gp AT HOME By Rebekah Nugent and Amanda Holmes | Dwell House
Elevate Your Game
How to market and design your Airbnb listing for Grants Pass guests
ABOVE OUR DWELL HOUSE OFFICES, located in downtown Grants Pass, there are four Airbnb units. We see an array of visitors coming and going and have long since wondered what attracts visitors to our location and what attracts them to these four units in particular. Obviously, we believe good design and floor plan functionality are crucial. And our real estate know-how always emphasizes location, location, location! But what else can you do to ensure success? A recent Netflix show, “Stay Here,” draws viewers in with their mix of marketing strategy meets design. Their premise: creative design solutions meet boutique business operations. We can’t help but hone in on their compelling marketing strategies and recommendations. According to Airbnb, stateside travelers are yearning for one-of-a-kind experiences. From outdoor swings and treehouses to cliff dwellings and lakeside yurts, travelers are back. And now they are looking for more unique and epic adventure vacation spots. Making your listing stand out through eye-catching design, as well as injecting local knowledge and social media tools into your marketing strategy will surely help set your listing apart from all others. Our team has recently completed two Airbnb designs — one being an entirely new Airbnb set up for clients in Grants Pass, and the second a newly purchased vacation home in Arizona. During our research we uncovered six tactics that will greatly help develop your overall short-term rental (STR) marketing strategy.
1
Guest experience
The guest experience is more important than ever. Elevating the design, amenities and local knowledge is imperative to a successful listing.
2
Social Media
It’s real and it works. Using hashtags and creating Instagram-worthy moments is monumental to today’s savvy travelers. Help prospective guests find you by using hashtags in your posts like #grantspassairbnb or #grantspassstays, which will connect you with those searching for accommodations in the area. Also, Instagrammers love selfies. So, set up a cute space or even install a wall mural where guests can take pictures and have them share and tag you on social media outlets.
3
Understand your branding
If your place doesn’t have a swing plunging through the Rogue River that’s okay. Pick one or two aspects of your space that you and guests love and emphasize those aspects consistently in your marketing. Near the river? Play on that by enticing guests with key phrases, photos and descriptions of things to do nearby. Boatnik anyone? Is your place downtown? Showcase the new cool spot next door (hello out there Partake Lounge) or the beautifully designed dessert place that just opened (we see you House of Glory).
4
Be the tour guide for your guests
Packages are the way to go. Booking adventures for your travelers saves them time and puts a lot more money in your pocket. Partner with some of the amazing local tourism adventures in the Rogue Valley. Ziplining,
Pick one or two aspects of your space that you and your guests love and emphasize those aspects consistently in your marketing.
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