Remote work has become more and more common, and it looks like it will be here to stay. So whether you’re facing a down-turn in customers, or you’re just starting to rent out a new vacation space, now is a great time to start targeting remote workers.
Many people will have been hunched over their coffee tables, or perhaps have invested in some noise-canceling headphones to drown out the sound of the crying baby next door. You can only endure that for so long before you want a change of scenery! Even those with at-home offices set up might be looking to move around a bit after being cooped up indoors for so long.
And that’s where you come in. Here, we will give you some tips and insights to make the most of the remote working market for your property management strategies in 2022 and beyond.
Offer Fast, Free Wi-Fi
These days, this one should be a given with any property type you have! But it’s especially important for remote workers.
Remote workers are almost always connected to the internet: freelance writers need the internet for research, company employees need the internet for online meetings, and many jobs these days require access to an online work chat, or at the very least, emails.
For all of that, you’re going to need fast and reliable Wi-Fi, and it will be one of the first things potential customers will look for when researching places to stay. You can almost guarantee that if there are two properties in the same area, the one with free Wi-Fi will be the first pick.
This will also add to your property’s good reviews and ratings, bringing in more customers in the long-run.
Comfortable Workspace
Something that may not cross your mind when setting up a vacation rental is a workspace – most people on a weekend away aren’t going to sit down to do much work! But remote workers are (of course) different.
If this is something that your property is lacking, or that you’ve included as an afterthought, make sure that you upgrade it to be fit for remote work. An armchair next to an end table just won’t cut it!
The ideal remote workspace should have the following:
- A desk that easily fits a laptop, with extra room for notebooks and stationery
- An ergonomic chair
- A small lamp
- Nearby plug sockets (preferably more than one)
Both the desk and the chair should be of a decent height and adjustable if possible. You might even consider supplying a notepad or other useful amenities.
One of the best ways to figure out what your workspace might need is to spend a day or two working there yourself. Ask yourself if it’s really comfortable, and whether you would be happy to spend a month or so working there.
If you have the space on your property, setting up multiple workspaces is also a good idea. This makes the property more attractive to couples and families.
Offer Discounts for Long-Term Stays
Most remote workers are likely to want to stay for a longer time. Whether they are staying for a week-long workation, or want to stay for a month or so, they’re unlikely to only stay for a weekend.
Take this opportunity to give yourself the competitive advantage, and offer weekly or monthly discounts. Potential customers are more likely to book your place for longer if they know they will make a saving overall.
This could be just the boost your property needs for the customer to choose your rental space over another.
Give Your Property a Makeover
Making some improvements to your property’s décor can make a lot of difference to your property’s success. Not only will it make your place more attractive to potential renters, but it will also help in making their stay more comfortable and enjoyable.
This doesn’t mean that you need to do a complete re-design of your property, but even on a budget, you can make some small changes that will go a long way.
When making your improvements, first take a tour of your property to check for anything that looks like it needs some care. Look out for torn wallpaper, fabric stains, and worn-out equipment. Often, if something looks tattered or worn-down, it’s best to remove it altogether if it serves no other purpose.
When buying items for your property, it’s a good idea to keep a theme in mind. The theme could be a single color, or something relating to the local atmosphere, like seaside-related items.
Don’t forget, remote workers may be spending weeks, or even months here, so it should be a friendly and comfortable space!
Update Your Photos and Make Your Property Discoverable
Once you’ve made your property more welcoming for remote workers, don’t forget to update your photos and announce it on any of your social media platforms. Remember to take your photos at a time when there is a lot of light, and try to get good angles that highlight that workation vibe.
Then make your property discoverable! When you upload your photos or property profile, add useful keywords like “remote work”, “workation”, and “workspace”. You don’t need to be a Google expert to add relevant words. Just put yourself in the shoes of a customer, and think “What would I type into Google to find a nice workation property?”, and use the words that come to mind!
Manage Your Bookings
To get the best results, it’s a good idea to list your property on multiple vacation rental websites. Use property management software to make sure that everything is running smoothly and you can keep track of your tenants and customers.
Property management software can be a good investment and time-saver, as you’ll be able to track all of your accounts and workflows and minimize manual data entry to avoid errors and confusion.
Additionally, if you already have a following on social media, make sure to show off your property, or properties, online, and to notify your followers when you post a new property on another website.
Wellness Activities
As your new remote worker customers will be spending a lot of time at your property, it’s good to consider their well-being and comfort so that they enjoy their stay and perhaps even consider coming back. Remote work may seem fun and exciting, but for many, it is a necessity, and the change of scenery may even be to escape some loneliness or an unhappy space at home. It’s important to offer some respite and relaxation alongside a comfortable workspace.
However, it can be a difficult and costly process to set up gym or other equipment on-site, so there are a number of other ways to offer wellbeing support.
If you are renting smaller spaces, such as apartments or homes, make sure to include a welcome pack for the guests on arrival. In the pack, showcase some of the nearby sports centers, gyms, and classes that might be of interest. Though keep in mind these will need to have classes available to those without yearly or monthly subscriptions. The welcome pack could also include numbers for helplines and other wellbeing support.
If you have a larger space, such as a coliving space or bed and breakfast, consider bringing in a yoga instructor or other wellness expert, and holding classes and events outdoors or in a converted space.
Having these activities and seeing your dedication to making the customer feel comfortable will be very appreciated by remote workers after a long week of work.
Networking Events
Another thing that remote workers might be interested in is local or online networking events.
If your renter is specifically staying at your place to get some work done in a new environment, they may well be open to new business connections.
Offering options for networking will not only make your renter’s stay more enjoyable (leading to good reviews and more customers), but may also make them feel more connected to the community, and entice them to return to your property in the future.
Do a bit of research and find out if there are any networking events or groups near to your property. If not, consider supplying a simple list of online networking communities and events in the welcome pack we mentioned in the wellness section above.
You could even take it one step further and organize events with local businesses. If you bring together a number of business people from the local community, you could make a paid event that you can advertise to renters, and create a new income stream for your business as a whole!
In fact, getting involved in any business networks and communities yourself is certainly not a bad idea. You can start to make your property known in the local community, and find new ways to promote your place.
Wrapping It Up
Even as the world starts to ease travel restrictions and travel for pleasure starts to become normal once again, one thing is clear: remote work is not going away any time soon. Plenty of companies have started to allow their employees to work remotely, and people all around the world are starting to realize they have the skills to work as location-independent freelancers.
These people may want a simple change of scenery from their desks at home, or they may even want to travel the world while working from their laptops.
All you need to do is build a welcoming space for them.