The brokerage marketing plan

What the plan should include

• Portals. Which sites carry the listing, such as YachtWorld, Boat24 and Rightboat, and the broker's own website. See How to search for a used yacht in Europe.
• Photos and video. Who produces them, and when. A walk-through video and a virtual tour help buyers abroad. See Cosmetic staging and detailing.
• Listing text. A factual description with year, hours, VAT status, flag, equipment and location. See How to read a yacht listing.
• Buyer outreach. Direct messages to the broker's buyer list and to buyers who searched for similar boats.
• Social media and marina groups.
• Shows and events, and whether your boat is displayed. See Timing the market.
• Enquiry handling. Response time, qualification of buyers, and viewing arrangements. See Showings and sea trials, including selling while you're abroad.

Reporting

Ask for a report every four weeks: views on each portal, enquiries, viewings, offers, and feedback from buyers. The feedback tells you whether price, condition or presentation is the obstacle.

Check the listing yourself

1. Read the text for errors in year, length, hours and VAT status.
2. Search the portals for your own boat, and compare it with similar ones.
3. Check that the price is the one agreed.
4. Ask for fresh photos if the boat changed.

When it does not work

If the boat draws few enquiries, the cause is usually the price or the photos. If it draws enquiries but no viewings, check the listing text and the buyer screening. If it draws viewings but no offers, the cause is condition or price. Ask your broker to say which, and what to change. See What is my boat worth? How brokers price a yacht.

Related guides

• Listing agreements and the costs of selling
• Showings and sea trials, including selling while you're abroad
• What is my boat worth? How brokers price a yacht