1. Optimize your listing title and description
Your listing description is your digital handshake, your first impression. Ditch the tired clichés and paint a vivid picture of your space. Showcase its unique quirks, highlight its proximity to local attractions, and weave in engaging details that evoke emotions (think crackling fireplace nights or sun-drenched balconies).
Use keywords that potential guests might be searching for (e.g. “romantic getaway near hiking trails”) and sprinkle in specific amenities (e.g. “cosy queen-sized bed” instead of just “double bed”). Remember, you’re selling an experience, not just four walls.
2. Photos worth a thousand words
Visual appeal plays a pivotal role in attracting guests. Forget grainy phone snaps. High-quality photos are your secret weapon. According to Airbnb, listings with professional photography see bookings DOUBLE!
Showcase the entire space in well-lit shots, capture its best angles, and don’t shy away from details like comfy throws or a beautifully stocked bookshelf. Include outdoor shots and highlight unique features like rooftop terraces or private gardens. Bonus points for showcasing seasonal beauty – think autumn foliage or snow-dusted landscapes. Remember, Airbnb allows up to 50 photos, so use them all!
3. Amenities
! List everything from Wi-Fi speed to board games, and consider adding unique offerings like a private pool, bikes, hammocks, a stocked pantry for longer stays – even small things like hair dryers, irons, and extra pillows encourage instant bookings. Every little detail adds up to a more enriching experience and makes your listing stand out in a crowded marketplace.
And don’t just rely on the amenity tickboxes provided, use your listing description to embellish on the details. For example, welcoming international guests? Let them know you provide a selection of travel adapters so they can charge their devices easily if they forget or lose theirs along the way.
4. Personalize and connect
You can also attract more guests by demonstrating how you go above and beyond offering standard amenities. Just make sure you mention some or all of these things in your Airbnb listing – if you don’t tell guests about them until after they’ve booked or even until they arrive, they won’t be maximizing their potential to help you increase bookings.
Some more ideas of things to offer and then mention in your listing or show in your Airbnb photo tour, include:
- Thoughtful welcome touches like handwritten notes
- Locally sourced treats upon arrival
- Fresh flowers as part of your welcome hamper
- A stocked pantry, as standard for long stays
- A bottle of local wine alongside your welcome note
Marketing these personal touches reinforces how good you are at hosting and an anticipation around the quality of guest experience on offer. Then for the guests who experience them first hand, it feeds the memorable experiences you’re helping them create, which in turn increase the likelihood of repeat bookings and fuel positive word of mouth.
5. Price like a pro
Overpricing is one of the biggest booking mistakes. Do some research and make sure your rates are competitive compared to similar listings in your area. You can always lower your rates later (even temporarily) to attract new guests and reviews. Or use Airbnb’s calendar rule sets to organise pricing by season, time of week or length of stay.
Dynamic pricing takes the guesswork out of maximizing your income. The Airbnb algorithm analyses demand and adjusts your rates based on season, local events, and competitor pricing.
Don’t be afraid to test different strategies – offering discounts for longer stays or weekdays can attract new segments of guests. Remember, competitive pricing doesn’t always mean the lowest price. Offer value – a unique space with desirable amenities might command a premium.
6. Become a Superhost
Earning Superhost status isn’t just a badge of honor – it’s a booking magnet. Maintain a 5-star rating, respond promptly to inquiries, and consistently exceed guest expectations, and you’re well on your way to achieving Superhost status.
Guests adore Superhosts, and Airbnb prioritizes their listings in search results. To qualify for Superhost status, maintain high ratings and low cancellation rates while hosting frequently.
7. Reviews
Airbnb will automatically prompt guests (and you, the host) to leave a review as well as any private feedback, but you can also steer guests on what to say in their review by communicating with them before or shortly after departure.
When you’re thanking them for staying with you, gently remind them to share their experience when they’re prompted to leave a review. For example, they might want to mention how comfy the bed was, how gorgeous the view was, the excellent cleaning standards, what they most loved about the place or the recommendations you provided – the options are endless!
You can also encourage guests to leave detailed reviews by setting the example yourself. Leave thoughtful reviews for your guests – it all feeds into the chances of them booking again. It also helps other hosts who are reviewing this guest’s request to stay at their place some other time. Positive reviews are pure gold – they build trust, feed the algorithm, contribute to your Superhost status, and attract future bookings.
8. Use Instant Book
Ever feel the sting of a lost booking after a guest gets caught in the back-and-forth of inquiries and approvals? Eliminate that friction and welcome decisive clicks with open arms by enabling Instant Book. This clever feature removes the need for guest-host message threads and lets qualified guests confirm their stay on the spot. It’s a win-win: guests skip the waiting game, and you snag bookings before hesitation sets in.
Just be sure your listing description and photos are flawless, your cancellation policy is clear, and your availability calendar is accurate to avoid unwanted surprises. Instant Book can be your secret weapon for smoother reservations and a happier calendar.
9. Be responsive
Respond promptly when potential guests enquire or ask to book. A fast response signals you’re an attentive, professional host they can trust for a great experience. Set up push notifications on your phone and/or computer so you never miss an opportunity.
And it ought to go without saying, but respond to people as you would want to be responded to. If they like you and they like your place then you’re an exemplar of the Airbnb community values.
10. local love
One of Airbnb’s early marketing messages was Live Like A Local. And as a host it’s your opportunity to enable that for your guests. Before they book, your listing description will influence (or not!) how much your guests appreciate what there is to see, do and experience nearby and how to do it as authentically as possible.
Once a booking is confirmed, your role as a neighbourhood ambassador can move up a gear. And here’s where a personalized digital guidebook comes into play. Populate it with essential information as well as highlighting local gems – the best coffee shop, hidden hiking trails, or charming bookshops. Include a comprehensive Local Area Guide and partner with local businesses to offer guests exclusive discounts or curated experiences.