Rental owners: getting ready for September
The start of the school year often means a dip in bookings, so why not turn the trend around with your listing?
The summer holidays are almost over. And with them, the peak season. But September does not have to mean the end of business for you. Here is how to keep your bookings at their best throughout the month.
When should you start preparing?
As soon as you can! We know that summer leaves you run off your feet, so you almost certainly have no time to look into it then. So plan ahead!
Write a slightly different description depending on the season and get together photos that will speak to your guests. You will not be welcoming the same type of clientele as in high summer, so you will need to adapt to attract them.
Think about the price of the stay too, which should be noticeably lower than in summer. It is one way of attracting more people. Be careful, though, not to sell your services short.
Which guests should I be targeting in September?
In France, the new school year officially begins on 2 September. So, in principle, no guests with children, or only with very young ones.
You should mainly get guests who are able to travel outside the school holidays, and when they do, it is usually for two reasons: they want to avoid the crowds and pay less. They are looking for peace and quiet while still enjoying good weather.
You may also welcome guests who come to work. The lucky ones who can carry on working remotely will try to escape their routine and ease themselves gently back into the new term.
What should I take into account?
Now that you have identified your guests, how do you get them to book with you?
We have just mentioned:
- Peace and quiet: highlight the features of your property that make people feel at home
- Price: it is up to you to lower your rates compared with the summer. Just be sure to stay profitable.
- Wi-Fi: make sure you have a good Wi-Fi connection and give it real prominence in your listing
- If you have aworkspace, mention it
Generally speaking, ask yourself: what am I looking for when I go away outside the holidays? Then write a listing that matches it. So, feeling motivated and raring to go for September? Tell us in the comments what your own tips are for keeping a healthy booking rate at this time of year!
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