How to get frequent inquiries

[Ajantha6]

I listed my property in May this year. I had only two bookings so far. The last t one was in July. Since then not a single inquiry although. But the views have gone up steadily. 

I am concerned. 

Appreciate your response. Thanks 

[Helen3]

Your place looks lovely and modern and clean . So not getting bookings must be frustrating. @Ajantha6 

however there is nothing in the description that talks about the local area . Can guests walk to cafes and shops? What attractions are nearby ? Is it near a beach . Do they need a car ? 

what sort of guests is it suitable for ? 

you need to sell your location and the property to guests if you want them to stay 

also look into supply and demand for your type of accommodation in your area - many markets are oversaturated 

[Norma716]

@Ajantha6 In addition to the great recommendations listed above, I would recommend checking to see what similar listings are priced at in your area. I use smart pricing, when I started using airbnb, the nightly rate was lower. Pricing gradually went up when I started to receive more reviews and became a superhost. 

[Elisa]

Hi @Ajantha6 😊, 

Thank you for asking this in the community!

I understand your frustration, and I’m sorry about the situation. I’m glad you found a host to discuss this with.

Did you get a chance to look at Helen's suggestions? It would be great if you could add those details to your listing. Another way to get more ideas is 👉 to ask for a listing critique here.

Let us know what you think about it!

Warm regards 🌻,

[Malisa9]

Hello @Ajantha6 ,

I only took a quick look at your listing. Your images are good. All you need to do now is use your words to seal the deal.

I was an Airbnb guest long before I became a host. I have hosted for one month, but I have stayed booked. My goal was to create an experience. You are like me. You are very technical but try to appeal to the heart of your guests.

I named my property. It is called "The Rosewood Oasis. " I never refer to it as a property but rather a home away from home. And I see each guest as a teacher. I implement what I learn.  I provide all my guests with coffee, tea, snacks, water, and sodas.  I have an air purifier and a robot vacuum.  Give them more than they expect and constantly improve. I hope this helps.  

Malisa

[Megan1210]

@Ajantha6 I would consider hiring a professional photographer to showcase your place as best as possible and highlight key amenities that separate you from your competition. If you aren't already, do some more research into your competitors' rates and utilize dynamic pricing tools like PriceLabs to stay in line with the market in your area!

[Mirtha38]

@Ajantha6 Your place looks beautiful and clean.  I would add a few things:

1. Add a guidebook of things that can be done in the area

2. Add a few pictures of main attractions that are close to the property.  Mentioning these in your description will also help.

3.Check out your competition, how are others in your area doing?  Are they also struggling to get bookings?  

4. Maybe find a local co-host who's doing well that can help you review your listing and see what people in the area are looking for.

[Eamon64]

We are 10 months Having our apartment for Airbnb and in that time we become a super host we are so delighted

Our main thing is always to make the guests feel comfortable with quality beds, bedding

Go the extra mile meet them when they arrive

Always be at hand WhatsApp is a great way of communicating

feedback we always have a book in the apartment that they can write how they enjoyed they stay

[Marcin65]

Hello .@Ajantha6
I saw your offer, compared it with other places in the area. You have a good price for your property. There are a few things that could be improved in the presentation of your listing:

1. New photos with a professional camera with a good lens (the camera that the current listing photos were taken with is not good because it distorts the image). The photos should be in good resolution and show as much as possible, so that guests can orient themselves in the layout of the rooms. Photos of the kitchen equipment are needed. I did not find any photos of the electric hob itself, nor the gas cooker, microwave. I don't think it's necessary to show the documents in the listing

2. In the living room, in addition to the necessary equipment, you can place some trinkets that give this space a more cozy character. Guests like that. Maybe you have items that look nice, but you do not need them (of course, you have to keep it in a uniform style)

3. Think about what amenities you can add to your listing at a low cost (you have only 19) . For example: a small coffee machine, a travel cot, a high chair, a stroller, toys for children, games for everyone (these can be used items, but in good condition and clean) 
4. In the description, be sure to include information:
- how to get to the beach, what is the distance, how long it will take

- other places to swim
- the nearest shop, supermarket, restaurants, bars
- attractions in the area (you have a golf course right next door)

- how to get from airport, bus station

Interest your guests with something unique in your home, place, garden, or neighborhood

Good luck!

Marcin

[Michael1935]

@Ajantha6 ,

Responding to your question to provide suggestions. Hang in there, don't give up, and stay up to date on new ways to market and optimize your property. Do you have inquiries as your primary means of accepting invitations or is the property open to book immediately? I would highly recommend the open booking option. This will help you build reviews so that guests can trust that your product (property) and the customer service you provide is better than the competitions. Is the market in your area saturated? If so, do some research to determine what you can best offer versus others and list it first on the page. I checked out your page and the pictures show the property is in good condition, clean and and sits in a nice area. Of course, this could be deceiving because I don't know your area very well. Reviews, reviews, reviews my friend. Once you build that profile you will get more customers. What we did to get started is start at a lower price for the first one to two years until we gathered enough reviews across all marketing sites.

Best of luck!

[Mayra249]

Hi @Ajantha6 ,

I completely understand the frustration you're experiencing, and I want to share my journey with you in hopes that it helps. When I first entered the market, I quickly realized how saturated it was, which made me rethink my marketing approach. To attract guests, I decided to lower prices and waive cleaning fees for the first year. I felt this was especially important since I had no reviews to establish my credibility then. With my rental being a small studio, the cleaning fee wasn't a significant issue for us.

I also included some essential amenities to enhance the guest experience. Throughout this process, my main focus was gathering positive feedback from my guests, as I knew how vital that was for building trust. You're not alone in this journey, and I hope my experience can encourage you.

Your property is in excellent condition, clean, and has a pleasant atmosphere. However, its location could be improved, as guests often wish to explore the surrounding area. To enhance their experience, consider creating a guidebook with local tips and recommendations. Additionally, explore the option of open booking and add essential amenities. This strategy can help you gather reviews, allowing potential guests to see how your property and customer service stand out.

Let's stay positive and embrace new marketing strategies to optimize your property further.

[Phillip433]

Hi @Ajantha6 

I looked through your listing and I would look at a couple things. 

1) Pricing compared to the area, are you on target?

 https://www.airbnb.com/resources/hosting-homes/a/how-to-compare-the-average-prices-of-similar-listin...

2) Add more emotional and enticing language to your listing.  In sales we call it “romancing the product” in this case your product is the rental. Here’s a rewrite on the first part of your listing.  If you are not strong at writing copy like this, then consider using on of the many AI writing assistance on the market. 

“Welcome to Your Slice of Paradise!

Get ready to experience your ultimate getaway in this charming property, proudly approved by the Sri Lanka Tourist Board!

Spanning a cozy 59 sqm, this delightful space is designed for comfort and style, featuring four distinct areas: a relaxing sitting area, a modern washroom, a dreamy bedroom, and a fully-equipped kitchen/pantry.

Step inside and feel right at home! The unit is fully furnished, complete with ceiling fans to keep you cool, and air conditioning in the bedroom for those warm Sri Lankan nights.

Snuggle up in the plush queen-sized bed, perfect for a restful night's sleep after a day of adventure.

Cook up a storm in the kitchen, which boasts a stylish teak table for four—ideal for sharing meals and making memories. You'll find everything you need, from a fridge to a gas cooker, an induction cooker, a rice cooker, and an electric kettle, all complemented by handy pantry cupboards and a convenient sink.

And don’t forget the washroom! It features sleek wall-to-wall tiling and a modern shower cubicle with hot water connections, ensuring you can freshen up in style.”

3) Styling/Photos: travelers are looking for unique spots that evoke a vibe.  Your space is very crisp and clean and the photo angles are pretty good.  If you focus on adding a little more style/vibe through wall decor and art, featuring local artists if possible, I think you could catch the online scrollers eye a little better. Also look at the photo that is your main/leading that shows in the search results. Is it the BEST photo of the space that makes the customer want to click on that listing to see more. 

https://www.airbnb.com/resources/hosting-homes/a/turning-your-space-into-a-social-media-star-94

4) Engage and offer discounts to get things going.  Add a section that says “ if you have any questions before you’re ready to book, please shoot me a message. I’m here help make your next trip to Sri Lanka. Amazing!” Look at your offer discount and make sure you’re offering a weeklong discount and monthly discount could also do a discount for the next three customers you book to try and ramp up.

https://www.airbnb.com/resources/hosting-homes/a/setting-a-price-for-longer-stays-379

5). Airbnb insight:  check out the opportunities the Airbnb gives you based on their research insight and make sure you’ve addressed and capitalized on all of the things they are pointing out to you about your listing. 

6)  Potentially partner with a property management company or cohost that has an existing network of customers so they can drive them to your booking if you find that you are still struggling after implementing some adjustments. 

[Paula]

What an amazing post, @Phillip433! Thank you so much for taking the time to share these valuable suggestions with @Ajantha6 🙏

[Paul11357]

Kia ora, I think your listing looks great but I would agree with @Norma716  about smart pricing.  I used this to get established too.  When you've worked through the other great ideas suggested in this thread, you could move to a price point that works for you as well as the market.   

Just off the top of my head, starting with the certification is not necessary as many traveler may not know it's important and it may even take them away to find out what it means.  I like that you have included certificates in your images - is that enough? 

I also think the suggestion below about using an AI (the two most popular are free for what you need) would help focus your descriptions  and use language that matches what guests might be looking for in the Sri Lankan capital.  You can set up the chat with general details about your part of Nawala and your listing and it will create suggestions for you to use.  Don't provide an specific details about you personally or the exact property though, and keep your final content connected to your original ideas. 

Start the chat with something like "Acting as an expert AirBnB property manager in Colombo's district of Nawala , please review this - [paste your description or activities...]".  These AI chat systems know "a lot" about Sri Lanka and its people, Colombo/Nawala, visitors, local regulations and AirBnB providers' problems  - and more every day.