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Nobody knows or cares more about your vacation rental than you do, and that’s great news for your guests. But having a deep connection to your property can make it tough for you to know what to include in – and what to leave out of – your vacation rental listing description.
That’s why we’re encouraging vacation rental managers and owners to take the Goldilocks Challenge. Follow these four simple steps to figure out what length for your listing is not too long, not too short, but just right. Here’s how it works.
Write a draft of your vacation listing description without placing any limitations on yourself. Don’t worry about getting it all down (that’s a waste of time), but do give yourself permission to include every detail you’re inclined to, without worrying about whether it’s worthy of mention.
Write a second draft of your vacation listing that’s bare bones. Leave out everything but the absolute essentials, like bed and bath count and general location, plus brief mention of key selling points.
Think about what details you included in draft one that you were pained to leave behind in draft two. In our webinar on writing content that guests really read, we talked about determining what aspects of your vacation rental you’d be heartbroken if potential guests didn’t know about. While it may seem dramatic, it’s a great way to gauge what’s truly important.
Make a list of these key pieces of information. You’ll soon find that your view of the beach is a definite keeper, but you may not need to include which board games you have stocked in the family room.
BONUS TIP: Not sure what exactly guests love about your rental? Donna Martinez of Sea Ranch Abalone Bay pastes her reviews into Wordle for a visual reference of what words her guests are using to describe her rental.
Using this list, draft a rental listing that offers just the right amount of information.
You will never forget your stay at this downtown condo with custom stone inlay gas fireplace with iron grate forged by 4th generation tradesmen in the wilds of the Pacific Northwest, fully stocked gourmet kitchen with self-cleaning gas oven and separate range, microwave, Keurig coffeemaker with your choice of mocha, cappuccino, Earl Grey tea, and hot chocolate K-cups, and free parking. Stay in a place where your heart will soar above the Seattle clouds, with two downy-soft queen size beds and one immaculate king-size bed with Serta mattress and down comforter stuffed with feathers from farm-raised fowl. There is no location that beats this one for proximity to the city’s highlights, including the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, the Waterfront, Bainbridge Island Ferry, Fremont and Gasworks Park, Lake Union, and Capitol Hill and Queen Anne neighborhoods.
What’s wrong with this listing?:
Fully stocked 3BR, 2BA condo in a great downtown Seattle location. All appliances, three bedrooms, and gas fireplace. Free parking and custom design.
What’s wrong with this listing?:
Handmade features and high-end finishes make this 3BR, 2BA downtown Seattle condo a modern marvel. Located in Belltown, the city’s most populous neighborhood, you can walk to Pike Place Market, the iconic Waterfront, and your pick of restaurants. In fact, we share a city block with many of Seattle’s top hotels.
Inside, many features tell an authentic story: from the hand-forged iron grate in the fireplace to the custom granite counters in the gourmet kitchen. Claim the king-size master bedroom with its cloud-like down comforter and en-suite bath. The other 2 bedrooms each have queen-size beds and share an updated bath.
What works in this listing?:
Ready to figure out what’s just right for your vacation rental listing description? Let us know in the comments how you fare in the Goldilocks Challenge.
Don’t miss your chance to ask us all of your copy and content questions at our free online brainstorming session this Friday.
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