by paying them for a listing on their vacation rental website. Check where that particular vacation rental website you are considering advertising on shows up in Google rankings for searches that a renter is likely to enter. For example, if you had a vacation rental for rent in New York City, see which vacation rental website comes up first for a Google search of “new york city vacation rentals“.

After clicking on the link from the Google search results that takes you to a particular vacation rental website, take a look at how many vacation rental properties show up on that page that Google took you to.

In the vacation rental website business, we call that a “city index page”. Many vacation rental websites will charge more to be closer to the top of the page.The closer to the top your property shows up on the city index page, the more page views and leads you are going to get. Many vacation rental websites will charge more to be closer to the top of the page. This will lead to more inquiries and bookings for you, but as a business owner, you have to weigh that against how much more that will cost.

Marketing is another skill that all vacation rental owners will have to build skills in, the business of owning a vacation rental is a lot more complicated than it was 20 years ago, as there’s a lot more competition to deal with. Ongoing education and savvy marketing will put you ahead of your competition.

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