One thing you soon realise is that although you receive numerous enquiries only a handful will convert to bookings. This is partly because people email a range of cottage owners to check availability for a certain week and then make their choice from the returns. It is wise to have a considered and pleasant standard reply to use ready rather than a terse response and to reply promptly. If you delay your reply for a couple of days, the enquirer may have already made a decision by then and you will have lost an opportunity.

The efficient way to deal with these is to have a selection of standard paragraphs or sample responses ready that you can send in reply to save time. An easy method of having these to hand is to have them written as text files using Notepad, stored in an easily identifiable folder, perhaps on the desktop and simply copy and paste the appropriate response into your reply.

An example response is shown  below to an enquiry regarding a certain date contains a link to the cottage availability calendar to check for alternative dates and your contact details.

Some people create draft emails illustrated with images of their property using their email software. Attractive images can prompt potential guests into making a decision about making that booking.

Email related pages: 

• Ensuring that emails are getting through to you
• Scams , cons and strange emails
• How not to reply to potential guests

 Click to read further about cottage bookings management....