No vacation home rental sites in the Top 10! Got to change that. (back to the new years resolutions....let's make that happen)

On a more serious note, check out the traffic. Interesting downward or even trends on the various sites, except for facebook.com and wikipedia.com. Since all the traffic on wikipedia.comis probably people looking up 'stimulus package', 'depression', 'recession', and other uplifting economic terms, I want to focus on facebook.com.

Note the substantial increase. I have also see a substantial increase in activity on my personal Facebook page. I have had a Facebookpage for well over a year and until this summer, there was never much activity. In the fall, suddenly there were lots of friend requests, updated status (some of these updates really need not be shared), and I found myself searching for old acquaintances. I admit, I even started updating my status.

Why should you care? I think we should care about anything that is growing and capturing people's (potential guests) attention. Social media such as facebook can help us to reach our market and, maybe more importantly, to understand our market. What gets people's attention? What are the talking about? What do they have strong opinions on?

....and if you want, you can come visit me (Ralf VonSosen - only one there) and make me your friend on Facebook.

Ralf
LiveRez.com

I had the opportunity to deliver a webinar on Email Marketing today.  It was a packed 60min - usually I go about 35-45min, but there was so much material.  (and I did not even get into my 15 Tips for great subject lines)

See a recorded version of the webinar via our site:  http://liverez.com/downloads.asp

LievRez Email Marketing Webinar:  Bookings with Email Marketing 10 Must Do's (Plus - What NOT to put in your Subject Line)

Here is a list of 100 words that you want to avoid in your email subject line:
 

All the best.

Ralf VonSosen
www.LiveRez.com

A recent artilce in the Mercury News reinforced one of the advantages we have over hotels - we are a great value for groups.  That reinforces our targeted marketing, our value proposition, and is wonderful PR.

Read the article:  Big spring break group? Try renting a house!

"It was the perfect option. With a full kitchen, our meals weren't subject to the whim of the hotel restaurant, especially when it came to the demands of two toddlers who preferred boxed mac-and-cheese over fish tacos. Everyone had their own room and bathroom. No bunking up. No fighting over who got to shower first before the wedding.
And, with a full house, it turned out to be a cheaper and more flexible option than most hotels.
We could hang out with the wedding guests at Costa Azul's pool, or wander home and relax with homemade margaritas on our rooftop terrace overlooking the ocean. "

.....we know all the resons......Now I insert the challenges. 

1.  The only option for finding a vacation home that is mentioned in the article is www.vrbo.com  .  Unfortunate.  WE as a vacation management iondustry need to step on the gas to get the vacation home maangement company message out there.
2.  Groups are often feared by many of us.  They definiteky require more due diligence and care to ensure proper care for the property, limiting liabilities, and ensuring safety.

How do you ensure large groups are not the 'irresponsible party crowd'?  Here are some suggestions:

• If it is an online booking, call them to confirm, welcome, and ask lots of questions.
• The person booking my rental (who must stay at the cabin throughout the entire time) to be at least 25 years old.
• Rental agreement  clearly states, that if any violations occur, the will be asked to leave immediately with no refund and no return of security deposit.
• Agreement says no loud parties. (Be cautious if I there are colleges around.)
• Don't hesitate to come right out and tell them that you don't rent to party groups or college crowds as the neighbors will complain.
• Tell that you regukarky ‘patrrol’ all the rentals, so your tem will be driving by .
• Ask what type of party the group is (married couples, family, students, hoodlums, ….).
• Tell the that all guests must be registered to to get into you  community facilities .
• Sample contract language:  4. NOISE: Because we respect our town, neighbors and the quiet enjoyment of their property, please do the same. This is a family home in a quiet residential area. This is not a "party house" and loud noise outside the house after 11 PM will not be tolerated and may result in your being evicted and losing your deposit and all monies paid."

If you have any great tricks, please share.

Happy MLK Weekend!

Ralf
www.LiveRez.com

All political views aside, you got to like the fact that Pres. Obama stayed in a vacation home rental in Hawaii.  That is some great publicity for our industry.  You may think about using that as a tag-line or angle to campaign to some potential new guests (remember many potential guests have no experience in vacation homes - get lists of travelers from your friends and business partners).  "find out why the president stays at a vacation rental", "have a presidental experience in a vacation rental", "good enough for a presidential vacation",..........you get the idea.

Now I lost my train of thought completely.  My post here was goign to be about 2009 plans and trends.  Recently, YPartnerships created an interesting list of predictions for the travel industry which I thought were worth looking at.  When looking at this, think about how it applies to you and your business - how it applies to what you can affect.

YPartnership Emerging Trends in Travel

• Value Is King - Remember that does not mean 'cheap' - it mean lots for their money.  All-inclusive, no extra fees, specials, etc.
• Trips Will Get Shorter – "staying fewer nights" is one traveler strategies they to still go on vacation.  Look at your min nights, be flexible, and be creative in specials. 
• Consumers Will Use The Internet Differently –  comparison shopping for competitive products and services from multiple Web sites
• Marketing Will Go Mobile – only 15% of cell phone users are Internet enabled. This percentage will rise with the popularity of the iPhone™, Blackberry Storm™ and similar devices.
• All Vacations Are Not Created Equal – vacations are increasingly perceived as an appropriate way to recognize certain life events (e.g., anniversaries, school graduations, retirement, etc.). 
• Travel Agent Usage Will Continue To Rise – traditional travel agents are not down for the count, three out of ten American travelers use the services of a travel agent
• Going Green Is Good For Business - fully 85%  of Americans consider themselves to be "environmentally conscious!" and 'four out of ten' stated they would consider shifting their patronage to a travel service supplier who demonstrates environmental responsibility. 
• Diversity Awaits Discovery – diversity represents an emerging market force, and one that will gain more prominence in the year ahead, particularly given the election of soon-to-be president Obama.

Again, this is only interesting when applied to your market, your business, and your success factors.

All the best.

Ralf
www.LiveRez.com

Another reminder that we are all in this together.  I am passing along this request by the CFVRMA leadership to help unite Florida vacation home managers.  Staying abreast of legislative issues and uniting in causes is essentail for our industry success.

Dear Industry Member:

I come to you today with an urgent request. The Legislature, now in special session, is considering cutting up to 90 percent of VISIT FLORIDA’s remaining fiscal year budget. This decision is being discussed now and will be made this week. These cuts would force VISIT FLORIDA to cancel major programs, marketing and advertising, except for those by which we are contractually bound. If these budget cuts pass, we will operate as a skeleton organization. CALL TO ACTION
We need your help today. Please make calls to your legislators and also mobilize your network of employees, partners, colleagues, families and friends to call. We need to communicate that budget cuts at this level will devastate our industry and hurt our economy. Every voice counts, so we are sending this email to Florida tourism businesses. Now more than ever, we need your commitment to keep our industry healthy and save VISIT FLORIDA. If you are unable to reach your legislators directly, please speak to their legislative aid or staff. Your message will be passed along to the legislator. When you call your legislators at the Capitol TODAY, I ask that you fill out the attached form  

http://www.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT03MDcxOTImcD0xJnU9MTA2MjIxMDM5JmxpPTI3Nzg5MjA/index.html

and email to https://cfpma.clubexpress.com/educationcampaign@floridastourismcounts.org or fax to 850-224-9286.

This will be the best way for us to keep a pulse on the legislative environment and determine next steps. To find your local legislators and their Tallahassee office contact information, you can visit this website http://www.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT03MDcxOTImcD0xJnU9MTA2MjIxMDM5JmxpPTI3Nzg5MjE/index.html .

Simply enter your zip code for a contact list of legislators in your district.

Suggested Talking Points
I am [NAME] with [BUSINESS], who lives in [CITY]. It is important to communicate that you are in
their district.
I am calling to strongly urge [REPRESENTATIVE X / SENATOR Y] to vote against cuts to VISIT
FLORIDA’s budget.
VISIT FLORIDA’s state destination marketing is critical to the success of my business.
If these cuts pass, my company and my community will suffer the consequences. [Briefly comment on how VISIT FLORIDA helps you do business].
Cuts to VISIT FLORIDA will only hurt our state tourism industry and Florida’s economy. Tourism is a profit center in Florida:
           o For every $1 the state invests in tourism marketing, more than $3 is returned to the state
               in tourism-related taxes.
           o VISIT FLORIDA provides advertising and marketing opportunities that are crucial to
               my business—opportunities that would not be possible otherwise.
           o VISIT FLORIDA is the catalyst for the tourism industry and matches every $1 in state funding with $2 in private sector investment. Without state funding, we will lose our ability to be competitive with other destinations.
The absence of VISIT FLORIDA could result in a loss of 143,750 tourism related jobs and will further harm our struggling state economy. 
I appreciate [REPRESENTATIVE X's / SENATOR Y's] consideration on this urgent matter. Thank you in advance for your assistance in this very important issue.

Respectfully,
President and CEO
VISIT FLORIDA®   

Be heard!

Ralf
www.LiveRez.com