Vacation Rental Listing Story Audit | Free Worksheet

A 15-Minute Audit to Find the Story Inside Your Stay

Most listings read like inventories. Bedroom count. Amenities. Square footage. All accurate. All forgettable.

Guests do not book features. They book a feeling.
“Wake up to the sound of the river” will beat “waterfront location” every time.

This is not about becoming a better writer. It is about seeing what is already there.

Your story is sitting in your reviews. It is in the details guests mention without being prompted. The honey from the farm down the road. The view from the deck at sunrise. The bakery you pointed them to.

When you do not name your story, your guests cannot repeat it. And when they cannot repeat it, the referral dies in conversation.

Here is a 15-minute audit:

1. Find your signature moments.
What hits first at arrival? What makes guests pause? What do they mention in reviews without being asked?

2. Replace generic phrases.
“Beautiful view” becomes “Morning coffee tastes better when the sun hits the lake just right.”
“Spacious living room” becomes “Enough room for your crew to sprawl, snack, and plan the next day.”

3. Name the people behind the place.
Who built it? Who roasts the coffee? Who keeps the garden alive? Specific names beat vague charm.

4. Choose your emotional anchor.
Comfort. Curiosity. Nostalgia. Belonging.
Pick one or two. Build around them. Do not try to be everything.

5. Write a story snapshot.
One paragraph. Describe the stay the way you would explain it to a curious friend. Focus on what it feels like to be there.

I built a worksheet that walks you through each step with prompts and examples.