Do you write your own ads when advertising for tenants to fill a vacancy?
Do you get a good response, or is it kind of hit or miss?
Did you know there are a couple secrets to writing a good ad that attracts good tenants?
It Starts With a Headline
Your headline, or title for your ad is what will attract your potential tenants first.
To many people use something dreary like “Three Bedroom Home For Rent” making them exactly like 90% of the other ads.
Never mind most of the online sites already allow them to narrow down theirs searches by bedrooms or bathrooms. You’re not telling them anything new.
So instead of telling them the obvious, spice it up a bit.
If you’re targeting a family “Bright Clean Home Close To Schools & A Park” or “Spacious Family Home With Fenced Private Back Yard”.
Maybe throw in some humor, I’ve seen ads that you have to read just due to the headline. “Not Just four Legged Pet Friendly, But We Accept Goldfish Too!”
You really just want to create something different, something that might catch their eye and set you apart.
Then Follow It Up With Benefits
But the writing doesn’t stop with the headline. Next you need to talk about all the benefits of your property and this is a huge letdown with most ads.
What do you typically see?
Three large bedrooms, two baths, in-suite laundry. Available right away.
Grabs you doesn’t it? Makes you want to rush over to see those thee large bedrooms because tit sounds like they are just what you’re looking for, right?
Maybe not so much. That’s because those are features, not benefits and benefits are what attracts people.
Instead of just three large bedrooms turn it into something that excites them or fills a need.
“You’ll be amazed at the size of the three large bedrooms which easily fit a king size bed in the master and there’s still plenty of room for up to four dressers!”
Now it’s created more of a vision someone can see.
“With a growing family you’ll appreciate the second half bath ont he main floor.”
Something simple and to the point but reminding them why a second bathroom is handy.
“You’ll love the included washer and dryer as you’ll be able to get laundry done at home on your schedule rather than spending an afternoon at the laundromat.”
A simple benefit of having in home laundry, you don’t have to go out!
“In a hurry to move, well lucky you we’re able to accommodate a quick move in within a week, or if you need a bit more time we can make that work for you too.”
Not over the top, but simply explaining their options versus simply being available right away.
It’s Not Rocket Science
Writing these ads isn’t rocket science and once you have a great ad you can use it for years and years to continue to attract tenants.
Just remember people don’t care that it has three bedrooms, they care about what they’re like. So explain that part.
Whee possible create an emotional response and always try to explain how the feature will help them.
What Would Benefit You?
I started putting together a course a couple years ago walking landlords through writing effective ads and became distracted by other projects so never finished it.
Then over the weekend, I had a chat going back and forth with another landlord inquiring about how to help landlords advertise and screen potential tenants as they had an acquaintance who had been vacant for a while and was struggling.
So let’s turn the question back to the general audience of landlords out there.
Would you find an hour long course that walks you through writing effective rental ads helpful? This would ad another skill to your landlord toolbox!
Or would you prefer someone to do it for you, create an ad you can use for the next ten to twenty years to attract great tenants? This would obviously cost more, but it would allow you to focus on what you are best at rather than adding to a busy schedule.
Or is there a space in between that would benefit you? Perhaps a two or four week mastermind session where a group of us meet online and we walk through writing successful ads?
Let me know what might interest you or any thoughts you may have.