As discussed in a previous post (Why you Should Work with Vacation Rentals), one of the best ways to increase your customers and revenues is to work with local short-term rentals (STRs). Now that you know the methods, this article will focus on the major channels you can use for working with them.
 
 

What Channels can you Use?

There are only a few channels you can use for working with STRs. You can contact individual STRs directly and make contracts with each one. You can also provide your services through AirBNB Experiences. Alternatively, you can partner with STRs though Life in Local. Let’s look at each one in more detail, including the pros and cons of each.
 
 

Direct

You can contact individual STR owners and propose working together. You then explain why they should work with you, what you have to offer, and what’s in it for them.
 
It can be a laborious process to find individuals to contact and get their contact information. Then you have to go through a sales pitch to convince them to work with you. Finally, you have to do most of the work to develop systems for tracking, referrals, payments, etc.
 
Pros

• You decide whether to work with a STR or not.
• Ability to establish strong relationships.

 
Cons

• Can be difficult to find local STRs and contact information.
• Very time intensive to contact individual owners.
• Must do all the work to setup different systems.

 
 

AirBNB

AirBNB has a section called AirBNB Experiences where locals can sell their activities. Like the lodging side, customers can search the site for all the experience providers working with AirBNB.
 
Although geared more for activities like hiking, biking, and walking tours, there are some food- and drink-related activities available. Because you’re working with guests directly and not individual STRs, it’s more difficult to establish relationships with specific STR owners. For a private chef, you may find yourself going to a STR that lacks the proper cooking or dining facilities.
 
Pros

• Gives access to people using the AirBNB platform.
• Ability to piggyback on the AirBNB brand.

 
Cons

• Difficult for customers to find.
• Limited options for customizing.
• Few methods available (no ability to offer coupons or referrals)
• Expensive- AirBNB charges 20% of the price as their fee.
• No control over venues.
• Difficult to establish strong relationships with individual STR owners.
• Less effective for brick & mortar businesses.

 
 

Life in Local

Life in Local offers a marketplace that helps connect you with STR owners (and other local businesses). People using the system are already looking for businesses like you to partner with.
 
Although Life in Local doesn’t yet have the brand and exposure of AirBNB, that also means that we have the desire and ability to work more closely with you as a client/partner. It also means we’re more willing to listen to you for new customizations and improvements. We also offer more flexibility, allowing you to create your own policies and run your business without a lot of outside restrictions.
 
Pros

• Easy to find partners.
• Ability to establish strong partnership relationships.
• Systems already developed, with new ones being developed.
• Cost effective- flat 5% fee on sales, with no setup or monthly fees.

 
Cons

• Currently lacks the reach/brand of AirBNB.
• As a new model for helping businesses partner, the concept/system may be a little difficult to understand at first.

 
 
 

How can you Use Life in Local?

It’s easy to start- if you don’t already have one, signup for a free Life in Local user account. Then register to become a seller. Setup your online store and add some items (so potential customers and partners know what you offer). Then potential partners will be able to find you, and you can search for them.
 
 

Conclusion

So now you know the value of working with STRs. You understand the methods you can use and the various channels available to you. What’s keeping you from getting started? Let us know what we can do to help you get started.