Critique my listing - New Bern, NC

[New-Bern-Vacation-Rentals0]

Hello everyone!  I am a new Host on Airbnb and would love a critique or suggestions on how to improve my listing.  TIA

airbnb.com/h/newbernvacationrentals

[Andrea6232]

Ciao @New-Bern-Vacation-Rentals0 ,

nice home and good photos ... although you could improve them 😉 here are some tips on how to best photograph your home:

https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Community-Guides/GUIDE-How-to-best-photograph-your-home-with-you...

good luck!

Andrea

[Joe771]

@New-Bern-Vacation-Rentals0 I agree with @Andrea6232 you have a good looking house and you can improve your pictures. I also think you need a different main image, what about your house separates you from your competitors? That needs to be your main image or hero image. That is the hook that will draw people into your listing. I would also consider naming your property. People love to visit properties with names/theme. I think you are close and on your way.

Let me know if this makes sense and good luck.

[New-Bern-Vacation-Rentals0]

Thanks for taking the time to reply. @Joe771 

I hear you on the main selling point and how it should be  promoted in the 1st photo.  Unfortunately,  my "hook" is that I offer Level 2 EV Charging but that makes a terrible cover photo - and that is why the title is "EV Charger! Newly Renovated, Fenced Yard & Laundry."

I am in a historic tourist town but I'm not in the touristy historic downtown area.  This is an area surrounded by water, but you can't see water from my property.  If I try and compete with the listings which can offer those amenities then I am going to lose 10 out of 10 times if I don't differentiate myself in some other way.

So yeah, there isn't a ton that sets me apart except the EV Charger (there are only a handful in town and none that promote it at all).  So, I have that in my title and also feaured in a photo showing exactly what it is we offer.

I have been doing deep dives nto tutotials. blogs and youtube university and one of the takeaways that resonated with me is that rather than have a worry about using your Name in a title, you are better served by mentioning your top amenities.  So, as you can see, that is what I am trying to do.

In terms of giving it a name, I have thought about it but if I do not want to use that in my title then is there much of a point?  I am not disputing your point, I mean it as a legitimate question:  If I am not going to use the Name as the title, is there a point in having a name? How would I go about prooting the name? I guess just state it in the opening sentence of the desription?  "Welcome to the Electric Lime".... or whatever I call it?

Thanks again for taking the time and hope to hear from you again.

[Kia272]

@New-Bern-Vacation-Rentals0 Wow! Really nice place! Overall, it looks really well done and prepared for guests. Excellent job. 

As the others have commented, I think your photos are pretty good, but there seems to be some repetition- a couple too many of the living room, and I was confused as to which bedroom was which. You've used the captions, so maybe label them bedroom 1 and bedroom 2? 

Two minor suggestions which are just personal taste: I love the mid-century vibe, but the curtains are a little too loud for me. Very minor, and as I said, just personal taste. 

I'm going to suggest that you paint your kitchen cabinets. It would really make the room look a whole lot better. And maybe some new cabinet hardware? You'd be amazed at what that could do for the room. 

And definitely up your price after you get a few more reviews. 

Other than that, great job and happy hosting! 

Oh, and maybe put your name in the listing somewhere? Obviously, you show up as @New-Bern-Vacation-Rentals0 , but having your name out there makes it more personal and gives guests a way to address you if they have a question and send a message. Just a thought. 

[New-Bern-Vacation-Rentals0]

@Kia272 Thanks for taking the time and thank you for the specificity of your suggestions.  I am addressing the easy ones right away!

[Emilie]

Hi @New-Bern-Vacation-Rentals0, 

 Congratulations on your new listing, how has it been going so far? ✨

I see that you already got some great suggestions (thank you @Joe771, @Kia272 and @Andrea6232!), so I wanted to check in - did you put make any changes based on the feedback yet?

I wonder as well if we could get a few more insights from other hosts: @Dee-And-Ryan0 @Mia1090 @Alex12990 @Mary1523, do you have additional thoughts on this listing?

Thanks everyone 🙂

Emilie

[New-Bern-Vacation-Rentals0]

I did actually make some changes already! 

I really appreciate all the feedback! Your drawing attention to the post so that perhaps some other hosts can weigh in is unexpected and also appreciated.  

Thanks everyone!

[Emilie]

Wonderful! I'm really curious, which tweaks have you made then? It would be quite interesting to see how quickly it has an impact. 😃

[New-Bern-Vacation-Rentals0]

I added captions to smoe of the photos and removed some similar shots.

[Mary1523]

Hi there

Great job!

Honestly I wouldn't change much at all - maybe you've already made some changes!

I love the retro vibe - such a delight after so many airbnbs that i see that are 'coastal' theme or modern bland....it gives me ideas - for instance you have great photos of what to expect in kitchen, I should do the same!

I do agree in that you should put your name on the top, otherwise it feels like you are renting from a vacation company, not a person. The best airbnb guests will look for different things and a more personal touch. And that's probably more of your target market and who you want to be honest.

The cover photo could still be the front of the house, but take a photo from another angle where there is no shading so it gets maximum sun on the front of the house. Better light better photo.

I always say when you are looking for inspiration, look to your guests and in particular the feedback they give. One of the guests did say it was retro cute, so I would be putting that in my name of the property/description one liner. Honestly, you under sell the retro and renovated differentiator of this. It also needs to be in the first paragraph as well, not so much the EV charger (sadly, and I do offer one myself and it's not a big drawcard yet given only 10% of cars sold are EVs still). Amp up that Lime colour! Whether its inside, or your towels, whatever! It's awesome!

So here's some suggestions:

Retro Electric Lime

Retro Lime House

Electric Retro House

Electric Lime Retro house

I think it's less important to have laundry and fully fenced in title, but you could say The Retro Electric Lime House, renovated, pet friendly 

Re the EV charger, is it a fast charger? I'm not sure about your $25 charge (you know it doesn't cost that much to charge an EV right?) but maybe that's the going rate in your area. 

Keep on delivering great service, you'll get more great reviews, achieve that super host status and guest favourite and you'll get the bookings as long as you are price competitive! 

The other thing newbie hosts tend to make the mistake on, is not understand or how to deal with pet damage ie if they mess up your beautiful house ie scratch things or take bookings that are too long (keep it less than a week until you get more experience)

All the best!

regs MK