As a vacation rental owner or property manager, you may be missing out on a valuable source of bookings and revenue – referrals.
Referrals executed effectively could increase your vacation rental bookings by up to 20% or more. However, many vacation rental owners and property managers are not fully leveraging this powerful vacation rental marketing tool.
To help you get more referrals for your vacation rental business, we’ve compiled some practical tips:
You have to actually ask for the referral!
You may be surprised to learn how many guests would be happy to refer your vacation rental business to their friends and family if you simply asked.
According to sales expert Dale Carnegie, 91% of customers are willing to give referrals, but only 11% of associates actually ask for them.
Make guest satisfaction a top priority:
We mention this a lot around here but guest satisfaction should be at the core of your brand values. Happy guests are more likely to refer others to your property.
So, focus on providing an exceptional experience by offering high-quality amenities, responding promptly to guest inquiries and concerns, and providing outstanding customer service.
Ask for referrals at the right time:
Timing is crucial when it comes to asking for referrals. It’s best to ask for a referral when a guest is checking out and has had a positive experience.
You can also send a follow-up email after their stay, thanking them for their business and asking if they know anyone else who might be interested in staying at your property.
Offer incentives:
Incentivizing referrals is a great way to encourage guests to refer others. Consider offering discounts, free nights, an Amazon gift card, or other perks for every referral they bring in. Consider it a marketing expense.
Make it easy to refer you:
Remove any barriers or difficulties that may prevent your guests from referring your vacation rental to their friends and family. Make it as easy as possible.
Providing guests with a referral link or a code that they can easily share with others makes it simple for them to refer your property.
You can use social media sharing buttons on your website and booking confirmation emails, which makes it even easier for guests to share your property with their network.
By making it easy to refer you, you increase the chances of getting more referrals and ultimately, more bookings for your vacation rental business.
Partner with local businesses:
Partnering with local businesses such as restaurants, attractions, and shops can help you reach a wider audience and get more referrals. Offer to promote their business to your guests in exchange for them promoting your vacation rental to their customers.
To put these tips into practice, here are some effective email templates that you can use to ask for referrals:
Referral Email Templates, Copy, Paste, and Customize
Example Template 1: Subject: Thank you for choosing to stay at our vacation rental. We are so glad to hear that you had an enjoyable stay with us. We truly value your business and would love to have the opportunity to host your friends and family.
If you know anyone who is looking for a great vacation rental, we would be grateful if you could refer them to us. As a thank you, we are happy to offer you [discount or other incentive] on your next stay with us.
Thank you again for choosing our vacation rental. We look forward to welcoming you back soon.
Best regards, [Your Name]
Email Template 2: Subject: Help Us Spread the Word about Our Vacation Rental and Get [Discount] on Your Next Stay!
Dear [Guest Name],
We’re thrilled to hear that you had a great time at our vacation rental. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we’re glad to have met your expectations.
We’re always looking for ways to enhance our guests’ experiences, and we would be grateful for your help in spreading the word about our vacation rental. If you know anyone who is planning a vacation and looking for a great place to stay, we would be honored if you could refer them to us. As a token of our appreciation, we’re happy to offer you [Discount or other incentive] on your next stay with us for every referral you bring in.
Thank you for your loyalty and support. We appreciate your business and look forward to hosting you and your referrals soon.
Warm regards, [Your Name]
Email Template 3: Subject: You Loved Your Stay – Can You Help Us Reach More Travelers?
Dear [Guest Name],
We’re thrilled to hear that you had an exceptional experience at our vacation rental. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we’re committed to delivering great guest experiences every time.
We’re reaching out to ask for your help in spreading the word about our vacation rental.
If you know anyone who is planning a vacation and looking for a great place to stay, we would be grateful if you could refer them to us. As a thank you, we’re happy to offer you [Discount or other incentive] on your next stay with us for every referral you bring in.
Thank you for your time and consideration. We value your business and appreciate any referrals you can provide.
Best regards, [Your Name]
These emails follow best practices for asking for referrals, including thanking the guest for their business, making it easy for them to refer others, offering an incentive as a thank you for referrals, and expressing appreciation for their loyalty and support.
By customizing these templates to fit the specific guest and situation, you can maximize their effectiveness.
3 Action Steps:
To tap into the power of referrals, take a proactive approach.
Go through your list of past guests and identify your most loyal guests.
Reach out to them with a polite, honest email expressing your desire to grow your business and your appreciation for any referrals they can provide.
Assure them that you will do your best to ensure that their referrals have a great experience. And, to sweeten the deal, offer an incentive or two if needed.
By adopting this three-pronged approach, you can build a scalable referral channel that can help you grow your vacation rental business.
So go on, don’t be afraid to ask for referrals – your guests may be more than happy to help you out!
The Takeaway
Referrals are a valuable source of bookings and revenue for vacation rental owners and property managers.
By focusing on guest satisfaction, asking for referrals at the right time, offering incentives, making it easy to refer, and partnering with local businesses, you can tap into the power of referrals and grow your business.