In the ever-changing world of vacation rentals, social media continues to be a great way to connect with potential guests. Social media platforms provide a powerful avenue for vacation rental owners to showcase their properties, share their business model, and build a loyal following.

As the social media manager for several vacation rental companies, I can attest that to stay competitive, vacation rental owners need to be posting regularly on social media to enhance their online presence and engage with potential guests.

Here are some of my favorite simple things to post on social media:

1. Stunning Property Photos: First impressions matter, and for vacation rental owners, visually appealing content is everything. Share high-quality photos and videos that showcase the features of your property. Showcase living spaces and bedrooms, stylish interiors, and any amenities that set your vacation rental apart from the rest.
2. Local Attractions and Activities: Beyond the walls of your vacation rental, guests like to see what there is to do in your area. Share information about nearby beaches, hiking trails, cultural events, and popular landmarks. Include the distance from your property to local attractions and activities, and any supplies you provide for guests to use while exploring. By showcasing the local lifestyle and experiences, you not only provide valuable information to your audience, but you also position your rental as an ideal home base for exploring the area.
3. Guest Reviews: Build trust and credibility by sharing positive reviews from previous guests (see #6 for not-so-positive reviews). Create engaging posts featuring guest reviews, photos of the property they stayed at, and a sincere “Thank You” to show the positive impact that their stay had on them as well as you.
4. Share Some Content: Encourage all your guests to share their vacation stories on social media and be sure to let them know how to tag you in their posts. Always interact with any posts that you are mentioned in to build personal connections. Guest-generated content adds authenticity to your online presence and serves as a powerful marketing tool, and best of all it costs you nothing. Sharing posts from guests and other local businesses on your own pages is a super quick way to add credible content.
5. Behind-the-Scenes Content: Give your audience a glimpse behind the scenes to humanize (and maybe HUMORize) your vacation rental business. Share photos and videos of the cleaning process, maintenance routines, and the efforts you put into ensuring a comfortable stay for guests. Introduce the faces behind the business, including property managers and cleaning staff. By showcasing the care and dedication invested in your vacation rental, you build a transparent and trustworthy brand.
6. Respond to Negative Guest Reviews: There are some reviews that we don’t want to draw any more attention to, but sometimes you can shed some positivity on a negative review by sharing what was done to remedy the situation. Did someone leave a review that something was broken or understocked? Post a sincere “Thank You” for bringing the problem to your attention, and a photo of what was done to fix the issue for your next guests. This shows your future guests that you are an engaged and responsible host.

In conclusion, by strategically sharing content related to your property, vacation rental owners can engage their audience and create a narrative that attracts visitors to their properties. If you need social media help, reach out to me, Vicki, at www.ThreeSixDesign.com. Happy posting!