Winter might be the slow season for apartment rentals, but that doesn't mean you should give up and hibernate until spring.
In truth, there are plenty of ways you can boost your business and you can start right away. No matter what your budget may be, try these marketing ideas for apartments to find the reliable tenants you will want to keep.
10 Apartment Marketing Ideas To Attract The Best Tenants
Marketing Ideas for Apartments
Whether you are a landlord or a property manager, your success doesn't only hinge on your occupancy rate. It also depends on finding tenants who will actually pay rent and care for your property. These tips can help you improve the quality and quantity of your applicants.
Invest in Photography
We know that one of the first rules in business is to keep your expenses low. In reality, the key is knowing when you should and shouldn't spend. Your listings' photos are one of those important expenses.
Remember that reliable tenants want reliable landlords. Not only will professional photos make your property look more appealing but they'll make you look more put-together too.
Offer Video Tours
Speaking of hiring a professional to take your listing photos, have them film a video tour while they're around. A video tour lets your prospective tenants get a more guided, active look inside your property.
The more information you offer, the more appealing you'll be too great tenants. In addition, the videos are more engaging than photos so they can make your apartments feel more like home.
Manage Your Reputation
Renting an apartment is a big commitment with high stakes for your tenants. In a situation like this, you can bet your bottom dollar that they'll look for online reviews for your property.
For that reason, you need to stay on top of your online reputation. Keep an eye on any reviews that appear on Google, Yelp, and rental directories. Respond to all reviews, positive and negative, with tact and sincerity.
As important as it is to manage your reviews, the best way to keep up positive ratings is to serve your tenants well. That applies to property managers, office assistants, maintenance employees, and more. Make sure your entire staff emphasizes customer service.
Make a Feature-Filled Website
As helpful as rental directories can be, don't rely on them for your listings. For tenants to trust you and take you seriously, you need to have a professional website for your communities too.
The more information you have on your website, the better. Design the content with search engine optimization in mind as well as making sure the content is helpful to future tenants. For example, try including floor plans for available apartments as well as information about the neighborhood.
You can also set up a blog with important information for tenets. Give them information about tenant insurance like you'll find on this page, along with information about local transportation options.
Ask Residents for Help
Remember when we mentioned how important it is to keep your tenants happy? Here's another way that benefits you: through referrals.
Set up a referral program that rewards your tenants for referring other reliable tenants. For instance, offer tenants $50 off their rent for every referral who fills out a rental application. You can also offer a larger rent discount for every referral who signs a lease.
Keep in mind that referral programs only work when your residents know about them. When you've worked out the details, advertise your referral program to your residents.
Use Targeted Social Media Ads
While it's clear that social media marketing should be part of your advertising strategy, you need to take it one step further. It's time to invest in paid social media ads.
Before you toss money at an ad, though, make sure you use the targeting wisely. Getting the attention of dozens of bad tenants will do nothing but cost you money and time. Instead, you want to target your ads toward the types of tenants you want.
Facebook has a particularly sophisticated targeting menu. You focus ads on people with certain household sizes, income levels, and more. When you do this, Facebook will show your ad to those people who are more likely to be great tenants.
Combine the Power of PPC and Landing Pages
Another common marketing strategy every company should use is pay-per-click advertising, or PPC. These include the ads that look like search results on the top of each Google search results page.
Beyond having strong PPC ads, though, you should also put more thought into where those ads take prospective tenants. Instead of linking them to existing pages on your site, create new landing pages for your ads.
These landing pages should be like digital one-pages for your property. Make them compelling and highlight the basics. For more in-depth details, the potential tenants can click through to other pages on your site so don't try to include everything.
The most important part of each landing page is a call-to-action. Tell tenants why they should rent from you and give them an easy way to take the next step.
Network with Your Community
Sometimes you need to step away from the screens and get back to grassroots marketing. A key part of that is networking within your community.
Without being too "salesy," start developing a relationship with people in your community who will be in touch with new residents. For instance, get to know area schools and major employers. You can even offer a discount to people that these contacts refer.
Keep in mind that these relationships need maintenance too. Stay on friendly terms, provide referrals in return, and don't underestimate the niceties like occasional fruit baskets.
Resolving to Higher and Better Occupancy
The new year has started and it is the perfect opportunity to start with a fresh marketing strategy. No matter the season, the tips above can help you fill your apartments with reliable, long-term tenants who will take care of your property.
For more marketing ideas for apartments that can make this your best year yet, check out digital marketing tips and more items on our blog.
Marketing Ideas for Apartments
Whether you are a landlord or a property manager, your success doesn't only hinge on your occupancy rate. It also depends on finding tenants who will actually pay rent and care for your property. These tips can help you improve the quality and quantity of your applicants.
Invest in Photography
We know that one of the first rules in business is to keep your expenses low. In reality, the key is knowing when you should and shouldn't spend. Your listings' photos are one of those important expenses.
Remember that reliable tenants want reliable landlords. Not only will professional photos make your property look more appealing but they'll make you look more put-together too.
Offer Video Tours
Speaking of hiring a professional to take your listing photos, have them film a video tour while they're around. A video tour lets your prospective tenants get a more guided, active look inside your property.
The more information you offer, the more appealing you'll be too great tenants. In addition, the videos are more engaging than photos so they can make your apartments feel more like home.
Manage Your Reputation
Renting an apartment is a big commitment with high stakes for your tenants. In a situation like this, you can bet your bottom dollar that they'll look for online reviews for your property.
For that reason, you need to stay on top of your online reputation. Keep an eye on any reviews that appear on Google, Yelp, and rental directories. Respond to all reviews, positive and negative, with tact and sincerity.
As important as it is to manage your reviews, the best way to keep up positive ratings is to serve your tenants well. That applies to property managers, office assistants, maintenance employees, and more. Make sure your entire staff emphasizes customer service.
Make a Feature-Filled Website
As helpful as rental directories can be, don't rely on them for your listings. For tenants to trust you and take you seriously, you need to have a professional website for your communities too.
The more information you have on your website, the better. Design the content with search engine optimization in mind as well as making sure the content is helpful to future tenants. For example, try including floor plans for available apartments as well as information about the neighborhood.
You can also set up a blog with important information for tenets. Give them information about tenant insurance like you'll find on this page, along with information about local transportation options.
Ask Residents for Help
Remember when we mentioned how important it is to keep your tenants happy? Here's another way that benefits you: through referrals.
Set up a referral program that rewards your tenants for referring other reliable tenants. For instance, offer tenants $50 off their rent for every referral who fills out a rental application. You can also offer a larger rent discount for every referral who signs a lease.
Keep in mind that referral programs only work when your residents know about them. When you've worked out the details, advertise your referral program to your residents.
Use Targeted Social Media Ads
While it's clear that social media marketing should be part of your advertising strategy, you need to take it one step further. It's time to invest in paid social media ads.
Before you toss money at an ad, though, make sure you use the targeting wisely. Getting the attention of dozens of bad tenants will do nothing but cost you money and time. Instead, you want to target your ads toward the types of tenants you want.
Facebook has a particularly sophisticated targeting menu. You focus ads on people with certain household sizes, income levels, and more. When you do this, Facebook will show your ad to those people who are more likely to be great tenants.
Combine the Power of PPC and Landing Pages
Another common marketing strategy every company should use is pay-per-click advertising, or PPC. These include the ads that look like search results on the top of each Google search results page.
Beyond having strong PPC ads, though, you should also put more thought into where those ads take prospective tenants. Instead of linking them to existing pages on your site, create new landing pages for your ads.
These landing pages should be like digital one-pages for your property. Make them compelling and highlight the basics. For more in-depth details, the potential tenants can click through to other pages on your site so don't try to include everything.
The most important part of each landing page is a call-to-action. Tell tenants why they should rent from you and give them an easy way to take the next step.
Network with Your Community
Sometimes you need to step away from the screens and get back to grassroots marketing. A key part of that is networking within your community.
Without being too "salesy," start developing a relationship with people in your community who will be in touch with new residents. For instance, get to know area schools and major employers. You can even offer a discount to people that these contacts refer.
Keep in mind that these relationships need maintenance too. Stay on friendly terms, provide referrals in return, and don't underestimate the niceties like occasional fruit baskets.
Resolving to Higher and Better Occupancy
The new year has started and it is the perfect opportunity to start with a fresh marketing strategy. No matter the season, the tips above can help you fill your apartments with reliable, long-term tenants who will take care of your property.
For more marketing ideas for apartments that can make this your best year yet, check out digital marketing tips and more items on our blog.
