Digital nomads, or slow-traveling remote workers, are a growing category of tenants looking for mid-term rentals. That's why it's important for landlords looking to boost their rental business to know these types of customers, their needs, and how to appeal to them.
In this post, we'll tell you why focusing on digital nomads can make the rental experience more enjoyable and profitable for landlords. We'll also share some marketing strategies you can use to market your offerings to these traveling workers.
Who are digital nomads?
Digital nomads are location-independent workers who explore the world while using technology to get their work done. They're neither travelers nor tourists. A digital nomad is more like a business traveler, but with a more flexible schedule.
Their nomadic lifestyle gives them the freedom to be in different countries throughout the year. Many of them live and work for two to three months in the location of their choice.
As more people prefer remote work and travel restrictions become looser, more workers are adopting this lifestyle, transforming the travel and rental industry.
Why should you target digital nomads?
If you're looking to grow your rental business, digital nomads are the new audience you should be targeting.
Some of the main reasons are the huge potential of the market, the low requirements of this type of tenants, and their professional attitude that can give you greater peace of mind.
So, it's time to take advantage of this fast-growing trend and get these tenants on board. Later in the article, we'll explain in more detail why traveling remote professionals make great tenants.
What are the needs and expectations of digital nomads?
To market your rental property to digital nomads, you should know their needs and expectations so you can customize your property to attract them.
Since these professionals work remotely and aren't tied to an office, they tend to have fewer requirements than other tenants. However, there are some important factors that can influence their decision when looking for their next destination and accommodation.
These include cost of living, weather conditions, government regulations, and access to high-speed Internet.
Why are digital nomads good tenants?
Let's take a closer look at why slow-traveling professionals are ideal tenants.
1- They're well-mannered tenants.
Many digital nomads are educated and have well-paying jobs, which makes them professionally and financially stable. Generally, they're trouble-free travelers, which means you don't have to worry about your property, their behavior toward neighbors, or rent payment. It's easy to deal with polite tenants.
2- They travel for work (and pleasure).
The nomadic lifestyle may seem like a vacation, but studies show that a third of digital nomads work more than 40 hours a week. About 70% of them work 40 hours a week or less. The average vacation time for most of these remote workers is between 11 and 15 days.
This means that the digital nomad who rents your accommodation will use it as a work base. So you don't have to worry about their intentions.
3- Rentals are a popular choice for digital nomads.
Many digital nomads tend to work from countries where the cost of living is relatively low because they want to save money.
That's why many of them prefer rental accommodations instead of hotels and hostels. If you focus on digital nomads, you'll have access to a large network of potential tenants looking for mid-term accommodation.
4- They'll help you earn money even in the off-season.
The flexible schedule of digital nomads allows them to travel all year round. The season usually doesn't matter much to them. In fact, many of them prefer to travel in the off-season because there are fewer tourists and prices are lower.
Therefore, you should target this group especially in the off-season and offer them the best deals possible.
5- They can recommend your business to other travelers.
Digital nomads have a close-knit global community and tend to share their travel experiences on various online platforms. If they've a good experience with you, they'll most likely write about it online and thus promote your business.
How should you market your accommodation to digital nomads?
Time management is very important for digital nomads because they chose this lifestyle to have a healthier life-work balance. You should help them manage their time better so they can work more productively and use their free time to explore their surroundings.
Let's look at what you can do to make sure your rental property stands out.
Make your property available for monthly stays.
Since digital nomads don't usually have fixed schedules, they prefer monthly rentals over short- and long-term ones. If you want to work with this type of tenants, you should make your property available for monthly stays. It would be beneficial if you don't require a security deposit. But that's up to you.
Offer key amenities.
One of the headings that nearly all tenants look for when searching for a rental property is amenities. Here are some of the most important requirements of digital nomads that can help you improve the amenities of your listing.
- Sufficient space to live and work
- High-speed internet
- Power outlets for charging electronic devices (multiple outlets, charging cables, universal adapters, extension cords, etc. are beneficial.)
- Printer, preferably with scanning and photocopying capabilities - Stationery such as pens, pencils, markers, notepads, etc.
- Comfortable furniture for long working hours
- Safes
- Secure door locks
- Easy check-in and check-out options
Complimentary toiletries, bottled water, coffee, and snacks are additional options you could offer.
Highlight nearby attractions.
Many digital nomads like to explore different parts of the city where they're temporarily staying. Therefore, it's important that they know which attractions they can visit and what activities they can engage in during their trip.
To catch their attention, you should mention the best cafes, shopping malls, gyms, yoga studios, pubs, and attractions in the area.
Mention the special features of your property.
It's always a good idea to mention the special features of your property, such as a private pool or a great view.
Offer incentives for longer stays.
If you want to increase your property's occupancy, especially in the off-season, you should offer irresistible discounts for extended stays.
Set up a co-working space.
Digital nomads love co-working spaces because they prefer to have a separate workspace and a separate living space. This makes it easier for them to disconnect from work.
If your property allows it, consider setting up a co-working space where they can focus on their work and have a professional background for their video calls. Another option is to partner with a local co-working space.
Minimize restrictions.
Some digital nomads travel with their pets so they look for pet-friendly accommodations. If you have restrictive rules in place that could be hurting your business, it's time to revise them.
Offer your accommodation on platforms that specialize in digital nomads.
The number of rental platforms that cater to digital nomads is growing, but it's still small. That's why it's important you invest time in finding the right platform that can help you grow your business, instead of offering your accommodation randomly on all the platforms that exist.
Flatio is one of the platforms that focuses on traveling professionals who are looking for monthly rentals. On Flatio, you can post your property easily and quickly and maximize your profit. The automation solutions integrated into the process help make the renting process a pleasant experience for you.
Make the rental process simple and fast.
Time is precious for digital nomads so they don't want to deal with unnecessary paperwork or wait a long time before they can move into a new apartment.
If you're renting out your accommodation on your own, you should make the process as easy and quick as possible with digital solutions. If you're going to list your property on a particular platform, check how fast and convenient the rental process is.
Use the power of social media.
Many people, especially digital nomads, get information through social media. So use this effective tool to promote your offerings and make your business known.
Communicate quickly and efficiently.
Make sure potential tenants can contact you directly. Answering their questions quickly and efficiently will increase your booking rate and bolster your reputation.
Respond to reviews.
If you want to maintain a professional image and leave a good impression on tenants who move out of your apartment, you should respond to both the positive and negative reviews they leave on various platforms about their stay. Such a professional attitude can help you find new tenants.
Optimize your listing.
The above tips will be much more effective if you optimize your listing and make sure the information it contains is up-to-date and includes all the necessary details.
Post high-quality photos of your property, update the price information if necessary, write a detailed description of your property, and highlight its special features.
Think outside the box.
Always be on the lookout for additional features and experiences that will make it hard for your potential tenants not to choose your property over hundreds of other rentals. Get creative. We assure you it'll pay off.
(With input from the Hostaway blog)
