Unless it's a hilarious kitchen apron, or an electronic Chewbacca mask, our general attitude towards one-size-fits-all products is...meh.The same thing goes for the needs of rental businesses—particularly when it comes to setting up pricing structures: This is no one-size-fits-all scenario. It may seem like a simple undertaking on the surface, but there are many nuances that make it complex and highly specific to each outfitter.Consider all the variables that can affect pricing:

• Seasons
• Time of day
• Duration
• Group size
• Add-ons such as equipment kits, insurance, wetsuits, GoPros, etc.

Keeping track of all these variables with a spreadsheet (or worse—by hand—with ledgers!!) can be time consuming, confusing and tricky. It's important to have a robust online booking software to support all these variations and help manage pricing options, but how do you pick the correct option for you?To avoid investing in an online booking solution that only works for some parts, but not all of your rental business, use this checklist to ensure your system can handle the following complexities:

1. Seasonal pricing

Look for software that allows you to create your own seasons with a date range.

Different seasons call for different rental rates. For example, if your bike rental business is booming during the summer months, you might want to capitalize. So during this peak season, you increase pricing by 20 percent while demand is so high. Later, as bookings wind down with summer, you lower pricing by 25 percent to attract more customers.Point in case: Your online booking software should give you the ability to create different pricing schemes throughout the year. Look for software that allows you to create your own seasons with a date range. Peek Pro features seasonal pricing, which automatically adjusts prices for your activities depending on the day of the week or the time of year.

2. Multiple Rental Pricing Methods

Not all rental equipment is used the same way—or for the same amount of time. That's why it's important to consider which pricing methods make the most sense for certain types of equipment.Take, for instance, bike rentals. One customer will come along and rent the bike for, say, three hours, which makes an hourly rental rate the most practical choice. But if you're renting motorboats at a popular lake destination where visitors flock for vacations and weekend getaways—it makes sense to charge a daily rate. Or perhaps you specialize in glow-in-the-dark stand-up paddle boards. Consider renting them out at a nightly rate, so people can paddle as late as they want and return their board in the morning.Tip: If you're like many watercraft rental businesses and offer guided tours and activities in addition to equipment rentals, it's important to choose an online booking system that also lets you charge a per-person rate.

3. Parameters For Inventory Availability

If the mere mention of "inventory management" brings on a pounding stress migraine, it's a sign: your online booking system isn't pulling its weight! Look for a software that lets you specify availability time windows for each piece of rental equipment (i.e. a specific type of bike) or for groups of rental equipment (i.e. all kayaks). The right rental software will also make it a cinch to take inventory offline for needed repairs, and even schedule recurring maintenance windows.

4. Scaling Discounts For Different Group Sizes

By offering a more appealing per-unit pricing structure, larger groups know they’re getting a great deal.

If your customers are getting a discounted rate for booking as a big group, make sure they know it! Use a robust online booking solutionthat lets you to create multiple pricing groups (e.g. 1 to 9 people and 10+ people). By offering a more appealing per-unit pricing structure, larger groups know they're getting a great deal.

5. And Don't Forget...

Beware of Generic Software

As you've probably already guessed, generic software doesn't work very well in the rental pricing space. Look for an online booking software created by a company with deep expertise in the rental market. Ultimately, setting up and managing your rental pricing should be easy, flexible, intuitive, and simple to maintain. This lets you focus more on the customers, instead of messing around in the minutiae of scheduling and maintaining prices.

Keep Customer Experience Top of Mind

Speaking of customers: A successful rental pricing solution delivers a seamless customer experience where the right price is calculated every time, no matter the variations—be it quantity, duration, unit type, group size, special promo codes or add-ons. By providing a clean and intuitive booking interface for guests, you're setting the tone for a top-notch customer experience right from the get-go. Choosing the right software for your rental business can be a challenge, but once you've found it, your day-to-day can transform from frazzled to fantastic. Fewer mistakes, more visibility, a freer schedule, and less stress are on the horizon—not to mention the elimination of inefficiencies when doing things by hand.

A little extra prep time can make a big difference.These are words of wisdom for a lot of things in life, whether you're studying for a tough exam, practicing for a big recital or cooking up a Thanksgiving feast. And as a business owner in the tour, activity or rental industry, you know better than most that preparedness makes all the difference when it comes to delivering a top-notch experience for guests. So wouldn't it be dandy if more customers booked a day, a week—or even a month—ahead of time, letting you know exactly what's on the docket for the days ahead?We compiled five tips to encourage customers to book in advance—leaving you more time to focus on big-picture items like staffing, budgeting, interacting with guests, and (most importantly) doing what you love.

1. Embrace The Internet

People want to do things online, on the go—and they want to get their tours, rentals and activities that way, too.We live in an era where people can grocery shop, jam to Ed Sheeran's latest album, and get a hot date for tomorrow night—all while waiting in line at the post office. People want to do things online, on the go—and they want to get their tours, rentals and activities that way, too.Since the average Millennial or Gen Z kid won't even consider calling to book a travel experience or activity, the first step to encouraging people to book in advance (or book at all) is creating a great website for your business.Next, make sure your website is responsive—a.k.a., it “responds to” or resizes itself depending on the type of device it is being viewed on (laptop, smartphone, iPad, etc). Request this if someone is designing your website for you, or choose a responsive template such as Wordpress, Squarespace, Webflow or Weebly if you're building the website yourself.Last, use a seamless online booking system so customers can easily browse availability, book, and pay on your website. People will feel more comfortable booking ahead of time online when they're using a trusted payment processor, and scheduling will be easier on your end with an online calendar that updates in real time as customers book.Choose an online booking system that allows the checkout flow to be directly embedded on your site.

2. Be Smart With Prime Real Estate on Your Website

Optimizing the booking button is one of the most overlooked tactics we see all time. Where and how often this button appears on your website—along with size, color, words and font—can make a significant difference in reservation volume.Writing some persuasive copy on your website can also sway guests to reserve their spot in advance. For example, if your tours, activities or rentals must be booked at least a week ahead of time, consider stating this "above the fold," a.k.a., the portions of the homepage that are visible without scrolling. Impart a sense of urgency with messaging that says something like, "classes fill up fast—reserve your spot online now!" etc.

Position important information above the fold on your website

3. Consider Your Cancellation Policies

Now that you're thinking about ways to encourage folks to book in advance, let's also consider one of the potential roadblocks: Cancellation policies.No one likes hidden fees or unclear policies. Being transparent, fair and reasonable (to the extent that you can be) with cancellation policies, terms and conditions will give customers faith in the professionalism of your business, and make them feel more comfortable booking ahead of time.

Questions to consider when creating your cancellation policy:

• Can the customer reschedule if something comes up?
• Do you have cancellation fees, and if so, when do they apply?
• Will refunds be available all the way up until the redemption date, or only a few days after booking?
• Will you have a sliding scale for the amount to be refunded based on proximity to redemption date?
• How can the cancellation be made—online, through email or over the phone?

If last-minute cancellations from customers who book in advance are a concern for your business, implementing a small cancellation fee—and being upfront about it on your website—can help discourage people from backing out.

4. Posts That Pack A (Profit) Punch: Get Social Media Savvy

When it comes to selling an experience, showing is more powerful than telling. And what better way to "show" how awesome your activity is than by sharing cool photos on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter? Be diligent about posting on social media all year long. Even if you've got seasonal downtimes or close up shop during certain weeks, that doesn't mean your brand building—or advance bookings—have to take a hiatus. A robust social presence helps keep your business "top of mind" for the folks who like to plan ahead.

How to use social media to encourage customers to book online in advance:

• Add the "call to action" button on Facebook: Quite frequently, people end up visiting your Facebook page before they find your website. By adding the "book now" button on your businesses' Facebook page, you can fast-track customers directly to the checkout page on your website.

Make it as easy as possible for your customers to get to your checkout flow. Taking advantage of the call to action button on Facebook, like our partners at Moto Surf Co. pictured above, is an easy way to do this!

• Catch them when they miss you: For example, if you've got a boat charter business that only runs from May to September, dig through your smartphone photos and find a nice shot that you snapped in the summer when it was sunny and gorgeous. Post it on a day when it's dreary outside and your customers are all bundled up. Seeing the summer fun that awaits will create anticipation, and keep your business top of mind when people are getting ready to make plans for the following summer.
• Prepare for holidays and special occasions: Post about seasonal or upcoming themed experiences (Halloween trolley bar crawls, Christmas Lights tours, Valentine's cooking classes, etc.) at least a month ahead.
• Create a sense of urgency: Gently remind customers that slots fill up quickly, and update them on how many are left as they fill up. Knowing that the demand is high and opportunities are dwindling can encourage folks to act fast and book early.

5. The Price Is Right: Incentivize!

Fact: People love getting deals. Another fact: People are more inclined to buy things they wouldn't normally purchase simply because there's a discount. Use this oh-so-scientific information to your advantage and offer pricing incentives for early bird bookers. The easiest way to do this? Use an online booking system that lets you build customizable promotional codes, so you can set discounts to apply for specific days and time ranges. Customers can enter in a code at checkout and see their discount reflected.Using promo codes to get customers booking online ahead of time:

• Incentivize people to book faster by setting a max usage number: "The first 20 people to book get half off their skydiving tickets!"
• Boost sales in your slow season with discounts over a period of several months: "Book a horseback riding lesson from January though March and get $30 off!"
• Drive repeat customers by putting discounts in follow-up emails: "Thanks for skiing with us! Take $20 off your next rental if you book now." An online booking system like Peek Pro makes it easy to send automatic, customized follow-up/thank you emails.

Bottom line? It behooves you to get customers to book in advance. Not only does it allow for more prep time and help guide decision around staffing and budget, you'll spend less time fussing over day-to-day particulars, and more time providing your customers with an awesome, memorable experience.

So you've jumped on the escape room bandwagon. You're ready to lock yourself in and throw away the key (so to speak). You love the concept, and want to pursue it as a business opportunity. You’re not alone!In fact, from the outset of 2010, the number of permanent escape rooms sites worldwide has gone from zero to 2,670. And the successful operations do quite well—one particular room in Dallas generates monthly revenues of $70,000 (although any experienced escape room operator will tell you, success only comes with a truckload of hard work, long hours, and growing pains).“For some people, the thought of doing a lot of research and writing a 15+-page document causes horrifying flashbacks of being in school, so this is a good test of your resolve...remember that this is a critical step, and you have to complete it before you can do anything else.”— Heist Escape PartyOriginally modeled after the puzzle rooms in role playing video games, this entertainment phenomenon will continue to face new challenges as the industry grows—regulations, for example, and increased competition from big-budget franchises and virtual escape rooms (the new kids on the block). One thing is clear, though: Live-scenario games are a hot trend, and skyrocketing in popularity. From corporate teams, to bachelor/bachelorette parties, to family reunions, to casual group date nights, the audience is broad, and the demand is promising.But first things first: If you're really serious about doing it right, putting together a detailed business plan is utterly necessary. Even with plenty of startup capital, this exercise goes far beyond having documentation to show potential investors. A great business plan allows you to visualize how your business will operate before it goes live; aligns partners on objectives; fills in gaps you may have otherwise missed; raises critical questions; and much more. Not sure where to start? Here are a few options to help get you started:

1. Purchase Templates Specifically Created for Escape Rooms

The resources here aren’t particularly bountiful, given the relative infancy of the industry, but pre-made, for-sale templates do exist. Black Box Business Plans provides tailored business plans for a couple dozen models, including escape rooms. They also offer optional add-on features such as Excel SureCash if you need help calculating finances, or a pitch deck and helpful guidelines for raising capital if you plan on working with investors. Alternatively, for one lump sum, business management and consulting firm E.C. & Associates provides a comprehensive escape room business plan package "written at a doctoral level and investor-ready."

2. Take Advantage of Free Tools and Templates

If you feel as though you can work with something less tailored to escape rooms, there's a number of generalized templates and tools on the Internet (the time consuming part is choosing which one to use). SCORE is a nonprofit “dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow, and achieve their goals through education and mentorship,” and they offer a comprehensive generic template. Getting in touch with them will connect you with professionals who are eager to help you plan your business. The U.S. Small Business Administration also provides a helpful free template tool.

3. Work With a Consultant or Professional Business Plan Writing Service

Platforms like Thumbtack and Upwork help connect you with contractors and freelancers who specialize in the service you're looking for, such as business plan writing and consulting.Don't hedge your bets if you plan on working with a consultant. As venture coach Stever Robbins advises, “If you really want to hire a consultant, keep in mind that it often pays to spend extra to get the very best. When you're paying for someone's knowledge, you want assurance that what the person has to offer is high-quality.” When working with freelancers, make sure to ink a written agreement detailing the deliverables, timetable and payment schedule.Professional business plan writing services give you a polished and investor-ready product in a shorter amount of time. Consider comparing quotes from platforms like MasterPlans vs. Thumbtack and Upwork.You can also seek out a professional business plan writing service. Companies like MasterPlans, AcePlans or LivePlan match you with a hand-picked team or individual to bring your business plan to fruition. Think of it as hiring a consultant—without having to go through the vetting process yourself. LivePlan and AcePlans also promise added incentives such as graphic design work and a money-back guarantee. While it will probably cost more out of pocket, outsourcing the assembly of your escape room business plan will produce a highly polished product in a relatively short period of time—something to consider if you plan on pitching to investors.

Professional business plan writing services give you a polished and investor-ready product in a shorter amount of time

4. Or...Dig in and DIY!

Putting together your own escape room business plan from scratch isn't as overwhelming as it sounds. In fact, taking the DIY route (and doing it right) will give you an intrinsic handle on your own roadmap. You'll know the game plan like the back of your hand—and, as a result—might get more out of it.While there's no single correct way to write a business plan, there is universal consensus on the importance the following items:

• Have several versions of your business plan, each tailored for specific audiences, depending on who is going to be using it and looking at it.
• Your plan is a living document: Review it frequently, and compare it against what actually happened. Revise accordingly.
• Be realistic about financial estimates and projections
• Cite your sources. Business plans include market research and projections. Be sure to attribute the source of your information so as to maintain the credibility of your plan.
• Think about presentation: If you don't like looking at it, chances are you're not going to actually use it, and investors aren't going to be impressed either. Remember to take formatting into consideration. Make your business plan nice to look at, easy to digest and read.

Ready to take a stab at putting together your own escape room business plan? Here are six core components to include:

• Executive Summary: This is a brief, overarching synopsis of your business plan. While it will be the first thing to follow your title page, you may want to save writing your summary for last, when every detail about your escape room is still swirling in your head. This is your first impression, so make it count.
• Business Description: Here you’ll include a short description of your industry as a whole, including new developments and outlook. As escape rooms are relatively new as a business model, you will be talking about recent and instantaneous growth in popularity.
• Market Strategies: Here’s where a trip to MarketWatch and some light statistical analysis comes in handy. This is where you define your target market and detail how you plan on finding growth within your designated market.
• Competitive Analysis: This is the space where you analyze your business competition. This can mean other escape room businesses or other activity operations in your area.
• Operations and Management Plan: This section will cover the day-to-day aspects of your escape plan business, where it’s located, and the people and equipment you’ll need to run it, and everything nitty gritty.
• Financial Factors: Normally tucked in the back of a business plan, this section is paramount when showing your business plan to investors. Here you’ll include your personal finances, project expenses, and anticipated cash flow.

TIP: When working on the operations and management component of your plan, don't forget that choosing the right online booking solution is critical so the success of your escape room. An online booking system like Peek Pro lets you view upcoming reservations, run revenue reports, manage automated email communications with your customers and room masters, accept bookings 24/7, and a whole lot more.

You're not alone if the thought of making changes, such as implementing an online booking system, seems overwhelming. But streamlining businesses operations can mean more freedom and revenue, and it could be the best thing you do for your business this year.From stand-up paddle boards, to camping gear, to electric scooters, to handmade cake stands, we've worked with a vast variety rental businesses to get them running—and making more money—with an online booking system. Here are some common concerns we've seen from business owners who are hesitant to take the leap, and why it's important to push past those perceived roadblocks.

1. What I Offer Is Too Complex

Challenge accepted! Don't underestimate the power of technology and the options available to you. Nowadays, there are some great systems out there when it comes to online booking software. For example, a platform like Peek Pro can take all the curveballs you throw at it, including...

• Setting up complex pricing and availability structures
• Real-time equipment tracking
• Taking rentals offline for repairs, or blocking off days when they're not available
• Credit card pre-authorizations for security deposits
• Bundles during the checkout flow
• Maximizing revenue while avoiding over-bookings
• Customized questions that customers are required to read and respond to during the checkout flow
• And a lot more.

Tip: Another good business practice to consider? Simplify your offerings. Too many choices leads to indecision in consumers, and sometimes, providing too many different rentals could actually be working against you. Whether you're switching online booking systems or starting fresh, use this as an opportunity to re-evaluate how your tours, activities and/or rentals could be packaged for more profit.

2. I've Always Done Things By Hand – It's What I'm Used To

“If the way you want your business to run is mostly stored inside your head, that means you’re the only one who can ‘do it right.’”Doing things by hand can give you a false sense of control. If the way you want your business to run is mostly stored inside your head, that means you're the only one who can "do it right." It also makes training new staffers a pain, because there are no repeatable processes or systems in place to ensure a consistent customer experience.Tip: If you're planning on selling the business one day, remember: It's not a business unless it runs when you're not there. Who wants to buy a "business" if you are the business?

It's not a business unless it runs when you're not there

3. I Like Talking Directly To People, And I Don't Want To Lose That Human Connection

If maintaining that personal connection from the get-go is important to you, perfect! With Peek Pro, you can opt to accept pending bookings online, but still require a phone call to verbally seal the deal and confirm the reservation.

4. I Have An Online Contact Form, So That Counts—Right?

An online form is a step in the right direction, but if you're not accepting payment and scheduling online, it doesn't help much in the ways of (1) time management, (2) a consistent customer experience, and (3) automated processes to help you do more with less staff.

5. We Rely On A Lot Of Walk-Ins And Phone Calls For Business, So Doing Business Online Isn't Really Necessary

Adopting an online booking system for your rental activity business doesn't mean you're going to neglect walk-ins and phone reservations. But here's what it does mean:

• It's going to create an even better experience for walk-ins. With an online booking system, you can quickly check-in walkups on the spot, accept payments from anywhere, and look at a real-time calendar to see what availability looks like—all from your smartphone, iPad or laptop.
• You'll also scoop up additional customers who prefer to book online and not over the phone. You're simply opening up one more channel of convenience in which to serve your guests.
• It can free up more of your time.

6. I'm Worried About The Cost Of An Online Booking System

The right activity rental booking and management platform will more than pay for itself each month by allowing you to generate additional business, minimize mistakes, and free up staff time. It may cost more up front, but will save (and generate) more revenue in the long run.

7. Our Competition Doesn't Do It, So We Don't Need To Bother

Whooaaa, Nelly—this is all the more reason for you to accept online scheduling and payments! If the competition doesn't offer online booking and you do, you're way more likely to scoop up people who are browsing online, especially if your booking system delivers a clear and easy checkout flow. Take this as an opportunity to set your business apart from the rest! Taking bookings online is a lot easier than you think these days, so don't let that hold you back. Invest in technology that simplifies business operations, delivers a great customer experience, and sets your company up for growth and success.

Industry leaders are predicting an estimated 25% of campgrounds and RV parks will change ownership in the next five years. If selling is part of your retirement plan—or you're entertaining the possibility for the future—taking certain actions now can help maximize the return on your investment when it's time to cash in.Embracing modern technology like the hotel and airline industry is a quick and affordable way to stay relevant, and up the value of your business. Even if you don't plan on selling in the next several years, having the right technical tools now will capture more data. And the more data you have, the more your park will be worth. Don't wait until the last minute!Here are seven ways to increase the value of your campground, RV park or vacation cabins, and fetch top dollar when you're ready to sell:

1. Capture the Next Generation of Travelers: Millennials

“If an RV park doesn’t have online reservations on its website, I just go to the next one.”— Laura, millennial RVer from Travel Explore UncoverCamping has become more popular than ever over the last decade, especially with one particular age group: Of the more than 1 million households in North America that started camping last year, 44 percent were millennials. And if we know one thing about this demographic born between 1977 and 1995, they love technology like raccoons love unsecured groceries at campsites. The vast majority, or 90 percent of millennials, reserve travel experiences online.“Millennial travelers demand instant gratification, accuracy in booking and one-stop shopping, all from their handheld device. These digital natives also compare their travel booking experience to all their other tech experiences with expectations aligned accordingly...They want the speed and convenience of an online purchase. ”— RV BusinessAs a result of this trend, more and more campgrounds and RV parks are appealing to tech-savvy travelers by investing in mobile booking, complimentary WiFi, and satellite TV.

How:

Keep your business competitive and on-par with industry trends by implementing an intuitive, mobile-friendly reservation system.

2. Increase Reservations

Mobile reservations for RV parks surged by 150% in 2013-2014 alone, according to the National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds. By giving visitors the option to reserve online 24/7, you'll scoop up more guests who want to make plans on their own time, whether it's on the road or on the trail. If you don't offer at-a-glance calendaring and real-time availability on your website—but the competition down the road does—there's a good chance you're missing out on business. And remember: The more reservations you have, the higher your business is going to be valued at. Tip: If maintaining that personal connection from the get-go is important to you, perfect! With an online booking system like Peek Pro, you can opt to accept pending reservations online, but still require a phone call to verbally seal the deal and confirm the reservation before the credit is used.

How:

Give visitors the option to reserve online 24/7.

3. Open Up New Revenue Streams: Equipment Add-Ons & More

When it comes to campgrounds, RV parks and/or cabins, there's a forest of possibilities for opening up new revenue streams!

How:

ADD-ONS & RENTALSAnother interesting tidbit: 52 percent of campers between the ages of 18 and 34 years did online research to buy items for their camping trip before purchasing the items in-store, according to a preparation and purchase report by the Outdoor Foundation. Your takeaway? Not everyone is a Bear Grylls type, or has the space to store sleeping cots and Coleman stoves. If you're already offering rentals or operate an onsite general store, step up your game (and profits!) by up-selling campers when they're reserving online.With a system like Peek Pro, you could sell a wide array of add-ons or rentals (folding chairs, air mattresses, extra roasting forks, lanterns, tents, etc.) directly in the checkout flow, and have those items ready for pickup when folks check in. Rather than making an extra stop at REI or Target, guests enjoy the convenience of a one-stop shopping experience, and you reap the benefits.SEASONAL EVENTSDo you host seasonal events like luaus, bbq's or guided full moon hikes that require pre-registration? A great online reservation system should let you manage all of the above from a single platform: Bookings, rentals and events.FLEXIBLE PRICINGWith an online reservation system, you can easily set dynamic pricing schemes that automatically increase when demand is high (weekends, holidays, popular sites) and decrease during times of year when demand is low.

4. Boost Your Brand and Professional Appearance

Let's talk about the all-important website: As the public "face" of your company, it's the first impression people get. Why not make it a great one? Having a built-in reservation system—one that's intuitive and delivers an easy user experience—enhances the appearance of your website, and thus increases the perceived value of your park. It also sends a visible message to potential buyers that you're business-savvy, customer-oriented, and invested in technology that adds value to your operation.

How:

Give your website some love! It should be user-friendly and easy to navigate, have an aesthetic that reflects your brand, and have a built-in reservation system with a user-friendly checkout flow for guests.

Your website is the public face of your company, use it to make a good first impression

5. Reduce Operational Expenses

The more your park profits, the higher price it's going to fetch.

How:

An online reservation system reduces operational costs, which is the quickest and easiest way to boost profits.

• It saves time and reduces mistakes by automating reservations, communication and payments
• It reduces the need for extra staff, and/or frees up staff to be more productive in other important areas
• It keeps all your data in one place, allowing you to easily run reports and learn where to increase/decrease prices
• It lets you maintain that personal connection with guests, while saving time on day-to-day tasks
• It saves you money on credit card processing fees
• It lets you accept reservations 24/7 on your website, so you don’t have to staff the phone for long periods of time
• A good online booking system has an intuitive user interface, meaning less time to train new staffers

6. Make it Easy for Buyers to Say "YES"

“If you’re planning on selling the business one day, remember: It’s not a business unless it runs when you’re not there. Who wants to buy a ‘business’ if you are the business?”If the way you want your business to run is mostly stored inside your head, that means you're the only one who can "do it right." It also makes training new staffers a pain, because there are no repeatable processes or systems in place to ensure a consistent customer experience. A smooth transition is important for prospective buyers who want hit the ground running, and the right online reservation software plays a critical role—especially if you offer rentals and activities in addition to lodging.

How:

Standardize and streamline business operations with one online booking system used by the entire staff. From automated email communication, to managing staff schedules, to taking reservations, to checking people in, an online reservation system lets you do it all under one platform. If you offer rentals and activities in addition to lodging, make sure to choose a software lets you easily manage all three.

7. Most Importantly: Make it Easy to Prove the Value of Your Park

When it's time to sell, having all of your finances and years of data digitally streamlined under a single platform will (1) make it easier to access, gather and organize important information, and (2) validate the worth of your campground or RV park. Shabam.

How:

Have an online reservation system that rolls up all of your data into digital reports that are easy to access, understand, and share.*****Whether you're preparing to uproot for another adventure, or cashing in and cruising towards retirement, getting top dollar for your investment takes some foresight. An online reservation system can increase revenue, reduce costs, streamline operations, and provide financial visibility; all factors that could significantly increase the sale value of your campground or RV park. It's also easy, affordable and quick to implement—get set up in just a few days!Be proactive now, and be a happy camper later.

When it comes to water activity rentals, finding a way to make your brand stand out in the sea of competition makes all the difference between a dock of idle inventory, versus a calendar filled with reservations. By implementing an impactful and targeted marketing campaign, you're more likely to stand out to a wide and varied audience, from business travelers, to out-of-town vacationers, to locals looking for something new and fun to do. These 10 effective marketing strategies will keep your business "top of mind" for anyone searching for water rentals in your area, whether you specialize in motorboats, kayaks, jet skis, SUP's, canoes or all of the above. Gives these tips a try and see if they put a little wind in your sales!

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1. Sell The Big Picture—Not Just The Rental

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Our partners at Duffy of San Diego do a great job of selling the entire experience on their website, which features video, images and thorough product descriptions. We also love that they've posted a map of Mission Bay, which makes it easy to plan your excursion ahead of time.People looking for a boat rental are clearly drawn to being outside, playing on the water, and exploring new areas from a beautiful vantage point. In addition to covering the essentials (what types of boats are available for rent, prices, times, availability, etc.) remember to show people the highlights! What vista points can they paddle to? What types of wildlife can they spot? Any great dockside cafes to visit along the way? What about good swimming holes or hidden coves to explore? You know the gems of the area better than anyone—use this local knowledge to show potential customers what a great time they'll have.

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“You know the gems of the area better than anyone—use this local knowledge to show potential customers what a great time they’ll have.”

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On your website and marketing materials, paint a bigger picture of the overall experience with high-quality photos, video, or something as simple as a bulleted list of what guests will see or learn. Whether it's kayaking, SUP'ing or cruising around in a motorboat, being out on the water is an immersive pastime—take the time to write engaging, yet pithy descriptions about the experience.

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2. Publish Blog Posts About The Area

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Maintaining a company blog adds a personal touch to your brand, while giving visitors a window to your operations and services. Consider mixing it up and writing about local events and attractions in your community. By doing this, you're not just helping to educate and inform visitors—you could also be improving your website's search engine presence. People looking online for information about a particular attraction or event may stumble across your blog post, which in turn can drive traffic back to your site. Shoreline Sightseeing, a boat tour company in Chicago, writes about hyper-local topics such as the history of Lincoln Park, emerging neighborhoods, and tips on where to find some great restaurants around the city. Publishing content about area activities, events, and attractions can turn visitors into subscribers of your blog, which helps to subtly promote your business.

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3. Harness The Power Of Instagram

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One example of posts that do well on Instagram are images with a text overlay. The text can be an inspirational quote or playful statement, and resonate with your brand's voice and mission, like this one from our friends at SSI SUP. Instagram has five million monthly active users. That's a lot of eyeballs. As a rental business specializing in watercraft, you're surrounded by an ocean of awesome photo opportunities. Use this to your advantage! Here are a few stats that speak to the power of this photo-centric social platform that's dominated by visual content:

• 77.5 million - Number of users who say they learn about a product or service on Instagram.
• 75% - Number of of Instagram users who take action, such as visiting a website, after looking at an Instagram advertising post.

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“If you’re hoping to spread the word about your business, Instagram is a statistically sound place to invest your time and energy.”— Hootsuite for Enterprise

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Here are a few great examples from AdEspresso of images that generate lots of engagement on Instagram. Give these a try:

• User-generated content: Encourage customers to take photos or video during their experience, and remind them to tag your company's Instagram handle or custom hashtag (or both).
• How-to or educational content: What kinds of tips and tricks can you share with your audience? What about a video on how to get back in your kayak if you fall out?
• Behind-the-scenes shots: These can be images taken by, or of your employees.
• Motivational images: Use a text overlay on some of your favorite shots, and choose quotes that resonate with your company's brand and mission.
• And don't forget: Posts with at least one hashtag average 12.6% more engagement. As a boat/water activity rental company, use hashtags that include the city name and state your business is located in, along with terms related to your activity, like #boats, #boating, #SUP, #travel, #tourism, #water, etc. For more helpful tips on the right way to use hashtags on Instagram, we like this complete guide from Hootsuite.

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4. Ask For Reviews, And Put The Good Ones To Work!

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In this digitally dominated age, there's no getting around it: Online reviews can make or break a business.

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In this digitally dominated age, there's no getting around it: Online reviews can make or break a business.

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Approximately 84% of people trust online reviews as much as a personal recommendation, and more than half will visit a business's website after reading a positive review, according to the results of a BrightLocal survey. And with 7 out of 10 consumers leaving a review for a business if they're asked to, your takeaways are this: Ask for reviews, and put the good ones to work!

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There's lots of ways to leverage positive online reviews. Here are a few tips:

• Embed widgets from TripAdvisor or a badge from Yelp (or both) on your website.
• Host a virtual guest book on your website.
• Feature good reviews on your website. This can take many forms, whether it's an embedded screenshot, a neat graphic with a customer testimonial, or even a video.
• Share on social media. If a customer gives you an awesome shoutout, take a screenshot and re-share on your Facebook and Twitter accounts. It's a great opportunity to thank them publicly while bolstering your company's reputation.
• Feature good reviews in newsletters & email marketing.

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Pro Tip - Enabling Facebook Reviews: As a service provider, it's important to set up a star rating and reviews section on your Facebook business page. Just make sure to avoid these Facebook marketing mistakes that could turn guests away.

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5. Plan Your Paid Search Campaigns Seasonally

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Paid search advertising, or search engine marketing (SEM) offers numerous benefits to small business owners. As the experts at Search Factory point out, it allows you to secure top placement on search engines, and measure the results of your online marketing efforts with a great degree of accuracy. If you're taking advantage of paid search advertising, or pay-per-click campaigns, where travelers can find you in the "sponsored" section of search engine results when searching online for "boat tours in [your city]" or similar search criteria, make sure you plan around your peak and slow seasons for maximum exposure. When investing some of your online marketing dollars to Google Ads or Facebook ad campaigns, plan your biggest monthly spend around the months leading up to your busiest times of the year, rather than spending the same amount year-round.

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6. Build Your Email List

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Direct email marketing can be a powerful and effective outreach tool for small business owners, and it's important not to neglect it—even in an age where social media platforms compete for your attention and maintenance. Email marketing has an ROI of 3,800%, according to the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) National Client Email Report 2015. Whether you want to increase rental bookings for the season, or promote special package deals for big groups or families, turn to email to spread the word. McKinsey & Company points out email is 40 times more successful at acquiring new clients than either Facebook and Twitter.

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Here are a few quick tips on how to build your electronic mailing list:

• Set up a "subscribe" button on your website. Make it easy for customers to easily opt-in for newsletters, updates, and/or special offers.
• Run a social media contest
• Ask for emails upon check-in
• Confirm emails at checkout
• Send a monthly or bi-weekly newsletter
• Add social sharing buttons
• For more details, read our complete article here

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7. Give Guests A Reason To Come Back For More

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Renting a boat or other watercraft doesn't have to be a one-time experience. Many guests may be returning to the area more than once a year for an annual getaway, or be interested in trying a different type of watercraft.

• Promote new inventory: Do you now offer glow-in-the dark SUP rentals? (These are awesome, by the way). Encourage guests to come try something new!
• Give guests the freedom to customize their experiences: For example, some customers might like to book a multi-day package with a different type of watercraft each day.
• Extend a "thank you" discount for next time: Communicate this in a follow-up email after the initial experience. With an online booking system like Peek Pro, you can easily set up fully customized, automatic follow-up emails.
• Connect with guests via social media: Ask guests to stay in touch with you on Instagram, Facebook and/or Twitter, and follow them back to maintain an online connection. This helps put your business at top-of-mind when the guest is planning another trip in your area.

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8. Create And Promote Customized Packages With Tiered Pricing

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Offering tiered pricing on boat rentals means guests have many options to choose from when putting together their itineraries. For example, you could offer the option of extending a standard one-hour rental by half-hour increments with a tiered pricing strategy. You could also offer discounts on add-on services, such as a beginner's intro course.Use an online booking system that allows you to set up tiered pricing in the backend, so guests have options to add on more time or rent other pieces of equipment and gear at their leisure.

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9. Set Up Google Alerts To Keep Track Of Buzz About Your Business

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Whether it's a customer testimonial on Yelp, a blog someone wrote about their first SUP'ing experience on Lake Tahoe, or an awesome GoPro shot taken during a jet ski ride, take advantage of every opportunity to showcase great customer experiences on your blog and social media pages. But first, you need to know about the buzz when it happens! Setting up Google Alerts is a great way to know when people are talking about your business online. This service sends you an email when new "mentions" of your company—and any other search terms you've specified—show up in Google's search engine. We've also got more effective strategies for collecting positive reviews from customers here. From harnessing the power of social media to being strategic with paid search campaigns, there are several ways water activity rental operators can make a splash in the world of digital marketing. Try out some of these impactful strategies to keep the bookings coming.

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Read about King's Landing and their success story to keep guests happy through exceptional customer service with Peek Pro.