Innovative Apartment Marketing Ideas for Spring
April 11, 2018 12:49 pm Leave your thoughtsSpring has finally sprung! The sun is out, the flowers are blooming, and your marketing campaigns could use some blossoming as well. Spring is a wonderful time for apartment marketing efforts.
To make the most of the spring apartment market, consider offering seasonal discounts or promotions to attract more residents. Prospective residents are starting to analyze where they will be located during the summer, and if they will be moving in the fall. This is often the peak of student housing leases for the following year.
During spring and summer, more people are inclined to move since the weather is nice. In the U.S., the spring season sees a 10% increase in rental inquiries. This uptick is significant for planning marketing strategies. With that being said, it is time to refresh your marketing efforts and orient them towards the new season. Effective apartment advertising in spring should highlight outdoor amenities and community events to appeal to those looking for a new home.
Here we’ve compiled our favorite 10 spring apartment marketing tips. These ideas will help you to focus on your residents while also increasing your leads.
1 – Spring Clean Your Website
Spring is also a great time for cleaning. At Market Apartments, we like to do spring cleaning on our virtual spaces as well as our physical ones. Because of that, we love to unveil website updates and upgrades. Is it time for your website to be upgraded? Now is the perfect time to prepare for the upcoming influx of leases! Here are a few signals that may be telling you it is time to make website changes.
- Your content is not SEO friendly. (Solution = Add SEO Content)
- Your website is not very mobile friendly. (Solution = Add AMP pages)
- Your website does not stand out amongst competitors. (Solution = Customize Your Website)
- Your website pictures are outdated. (Solution = Capture High-Quality Professional Images)
- Your apartment community is not on social media. (Solution = Social Media Management)
We are an SEO agency for apartment communities, ready to solve these problems. We specialize in creating SEO-friendly content, implementing AMP pages for better mobile performance, customizing websites, capturing high-quality images, and managing your social media presence. Let us improve your online visibility and attract more renters.
2- Host a Resident Easter Egg Hunt
This is an especially good tip for apartments with families, but works for millennial apartments as well. Simply hide some plastic eggs around your apartment complex, give your residents little baskets, and watch the fun ensue. For maximum marketing efforts, we recommend hiding cards in the eggs that ask for reviews on Yelp and Google. Using reviews to boost your apartment community’s reputation can be a strategic move; by addressing concerns and making improvements, you demonstrate commitment to resident satisfaction.
In addition to review cards, you can also hide prizes like candy, coins, or even a few big prizes like a $500 referral bonus, or $100 off rent next month. Essentially, you could plan any spring activity, that will make your apartment residents feel more a part of your community.
You may consider planning the following Spring Resident events along with doing an Easter Egg Hunt.
- St. Patricks Day Party (March 17th)
- Earth Day Celebration (April 22nd)
- Spring Dinner Party
- Spring Tea Party
3- Start a Community Garden
Spring is great for growing things; everyone knows that. So, how about growing herbs, vegetables, and flowers in a community garden? Do you have a communal green space outside your apartment that is not getting much love? Let your residents know that they may plant some herbs or vegetable seeds, and see your community come together.
This could be the perfect way to celebrate Earth Day, which occurs on April 22nd. If you’re unable to start your own community garden, you could purchase small succulent plants to hand out to your residents. For a fun resident retention idea, you can even hand out little bags with plant seeds (and perhaps a note reminding them about renewing!). Here are a few plants that are perfect for Spring.
Vegetables
- Broccoli
- Brussels Sprouts
- Spinach
- Carrots
Flowers
- Daffodils
- Primrose
- Tulips
- Camellia
- Star Magnolia
Trees
- Birch
- Dogwood
- Willow
- Magnolia
4- Hold a Social Media Contest
Do you have a new social media profile, and you’d like to get more likes or followers? This traffic on your social media could result in more leads. Let your residents know you’re holding a social media contest for the summer: Anyone who takes a photo of the property, tags your property, and/or uses a unique hashtag for your property gets a discount on next month’s rent. You can also hand out prizes for the most likes, most followers, etc. You could host any sort of giveaway that will help your residents become more involved. It will also let your residents know that you care about them.
If you’re not interested in a social media contest, you can utilize social media in a variety of different ways. From posting your specials to highlighting your spring resident events, there are so many strategies that can enhance your social media. It can be a fun and effective way to connect with your residents on a different level. It can also act as a great reminder for rent payments, policy changes, or a newsletter. The world that we live in has gone fully digital! So this season, hype up your social media, and give residents the opportunity to be a part of it.
5- Give Resident Retention Gifts
Spring is a great time to send your residents the best wishes. The winter months can be very hard on people for a variety of reasons, and this is the perfect time to give them a little pick me up. Your residents don’t have to be big, and they don’t have to cost a lot of money. It can truly be anything that reminds your residents how awesome they are. Here are a few of our favorite spring resident gifts below.
Gift #1: Oven Mitts: Hand out oven mitts with spatulas and an invite to your Spring BBQ Kickoff! We’ll even send you a free label like the one in the picture! All you have to do is print it off, pick up an oven mitt, brownie mix, and spatula at your nearest all-a-dollar, and you’ve got yourself a great resident gift for only around $3.
Gift #2: St. Patrick’s Day Gifts: Use gold coins, gold or green candies, or rainbows to symbolize the leprechaun holiday. You could include saying such as “We struck gold with you as our resident”, or “We are lucky to have you as our resident”.
Gift #3: Bloom Gifts: While the flowers are blossoming, you can send your residents the best wishes for the new season. You could make paper flowers, hand out seeds to plant flowers, and use sayings like “We’re so glad to have you in our neighborhood, we hope you bloom here!”
6- Host a Pool Party
It’s springtime, and the living’s easy! Reward your residents with a grand opening of the pool party. Depending on your local weather, your pool may open earlier, or later in the season. Regardless, you can get ready to host an amazing pool party. Here are some ideas to make your pool party creative, and a blast!
- Host A Dive-In Movie (Project a movie near your pool, and invite residents to bring their own floats!)
- Pick a Theme (Luau, Glow in the Dark, Carnival, etc)
- Include Poolside Games (Cornhole, Volleyball, etc)
7- Think Green Initiatives
In the heart of spring, it’s not just about fresh flowers and warmer days; it’s also a prime time to introduce ‘Think Green Initiatives’ in your apartment marketing strategy. Imagine this: a community where everyone comes together to make a positive impact on the environment. That’s a powerful message to send to current and potential residents, showing that your apartment complex isn’t just a place to live, but a community that cares.
Consider organizing community recycling events. This not only cleans up the environment but also fosters a sense of community. It’s a win-win. You could even partner with local businesses to offer incentives for participation, like discounts at nearby cafes or stores. And don’t forget to share these events on social media! Use catchy, green-themed slogans like “Recycle Today for a Better Tomorrow” or “Green Living is Good Living.” These slogans not only promote the event but also reinforce your brand as environmentally conscious.
You could also introduce initiatives like a ‘Green Resident of the Month’ to recognize and reward those who are making an effort to live sustainably. Activities like these not only engage your residents but also attract environmentally conscious prospects. Imagine the appeal of an apartment community that not only offers a great place to live but also contributes to a healthier planet.
8- A Spring Strategy for Retaining Residents
Here’s a fresh idea: why not offer special deals for early lease renewals? This strategy can be a game-changer in maintaining a vibrant community and ensuring steady occupancy rates.
Reach out to your residents with a friendly, personal touch. Maybe send an email or a newsletter that feels like a warm chat over coffee. In this message, highlight the benefits of renewing early. You could say something like, “We value your presence in our community and want to offer you a special deal for renewing your lease now. Imagine not having to worry about the hassle of moving or searching for a new place this spring. Plus, we’ve got some great perks for you!”
Think of incentives that genuinely make your residents’ lives easier and happier. It could be a discount on the next month’s rent, a free parking spot, or even a gift card to a local café. The idea is to make them feel appreciated and show that renewing their lease is a win-win situation. And don’t forget to add a personal touch.
9- Resident-Driven Events
Spring in apartment living isn’t just about blooming flowers; it’s about communities blossoming too. Let’s explore a new twist on spring marketing for apartments: Resident-Driven Events. Picture residents not just joining in, but spearheading community events. This goes beyond fun. It’s about forging a community where belonging and contribution are key.
Why not let residents lead? Encourage their event ideas, from book clubs to balcony gardening contests. Their involvement in planning and hosting strengthens their bond with the community. It’s akin to nurturing a seed into a flourishing plant. They’re more than tenants; they’re integral to a lively, evolving community.
The perks are as vibrant as a spring garden. You gain a variety of event ideas, mirroring your community’s interests. This boosts participation and excitement. Resident involvement also means more buzz and engagement. It’s an excellent way to instill ownership and pride. They’re not just participants; they’re the creators and hosts. Such engagement fosters neighborly bonds, creating an inviting and friendly environment.
10- Week-long Themed Events
Picture this: a week at your apartment complex filled with themed nights, turning regular evenings into memorable community events. Each evening features a unique theme, offering residents new adventures without leaving home. These events are more than just fun; they foster a sense of belonging and excitement.
Monday kicks off with Movie Madness. Set up a projector in the common area for a film screening. Residents can pick the movie a week in advance, boosting involvement and excitement. Then, Taco Tuesday brings everyone together for a DIY taco bar. It’s a social, tasty way to cater to different preferences.
Wellness Wednesday breaks up the week with health-focused activities. Options like yoga or smoothie-making classes add a peaceful twist. On Throwback Thursday, residents can dress in their favorite decade’s fashion and enjoy classic tunes. It’s a delightful way to honor diversity and shared histories.
The week wraps up with Foodie Friday. A local food truck visit or a resident cooking contest creates a joyful end to the week, filled with flavors and fun.
To Conclude…
Of course, the easiest apartment marketing advice we can give is to consult an expert apartment marketer. If you’d like a free consultation contact us today.
If you liked these tips, consider downloading our Resident Retention Guide which is filled with over 50 resident event ideas for every season.
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Categorised in: Apartment Marketing, For Property Managers
This post was written by Isabella Housel
Isabella Housel is a passionate and versatile professional writer with a deep love for words and a commitment to crafting compelling content that engages, informs, and inspires. With many years of experience in the industry, she has honed her skills across various genres, from creative storytelling to informative articles and technical documentation.