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RentMontanaCabins.com rolls out 6/3/15

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Our journey to help promote Montana cabins, cottages, ranch lodges and homes has begun. On June 3, 2015 we launched our 5th state-specific, vacation rental website: RentMontanaCabins.com.

We are the JM Creative Group and we have rolled out websites for Wisconsin (2009), Minnesota (2013), Michigan (2013), New York (2014) and last week Montana. We are not associated with any other listing website. In fact, we are the opposite of those big booking websites. Helping rental owners/managers build THEIR online brand and clearing a path for renters to book direct is our foundation.

Rental owners/managers invest in their property website; they spend hours keeping vacationers engaged on social media; they might even have YouTube videos. So, why do those big listing websites hide that great information from renters? They need renters to stay on their website and click that “book it” button so they can grab your booking dollars! We link to all your brand-building efforts.

We read rental-industry blogs and LinkedIn community conversations daily. It’s crazy, either big booking websites are acquiring each other, or they are forcing “book it” buttons down the throat of their members. Their search engines have been reported to not work as promised for premier-paying members, plus they refuse to listen to renters –they prefer to book directly with rental owners and property managers 30 to 1.

Our honest and unselfish website service is a breath of fresh air for rental owners/managers that are looking to become less-reliant on big booking websites. We are a small group of internet marketers in Wisconsin whose passion for promoting the vacation rental industry stems from our founder Joe Mogensen who grew up at a lodge/cabin resort his family owned in northern Wisconsin.

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This is a cabin at the Alta Ranch. Our first member! See what their listing looks like.

Rates start at $95/YEAR for one rental listing (see our rates page). The more rentals you list, the lower each listing is AND the higher your return. No booking commissions, no book it buttons, no platinum fees that don’t deliver on their promise, no double booking. YES, we initially set up your listing(s) for you for no extra fee (it’s how we roll).

Why put some much time and expense into creating separate sites? We learned from our Wisconsin website that building state-specific, vacation rental industry brands results in a better search experience for renters, and a high-return advertising opportunity for members. Search engines like Google and Bing are quick to reward industry-focused websites that have quality content. There is no better way to show search engines your seriousness then by creating unique websites for each state.

What phrases are Montana vacationers using to find your rentals? We’re glad to share some keyword studies, because that is what a marketing partner does. #1 Montana cabin rentals; #2. Montana cabins; #3. Cabin rentals in Montana; #4. Montana vacation rentals; #5. Montana ranch vacation. When you focus on a niche, amazing things happen.

Thanks for learning a little more about our new RentMontanaCabins.com website – and our JM Creative Group. If you are a rental owner in Montana, take a minute to look at our first member’s listings.  To diversify your online advertising, go to our signup page.

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Joe and Team
JM Creative Group, LLC
An A+BBB Company
Memeber RentMontanaCabins.com

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RentMontanaCabins.com website coming soon!

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New to Montana, but not new to promoting vacation rentals. See how our “BOOK DIRECT” websites are helping rental owners/manager increase revenue in Wisconsin (since 2009); Minnesota (since 2013); Michigan (since 2013); and recently New York (2014). We’re just getting started.
No booking commissions. No $1299 premium rate -where you still end up being 157th on the page.
We provide renters with a clear path to rental owners/managers, because that is what a marketing partner is supposed to do. We’ve earned the reputation as a value super star because the return on investment we provide owners/managers cannot be matched. Listings start at $95/YEAR. Learn more on our “List your Rental(s)” page.
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Joe Mogensen
Founder of the JM Creative Group
Member RentMontanaCabins.com
Now with 5 state-specific, vacation rental websites
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Minnesota Vacation Rentals That Come With Boats

Minnesota, “Land of 10,000 Lakes.”

The state’s nickname is no exaggeration; Minnesota boasts roughly 15,200 lakes. Think about this: if we want to visit one lake a day until we have seen every Minnesota lake, it would take over 40 years. Unless it’s your dream to enjoy every lake in Minnesota, you shouldn’t be too discouraged. It only means that lake-bound vacationers have a huge selection. Whether you’re looking for a large recreational lake or a small peaceful getaway on the water, you’re sure to find it in Minnesota. And what better way to enjoy the Minnesota water than by boat! Here are a few vacation cabins, resorts, and homes that include boats.

Lakeside Vacation Rentals That Come With Boats:

Northland Lodge on Leech Lake
Paddle boats, row boats, hydrobikes, kayaks, and canoes
Paul Bunyan’s Guest House | Harborview Cabin

Dickerson’s Resort on Lake Florida
Kayaks, paddle boat, hydrobikes, canoes, fun bugs, sail boat
Cabin #10

Campfire Bay Resort on Fish Trap Lake
Kayaks, paddle boats, hydrobikes, row boats, canoes
Eagles Nest | Willow

Kayaking, lake, Minnesota, boat
Canoe, Lake, Minnesota, Boat
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10 Reasons You Just found your Perfect #PetFriendly Lakeside Resort

Quite simply put, this resort is perfect for you. Yes, you. And your family or friends and pets. Yup. We said it. We don’t want to waste anymore of your time so you can get to booking directly with the owner so we will get straight to the point:

  1. This lakeside resort has 12 cabins, each uniquely different in its own way.
  2. This location is perfect. Babbitt is only 2 passages away from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. This resort offers free guided hikes on the Kawishiwi Falls Trail. Experience waterfalls, nearby Fall Lake beach, pack a picnic basket, and explore with all of your senses.
  3. Timber Wolf Lodge has a sandy beach with 7 cabins right on the beach with a private dock. Bear Island Lake is a large 2,360 acre lake that stretches over 22 islands. The resort has a sunset cruise that even lets you observe these islands. They also have a 15’ water trampoline (kids love it)! Parents can rest in the lounge chairs under an umbrella right on the beach!

    Timber Lake Lodge Beach Side

    Timber Wolf Lodge

  4. These cabins are not bare or rustic. Most cabins are updated to the newest features (like a Keurig) and most even have warm glowing fireplaces in them with great lake views. The best feature? The Sleep Number beds and even luxurious sheets. Each cabin has a great sundeck, perfect for morning coffee or late night card playing. Make sure you ask about the ones with the 3 season porches-a Minnesota must!
  5. Here is a little secret if you’re still reading this: A lot of guests mail checks to use weekly or monthly as sort of a “vacation savings account”. Many families find that this is an effective way to set aside their vacation money bit-by-bit.  We’ve all felt the pinch of a tough economy and the need to tighten our belts.  Use this tool if it helps your family budget.

    Timber Lake Lodge Resort in Boundary Waters

    Timber Lake Lodge

  6. The cabins are fully equipped and furnished with the exception of bath towels, kitchen towels and wash cloths. Please bring those items from home.  We provide all bedroom linens including pillows and cases. Even the fire pit has a stocked wooden supply. Perfect for squeezing in one more kid in the car with all that extra room.
  7. The sauna, shower house and private beach. You may just be one of our guests that insist on stoking the sauna to inhuman temperatures and then dashing to the end of a nearby dock for a plunge in Bear Island Lake. Parents who want to shower off the kiddos after a day at the beach will like the convenience of our shower house. There is plenty of room in there for a quick change of clothes too.
  8. Local attractions are a must see for Minnesota. The International Wolf Center and North American Bear Association are near. Some adventurers even cliff dive! Enjoy the guided fishing tours in one of Minnesota’s Boundary waters.
  9. Babbitt, Minnesota hosts tons of activities for teenagers. Enjoy the library, Youth Center and indoor ice arena.
  10. And for those that can’t simply live without Wi-Fi, you can get it at the beach house and beach. Perfect for catching up on emails.

“Timber Wolf Lodge is the ideal get away! This was my first time to Northern Minnesota since I was a kid. Having cabin #6 for our family reunion was ideal! The cabin accommodates 14 people. The bedrooms are spacious with three master bedrooms and two bedrooms that have double bunks. We enjoyed the sleep number bed. Enjoy life.”

“Timber Wolf Lodge is truly a paradise! We have spent 8 summers at TWL and every year that we return for our vacation, it is better than the previous one! The beach is private with a bouncer for the kids to enjoy. Almost every day, you watch an eagle family fly over as you lounged at the beach.” Kim G

“Very clean, knowledgable and helpful staff,decor to make the wife happy, great fishing to keep the hubby happy and enough amenities to keep the kids running and off the electronics! If you have time get to Kawishiwi trail to see the water falls too!” Carry

“Summer of 2014…First time camping at Timber Wolf Lodge and definitely will be returning! The staff was VERY accommodating, pleasant and always had a smile for you. The lake is gorgeous, loved all the pink granite. Great swimming beach” Scot J

For more information on this unique Boundary Waters lakeside resort, head to http://www.rentminnesotacabins.com/location.php?id=Babbitt and select from one of the listings to inquire more, get rates, and view more photos and videos.

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The Ultimate #Lighthouse Tour for Wisconsin and Michigan

Lighthouses have been a symbol of safety for navigators and explorers for hundreds of years. Each night, lightkeepers and their families reported lake conditions and guided people back to safety alongside the rocky shores of the Great Lakes.

A photographer’s paradise, Lake Michigan offers beautiful scenery.The transcendent fall colors and welcoming cooler breeze from the lake make the Great Lakes a great tourist location for those that can appreciate the northern charm, art galleries, fantastic restaurants, and museums of the maritime history. The sunrises and sunsets are mesmerizing and provide a romantic backdrop to each unique lighthouse.

In October, The Great Lake lighthouse festival highlights different lighthouses along the coast and bring in over a hundred different vendors for the lighthouse enthusiasts all over the world. There is no other lighthouse festival like it. In 2014, the Eagle Bluff was the highlighted lighthouse. Eagle Bluff sits majestically in Peninsula State Park, a beacon of light to those arrive in the rocky Door County area, navigating through the gale of a storm or through the quiet dark nights. This lighthouse has been restored for visitors on tours and is open to the public May-October.

To view Door County Lodging, head to our home page and select one of the red dots on the map to view pictures, rates and things to do in Door County.

The Grand Traverse Lighthouse is at the end of the Leelanau Peninsula, located inside the Leelanau State Park. It’s one of the oldest lighthouses on the Great Lakes. Once inside the lighthouse, you can view exhibits, shipwrecks, foghorns and other lighthouses within the area. Fun events are throughout the year.

Grand Traverse Lighthouse

Grand Traverse Lighthouse

Be sure to check out this fantastic lighthouse.For a list of other things to do in Traverse City, Michigan or to explore Traverse City Vacation Rentals while on a lighthouse tour in Michigan, click this link here: Traverse City.  To view more in the area, or to discover Lake Leelanau vacation rentals in Leelanau County, visit this link here: Lake Leelanau.

Another favorite lighthouse on Lake Michigan is the St. Joe’s lighthouse. Located in St. Joseph’s, Michigan, this lighthouse is not shy about bragging about its beauty and that’s ok with us because it is surely a sight you can’t miss! This beautiful lighthouse is near Benton Harbor and even highlights a live webcam on its website. This lighthouse is truly a Great Lakes celebrity with tourists walking the rare catwalk, exploring the almost two centuries old lighthouse and what was once home to the Red Cross.

St. Joe Lake Michigan, Benton Harbor

St. Joe Lakehouse

This backdrop is perfect for photography (maybe a wedding?), fishing, cruising and picnicking. To view more about Benton Harbor, click here: Benton Harbor

Tawas Point Lighthouse is also a sight to see. This lighthouse is located on land jutting out (almost considered a peninsula but didn’t quite make the grade) in the Tawas Point State Park, nicknamed the “Cape Cod of the Midwest”. This particular bay is fantastic for fishermen, bird enthusiasts, and sailors. One of the best parts about this lighthouse is the drive getting there. Highway 23, or better known as, the Sunrise Side Coastal Highway. This highway is unique that in much of northern Lake Huron, it is primarily publicly owned, therefore creating a large backdrop not populated by privately owned properties. To learn more about Tawas City and see vacation rentals too, click here: Tawas City

Presque Isle Lighthouse is one of the oldest lighthouses and tallest lighthouse that you climb on the Great Lakes. This romantic lighthouse has been in business for over 175 years and hosts many events throughout the anniversary weekend such as wagon rides, campfires, etc.

Presque Isle Lighthouse

Presque Isle Lighthouse

It has been considered a haunted lighthouse by its previous owners. Don’t worry, this ghost is a very nice gost. To check out the video: 

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Why video is more than necessary in 2015

By 2017, video will account for 69% of all consumer internet traffic, according to Cisco. Videos are nothing new in this day and age and it seems like every day, another video is going viral. Online video users are expected to double to 1.5 billion in 2016, according to Jeff Hazylett.  This number will only increase due to more ways to record and easier ways to upload and share content.

Screen Capture of our Details page on a Vacation Rental Listing-2015

Screen Capture of our Details page on a Vacation Rental Listing-2015

That is why companies should be embracing this amazing way to create great content marketing. “We have been encouraging vacation rental owners to upload videos of their property or fun things to do in the area. Videos show vacationers how to live like a local,” Joe Mogensen, creator of state-specific vacation, rental websites said. His first state specific website was www.RentWisconsinCabins.com, a website highlighting vacation rentals all over the state. The addition of videos to property details page let’s renters “watch” what there is to do in the area, like snorkeling the lakefor example. Did you know that Cable has some of the coolest snowmobiling in the world? Videos help share with the user, what a simple description could never put into words. Other vacation rental websites such as RentMinnesotaCabins.com, RentNewYorkcabins.com and RentMichiganCabins.com have gained momentum with video capabilities. “New York has some popular wine trails that are great for those that stay a week in the Finger Lakes area.” Videos promote that vacation experience, which helps rental owners bookings.”

“We are brand ambassadors. We want to be a marketing partner first and a listing website second. It is important for vacationers to trust the property and managers.” Mogensen implies. Simply put, photos and descriptions just don’t work for everybody now. Users want more. Videos are easy to share with others and let’s face it, vacationers want to share their experiences and owners want to share what they can offer. Videos are also great social media material. Just recently Facebook surpassed YouTube in desktop traffic, which just solidifies our reasoning  for vacationers to connect with the owners and managers online via social media. Coupled with video, It is a win-win situation.

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A no fail trip to the #Catskills is more than just possible

Sullivan County is not just any ordinary county in New York. It is a diverse landscape with loads of activities for the family. This is a great destination for a vacation for those that want to reconnect with nature. Sullivan county is 75 miles away from New York City. Perfect for people that just need a quick getaway to the famous Catskill Mountains to renew the spirit or refresh the mind.

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Sullivan County has been a popular spot for a wide variety of recreational opportunities and home to the famous Woodstock festival.  Boating and Mountain climbing are very popular in this region. Callicoon Center is considered the Trout Capital of the World by Field and Stream magazine.  Wet your line for great Rainbow and Brown Trout in the Delaware River.

Not into fishing? Take a ride down the Delaware River in a canoe, tube, kayak and even zipline! Enjoy multiple bodies of water for great fishing and swimming. A great family vacation off the Delaware river can be had at this vacation rental: Country Barn House 

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Between the fantastic mountain vistas, sparkling water, diverse culture and rugged trails, there is plenty to explore without ever being bored in the Catskills. Jump on the trails for mountain biking, hiking, or horseback riding.

Attractions are plentiful in this particular county. The original home of the Woodstock concert is the Bethel Woods Center of the Arts. Nowadays, it is home to huge name concerts, theater productions, and family fun with a museum shrine of the sixties. Who doesn’t love the 60s? Bethel Woods provides entertainment to all walks of life and different cultures. This is a must see in Sullivan County and is even worth the drive for a quick weekend away from the city.

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The Monticello Raceway is another great place for adult fun at the track. Watch the horses compete around the track or play a hand of blackjack at the casino.

Golfing in the Catskills is some of the finest and you have a large selection of courses to choose from. The scenery cannot be unmatched. We suggest the Lochmore for the experienced golfer or the Villa Roma Country club for great views with a course in always fantastic condition.

lochmoor club

Sullivan County is home to plenty of places to explore and appreciate art. To further explore the art galleries and the artists themselves, check out this art tour map for Sullivan County.

A family friendly activity to enjoy together is visiting the Apple Pond Farm and Renewable Energy Center. Listen to an educational program or try goat milking, or learn how they use vegetable oil to fuel their vehicles. To view their rental listing and get more information, click here.

Enjoy a quick getaway or a week out of the city and enjoy America’s first frontier. Climb to the top or ski all the way down the mountains. Zip or paddle down river and through vistas. Catch a show or be part of the show. Whatever your passion is, you can find it here. So go out there and do what you really want to do. Let go.