How to get more bookings on Airbnb?

[Jennifer4]

Hi,

My name is Jennifer and I am an Airbnb Host for almost two years at this time. I have rented to hundreds of clients and have been a Superhost for over one year. In the beginning I didn't get that many bookings, however currently I am 90% fully booked every single month.

This is what I did, to get more bookings per month:

1. Great pictures

In the beginning when I didn’t receive reservations I had pictures made with my mobile phone, they weren’t that great so I changed them. I learned that people are attracted by great pictures. I mean, ask yourself this question. Would I stay in my own place just looking at the pictures I currently have on Airbnb­?

I paid a professional photographer to make great pictures of everything my apartment, the building and the neighborhood have to offer. I have uploaded over 20 pictures per apartment and assured that all important details are being shown, this way my guests now exactly what they’re going to find without even reading the description.

1. Great Descriptions

When writing your property description be as clear and specific as possible, assure that all small details are inserted so potential guests won’t have to send you emails asking for details. It is also very important that your description is attractive to read, and makes the guest feel like they want to stay in your apartment. Once writing a great description about your property, the building, neighborhood etc. Assure that you adjust it into different languages if possible. Most of my current guests are from the United States, therefore I have my descriptions both in English and Spanish.

Another detail is spelling, try to avoid spelling mistakes as this will look unprofessional.

1. Guest Communication

Once your profile has been setup correct, you will see that the first requests and reservations will come in soon. A great way to stay up to date with what is happening and to respond in a timely manner is to download the Airbnb mobile app. I use this on a daily base to stay up to date, as I will receive a text message each time I have a reservation or request I am able to respond quicker. Assume that guests may write several properties, your timely respond is key to be able to get the reservation.

When responding to guests try to respond in a friendly and professional way, in their own language if possible and respond as quickly as possible.

1. Guest stay

After having a complete profile and receiving your reservations, key is to give them a great experience. I always try to overachieve their expectations as this will result in happy guests, great reviews, returning guests and even more guests because of the great reviews.

This is what I am doing: try to make people feel welcome in your accommodation. When a person comes to your place assure a great check-in. Confirm arrival time, who is going to check them in, address details or maybe transportation. Try to surprise them by adding something personal from the Dominican Republic, a personal welcome letter, sweets or a bottle of wine could make a big difference in their first impression.

During the stay keep in contact with your guest to verify that everything is going perfect, be there for them. When checking-out make them feel welcome back and always try to receive as much feedback as possible to improve. Assure your write a constructive review, so they will write you a review back.

1. Prices

Having competitive prices is key. Just take a look around on Airbnb to similar properties in your area who are highly ranked in the search, try to match their rates. Once you have a great profile and good reviews you could eventually higher the price when you are getting enough reservations to fill up the whole month.

Also keep in my mind that you offer specific prices per day, week and month. The longer a guest stays often the better the rate should be to be competitive in the market. Also keep in mind that prices may vary regarding the season. In the Dominican Republic, winter is in most places high season and summer low season. It is advisable to adjust your prices accordingly.

1. Availability

Try to keep your calendar up to date so you won’t have to tell potential guests that your property is already booked. To get more reservations you can turn on direct reservations, in this case people could book directly without having to request if the apartment is available first.

I hope that the above advice helps you to get more reservations. If you have any questions, then feel free to ask me. 

Saludos,

Jennifer

Please find my properties here: [link removed]

[Kirstie · Accepted solution]

Hi @Jennifer4,

This is a great guide! Thanks so much for sharing :). 

We have now added it to our list of Community Help Guides!

Kirstie

[Dev4 · Accepted solution]

@Jennifer4

Good post and great advice! I feel that you have build a stellar reputation on Airbnb with over 100 reviews. If I was a guest, I wouldn't even think once before booking with you. 

I host in Toronto, where Airbnb is a fierce market and highly seasonal due to the four seasons that we see each year. Its tough to keep higher occupancy in the winter months. Also, if you a new host who is learning and building a reputation on the platform than things are more difficult. In addition to the points you mentioned, I would suggest that:

1. Know your guests - Airbnb is a business and in any business you have to know who your customer is. The more specific you are, the better you will get at pricing, guest satisfaction and anticipating problems that guests will eventually bring to your attention.

2. Listing description - once you know your guests, decorate your space keeping the preferred guests in mind. Write the desciption so that it appeals to that segment.

3. Contantly upgrade your property - set asisde a budget to put money on your listing. If you want to remain competitive and earn good reviews, then you have to regularly improve your offering so that the next guest is happier than the previous one.

Regards,

Casadell 

[Tran10 · Accepted solution]

Hi Jennifer,

Thanks for your great word. I am very happy to learn about your sharing.

Hope to hear more your experience.

Best Regards,

Hung

[Clara116]

Chateau Elan Executive Estate  hello - your place is very luxury and with a price tag of over $600 nightly and a $300 cleaning fee - I don't think there is anything you can do except reach out to businesses or organizations, churches, companies. Most folks traveling are looking for perhaps less than what you offer - I would guess 3-4 people not 10 guests.  Obviously you are best suited for business companies to have retreats, meetings, etc. If it were my place I would make sure people know that they are indeed being watched close by - one party could totally mess up your fabulous place. I am surprised you are not the Airbnb plus - that would surely give you more exposure. happy hosting

[Clara116]

@Tram7 hello, I don't know how it is in Indonesia but your prices are very very cheap and many people, atleast in America I think would not stay in a room for ONLY 11 each night. I think your prices are too cheap - and the pictures show very clean very nice and your reviews are all good. I would raise prices double and see what happens - you can always change them. Just my thoughts.  happy hosting

[Janet422]

Thank you for your tips! 

[Irahaj0]

Thanks Jenifer. This really helps me ! 

I just started with a studio unit in Summer Suite Kuala Lumpur 🙂 

[Deborah579]

In my opinion, clear, bright, and sharp photos hold the potential renter's interest; thus, making your listing stand out and more likely to be booked! 

[Özge0]

Hi Jennifer!!

Thank you so much for the sharing.This information is really useful for a new hosts, like me 🙂

Best regards,

Ozge

[Eugenia35]

Great!

[Maudlin0]

Hello I am Maudlin from Comfort and relax vacation apartment Lower Marrast Hill, Tempe,  St. George's, Grenada.

Was a super Host for about 5 times. Was out of AIRBNB for about a year, took a long rest, and travelled.

Is ready to start again, thanks for sharing tips.

Would keep upgrading, sometimes forget to post new  pictures.

Would be opening again from the 18th February. Pray would keep getting guest from all over the world as did before.

Prepare to be a  more upgraded host and also upgrade apartment to make all guest happy and welcomed to my beautiful Isle of Spice, which name is now changed to Pure Grenada.

Comfort and relaxed apartment is about 10 mins walk , 5 mins drive to the City, Forts, and Annidale Waterfall, 15  to 20 mins. drive to Water dive sculptures, Lake and Seven Sisters Water falls and  Grand Anse Beach.

Surrounded by many adventures things and places. Peaceful and nice neighbourhood, close to main busy road. Close to neighbour and host, also a small stream becomes a larger river when it raiins hard for days.

Would love to have guest as regular as possible. All anemities in apartment, Wifi and cool enviroment also safe

taxi on arrival to airport and port, awaits with name so you do not have to worry for a reasonable fee. Easy access to public transportation.

Would like to be friends with some host, so we can help each other by chatting and sharing how we can keep our business as a 5 star always. Only $50.00 US per night, can go up when high season.

Thanks.

[Md-Mizanur0]

Hi All Airbnb host

The most Airbnb guest are looking for 3 things commonly.

1. Location

2. Accomodation Type

3. Price

If your listing with Airbnb comply all 3 things then your property easy to rent out to Airbnb community traveler. Some listing is far from city centre or tourist attraction but public transport available and easy to reach the place also guest like.

Airbnb traveler mostly like home environment and if they can meet host personaly they also love it. What ever the propert type must be clean and tidy.

The price can be vary depending on your property types. If your propery 3 to 5 star standard guest don't mind to pay high price. The host should compare average listing price in the same area before publish it to Airbnb, then the property will get more reservation.

Thank you

Regards

Mizanur

[Maudlin0]

Pleasant day, I think my property fits that description.

Comfort and relax vacation apartment is close to City, road, tourist attraction, you can walk to city, some people takes 20 to 40 mins to city, some less. Price is good.

Have a look and read, have good reviews, last year was a super Host more than 2 times.

Hear you soon

[Tuyết-Hạnh0]

A great and meaningful experience. thank you so much

[Yosef3]

Great article! 

[Amos18]

Atleast i have encountered some help 

[Pedro717]

Great article, thanks for sharing it, I am starting here and I wiil follow your tips 🙂

Amazing pics by the way.

[Emma624]

Thanks for sharing these!