Email marketing remains one of the most effective channels for vacation rental managers to connect with potential guests. Not only is it quick and direct, but building your email list is also surprisingly straightforward. For established LiveRez partners, you likely already have hundreds or thousands of guest emails from past bookings and inquiries. However, to maximize your marketing reach, there are two powerful strategies that successful LiveRez partners are implementing.
Email Capture Website Pop-Ups: Converting Visitors to Subscribers
Email capture pop-ups have proven to be highly effective for growing marketing lists. These are the familiar prompts that appear after you’ve spent a few moments browsing a website, inviting you to subscribe for special offers and promotions.
While many visitors may dismiss these pop-ups, even a small conversion percentage can significantly expand your email list due to the high volume of traffic your website receives.
Although LiveRez doesn’t offer a built-in solution for email capture pop-ups, you can easily integrate one into your website settings by following these steps:
- Choose an Email Service Provider: Sign up with an email marketing platform. Many LiveRez partners successfully use MailChimp or Constant Contact, though there are numerous affordable options available.
- Create Your Pop-Up: Design an engaging pop-up through your chosen platform.
- Implementation:
a. For LiveRez v1 users: Navigate to your dynamic website page, select “Website Preferences,” and paste the provided code into the “Other Website Statistics Code” field at the bottom of the page.
b. For LiveRez Ignite users: Submit a support ticket with the code, and the LiveRez team will implement it in WordPress for you.
Collecting Emails from OTA Guests: Don’t Miss Out on Direct Relationships
If you list properties on Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) like Airbnb and VRBO, you’ve likely noticed they’ve become more restrictive about sharing guest email addresses. This practice aims to keep communications within their platforms.
However, once a booking is confirmed, you can legitimately collect direct contact information from your guests. Reaching out to OTA guests to obtain their email addresses serves two purposes:
- It builds your marketing database
- It simplifies future communication about their reservation
This practice is fully compliant with OTA rules and creates a more direct relationship with your guests.
Putting Your Email List to Work
After investing effort in growing your email list, implement a strategic email marketing plan. Send regular newsletters featuring:
- Local events and attractions
- Special promotional offers
- Highlighted properties (new additions or popular rentals)
If you need assistance developing an effective email marketing strategy, LiveRez’s sister company, Bluetent, offers specialized services. Contact [email protected] to connect with a Bluetent representative who can help optimize your email marketing efforts.
By implementing these two straightforward strategies, you can significantly expand your reach and build stronger relationships with potential and returning guests.
