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Last week we “opened” our campground property to company utilizing Hipcamp (although we haven’t constructed out RV pads but!).
Since we’ve began sharing our campground dream, many individuals have emailed us to share that they’ve the same dream. And fairly a number of folks have mentioned “I have ## acres and would love to just invite people to camp on my property. How can I do that?”
I’ve at all times replied with the hyperlink to enroll in Hipcamp. (This shouldn’t be a sponsored put up or an advert, by the way in which.)
Hipcamp is mainly a option to do exactly that. Rent out your property to campers—in tents, automobiles, RVs, hammocks, and so on—and make a little bit extra cash. Kinda like Airbnb for tenting. Plus it’s approach much less concerned than a full-on campground as a result of nobody expects hook ups or dump stations or canine parks or playgrounds or paved roads.
Which is sweet as a result of we don’t have any of these issues.
Since we aren’t a full-functioning RV park but, we determined Hipcamp was the right place to listing our property to open up boondocking for campers by way of the remainder of 2021.
We arrange our itemizing final Tuesday and shared the hyperlink with you all. Bookings began rolling in however we rapidly observed one thing…
Only about half of the bookings have been from folks on our e-mail listing.
The relaxation have been from campers looking the Hipcamp website simply searching for a campsite out right here on the western slope of Colorado.
And we have been like…
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A bit bit shocked.
A bit bit nervous.
A bit bit like hey…this campground factor would possibly really work out. ????????
(Heath already requested me if we actually wanted to take the money and time to construct out RV pads as a result of establishing our Hipcamp itemizing was really easy. Yes, Heath. Yes we do.)
This previous week of bringing in our first company, getting paid (funds are direct deposited each Tuesday and we made precisely $22.50 for our first campers however IT FEELS GOOD), and determining how one can run a boondocking campground taught us a number of issues.
1. Choosing the appropriate platform for constructing what you are promoting issues. Find the platform that has the most effective performance to make what you are promoting run seamlessly. It’s the identical motive we give the recommendation to promote a guide on Amazon versus in your web site.
2. Go the place prospects are prepared to purchase. Hipcamp has been round for lengthy sufficient to have an amazing repute amongst campers and a rising buyer base. Heath and I each anxious that nobody aside from individuals who double faucet our Instagram images would ever select to camp with us. Strangers reserving our campsite is unbelievably encouraging and thrilling.
3. Automation makes every little thing simpler. We can settle for reservations, ship automated check-in messages, and deal with questions all from our telephones. Very useful once you spend most of your day enjoying with a two-year-old.
4. Be okay with model 1. Heath and I went backwards and forwards a LOT on if we wished to speak in confidence to boondockers in 2021.
It often went one thing like this:
“We aren’t ready. What if someone drives over the leach field and sinks and has to be towed out? We haven’t even figured out where to order commercial-size toilet paper yet! We haven’t furnished our 4,000 sq. ft schoolhouse yet. We need to buy a washer-dryer set before anyone camps!!” ????
“We have a fully renovated schoolhouse that’s ready for use. We have huge shade trees and a leveled, gravel area for RVs. No other boondocking sites have showers and fiber internet and a kitchen so I don’t think people will be mad about our lack of a washer. People are emailing us asking every week if they can boondock. Why not open up?” ????????♀️
After a stable month of backwards and forwards, we’re each feeling good about our determination—although it means giving folks an up-close and private take a look at our messy model considered one of a campground.
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Also me: Why are there 4 completely different colours of gravel? This is a catastrophe!!!!! |
Most of all, it was a great reminder that taking motion is at all times scary and at all times value it—whether or not it’s beginning a brand new enterprise, shopping for an RV, promoting a home, or simply inviting somebody to camp underneath your timber.
We nonetheless have an extended option to go. Thank you for sharing on this journey with us ❤️????
Photo credit score: Jon Bajuelo