It’s only the start of the year. Very few people are going outdoors to travel, especially with the COVID-19 restrictions. Added to that is the fact that it is still off-season. During this time, a stretch of slow business starts. However, this does not mean that you cannot expand your RV business. This is the perfect time to advertise, upgrade your RVs, and update your business plan. Use this off-season wisely to help your business be ready when peak season begins once again.
Gather customer reviews
Gathering customer reviews is one way to build a reputation in the RV business. Although the supposed peak season last year was affected by the pandemic, there might still be customer reviews during those times. The best time to gather customer reviews is during the peak season (summer) or when the season wraps up.
Gathering customer reviews from people who availed of your services during the peak season will make it resonate more towards customers browsing during the off-season (fall and winter). Having fresh reviews will let people know that you’re still open for the next peak season. This also gives a sneak peek of what units you have for rent, the terms of your rent, and the overall customer service experience.
The stories from previous customers will entice your future customers. Post these stories on your social media accounts, blogs, or websites. To make it more entertaining, ask your previous customers to post the review with photos or videos. This type of marketing will be more effective due to the interesting and natural content brought by the customer reviews.
Participate in trade shows and local events
Increase the visibility and presence of your RV rental business by joining trade shows and local events that pertain to camping or RVing. If there are events you can join, try sponsoring such events. You can also set up a booth during events or festivals to make your business known. This can be a great way to expand your RV rental business.
Aside from festivals, you can also set up booths at travel shows and lifestyle events. These events are filled with RV traders, accessory sellers, and of course, potential customers. You may collect contact info for your email database. You can also find RV dealers who might give you fair promos for your next RV purchase. Also, you can give out flyers as an advertisement.
If you are utilizing an online booking system, take advantage of trade shows and local events to entice new customers into booking via an app, website, or social media. Increase your visibility in your community by showing your dedication to providing quality service.
Make your presence online
With advancements in technology, it is undeniable that almost all people are online. Although having a physical office for bookings is great, nothing beats the convenience of booking via an app or a website. If you have a budget for a website, then make a website. Make sure that your tabs and pages are easy to navigate. Further, make sure that your website loads faster and has easy to understand statements.
In your business blog or website, you might want to consider writing articles about your business. This includes precautions for camping, lifestyle topics that involve outdoor activities, and other articles related to your rental business.
Aside from websites, you can also make your presence known and expand your RV rental business via email lists. Businesses often make use of email to keep connections with clients. However, do so respectfully. If the customer unsubscribes to your email list, then you should stop sending these customers updates about your RV business.
You can also state any promotion or offering you have through social media. A lot of campers are searching online to compare the prices of RV rentals. You can use the social media platform to make exclusive offers for your social media followers.
Lastly, make use of social media. Social media is the most effective way to advertise your RV rental business without shelling out a huge amount of money. Also, it is the most convenient way to create engagement and communication with your clients. The biggest social media platforms that can help your business are Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Facebook is the biggest platform you can utilize. Reportedly, there are 2.7 billion active users of Facebook as of the 3rd quarter of 2020. One comment or share on Facebook can help your business reach as many accounts as possible. Further, Facebook ads can get as low as $5. This saves you a lot of money for advertisements.
Acquire and upgrade units with the help of RV financing
If your business is starting to flourish again, then it’s time to acquire or upgrade your RVs. this may either be through the purchase of an additional unit or replacement of your old units. Either way, you will need financing to achieve these.
There are many lenders out there that might work for your financial needs and status. You should find a lender that has recreational finance to make acquiring a recreational vehicle, such as an RV, easier.
RV loans or other recreational loans can be classified as unsecured loans from lending companies, either online or not. All you need is a reliable credit score. However, loans can also be secured, with the RV unit set up as collateral to secure the payment of your loan.
The terms of payment and interest rates may vary from lender to lender. When applying for a loan, you should watch out for ‘too-good-to-be-true’ loan offers. Having a low to zero interest rate does not mean that your loan is cheap. There might be hidden and additional charges upon your application.
Takeaway
Your RV rental business might be slow during the off-season. Normally, your RV business is at its peak during summertime. However, this downtime is the perfect time to expand your RV rental business. You can gather customer reviews, participate in trade shows and local events, make your presence online, and upgrade units with the help of RV financing. Doing these will surely reap amazing results for your RV rental business.
Author Bio
Lauren Cordell is a freelance writer who writes for various finance and business websites. She specializes in loans and business advertisements. If she is not writing, you will find her reading her favorite book at a coffee shop.
The post 4 Ways to Expand your RV Rental Business appeared first on Mike Gingerich.
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