Is anyone using an automated communication tool?

Question

As I continue to grow I am starting to feel some growing pains, or I guess it's more just "a pain I don't want to deal with as much anymore". I send the following messages: Booking confirmation and request for email address, email directly the House Guide, pre-arrival details, follow up email during the stay, and a thank you. I would like to add a check out reminder message but that means 6 manual messages for each booking - UGH! Anyone have experience with AirGMS (looks like it works well but the dashboard lacks intuitiveness) or something similar? Could a tool like IFTTT work if configured somehow? I would prefer to keep the communication within the booking platform but if there's a better way I'm all ears.

Thanks!

Selena Walsh · Answer

I'm using smartbnb (smartbnb.io) and have been happy so far.  Using automated messaging for 1) new booking message, 2) check in instructions 3) check out instructions 4) reviews

Selena Walsh · Answer

@Andrew Wong I have 4 listings using smartbnb right now and expect that to increase in the next few months to 7-8.  Averages to be about $8-9 per listing per month.

@Michael Greenberg I've been happy so far. I had a lot of short stays in May and June and keeping up with messaging was becoming too much to do manually. I'm using automated messaging, reviews as well as the market report and "heartbeats" feature.  The only thing I'm not crazy about is the automated message for a new booking is sent immediately which probably gives the guest the feeling that it is an automated message and also doesn't allow me any time to adjust the message if there are specific circumstances or questions mentioned in the booking message.  At this point though, not enough to change to a new service or to disable the automated message.

Valerie Rogers · Answer

Before I started using the automation that comes with MyVR, I used Gmail accounts to manage all emails for my vacation rental properties as well as those of my clients. I was using a Gmail app called "Boomerang" to schedule future emails, but was limited to 10 "credits" per month per Gmail account.

Searching for ways to streamline my process and become more efficient with my time, I wanted to find a way to combine all of the separate Gmail accounts into one (so that I didn't have to log into many different Gmail accounts.) But the limit of 10 Boomerang credits always created an obstacle because I would need to schedule many more than 10 future emails if I was to work from one Gmail account.This is when I found the "Gmail Scheduler" created by Amit Agarwal.This handy tool allows me to schedule an unlimited number of emails to be sent in the future. Now I can handle all of my VR properties and those of my clients from one Gmail account and won't be constrained by limited credits to schedule future emails.I simply create the email that I want to send in my Gmail account and then close the draft after it has been saved.Then I use the Gmail Scheduler to "Fetch" the drafts onto the Scheduler spreadsheet. I add details about when the message should be sent ("Once" or repeat messages) and pick a date for the message to be sent. That is all there is to it!The Gmail Scheduler Premium (unlimited messages) is not free, but cost a one-time fee of $39.99 at the time I bought it. I felt it was worth the price to gain the efficiency I was looking for, and I've been very pleased with it ever since I've started using it.

I made a little video to show you how it works (video only, no audio)https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B68vcKWYUOWNbmxOOGtCcDB3NUk/view?usp=sharing

Kevin Lefeuvre · Answer

funny that you write this today. Just today I had a guest who didn't check out on time, wanting me to add a check out reminder the evening before. I thought this should be a platform feature though since they have all the info. The same way they send a welcome email.

Michael Greenberg · Answer

@Mitchell Fernandez - thanks for the recommendation.  They appear to have expanded their capabilities.  Can you expand upon these "frustrations" you mentioned?

Mike

Michael Greenberg · Answer

@Selena Walsh Since most of my reservations are Airbnb, this tool is certainly worth consideration - thank you.  Are there areas where it falls short for you?  Are you using any of their other components?

Mike

Paul Sandhu · Answer

Your situation sounds like a real headache.

My renters know what day their rent is due.  I come by their place after they get off work and collect the rent.  It's pretty easy.  I can see what the place looks like and also talk to them to see if more people are coming into town and need a place to stay.

Sometimes I see people struggling to do a repair on their vehicle.  I usually can lend them a tool that they don't have to finish the job.

Sometimes they offer me some food that was brought up from where they come from.  Boudan, shrimp, gator, andouille, etc.  I offer them goose and venison.

But back to rent.  If they know they won't be home they tell me the rent is in an appliance or some other hiding spot.

Andrew Wong · Answer

@Selena Walsh, how many units do you have? Wondering how good the pricing is for what you get, and when you hit a pain point.

Is anyone using an automated communication tool?

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