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CREATE A SUCCESSFUL AD !
FIVE SIMPLE KEYS:
Get Found- If no one sees your ad you will never get a
call! This
simple fact is often overlooked. We forget that the Internet, and
this web site are search driven. Complete information improves the chances your ad will be
found. The write
ad page provides for location data. Make certain that it is complete and accurate.
In your description include names of
attractions, popular towns or cities near you. For example you might say,".. only 7 miles to
Sarasota". A little town will
probably not be searched, but Sarasota, might be. Be sure to include all of your
features. Use the listed form items and add more in the text. Try to think how someone might think about your
general location and find your ad.
Tell a Good Story - It is often said that a picture is worth a
thousand words; for RVers perhaps 2000 ! RVing is about
lifestyle. Your ad must say something beyond a bare
recitation of facts. The facts are necessary and important. But, so is
conveying a feeling... something about the fun ...the relaxation ...the pot lucks.
Rather than saying, "..people are friendly"; show a social gathering. Don’t
waste words detailing the Clubhouse; include a picture. Fishing is good; show the big one you caught. Beautiful
sunsets; show
one.
Make sure you include enough general information when you tell your story.
Don't assume the reader will know about the location. Often this is not true! Someone starts RVing every day. Your ad should stand on it’s
own as much as possible.
Price it Right - County records are available to you; often online. Look at
sell prices . See what others have paid for similar properties. If
your offering includes an RV or major improvement, what it cost you may, or may not, relate to
it's worth in the marketplace. No one cares what you paid ! When pricing,
ask more than you are willing to
accept, but not by much, and make sure your numbers are
realistic. Proper pricing insures that others will look seriously at what
you are offering. It is far better to be found and firm on pricing, than not
to be found at all.
Why Buy This One? - If you don’t know why someone should be
interested in what you are offering, they won’t either! Know or develop
the knowledge to say why someone should want what you are offering. Is it
bigger ? Better? A corner location? A better price? You must know your
strengths and sell into them. Perhaps your Park is very active? Does it cost
less because it is really well run? Catalog your advantages. Make sure your
ad conveys why your offering should be chosen!
Be Available - We have all experienced
trying to reach an advertiser we never did find ? Smart advertisers make it easy to get in touch. Toll free numbers are
inexpensive and cause readers to grab the phone on impulse. Use an Email address with one of the free services
to avoid problems and include it. Keep in mind that your missed calls go to
someone else! There are always choices....make yours an
easy choice! Be reachable!
FOR A SPECIAL PROPERTY
Consider an AddPage. Think of this like a mini-web site that tells about
your special offering. You are free from the constraints of classified
advertising. AddPage information.
OTHER
CONSIDERATIONS
For Rent - If you are offering a rental make sure you are specific
about cost, time of availability, and what is included. If your lot has a
shed but it is full of your stuff, don’t mention the shed. If a tenant
must be approved by your board say so. Be specific about any restrictions
put in place by your association.
Full Timers - Does your offering appeal to full timers? Full timing
has special needs in a home base. The most important could well be storage;
a place to put those things not on board all the time. Think about mail
delivery, security all year, phone and Internet service, and the size of the
property. Do local restrictions prevent occupancy for most of the year? For
a home base medical facilities, insurance, local taxes, and State taxes
become important. Do you have an ideal home base for full timers?
The budget - Some RV parks do a remarkable job of keeping costs low.
Many folks that are retired are on a budget and would appreciate knowing
about that. More simple recreation, less lavish facilities, septic tank
sewer systems and low bulk rate TV cable can all contribute to low monthly
expense. Of course the location plays a major part too, but even within the
same local region park to park expenses can vary two to one.
Access - Driving and parking lessons are not offered by major RV
dealers because few sign up. The truth is that these classes are full. Many
RVers are looking for easy access to a campground and a place to park their
big rig. This can be especially true of large expensive motor homes in the
hands of inexperienced drivers. Odds are they will never ask. Often
this is an embarrassing topic and the source of friction between husband and
wife. If your place is easy to get in and out of, with plenty of swing room,
say so. Simillarly, if only an 18 wheel truck driver with 20 years could get
a big rig in and out, you better feel this out with those that respond to
your ad early in your exchanges.
Potential - RV properties vary considerabily in what improvements are
permitted. Many allow very restricted additions to a lot. Others are
flexible. If your offering could have a house built on it but you only have
a shed... tell about what a new owner might build. If your lot is simply
plain but all your neighbors did great things, feature the ability to
develop what suits the potential buyer. You might show a photo of an
appealing improvement your neighbor did to his place..
Services - Roughing it gently, might capsul the average RVers’
outlook on the whole thing. Many of todays rigs are more luxurous than most
homes, but still the word "campground" persists. We really lack
words that explain what we do. With that in mind it is worthwhile to mention
the Delux Super Market only 5 miles away, medical facilities 8 miles, and
the big Outlet Mall only 13 miles up that road. Reasonable access to the
benefits of urban life have great appeal to many Rvers. . Not too close...
but not too far away either.
Financing - At this time owner financing does not have the appeal it
once had. Money is historically inexpensive to borrow. Most buyers pay cash
for their RV lots, since investments have such poor yields. Nevertheless there
are those, especially those looking for weekend
getaway from large cities, that will plan to finance a purchase. Offering
terms to potential buyers can have appeal, especially in certain geographic
locations.
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