Posted by Ashley Gannon on Jun 30, 2010
Adding video to your online RV sales ad is proving to be a powerful technique for closing online RV sales. If a photo is like a 1000 words, then a video is like sitting down for an afternoon of friendly conversation with potential RV buyers. RV buyers are drawn to online classified RV ads that show them what they’re buying. Adding video to your online RV classified ad — it’s absolutely FREE on RVT.com — allows you to take buyers on a virtual walk-through of your RV. For buyers, it’s the next best thing to actually being there!
Adding free video to your RVT.com online ad allows you to walk potential buyers through your RV and point out its unique features. Start outside and chat about construction, systems, condition and maintenance while you pan in for close-ups of hookup and systems controls. Demonstrate how easy it is to extend your power awning or how quickly your folding trailer sets up. Direct a spotlight into storage spaces to show their size.
As you walk inside your RV, stop in the cockpit for a detailed discussion of special features with plenty of zoom-in close-ups. Remember to pan back to give RV buyers a sense of size and space. Pan down the length of your RV then move into each room, opening closets, cupboards and appliances as you go.
Taking RV buyers on a virtual video tour of your RV by adding video to your RV ad is guaranteed to sell your RV fast!
Posted by Ashley Gannon on Jun 28, 2010
When creating their online RV classified ad, RV sellers need to think like a buyer. In our last post we talked about the information RV buyers want to know before they buy an RV online. But many RV buyers also want to “kick the tires” before they plunk their money down. When you’re selling your RV online, the best way to satisfy the buyers’ need to SEE what he’s getting is to SHOW him.
“A picture is worth a thousand words,” goes the old saying. The more photos of your RV you load into your online classified RV ad the better. In addition to unlimited descriptive text, RVT.com provides 12 pictures free with every online classified RV ad, and it costs just $20 to include up to 24 photos in your ad.
Use your photos wisely to show off your RV’s best features. From more than a decade as the North American leader in online RV sales we’ve found that buyers most want to see the following:
- Good exterior photos that show the full length of your RV from the side, as well as close up shots of the front and rear.
- Close up pictures of exterior hook-ups and system controls.
- Full-view photo of extended awning and extended slideouts.
- Interior views of each area or room in your RV.
- Several detailed photos of the cockpit and its features.
- Close ups of the kitchen and bath areas.
- Full view pictures of storage and closet space.
Next time: Use the power of video to sell your RV
Posted by Ashley Gannon on Jun 25, 2010
Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes. That’s what you need to do when you sell your RV online. Think about what the buyer wants to know before he plunks his money down and use that knowledge to create an effective ad to sell your RV.
RV buyers want to know the stats:
> Type of RV, make, model, year
> Mileage and fuel type (gas or diesel)
> Chassis (suspension, RV construction)
> Body (construction materials, trim, graphics)
> Engine (transmission, brakes, axle)
> Tires (tread, special fills like nitrogen)
> Length of RV and number of slides
> Number of people your RV sleeps
> Asking price
RV buyers want to know about RV systems:
> Heating and air conditioner info
> Solar cells, wind turbines, other green energy features
> Battery specs
> Oversize water, fuel or sewage capacity
> Rear or side safety cameras or warning systems
> Hydraulic levelers or other leveling system
> Generator specs
RV buyers want to know about amenities:
> Electronic systems: TV, home theater, surround sound, DVD player, CD player, satellite hookups, charging ports, outdoor play capabilities
> Computer capabilities or readiness
> Kitchen appliances and eating area
> Washer/dryer appliances
> Bathroom space and amenities, including outdoor shower
> Power-operated and adjustable features (mirrors, visors, windows, seats, pedals)
> Awnings
> Heat mitigating window coverings (awnings, shades, sun screens, tinted glass)
> Bed sizes and any special mattress information
> Lighting system features
Next time: What RV buyers want to SEE
Posted by Ashley Gannon on Jun 23, 2010
The horrific flash flood that ripped through a remote Arkansas campground, claiming the lives of 19 campers, brought home the unpredictability of nature. Families camping at the remote Albert Pike Recreation Area certainly didn’t expect to be fighting for their lives when they parked their RVs for the weekend. When tragedy struck in the middle of the night, most campers were sleeping, unaware of the flash flood warning issued at 2 a.m.
When you set out in your RV for a camping weekend, few people expect to battle a natural disaster. But floods and fires do occur, often with little warning. To ensure your family’s safety when camping, RV campers should follow these safety tips:
> When checking into a campground, register your campsite location and note any warnings.
> Know the safest way out of the campground by road, but also decide the route you’ll travel if forced to hike out.
> Designate a check point in case of disaster so family members know where to meet if separated.
> Carry a battery-powered NOAA weather radio and act quickly if warnings are issued.
> When choosing a campsite, check overhead for dead tree limbs that could be hazardous in high winds.
> If camping near water, look for debris up banks and in trees for indications of previous flooding and potential flood height.
Posted by Ashley Gannon on Jun 21, 2010
Younger, first-time RV buyers are driving the RV industry in new directions. Meeting the demands of younger, environmentally-conscious, budget-conscious RV buyers has accelerated the RV industry’s development and adoption of green technology, light-weight construction materials, energy-efficient innovations and novel design changes that maximize living and storage space.
RV ownership is not longer limited to silver-haired seniors. People aren’t waiting for their Golden Years to embrace the RV lifestyle. They want to explore the country while they’re young, active and healthy. Today, more RVs are owned by people aged 35 to 54 that any other age group; and people under 35 comprise the fastest growing group of RV buyers.
The rise of remote workers, Internet entrepreneurs and home schooling coupled with recession-fueled economic concerns and the challenging job market are changing America’s job scene and our housing choices. America is on the move. The life-long career jobs and neighborhood schools that have always attracted families to put down roots in a community are giving way to a new, more mobile era. Americans are finding unique advantages in embracing the flexibility, freedom and economy that RV living and RV traveling offer.
The influx of younger RV buyers concerned about environmental and economic impact has resulted in recreational vehicles that are lighter-weight, more fuel-efficient, more eco-friendly and more luxurious than ever before. Online shopping makes these innovative RVs available to RV buyers across the country.
Posted by Ashley Gannon on Jun 18, 2010
Recreational vehicles come in two distinctly different flavors: all-in-one motorized RVs and towable RVs. Each RV style has its attractions and both styles offer a wide range of amenities. Choosing the type of RV that is best for you is more a factor of how you plan to use your RV, the type of camping you like to do, and personal preference. There actually is no “best” RV, but a certain type of RV may be a better match for your needs than others.
Motorized RVs combine the motor vehicle engine and driving compartment with the RV living space into one integrated chassis. This makes the kitchen, bathroom and living areas of the RV available for use while you are in transit, a boon for families traveling with children or pets as it gives them more room to spread out and relax. When parked, motorized RVs generally require onsite hook-up to run electrical, water and sewage systems.
Towable RVs are recreational units designed to be towed by a car, van or pickup truck via a bumper or frame trailer hitch. The major advantage towable RVs offer is the ability to unhook the tow vehicle and use it for transportation after parking the RV. Because towable RVs do not require permanent onsite hook up, they are generally preferred by those who like to camp off-road or in remote areas.
RVT.com offers a complete selection of new and used RVs of all types for sale online. Click here to take a look.
Posted by Ashley Gannon on Jun 16, 2010
Sharing the sensibilities of ancient nomads and medieval vagabonds, boondockers seek to pursue not merely the road less traveled, but the road never traveled. These modern-day gypsies eschew neighborly RV parks and their upscale amenities for secluded groves far from mini marts and mini golf to live off the grid — no hookups, just you, your RV and nature.
Boondocking is a minimalist approach to RV living that’s particularly appealing to the frugally minded. Most boondockers prefer smaller RV travel trailers or compact Class B and Class C motorhomes for their versatility and easy maneuvering on gravel and dirt back roads. Off-grid living means it’s important to travel with a full propane tank, plenty of fresh water and a well-maintained RV battery. Dedicated boondockers often add solar panels, portable water and waste water tanks for long journeys into the back woods, and extra batteries.
There are plenty of places to go boondocking. The Bureau of Land Management and many national forests offer long-term visitor areas or unimproved sections for disbursed camping. You can often camp at no charge or for only a nominal fee when water, trash and dump site services are offered.
Win an iPad! Next time you visit RVT.com, don’t forget to take our quick 30-second survey to be entered in our free iPad drawing. Every 30 days RVT.com will give away an iPad to one lucky survey participant. Our new RV Classifieds Magazine will be debuting on iPad soon and we want our readers to be ready!
Posted by Ashley Gannon on Jun 14, 2010
These are not your grandfather’s RV parks! Sure, you’ll still find plenty of quiet, shaded RV campgrounds across America that feature the fishing pond, playground, swimming pool and grocery counter common to RV parks for decades. But to attract vacationing RV owners, many new RV parks have elevated the once humble RV campsite to exciting new heights worthy of any 5-star vacation resort.
Search RVT.com’s RV campground finder and RV owners will discover RV resorts that offer a lavish selection of onsite recreational activities, including: elaborate swimming pools with slides and lazy rivers, adventure mini golf, horseback riding, canoe and kayak rentals, bicycle rentals, naturalist-led nature hikes, supervised day camp activities for kids, 18-hole golf courses and driving ranges, community barbecues and hayrides, gaming rooms, tennis courts, hot tubs, billiard rooms, basketball courts, Wi-Fi and cable connections; big-screen TVs, laundries, mini-marts and more.
Many of the more elaborate RV resorts are located in southwestern states where RVers stay for months at a time to escape cold northern winters. These RV resorts offer many communal activities from spa treatments and fitness activities to ceramics classes, woodworking shops and creative writing seminars. RV Resorts usually place a greater emphasis on providing planned activities, entertainment and luxury amenities than typical campgrounds. Wine tastings, weekly dinner-dances, tennis and golf tournaments and talent shows bring camping RVers together and establish a sense of community.
« More Posts (Older)
