New Host: No Bookings & lots of Solicitations

[Amanda3385]

Hello! I have been using Airbnb for year but am new to hosting! My listing has been active for about a month but unfortunately, I have not been receiving many bookings. The location is a high demand area (near Disney) and it is almost spring break so I expected more action. Can anyone give me insight as to why my bookings are so slow as a new host? 

I also have been receiving a bunch of fake bookings with people soliciting for co-hosting or property management. I respond to these messages with I am not interested in a co-host and ask if they are serious about the booking. At that point, the conversation goes not progress and I decline their request to stay. Is this common for new host? Has anyone experienced anything similar and when did it stop? 

Thank you in advance for your advice! 

Amanda 

[Andrea9241]

Dear @Amanda3385 

Your Airbnb listing Is beautiful.

I have some suggestions:

- a professional photographer for your listings photos.

- a more detailed and emotional description of your Airbnb, including all the amenities and unique services that you offer to beat the competitors in the same area.

- start with an Airbnb promotions of the 20% discounts until that you received from 5/10 reviews over the 4.8 ratings after raise up the price and constantly check your listings to get better.

This Is my personal opinion, of course i don t know the market in your area so some things can differ.

For every questions or info don t hesitate to DM me.

Best regards 

Andrea 

[Amanda3385]

Thank you for the advice @Andrea9241  The photos on my listing are professionally done. I will definitely update my description to include more and think about applying a discount though 🙂 

[Marie8425]

@Amanda3385 

Congratulations!  Very cute.

I would suggest first your ad, the Airbnb Platform provides 5 pages for each listing.  A simple paragraph doesn't tell a potential Guest why your rental is the perfect choice forf there week vacation.

Setting up for Guests is more rhan beds.  You have to think confortable seating for 7 breakfast before siteseeing, comfortable 7 in your living room to relax after their busy day, comfortable seating outside enjoying the weather.

This would  be a group of 7 that want to enjoy a week together.Bathrooms also have to be considered.  Brushing teeth in the morning ,showers at night, 7 Guests is at least 3 sharing a bathroom for a week.

Your space has to show in the pictures and description somebody make a decision their group of 7 will be comfortable and have a great vacation.

Yse the Airbnb New Listing Discount Airbnb Search Display boosts so you get initial reviews.

[Patricia2526]

Hi @Amanda3385 Opt for 20% new listing discount for first 3 guests, Airbnb often pushes your listing higher in search results.

More visibility = more clicks and more chances to get your first bookings. 

The goal is to get your first 3 reviews quickly, which builds trust for future guests.

Make sure your listing also has:

• Complete photo tour (bedrooms, bathroom, living area)
• Clear amenities
• Good title and description

[Joan2709]

@Amanda3385 

Great advice from others already.

The algorithm is very sensitive to missing amenities and amenities details. Airbnb says you don't offer "Essentials" which are soap, TP, towels and linens. Since most guests expect those amenities, I would correct that ASAP:

Suggest you go through the entire amenities list and select every amenity you have (click the (+) sign top right then All. After doing that, click the Edit button and add all the details Airbnb is requesting as indicated by the pencil icon.

Missing Sections of Listing

You are missing entire sections of the listing? Suggest you use the New Host Guide below to finish completing your listing. Listing completeness is a data point for the search algorithm - not complete - lower rank.

New Host Guide

https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Host-guides/A-Guide-For-New-Hosts/m-p/2073093#M2346