Just starting out.

Answered!

Just starting out.

Hello everyone. Me and my husband are first time hosts. We are renting our extra bedroom in our home out for some extra income. Any advice, do's /don'ts, things to have, things to do, or even tips and tricks on getting everything going and room booked. All advice is greatly appreciated and TIA. 😁

Top Answer

Hi @Jessica3203 ! Welcome!

Good suggestions already from @Helen3 and @Mike-And-Jane0 . Spend some time as they suggest on reading Help articles on Airbnb for New Hosts; it will really assist you with developing your listing! Take a look at other listings comparable to yours and see what their listings look like. You can tell which ones are successful by how booked they are on their calendars and their reviews. Try different things on the listing for a few weeks. If bookings don't improve, make some changes!

 

Maximum Stay

Agree with @Mike-And-Jane0, don't offer long term stays; especially as a new host in a shared home situation! I might even limit stays to 5days for now. 

 

Photos

You need a lot more photos! (35-40 photos). Your cover photo is especially important! This is key to your success! You mention back yard, porches, BBQ and outdoor space but don’t have any photos? Guests want to know what the exterior of the home is like; not just the room they will stay in. If there are outdoor spaces they can enjoy, be sure to showcase those. I would take some nice photos of the exterior spaces and make one of those photos your cover photo. You mention laundry services available for stays over 5days, but no photo of the washer/dryer? You mention in other things to note about following instructions for parking, but don't have a photo of the parking arrangements? You mention the "inviting living room, fully equipped kitchen, and convenient half bath downstairs". Add photos of all these spaces.

 

Captions

Put captions on ALL photos. If it is a shared space, simply add in parentheses (shared) in the caption(s). This helps clarify the space in the photo is shared (most guests won't read your full property description, but they will  look at your photos!

 

Bedroom

The bedroom seems a bit bare. I would make it more cozy. Add artwork on the walls and maybe chairs with table and lamp by the windows (looks like there is enough space). Put hangers in the closet and a luggage rack and re-take the photo of the closet. Not sure, but looks like only one nightstand (it’s kinda low also). Beds should have 2 nightstands (one on either side) with at least a lamp on the nightstand.

 

Bathroom

Pull the curtain back so guests can see what type of shower head you have. Remove the pink towel on the hook by the shower. Re-take the photo(s).

 

Airbbnb Help Articles on photos:

 

Prepare Your Space For a Smartphone Photo Shoot

https://www.airbnb.com/resources/hosting-homes/a/prepare-your-space-for-a-smartphone-photo-shoot-213

 

Take great photos of your space on your phone

https://www.airbnb.com/resources/hosting-homes/a/take-great-photos-of-your-space-on-your-phone-221

 

Select and Edit Photos for Your Listing

https://www.airbnb.com/resources/hosting-homes/a/select-and-edit-photos-for-your-listing-222

 

Upgrade Your Photos

https://www.airbnb.com/resources/hosting-homes/a/upgrade-your-listing-photos-46

 

 

Wishing you much success! Let us know how it goes!

 

 

View Top Answer in original post

6 Replies 6
Mike-And-Jane0
Top Contributor
England, United Kingdom

@Jessica3203 Don't accept bookings for over 7 days. If you don't get on there will only be 7 days to survive.

Thank you.

Helen3
Top Contributor
Bristol, United Kingdom

1. Read the useful guides on Airbnb including on this community for new hosts

 

2. familiarise yourself with the Airbnb Help website

 

3. upload a clear profile photo of yourself as Airbnb suggests 

 

 

Hi @Jessica3203 ! Welcome!

Good suggestions already from @Helen3 and @Mike-And-Jane0 . Spend some time as they suggest on reading Help articles on Airbnb for New Hosts; it will really assist you with developing your listing! Take a look at other listings comparable to yours and see what their listings look like. You can tell which ones are successful by how booked they are on their calendars and their reviews. Try different things on the listing for a few weeks. If bookings don't improve, make some changes!

 

Maximum Stay

Agree with @Mike-And-Jane0, don't offer long term stays; especially as a new host in a shared home situation! I might even limit stays to 5days for now. 

 

Photos

You need a lot more photos! (35-40 photos). Your cover photo is especially important! This is key to your success! You mention back yard, porches, BBQ and outdoor space but don’t have any photos? Guests want to know what the exterior of the home is like; not just the room they will stay in. If there are outdoor spaces they can enjoy, be sure to showcase those. I would take some nice photos of the exterior spaces and make one of those photos your cover photo. You mention laundry services available for stays over 5days, but no photo of the washer/dryer? You mention in other things to note about following instructions for parking, but don't have a photo of the parking arrangements? You mention the "inviting living room, fully equipped kitchen, and convenient half bath downstairs". Add photos of all these spaces.

 

Captions

Put captions on ALL photos. If it is a shared space, simply add in parentheses (shared) in the caption(s). This helps clarify the space in the photo is shared (most guests won't read your full property description, but they will  look at your photos!

 

Bedroom

The bedroom seems a bit bare. I would make it more cozy. Add artwork on the walls and maybe chairs with table and lamp by the windows (looks like there is enough space). Put hangers in the closet and a luggage rack and re-take the photo of the closet. Not sure, but looks like only one nightstand (it’s kinda low also). Beds should have 2 nightstands (one on either side) with at least a lamp on the nightstand.

 

Bathroom

Pull the curtain back so guests can see what type of shower head you have. Remove the pink towel on the hook by the shower. Re-take the photo(s).

 

Airbbnb Help Articles on photos:

 

Prepare Your Space For a Smartphone Photo Shoot

https://www.airbnb.com/resources/hosting-homes/a/prepare-your-space-for-a-smartphone-photo-shoot-213

 

Take great photos of your space on your phone

https://www.airbnb.com/resources/hosting-homes/a/take-great-photos-of-your-space-on-your-phone-221

 

Select and Edit Photos for Your Listing

https://www.airbnb.com/resources/hosting-homes/a/select-and-edit-photos-for-your-listing-222

 

Upgrade Your Photos

https://www.airbnb.com/resources/hosting-homes/a/upgrade-your-listing-photos-46

 

 

Wishing you much success! Let us know how it goes!

 

 

Thank you for the detailed advice. I will do this. I have been planning on taking more photos but it has been raining and gloomy so I didn't feel like they would represent our beautiful sunny home. I think today will be a perfect day to have a photo shoot though. 😁

Perfect!

 

I would also sign up for the Airbnb Superhost Ambassador Program. They will pair you up with an experienced Superhost and help you with your listing until you get your first guest: 

 

Get help with your listing from a Superhost!
 
Also, lots of great YouTube videos about successful Airbnb Hosting.
 
Cheers!