The Dyrt’s Definitive Guide to Creating the Perfect Property Listing
(updated 10/23)
We’ve seen a lot of property listings at The Dyrt and didn’t want to keep any of these tips secret. You want to catch a guest’s eye and show them how amazing your property is, right? Well, then we recommend that property owners focus their time and energy on the two most important parts of the listing: the photos and description. This is where you can make an impression on guests, tell them what makes your property special, unique, and worth a visit. We’ll walk you through how to take a little extra time where it matters most, and how it’ll help you create the perfect property listing.
Photos, Photos, Photos
Having quality photos is one of the best ways to set yourself apart from other properties. It’s not uncommon for campers to choose their accommodations purely by browsing through the photos.
But the key is quality. Show your property’s best side by cleaning up clutter before taking photos for your listing. Show off what makes your property unique and get guests’ attention by highlighting the features, design, location, and amenities that make it stand out. Also, include enough photos for guests to feel like they know your property well, but make sure they’ll see your best photos first. Never underestimate the power of a first impression.
Lighting is essential to taking quality photos. When taking photos outside, the “golden hour” is your best bet.
- The “golden hour” is usually described as the 1-hour period after the sun rises OR the 1-hour period before the sun sets.
- The “golden hour” gives outdoor photographs a warmer, more colorful, and more welcoming look and feel.
- The “golden hour” also helps avoid intense contrast. Very dark shadows and very bright highlights make for less-detailed photos that can feel harsh and uninviting.
If you’re taking photos inside, it’s all about bright, direct, natural light.
- So, notice what time of day your house gets illuminated with the most sunlight.
- Unlike the “golden hour,” there is no specific time we can point to get the best conditions for taking indoor photos. It will be different for each individual property depending on its location, window placement, tree coverage, and other factors.
Try taking some nighttime photos, too.
- Done well, photos taken at night can show another beautiful side of your property and have a very different feel. Most phone cameras can take usable nighttime photos if you remember these tips.
- Have some lights on to help illuminate the scene. String lights, candles, a campfire, and lanterns are all great choices.
- Place your phone on a level surface to ensure that you keep it as still as possible while you take pictures. Any movement of the camera will be amplified in the final photo, which can result in a blurry or unclear image.
Writing a Great Listing Description (aka “About This Campground”)
You will also need a great description if you really want to create the perfect property listing. It’s important to be specific, detailed and descriptive, as well as honest. What makes your property stand out? And it’s definitely worth noting your property’s proximity to a point of interest, body of water or hiking trail, and other locations or natural features that might be of interest.
Here are 6 tips for crafting a great listing that’s sure to get guests’ attention:
- Describe your property like a travel guide.
- Focus on the things that campers and guests care about like unique features and nearby points of interest (such as activities, hiking trails and lakes and rivers). We know this is what guests are looking for, so don’t skip it!
- Describe experiences that guests can have.
- “Grab one of the complimentary innertubes and take a relaxing 5-minute walk down the forested trail to the nearby lakeshore.”
- “After a day of hiking on any of the 6 nearby trails, there’s nothing better than a refreshing rinse in the private solar shower. Then it’s time to kick your feet up next to the handmade fire pit.”
- Aim for a casual, conversational tone.
- Keep it brief. Write in short sentences and limit your description to just a few paragraphs.
- Don’t use the Description to list out all of the available amenities at your property. That information will already be listed in the Features.
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