Bill's Beneficial Blog
Does anyone really read the millions of blogs out there? Or are they really just a ploy to entice Google for a bit more ranking or space? Every other ad agency blog is going to be all about how great they are, why they are the smartest and other clearly self promoting stuff.
So we decided to just write about what interests us. Our only hope is that - every now and then - you find a nugget that is a slight value for you. We hope. If you want to get these rantings in your inbox every so often, Signup to get emails. Here goes.
Creepy Vacation Rental Videos
By Wm. May
Published: 05/27/15
Topics: Marketing, Vacation Rentals, Videos
Comments: -
Videos are now being used as background graphics for many websites including for vacation rental advertising that depict guests inside homes in seemingly innocent moments like lounging bed or playing with their children. But does it cross the line? Read more
Drones Will One Day Be Old News
By William May
Published: 05/01/15
Topics: Hotels, Photography
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Hoteliers are all anxious to get aerial photos of their properties from drones. Good idea and we do them. Here is why they would be better off to invest I High Dynamic Range (HDR) Photos instead. Read more
How to Choose a Vacation Rental Photographer
By William May
Published: 03/01/15
Topics: Photography
Comments: -
Guest give websites but a few scant seconds to decide if it's professional, if it has what they need, and whether they are willing to look further. In one seconds, people read only a few words but glancing at a photo reveals dozens of thoughts and conveys quality, emotion, and content. Read more
Talk Talk Talk Talk Talk
By William May
Published: 01/23/15
Topics: Communications, Football, Sports
Comments: 1
Why does Seahawks Football Team Quarterback Russell Wilson talk so much. Even have a well called play he can not shut up. Neither should you if you want to achieve the kind of success he has. Read more
Christmas Trees Endanger the World
By William May
Published: 01/17/15
Topics: Government
Comments: -
This is not a story about prohibiting Christmas trees from governmental property due to freedom of religion restrictions. Instead, it’s a new taking of your ability to put a Christmas Tree in the lobby of privately owned condo buildings, restaurants and more. Geeeesh. Is nothing sacred? Read more
HDR Photography is not HD
By William May
Published: 01/01/15
Topics:
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Only one in every ten thousand amateur photographers, and only one out of a thousand professionals have an understanding of High Dynamic Range (HDR) photos. That terminology has nothing to do with the common High Definition description of TV's and monitors. Everyone in lodging should know the difference. Read more
A Map, a Map, My Kingdom for a Map
By William May
Published: 07/20/14
Topics:
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Folded like origami (Japanese paper art), maps have been an indispensible tool for travelers for centuries. But today with Global Positioning Statellites (GPS) and Smart Phones, travel can be much easier but it does require some common sense. Read more
Outdoors-For-All, the Heros Among Us
By William May
Published: 06/09/14
Topics:
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Donate your home to charities for their use and fundraising and post your generosity on VacationRentalAgents.com. See how the Ski-For-All Foundation gave property owners the great satisfaction of helping disabled kids and adults to ski. Read more
Crowing About Our New Mobile Website
By William May
Published: 05/01/14
Topics:
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It may not sound earth-shaking but Redstone Systems, creator of the HelpBook.me software has just added their evolutionary new mobile websites to our system. Check it on your mobile phone now. Read more
What I do for a living
By William May
Published: 04/08/14
Topics:
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After a tragedy that has taken dozens of life in the small town of Oso Washington State, first-responders open the door to untrained volunteers after realizing they are better equipped at working in such difficult conditions. Read more
Top Reasons to Do-It-Yourself Vacation Rental
By William May
Published: 03/15/14
Topics:
Comments: -
Renting the house seemed like a good idea. Cut out the middle man and rack in the big bucks. Guests will love the place, housekeepers are a dime a dozen, advertising is easy. Here are the top 10 reasons to handle everything personally. Read more
Varoom Vacation Rental Cooperative Springs to Life
By William May
Published: 02/23/14
Topics:
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Even with the thousands of advertising websites catering to vacation rental owners, guests often search in vain to find the perfect accommodations. Now the website www,Varoom.biz, the world's first Vacation Rental Cooperative matches guests with property owners and managers to increase bookings. Read more
Like Happy Lemmings to the Seahawk
By William May
Published: 02/06/14
Topics: Seattle, Sports
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On a frigid but stunningly bright blue sky day in the city of Seattle, the population of the region gathered together with one mind to share in the joy of something bigger than any of them could ever experience alone. To spread smiles and happiness for something seemingly simple but rare. Read more
How to Hire & Retain Happy Housekeepers (10 rules)
By
Published: 01/28/14
Topics: Property Management, Vacation Rental Association, Vacation Rentals, WAVRMA
Comments: -
Servers at restaurants, both fancy and plain, demand tips. The valet who parks your car puts his hand out. Even your neighborhood Starbucks barrista wants money for making up your fancy café mocha, skinny, double cup, with foam. So how come lodging housekeepers seldom get tipped, and often receive far too little. Read more
Coming to Skippy's Class ill Prepared
By William May
Published: 12/11/13
Topics:
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Looking back it is astonishing to realize that a world class scholar was teaching in a small community college off the beaten path in the Northwest corner of the country. She would have wowed any student in the finest college anywhere. Read more
Sad Story for Non Renting Vacation Home Owner
By William May
Published: 12/06/13
Topics:
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Home Owner Association caretaker has bad news for vacation home owner who should have kept his home in rental, with which he could have retained the attentive eyes of a full time manager almost next door. Read more
Vacation Rental housekeeper spills the beans
By William May
Published: 02/16/13
Topics:
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As professional lodging managers its not too often that we get a full glimpse of what life is really like for Rent by Ownes who manage their personal vacation homes. Here is a Q&A with a top housekeeper who has horror stories to tell. Read more
The Vacation Rental Dollar Store
By William May
Published: 01/16/13
Topics:
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Who knew that Dollar stores were such a good source of items needed to outfit a Vacation Rental home. This author learns a lesson and receives great customer service too. Read more
Netiquette - How to Write an Email
By William May
Published: 07/18/12
Topics:
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RSVP: Not everyone remembers what this means, but if you need a response include it and/or remind the user to respond such as "Please let me know your thoughts one way or the other." Read more
Stealing Music for Your Video is Expensive
By William May
Published: 06/23/12
Topics:
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Creating a swell video for your vacation rental home is easier and cheaper than ever. You'll be tempted to use your favorite song to set the mood and reel in more renters. But becareful with which tune you pick or it will cost you dearly. Read more
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