If you are like me, you might be all set for your January marketing, but have not finalized all your marketing themes, campaigns, and promotions fro 2009. So here I am hammering out our complete & detailed 2009 plan and thought I would share couple of the steps I undertake that may be helpful for your vacation home rental business.
1. Calendar – I like to create a new Excel document where I can create a simple monthly calendar. The calendar is critical to balance the timing and the media of marketing campaigns.
2. Holidays – Successful marketing is dependant on timing & message. Holidays are great for this because on holidays (MLK, President’s, Valentines, St. Patrick’s, Easter, Mother’s, Memorial, etc……..you get the idea) you know what people are thinking about. So it is easy to create the right message at the right time around holidays. Do not miss your chance.
3. Target Market – cleanse your list of contacts, leads, guests, partners, ……………..whatever you call all the names you have in your database. Ensure high quality data that you can divide into targeted lists. (success of an email campaign has more to do with the target list than the email itself) Put special emphasis on past guests and giving them a compelling reason to return.
4. New Leads – line up your sources for new leads in 2009. Will it be from partners (restaurants, shops, golf courses, etc.) or will it be from events (local marathon, car race, world cup ski race, business convention, etc.). Make sure you have a plan to market to new folks in 2009.
Now weave these efforts together in a colorful 2009 marketing tapestry……very poetic, no? My point is, think about a balance of efforts, the utilization of different marketing tools, messages, and target markets.
Thanks.
Ralf
www.LiveRez.com
Tags: online travel, online vacation rentals, vacation rental, vacation rental software. vacation marketing