Photos, Floor Plans, and Reels: Modern Marketing Must-Haves for LBI Rentals
If you own a Long Beach Island home that rents (or could rent), your “first showing” isn’t a showing anymore—it’s a scroll. Renters decide fast, and the listings that win are the ones that feel trustworthy, easy to understand, and easy to imagine with a week’s worth of sandy towels and a fridge full of groceries.
That’s the core of Long Beach Island rental marketing today: strong visuals that remove doubt before someone ever messages you.
Winter is the best time to tackle this. You’re not racing turnover clocks, schedules are easier, and you’ll be ready before spring demand starts heating up.
Long Beach Island rental marketing begins with photos that answer questions
Professional photos aren’t about being fancy. They’re about being clear. Your gallery should help renters instantly understand:
-
the flow of the main living space (living → dining → kitchen)
-
bedroom size and placement (especially for multi-level homes)
-
bathrooms (yes, renters care—show them cleanly and confidently)
-
outdoor living (deck, shower, storage, seating, grill space, yard)
A practical rule: if your photos are more than 2–3 seasons old—or the home has changed since they were taken—your listing may be getting skipped even if the home is great. New furniture, new flooring, fresh paint, upgraded lighting… it all needs to show.
Photo shot list for LBI vacation rental listings
Build a simple shot list and don’t wing it:
-
every bedroom (wide first, then one detail)
-
kitchen wide shots + one “working angle” that shows counters and appliances
-
living room from two corners
-
dining setup (show actual seating capacity)
-
exterior front + exterior back
-
outdoor shower + deck/patio + any standout feature (views, firepit, hot tub, etc.)
Floor plans and layout clarity for shore rental marketing
A simple floor plan is an underrated booking booster. It helps renters understand how rooms connect, who sleeps where, and whether the layout works for their group—especially in reverse-living designs and multi-floor homes.
Keep it simple:
-
labeled rooms
-
approximate measurements (or a clear scale)
-
stairs and entrances marked
-
each level separated (first/second/third)
Less confusion means fewer repetitive messages and fewer “Wait… the bunks are on the ground floor?” surprises.
Reels and short video tours renters actually watch
Short-form video is your listing’s “vibe check.” Photos show what’s there; reels show how it lives. Aim for 15–30 seconds, vertical, steady, and bright.
Easy formats that work:
-
Quick walkthrough: entry → main living → kitchen → primary bedroom → outdoor space
-
Highlight reel: natural light, seating areas, outdoor shower, views, “best spot for coffee”
-
Layout helper: pan from one space into the next so renters understand flow
Pro move: record on the same day as photos so everything matches.
Drone angles for context when appropriate
Aerial shots can be awesome—when they clarify something renters care about (setting, lot position, proximity, outdoor space). Keep it purposeful and compliant by using a qualified operator who follows FAA rules. If it doesn’t add clarity, skip it. “Because drone” isn’t a strategy.
Ready your listing now so summer bookings feel easier later
Here’s your winter action plan:
-
audit your current media (what’s dated, missing, or confusing?)
-
schedule photos + a simple floor plan capture
-
record 2–3 short reels on the same day
-
refresh captions to focus on renter priorities: layout, beds/baths, outdoor living, parking, comfort
If your home isn’t currently rented, winter is also a smart time to explore it—before the market gets noisy. With the right media and presentation, Long Beach Island rental marketing can help attract better-qualified guests and reduce the back-and-forth questions that eat up your time.
Want an honest review of what you’ve got now (and what you should update before spring)? Our team can review your current media and professionally showcase your home if you’d like to list it in our vacation rental program. Contact us.
Sources
Last Updated on December 17, 2025
