PRESS

• National and local newspapers and magazines are always looking for stories. Does your property have anything unique? What would make it news-worthy?

• To get your place noticed by the press you need to write to each news source with a story pitch. Make sure it’s simple, interesting and accompanied by a good set of photos (the industry is run by photos)

• Do some research on your local area to find out what publications and news outlets are available. Most websites will have a page of contacts which you can use to get in touch with press people. Remember, there’s nothing stopping you from reaching out on social media!

• Online news sources can provide excellent links into your site - this is a key factor used by google to rank the importance and relevance of your website / property.

DRESSING & PHOTOGRAPHY

• Create images that sum up the key experiences at your property.

• Have a look around and keep note of the photos you are attracted to on other websites.

• Avoid suspicion and misleading photos.

• You’ll never meet anyone who doesn’t think they are a great photographer. Whilst camera phones are technically capable of taking excellent photos, think carefully about producing your own photos. A great collection of photos is a vital part of the marketing mix.

• Once you’ve decided on the photos you want to use, store them in a separate folder on your computer and well labelled. Produce different versions of the photos - high and low res, portrait & landscape. This will save you time if you’re planning to market your property on a number of websites

• Use Dropbox.com to keep your photos and marketing materials. There is a free version and this will allow you to share photos with partners rather than emailing them across.

Advertising

• OFFLINE

Are there any local or interest specific magazines you can utilise?

• ONLINE: Pay Per Click (PPC)

Where you pay only when people click on your advert / link.

Examples of PPC are Google PPC, Bing Ads and facebook advertising. They can be a very effective tool as you can target your audience very effectively.

• ONLINE TRAVEL AGENCIES (OTAs)

E.g. Booking.com and Airbnb.

Used well you can find guests from all over the world and manage many administrative tasks.

The best Holiday Rental Marketeers use OTAs where needed and do what they can to encourage guests to re-book directly.

Booking Process

Booking Engine:

• A booking engine is vital. Remember if you are running your own website, you are competing with the likes of AirBnb where guests can get an immediate booking acknowledgement (if the property owner has agreed to this setting in setup).

• Make a list of your booking terms: Max days per rent, varying rates for weekend breaks… Many booking engines need specific settings and complicated pricing structures

• Many of the website builders will have integrated booking engines. Many of these can embed these into your website.

• Many people now just link to their presence on an OTA (e.g. Airbnb) to manage all bookings.

• Using external websites to manage bookings may be cheaper than an OTA

OTA:

• There are plenty of large, popular OTAs but there are also specialist ones such as Dog Friendly, Large houses or those based on lifestyle - advertising properties that are cool / more stylish…

The Belfry At Yarcombe

Successful B&B in East Devon with potential to re-open the restaurant and expand the covers from 12 to 18.

Grade II listed converted Victorian School built in 1872.

6 guest bedrooms

Self-contained owner’s apartment, Commercial kitchen is still in place. www.thebelfryatyarcombe.co.uk

Tel: 01404 861234 | e.: stay@thebelfryatyarcombe.co.uk

NUMBER ONE B&B

The Old Mill House

Detached Grade II Listed, former corn mill

Little Petherick, near Padstow, Cornwall

7 en-suite bedroom guest accommodation

1 en-suite bedroom owners’ accommodation

Extensive gardens | Circa 25 cover bistro restaurant

0.2 acre plot | Freehold

5 bedroom B&B | £665,000

Stylish and contemporary Victorian Villa situated a few meters from the seafront at Deal. This property is ranked as the number one B&B for the whole of Deal on Tripadvisor. Close to Dover and Ramsgate. A basement flat serves as owner accommodation. Visit milesandbarr.co.uk or call 01227 499500

Property reference for miles & barr: 31486186

To be sold by way of an asset sale as a transfer of a business as a going concern (TOGC).

Sold with the benefit of the fixtures and fittings. Tel: 01326 318813 | e.: info@laskowskiandcompany.co.uk

Deal, Kent ADVERTISE YOUR PROPERTY IN LUXURY BNB MAGAZINE

If you have a property for sale and wish to advertise it to other B&B's, hotels and glamping sites please contact