How to Choose the Right Email Tool

The best email marketing tool depends on your situation:

Number of properties matters. Single property hosts can use simpler tools. Multi-property hosts need platforms with more organization and segmentation features.

Guest volume counts. High turnover properties send more emails. Calculate cost at your expected email volume, not starting prices.

Integration needs. If you use property management software, check which email tools integrate directly.

What Actually Works for Vacation Rental Hosts

After talking to many vacation rental hosts about email marketing:

Pre-arrival emails reduce questions. Guests who receive thorough arrival information contact you less with questions. This saves time and improves their experience.

Review requests need timing. Ask too soon and guests have not processed the experience. Ask too late and they have moved on. 1-3 days after checkout hits the sweet spot.

Past guests are gold. Someone who stayed once and had a good experience is far more likely to book again than a cold lead. Nurture these relationships.

Getting Started

Pick a tool from this list. Then:

1. Import your past guest emails from booking platforms
2. Set up an automated pre-arrival sequence
3. Create a post-stay review request automation
4. Build a seasonal promotion for your slow period

Start simple and expand later.