| Property owners often ask how they can get more | | | | the famous city of Cabo San Lucas. Your introduction |
| bookings, lead and inquiries from their vacation rental | | | | should make this clear: "This beautifully appointed 1 |
| listing. Whether preparing a listing for property for | | | | bedroom 1 bathroom condo is located in the five star |
| sale or for lodging/vacation rentals, follow a few | | | | La Jolla resort. The La Jolla is a magnificently |
| simple tips, and your listing will stand out and | | | | landscaped beach front resort just a few minutes |
| encourage visitors to interact with you: | | | | from quaint San Jose del Cabo or 20 minutes from |
| 1. Visual Enhancements: Pictures form the visitor's | | | | Cabo San Lucas." |
| first impression. If your photos pique their interest, | | | | 3. Give your visitors plenty of options to contact |
| visitors are much more inclined to review the text | | | | you, including email address, website URL, phone |
| and contact you.a. Make sure that you upload high | | | | numbers, and leading social network links (if |
| quality photos for best results. Use higher resolution | | | | applicable). |
| photos. Both 640 x 480 resolutions and 800 x 600 is | | | | 4. Provide guest/client testimonials to build your |
| the best compromise between size and download | | | | credibility. Authenticity is important, so ensure that |
| speed. Consider hiring a professional photographer or | | | | your testimonials portray a real guest/client comment |
| using an SLR digital camera for premium clarity and | | | | and are NOT pre-written by you. |
| lighting. A bit of an investment can go a long way in | | | | 5. Provide value-added opportunities for your visitor. |
| creating long-term credibility and attracting more | | | | A special offer can be presented in the form of a |
| visitors. A fine portfolio of photos can also be | | | | discount or a reduced price OR consider other |
| uploaded for free to sites like Flickr or PhotoBucket | | | | offers:a. For a rental property, consider packaging up |
| to further promote your business on the Internet.b. | | | | amenities, meals and/or nearby attractions with your |
| Include a variety of interior and exterior shots, along | | | | rental rates. Or think about providing gas cards or |
| with lifestyle/activity and seasonal weather variation | | | | discount coupons for area attractions with every |
| photos for a complete property perspective.c. Include | | | | rental.b. For a property for sale, consider offering a |
| interior shots with good lighting for your main living | | | | discovery weekend package that includes a |
| areas such as living or gathering rooms, kitchen and | | | | discounted stay either at the subject property or |
| master bedroom. Also include entertainment photos, | | | | other accommodations nearby coupled with a |
| such as pool table, hot tubs, and/or entertainment | | | | personalized property/area tour in a one-on-one |
| centers. Any areas where people may gather such as | | | | environment. Or think about providing an extended |
| breakfast bars, fireplaces, and resort features and | | | | warranty package or home-improvement store |
| facilities are also important.d. Visitors are turned off | | | | discount cards to your clients. |
| by websites that are cluttered with flashing, | | | | 6. Amenities, Activities and Attractionsa. The |
| streaming or pop-up ads. Design your website with | | | | amenities section serves to describe and highlight |
| the visitor in mind. Clutter-free professional designs | | | | your property's best qualities. Write with a warm |
| lead to longer visitor sessions.e. Include a few local | | | | inviting tone to make your visitor feel welcome: |
| scenery shots -sunset, resort grounds, beach and | | | | Examples include:i. "Your home away from home |
| surf, or ocean/lake scenic shots. These are important | | | | lends itself to a relaxing, fun vacation in the Smoky |
| because they convey an important feature for | | | | Mountain area. The dining table seats eight in a |
| buyers and renters: location.f. Add descriptive text to | | | | bay-window area decorated with moose and pine |
| each picture. Although you may think visitors will | | | | trees."ii. "A spacious open living room has a cathedral |
| intuitively know what they're looking at, it helps to | | | | ceiling of knotty pine, with rustic decor adding to the |
| highlight and point out features. | | | | cabin-style atmosphere."iii."A floor to ceiling |
| 2. Create Inviting Texta. Whether you are renting or | | | | wood-burning fireplace invites warm family |
| selling your property, the opening description is the | | | | gatherings."iv. "The kitchen is arranged to suit your |
| most important piece of text to pique visitor interest. | | | | cooking style while you entertain your guests."b. |
| Keep it short and simple, around 2-4 sentences. Make | | | | Many visitors may already know the activities and |
| sure to include text that is concise, authentic, and | | | | attractions associated with your location. The |
| descriptive. Examples include:b. If your property | | | | purpose of this text is to reconfirm and reinforce the |
| offers mountain views, create an authentic and | | | | fact that guests can do these by booking your |
| concise phrase such as "Sweeping long-range Smoky | | | | property because of your vacation home's great |
| Mountain views from every room."c. "This beautiful | | | | location. Keep your description short, including only |
| home offers an architectural mix of Spanish and | | | | the primary and nearby activities. Indicate distances in |
| French Country style featuring a comfortable front | | | | miles or driving minutes. Mini marts and grocery |
| porch with ocean view, inviting exterior courtyards, | | | | stores nearby are not as important unless your |
| and two expansive rear yard decks. Offering 3 | | | | location is far-removed from civilization, so only |
| bedrooms and 2,562 square feet this home creates | | | | include these less-significant features if they are |
| the perfect environment to enjoy the natural beauty | | | | important for visitors to know.c. Only display those |
| of its coastal-close location."d. "Relax and enjoy this | | | | rental policies that are essential to the guest |
| 2400 square foot vacation home built in 1999. It is | | | | experience such as minimum length of stay, pet |
| single story with two bedrooms and two bathrooms | | | | policy, children policy, maximum occupancy, etc. Save |
| that will sleep eight for true hospitality. The distinctive | | | | the details of deposits, booking fees, form of |
| beauty and charm of Birdson Cottage Floor Plan sets | | | | payment and other details for your website. |
| this apart from the rest."e. You can also add special | | | | With a little time and creativity, you can create an |
| touches if your property is located in a lesser-known | | | | appealing and informative listing to maximize visitor |
| locale or in a newly developed area. For example, | | | | response, leads, and inquiries and see a smart return |
| most people don't know that "La Jolla del Cabo" is | | | | on your advertising investment. |
| located on the tip of Baja California, Mexico, next to | | | | |