Four ways STR hosts can up their game in the new year.

The start of the year is a great time to make long-term goals for short-term rentals. Whether hosting is your primary job or a side hustle, striving to make even the smallest improvements can pay off in big ways. Now is the time to dominate! 

If you want to succeed in the STR game, you have to be visible. Putting your property on a platform such as AIRBNB is just a start. In a sea of properties, you need to make waves. Take a note from FIX Linens and try some of these options to improve your property visibility.

1. Don’t limit yourself to one platform. While AIRBNB and VRBO are great starting points, there are dozens of specialty platforms that hone in on specific audiences in which your property might be suited for. From Bringfido who brings pet-friendly short term rentals to pet owners,  to Onefinestay which offers listings for high end luxury homes, there are many baskets for your “egg”. Worried about property management when listing on multiple sites? Look into Uplisting. This platform helps hosts manage all your listings in one place.

2. Create a social media page for your property. This is a great way to build a pool of permanent guests and to keep your audience in the loop on news and updates. This landing page can have many other advantages and uses- including independent marketing. Another great option for a designated property page is to help you promote products within your home. Include active links to products your guests may have fallen in love with during their stay, (like an amazingly comfortable set of Fix Linen sheets😉). With an array of affiliate programs, you may be able to get a kick back from guests' purchases. 

3. Join family or community social media groups in both your hometown as well as the location of your property. Many times people looking for vacation locations will check these sites for referrals or suggestions. In addition, some resort communities have their own social media groups where property owners can share their listings and help funnel prospective guests to their booking site/ listing. 

Make sure you have a streamlined communication plan for prospective and active guests. We suggest establishing an independent email address specifically for your property. This will ensure that communications, questions and inquiries do not get lost in your inbox. Personalize your notification settings for this email address so you are alerted immediately when a message is received. Timely communication is key to a successful STR business.

In the STR game, a picture is worth a thousand bookings. Your listing is your primary and most important advertisement. Many times hosts will attempt to take pictures and stage their property themselves. While this may work in some instances, getting a professional involved may be just what your need to give your listing an edge. The right lighting and angles can make a huge difference in how your property looks to prospective renters. Most hosts find this investment pays off ten fold! 

Speaking of listings- make sure yours doesn't go unmonitored. Make a point to check in on your listing at least once a month. Read your reviews and make seasonal changes to your pictures and listing info. Keeping your listing up to date and relevant shows you are an attentive host and pay attention to the details. 

Rome wasn’t built in a day. Establishing a successful STR can take some time. Set a yearly goal to make one large improvement each year. Work on the cornerstones that establish solid reviews and increase bookability; luxury, entertainment, accessibility, safety and comfort. Look to your reviews to find beneficial additions, renovations or update ideas. This can be as simple as a mattress replacement, enhanced security features, or upgraded appliances. Consider adding luxury features to help you earn stellar reviews and that superhost status! 

Just like any passion project, your short term rental properties need attention and time to grow and develop. With the arrival of the new year, envisioning how your property and skills as a host can be improved upon can only lead to a more lucrative business model and a better stay for your guests.