1st time listing tips for beginners

[Bes175]

Whether you'll be renting a room, flat or entire house; the task as a beginner can be little confusing. With so many things to think about; wording & listing, options & bookings, last min. adjustments & photos; on top of it all a real concern is PRESENTATION. I found out for myself [as a new airbnb member] that looking in shops for a particular item or general add-ons, might not be the best idea to spend your time.

There are plenty of sites online [amazon, ebay, gumtree etc] where everything can be found. At super-sellers' shops one can browse at leisure for any/other items. This might save you time, energy and money;  better wait a few days until delivery than to run around in several shops. 

Also, as array of topics in Airbnb is mind-boggling, it might not be a good idea for a beginner 'to try to learn it all in one go' Stick with what you need. Ask in this forum. Follow super-hosts and see how they do listings, then you will learn as you go along - including some inevitable mistakes. This is my 2cent, then experiences hosts/ users can add more.

Cheers to all. B

PS. Several time I have been told about the Importance of Good Photos, hopefully I'm not breaking any Airbnb rules if I ask: does any of you know a photographer [in London] who can help with taking some good photos. [of course, they will be paid] Thnx in advance.

[Sudsrung0]

@Bes175 

The best people for photo's I have found are the real estate guys, maybe if you know one local ask them

[Huma0 · Accepted solution]

@Bes175 

Airbnb used to offer a free photography service for some new listings (depended both on availability of photographers, but that was no problem in London, and if they thought your listing was worth it). Then, I believe they stopped doing this for free but you could book a photo shoot for a fee. I am not sure if they still offer this. I cannot find where on the dashboard you can book it, but perhaps someone else here knows or you could call CS and ask them.

For sure, if you hire a photographer yourself, you need to make sure they have experience of shooting interiors photos and @Sudsrung0 's suggestion is great. Not sure if they would share the details though if you're not a client of theirs. They are a bit cut throat in London!

[Bes175]

Thank you Huma0. Always a genuine pleasure to read your replies [not just here also in other topics of this forum] and I guess many beginners have benefited from your well informed & sound advice. Rgds. B

[Sudsrung0]

@Huma0 

Out here in Thailand airbnb offered it when they gave you $100 for maintaining your super host, twice I tried to book them and twice got let down, I think maybe the $100 wasn't enough for them,

My condo got selected for Plus Property, The 2 clowns they sent to do the photo shoot were totally unprofessional they didn't have a business card to start with. A long story short I never got to see the photo's in the end I refused their offer it seemed to go on for months, they only took photo's of the inside none of the outside and the pool area, They could have been going around taking a few photo's then claiming money from Airbnb,

At no time did Airbnb contact me over this I would have told them exactly what went on,

[Bes175]

Not a very pleasant experience this one, here's to hoping that ppl reading it will learn a thing or two & not take 'any A.b.n.b offer at face value'  On the other hand, having reached Level 10, I'm sure 'small glitches along the way' made you learn even more. Also, your willingness to help others with your input here, is v.much valued and appreciated. Cheers, B.

[Sudsrung0]

@Bes175 

I dont mind contributing to the Forum from an Asian point of view,

What I dont like and it seems to be happening quite a lot recently is host coming on here asking question and looking for advise, Then dont have the good manners to reply, dont even come back to say a simple Thanks,

[Bes175]

Indeed, point well made. Good manners cost nothing.

However, with as little as I read around; You & few others I see [helping this community] do not do this 'because of Us; what we ask/ need / how we reply" but because of you & WHO YOU ARE. Keep up the contribution - whenever you can. : )

[Huma0]

@Sudsrung0 

I also tried to claim the offer of a photoshoot as my Superhost bonus. I was originally told (by two different reps) that I was eligible. I decided to wait a few months because I wanted photos of the garden in spring, but when I tried to book it, was told I was not eligible, because the reward was only for 'new hosts'. Of course, that doesn't make sense. It was supposed to be a Superhost reward and you only get those after maintaining the status for a year, so new hosts wouldn't have been eligible. It was very annoying.

RE Plus, when that first started, there were a lot of hosts (and I mean really a lot) coming here to complain about similar experiences to yours, i.e. not being happy with the photography service, the whole process taking months etc. 

However, I did have two Airbnb photographers round when I first listed my rooms and they were very professional and thorough. Like with Plus, the host does not get to choose the photos. A team at Airbnb select them. Still, I was happy with the selection. The reason that I wanted to book a session a few years later is because I've done several upgrades since then, including added new bathrooms.

Some time back, Airbnb sent a photographer round to photograph me for an interview for the newsletter. Or, at least, that is what they told me. What was supposed to be a quick portrait turned into a six hour shoot of me, my house and neighbourhood for their own marketing purposes. I was not reimbursed for my time and was not allowed to use the photos. In fact, I never even saw them, except for the one they used for the article. I have no idea what they did with the rest.

So, my experience with Airbnb and photoshoots is a bit hit and miss (much like CS). 

[Sudsrung0]

@Huma0 

You could have been a Super Model, speak to my lawyer

[Bes175]

PS.

@Sudsrung0 

I forgot to add, the Tie is gone 🙂 .

[u were right, just do not mess with the Hat now]

G.Luck with your guests

[Helen3]

Hi @Bes175 

You could try posting on the London airbnb group on FB and ask for recommendations there.

[Bes175]

Hello @Helen3, and thank you.

I guess I have to try that and also take a look around if other new hosts have had same issue. 

[Helen3]

Or just Google. There are hundreds if not thousands of photographers in London just look for one in your area that specialises in interiors. @Bes175 

[Bes175]

@Helen3 Found some y.day and send messages to few. Gumtree was a good source for this type of service, just in case anyone else needs it.