A shortlet flyer that gets enquiries answers three questions at a glance: where is it, what is it like, and how do I book? Use one strong photo, the area and size, a “from” price per night, two or three features, and one link. Captions work the same way: short, specific and honest, with one next step.
Below are layouts and captions you can copy. Swap the words in [square brackets] for your own details, and only promise what your flat really has.
What every flyer needs
- The area, such as “Lekki Phase 1” or “Wuse 2”. Guests search by area, so it goes near the top.
- The type and size: studio, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, duplex.
- One great photo, bright and sharp, of the best room. Add two or three small ones if there is space.
- A “from” price, such as “From ₦[your price] a night”. Use a price a guest can really book.
- Two or three features guests care about: steady power, fast Wi-Fi, a pool, parking, security, a work desk.
- One next step: your listing link, a QR code or a WhatsApp number.
- Your name or brand, so repeat guests can find you again.
What to leave off:
- the exact address, gate code or door code;
- your bank account number, because scammers copy flyers and swap in their own;
- long paragraphs that nobody reads on a phone.
Want to see how other hosts present their homes? Browse shortlets on Cabans, or look at your own area, such as Lekki or Wuse 2.
Flyer layouts you can copy
1. The hero photo
One big photo fills the top two thirds. Underneath, in large letters: “2-Bedroom Shortlet, [Area]”. Then one line of features, “Steady power · Fast Wi-Fi · Parking”, then “From ₦[your price] a night”, then your link or QR code.
2. The four-photo grid
Four equal photos: living room, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom. A band across the middle carries the area and size. The price and your link sit at the bottom. This layout builds trust, because guests see the whole flat.
3. The longer-stay flyer
Headline: “Staying a week or more? Pay less a night.”Add one photo, the area, and “Weekly and monthly stays welcome”. Only use this if you really offer a lower rate for longer stays.
4. The December flyer
Headline: “Home for December? Book early.”Add your best photo, the area, “Dates open: [dates]” and your link. Post it early, and update it as dates fill up.
5. The Instagram carousel
- Slide 1: the best photo and “[Size] in [Area]”.
- Slide 2: the living room.
- Slide 3: the bedroom or bedrooms.
- Slide 4: the kitchen and bathroom.
- Slide 5: the area, the features, the price and “Link in bio”.
A few design rules help every layout. Use big text you can read on a phone. Keep to two fonts. Put dark text on light space, or light text on dark. Use the same colours every time, so people learn your look. A free design app with templates is enough.
Captions for Instagram and WhatsApp
Copy these, then make them yours:
- “Fresh 2-bedroom shortlet in [Area]. Steady power, fast Wi-Fi, quiet street. From ₦[your price] a night. See dates: [link]”
- “In [Area] for work? A calm studio with a proper desk, close to [landmark]. Book here: [link]”
- “Family trip? Our 3-bedroom in [Area] sleeps [number], with parking for [number] cars. Dates and prices: [link]”
- “Just opened: [dates] at our [Area] flat. Message me or book at [link].”
- “Staying a week? Ask about our weekly rate. [Size] in [Area]. [link]”
- “Fresh linen, deep clean, ready for you. [Area] shortlet, available from [date]. [link]”
- “What our last guest said: ‘[short quote]’ (shared with permission). Your turn: [link]”
- “Pool, city view and a quiet night’s sleep in [Area]. See it all: [link]”
For WhatsApp status, keep it tighter:
- Post three or four tall photos, each with one short line of text.
- Put your link in the last status of the set.
- Set up a WhatsApp Business catalogue for the flat, so people can see it all in one place.
Add a few hashtags with your area and “shortlet”, such as #shortletlagos, #lekkishortlet or #abujashortlet. Local tags help local guests find you.
Weekend and staycation captions
People search for staycations and weekend getaways all year round. These captions suit Friday posts:
- “Weekend plans: sorted. Two nights in [Area], [feature] included. [link]”
- “No flight needed. Your staycation starts in [Area].”
- “Swap the traffic for a pool day. Book your [Area] staycation: [link]”
- “Date night, but make it a whole weekend. A studio for two in [Area]. [link]”
- “Long weekend? Stay local, sleep well. [link]”
- “Girls’ trip, boys’ trip or family trip: our [size] in [Area] sleeps [number]. [link]”
- “Celebrating something? A calm weekend in [Area] is waiting. House rules apply.”
- “Monday can wait. [Area], this weekend. [link]”
Your guests look for staycation captions too, for their own posts. Leave a small card in the flat with your Instagram name and a line they can use. When they post, their friends find you.
Where to share your flyer
- Your WhatsApp status, every week or two, with fresh photos and open dates.
- Groups where adverts are welcome. Read the rules first, and post now and then, not every day.
- Your Instagram feed and stories, with the link in your bio.
- Past guests, in a short, friendly message before holidays and long weekends.
- People who send you guests: office travel desks, event planners, wedding planners and friends who get asked for recommendations.
- Printed copies with a QR code, on a noticeboard where you are allowed to put one.
Change the flyer when your dates or prices change. An old flyer still going round in December can bring you a queue of angry messages.
Mistakes that put guests off
- Borrowed or stock photos. Guests notice, and it looks like a scam.
- “DM for price”. Hiding the price brings many chats and few bookings.
- The wrong area. Calling a flat in Ajah “Lekki Phase 1” loses trust the moment the guest arrives.
- Promises you cannot keep, such as “24-hour light” when the generator only runs at night.
- Too much text, tiny fonts and five different colours.
- Old prices and dates that no longer apply.
- Posting ten times a day in the same group.
- A bank account on the flyer, which scammers copy.
- Spelling mistakes. Read it twice, or ask a friend to.
Point every post at one booking link
Every flyer and caption should end in the same place: one page with your photos, dates, prices and rules. Use the same link on every flyer, in your bio and in every reply. Turn it into a QR code for printed flyers.
When your link takes bookings
On Cabans, your listing link can take the booking too. Tick “Take bookings online”, and guests who tap your link pick dates on your calendar, see the full price and pay securely online through Paystack. Their dates are held for 30 minutes while they pay. So your flyer can just say “Book online: [link]”.
The guest pays Paystack’s payment fee, and Cabans charges hosts a 5% commission. You are paid within 7 days after the stay, and sooner when the guest approves the payment after their trip. Follow how to make your short let bookable online to set it up.
Take bookings online with Cabans and put that link on every flyer. Then ask each guest which post brought them, so you know which flyers work.
For the bigger picture, read how to advertise a shortlet apartment.
Frequently asked questions
What should I write on a shortlet flyer?
The area, the type and size of the flat, two or three features guests care about, a “from” price per night, and one clear way to book or ask, such as a link or a QR code. Leave off the exact address and any bank account number.
How do I design a shortlet flyer on my phone?
Use a free design app with ready-made templates. Pick one bright photo, add the area and size in big letters, then the price and your link. Keep to two fonts and plenty of space, and check it on your phone screen before you post.
What is a good caption for a shortlet apartment?
Say the area, the size and one strong feature, then give one next step. For example: “Two-bedroom shortlet in [Area]. Steady power, fast Wi-Fi and a quiet street. See dates and prices: [link].” Keep it short and true.
Should I put the price on my flyer?
Yes. A “from” price per night saves you chats with people who cannot afford it and builds trust with those who can. Use a price a guest can really book, and update it before busy seasons such as December.
What size should a shortlet flyer be?
For Instagram posts, use a square or a slightly tall portrait shape. For WhatsApp status and stories, use a tall shape that fills a phone screen. Make one design and resize it for each, so your look stays the same.
Should I put my bank account number on my flyer?
No. Scammers copy popular flyers and swap in their own account number. Put a link or a phone number instead, and only share payment details in a private chat, or better, let guests pay online.
Can guests book straight from the link on my flyer?
Yes, if the link is your Cabans listing and you have ticked “Take bookings online”. Guests pick dates, see the full price and pay securely online through Paystack. The guest pays Paystack’s fee. Cabans charges you a 5% commission, and you are paid within 7 days after the stay, sooner when the guest approves the payment.
Related guides
How to advertise a shortlet apartment · Shortlet listing tips · Do you need your own shortlet website? · Shortlet house rules template · The Nigerian staycation
Take the next step
Keep your research practical: search for property in Lagos, compare live options for properties in Lagos, or list your property on Cabans to reach active buyers and renters.
Not ready yet? Get an email when new listings go up in Lagos.