You have to get to know the local community before listing your holiday home to potential guests. This is something that many property owners overlook, but connecting with nearby business makes sense. It can help you run your property, provide an unforgettable experience for your guests and develop marketing materials. Here are three of the best benefits of getting to know your new business neighbours.
Kit your holiday home out with goods from the local community
Using decorations and furnishings from local vendors is a great extra touch for your guests. In doing this, you will be able to showcase what you love about the local community to anyone staying in your holiday home. Visitors – whether they’re from the edge of the world or one town over – will feel a new connection with their temporary home.
So how does connecting with the community help you do this? You’ll find that many vendors will provide discounts to local holiday home owners. Shops that sell decorations and knick knacks will also appreciate the added business of your guests falling in love with the items you have in your home. This is one of the simplest ways to create a two way relationship with the community.
Connect on social media with local vendors
This should be one of the first things you do when setting up your holiday home! Social media gives you the chance to keep up to date with what is going on in the local community. You can also interact with each other, boosting both of your profiles. As with above, you might also be able to work together on competition campaigns, offering goods from a local shop as the prize.
One of the best ways to do this is to get involved with local forums and groups. Find out if there are any community based groups on Facebook and join. It’s important not to use this as an advertising space, but as somewhere you can connect with other businesses. We also recommend including social media links for nearby businesses in your welcome pack. This gives your guest the opportunity to connect with them during their stay.
Offer exclusive deals from the local community for your holiday home guests
It’s not just you who can benefit from special offers – your guests can also save some cash! Offering these incentives boosts your property value. It also helps local businesses bring in more customers. If you can, you should agree to a reasonable discount with nearby eateries and excursions and include these in your welcome pack.
Of course, those offering the discount may offer something in return. Events and excursions might ask you to provide a discount to their booked guests, so be prepared to do this. This is also something you should approach with companies you already have a working relationship with. Don’t start the conversation by asking for freebies!
Getting to know the local community is important for all holiday home owners. It makes maintaining your home easier, and also builds a better experience for your guests. These are just a few of the benefits as a business person – but as a holiday home owner, you’ll also appreciate getting to know the area when you’re visiting for yourself.
Short Stay St Andrews are experienced in all aspects of holiday let management – including sourcing, refurbishment and guest turnovers. With over 1000 5-star reviews, we have years of experience behind us. We’re also based right in the heart of St Andrews, so we know the local holiday home market like the back of our hand. Get in touch to find out more about how we can help you.
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