Instagram for your Vacation Rental Business | The Do’s and Don’ts

Want to increase your vacation rental bookings and attract more guests? If so, you might want to consider using Instagram to promote your vacation rental business.

With over one billion active users, Instagram is one of the world's most popular social media platforms, which can help you increase your vacation rental bookings and attract more guests. According to DataReportal, Instagram is estimated to have 1.318 billion users in January 2023, making it the 4th most active social media network in the world.

According to Forbes, $992 billion was spent on social media commerce in 2020, which is the use of social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram to promote and sell products and services online. In the United States, 96.9 million people use social media to shop for goods and services and this figure is expected to grow to 114.3 million social buyers—an increase of 18%! As a result of social media influence, 40% of online users make purchases they wouldn't have considered without it. Among the most influential products are apparel, accessories, cosmetics, food, event tickets, and vacation experiences.

In this article, we'll take a closer look at Instagram, how to use it effectively, and what dos and don'ts you should be aware of. Whether you're setting up a business account and showcasing your property or engaging with your followers and partnering with influencers, we'll cover everything you need to know to make the most of Instagram.

Instagram marketing for vacation rentals: How it differs from other social media platforms

In terms of marketing your vacation rental business, Instagram is different from other social media platforms in a few ways.

Your Instagram posts need to be visual, so you need to pay attention to the quality and aesthetics of your photos and videos. Instagram users expect high-quality, visually appealing content, so you need to put some thought into what you post.

Hashtags

Instagram is known for its use of hashtags, which allow users to search for specific topics and find new accounts to follow. Vacation rental businesses can use hashtags to target their ideal audience and attract new followers who are interested in travel.

Influencer Marketing

Instagram has become a popular platform for influencer marketing, where businesses partner with popular Instagram users to promote their products or services. Vacation rental businesses can partner with travel influencers or bloggers to showcase their properties to a larger audience.

Stories and Reels

Instagram offers features like Stories and Reels, which allow businesses to share shorter, more casual content with their followers. This can be a great way to show off the personality of your vacation rental business and connect with your audience on a more personal level.

What Instagram can do for your Vacation Rental Business

Instagram is a highly visual platform that is ideal for showcasing vacation rental properties through photos and videos. By using relevant hashtags and engaging with your followers, you can attract potential guests and build your brand. As such, Vacation rental businesses can benefit from Instagram in several ways,

Increased Visibility

You can use Instagram to increase the visibility of your vacation rental business to a wider audience since it is a popular social media platform with over one billion active users. There is a high potential to attract prospective guests who would not otherwise be aware of your property by regularly posting engaging content and making use of relevant hashtags.

Brand Building

Instagram is a great platform to build your brand identity and showcase your vacation rental property's unique features and amenities. By posting high-quality photos and videos that highlight your property's best features, you can help establish your business as a top choice for travelers.

Direct Communication with Guests

Instagram allows you to communicate directly with potential and past guests through comments and direct messages. This can be an excellent way to answer any questions they may have about your property, and also to build a rapport with them.

Social Proof

Social proof is the idea that people are more likely to trust the opinions and recommendations of others, particularly those who they perceive to be similar to themselves. By reposting photos and reviews from satisfied guests on Instagram, you can build social proof and attract more guests to your vacation rental property.

Influencer Partnerships

Instagram influencers can have a significant impact on your business by promoting your vacation rental property to their followers. By partnering with influencers who align with your brand and target audience, you can expand your reach and attract new guests.

Overall, Instagram is a valuable tool for vacation rental businesses looking to attract more guests, build their brand, and establish a direct line of communication with potential and past guests.

Using Instagram for Vacation Rentals: The Do’s

Instagram can be a powerful tool to promote your vacation rental business and attract potential guests. Here are some do's to help you get the most out of your Instagram presence.

Do Create a Business Account

With a business account, you will have access to Instagram's business tools and analytics, which will allow you to better understand your audience and track your content's performance.

Do Showcase your Property

Invest in high-quality photos and videos to showcase the unique features of your vacation rental property. Make sure you highlight the amenities, the views, and any special touches that make it stand out.

Do Post Regularly

Instagram is all about consistency, so post regularly to keep your followers engaged and attract new ones.

Use Relevant Hashtags

Your vacation rental content can reach a wider audience by using relevant hashtags. Examples include #vacationrentals, #lakehouse, #tentcabin, and #airbnb.

Engage with your Followers

Make sure you reply to comments and messages promptly and engage with your followers by liking and commenting on their posts. This will help build a relationship with your audience.

Do Partner with Influencers

Promoting your vacation rental business with influencers can help you reach a wider audience and attract more guests.

Do Share Guest Experiences

Share your guests' experiences on Instagram, and repost their content on your own page. This will help you build social proof and attract new guests.

Do Use Instagram Stories

Share behind-the-scenes glimpses of your vacation rental business, such as cleaning and maintenance, and promote special events and offers with Instagram stories.

Using Instagram for Vacation Rentals: The Don’ts!

While Instagram can be a powerful tool to promote your vacation rental business, there are also some "don'ts" that you should keep in mind to avoid any potential pitfalls

Don't Post Low-quality Photos

Low-quality photos can make your vacation rental property look unappealing and unprofessional. Always use high-quality photos and videos that showcase your property in the best possible light.

Don't Overuse Filters

While Instagram filters can be fun, don't overuse them to the point where they make your photos look unnatural or overly edited. Keep your photos as true to life as possible.

Don't Spam your Followers

Avoid posting too frequently or bombarding your followers with sales pitches. This can come across as pushy and turn potential guests away.

Don't Ignore Negative Comments

If you receive negative comments or feedback on your posts, don't ignore them. Respond to them professionally and address any concerns or issues that the commenter may have.

Don't Post Misleading Information

Be honest and transparent about your vacation rental property and don't post misleading information or photos. This can lead to disappointed guests and damage your reputation.

Don't use Irrelevant Hashtags

Using irrelevant hashtags can make your content look spammy and may attract the wrong kind of followers. Stick to hashtags that are relevant to your vacation rental business and location.

Don't Forget to Follow Instagram's Terms of Service

Be sure to follow Instagram's terms of service and guidelines when posting content. This includes avoiding any illegal or inappropriate content, as well as properly disclosing any sponsored content or partnerships

In Conclusion,

Vacation rental businesses can use Instagram to attract more guests, build their brand, and communicate directly with past and potential guests by using it as a powerful tool. Create a business account and regularly post high-quality content about your property's unique features and amenities to reach a larger audience and build social proof through reviews and guest photos.

Through comments, direct messages, and Instagram Stories, you can build a personal connection with your followers and increase the likelihood that they will book your property. Finally, you can increase your reach and attract new guests by partnering with relevant influencers. By following best practices, vacation rental businesses can boost bookings and increase revenue by taking advantage of Instagram's benefits.