How to encourage new participants

[Mary996]

How can we encourage newcomers to participate in the Community Centre? 

There are probably many seasoned Hosts who have never been here or have visited and been put off for some reason. It can be a tough environment and I do not appreciate this.

I was thinking that new Hosts might be directed here as part of a their 'inset' or orientation where they will have the opportunity to learn more and to ask questions or to make the kind of suggestions that fresh faces and fresh perspectives can bring. But I do feel that an element of self-help and of reciprocity is warranted with an expectation that everyone will take their turn. How would it be if Hosts were allocated periods when they are 'on-duty' and expected to respond to Guests and to other Hosts?

In the long run having an element of self-help makes good economic sense. It also contributes to shaping the organisation in the way we would like it to be. An appreciative and supportive place. Any thoughts??????? 

[Mary996]

Hi @Bari51 

Welcome to the Community and I am very glad that my post is helpful to you. You matter and we all need to feel appreciated. 

[Helen3]

If it's the post I am thinking of @Bari51 I didn't  read the initial post from the  host as insulting to you.

I saw  they  later apologised for misunderstanding your post (thinking you were a guest as at the time you didn't have a listing attached to your profile). 

Perhaps take the apology in the spirit in which it was intended and move on? . 

[Linda108]

Pretty sure I don't have any helpful suggestions, @Mary996 ,  but I like your bringing it up.  I have participated in the forum for around 6 years and have been interested how the issues have changed.  There used to be a large number of how to use the platform questions and very helpful feedback.  Then there were more posts seeking opinions about how to deal with guest issues (bad odor comes to mind).  On and off the moderators supply food for thought and updates which are helpful.  The one endearing category of posts is complaining, usually about Air BNB but often about guest behavior and even guests posting about host behavior.

Over the years, posters get carried away and there are very negative "discussions".  While I certainly don't find that type of posting productive, the psychologist in me is a bit facinated by the exchanges.  I continue to contribute if I believe I can be helpful. But in all honesty, there is a definite shift in those professional hosts or property managers that have a very different perspective than I do with my single listing and I do not relate very much to their concerns.  I would imagine they don't relate to mine either. 

[Mary996]

Wow @Linda108 . Thank you so much for replying to me.  Ireally appreciated what you had to say.

Thank you for offering the reassurance that I'm 'on the mark' subject-wise as I have been feeling somewhat attacked recently which has been a challenge.  However on the basis that I am of no particular importance, but that my feelings might be representative of those of others, I decided to make this post. So I cannot tell you how grateful I am for your kind comment.

For the benefit of others I would like to share your last review. What a truly wonderful summary of your endeavour and your kindness. This is so special and has inspired me to want to do even more in my own much more modest listing. To receive such a review would be truly life affirming and I am sure it was well deserved. I hope it might also inspire others on here. So here it is folks.... Prepare to be inspired and to have something towards which to aspire :

"I have been using AirBNB for about 5 years now and I can honestly say that I have never had a better and more warm experience than I did this past weekend at Linda's casita. I was blown away by the level of detail that went into making our stay as comfortable as possible. I will forever strive to be the type of host that Linda was to us this weekend and I will never forget the kindness that one host can show two traveling companions along their journey. If I could give this review more than 5 stars I would. Everything about our stay was perfect. We will never forget our stay here and are beyond grateful our journey led us to a weekend at Linda's"

[Linda108]

That was sweet of you @Mary996 .  This lovely review actually brought me to tears.  For over a year I was not able to host due to covid restrictions and my own health concerns.  I opened a month ago and was re-energized by the guests. I feel fortunate to have had such appreciative ones lately.

As to post tone issues, about 5 years ago I learned a lesson from a new host who had posted a newbie question.  My response was accurate, but the tone was snarky.  He called me on it.  I agreed with him and apologized.  Since then I have endeavored to use supportive, neutral language when posting.  Sometimes I read my post out loud because I know I can pick up negative tones more easily if I hear the words. 

[Ann72]

@Linda108  "Sometimes I read my post out loud because I know I can pick up negative tones more easily if I hear the words."  That is so beautiful and brilliant, Linda.  I wish more posters would do that or something similar.  I cut and edit virtually everything I write before posting, but reading aloud sounds like a great idea for getting tone right.

[Mark116]

The downside to having the majority of posters being long time participants is that a certain amount of cynicism exists, and this can be seen in the sometimes harsh responses to guests...but it still must be said that at least half if not more of the guests who come here complaining are to blame themselves for failing to read the listing they're upset about or the TOS.  But, sometimes posters here may be unduly harsh.

The other thing that might be a benefit is more guests postings because it offers a different perspective.  But guests have no motivation to frequent the forum in general, their issues will be specific to an individual stay...whereas hosts have ongoing concerns and issues with the platform and its policies, so I doubt that mix of overwhelmingly being host centric changes much.  

[Ted307]

I must say, when we were guests, I never found this forum. I will agree that most guests do not read the listing completely. Once, we stayed at a lovely home in Winslow, AZ. The host put questions in her listing to be answered by the prospective guests in their booking request, which I read and answered, but my husband did not read. We had a wonderful stay in Winslow, where our host told me that she had been contacted by Air BnB regarding her many declines of prospective guests. She told Air BnB that the guests were in violation of the terms of service by not answering her questions, so were declined. I have taken that example to heart. We have questions for guests to answer, and do sometimes decline unresponsive guests who are without positive reviews and do not answer our questions or messages. I have learned much from reading here and as a former guest, and do not mind if some long-time members are blunt and straight-forward with their comments! I believe we have avoided some difficult situations thanks to the posters here.

Chris

[Mary996]

Hi Chris   @Ted307 

What an absolutely fascinating story. Thanks so much for sharing. May I possibly ask about the kind of questions the Host wanted responses to? Can you remember and also may I ask what you ask yourselves as a result?  This seems like a great strategy for tackling IB situations.

Funnily enough this is how my best friend met his new wife. He answered all the right questions to her survey!! Genuinely. And they are such a great match....!!

[Ted307]

She asked what was our favorite musician. We ask the same question, as well as asking for a "Yes" or "No" to the question - will you be bringing a dog? Many do not answer either question. I look at their reviews, and other factors such as their age and ID, and if they have 0 reviews, are under 25, or have other undesirable characteristics, we ask them to re-read our listing and answer the 2 questions before accepting the reservation. If they ignore the message, which many do, we decline them before the 24 hour time required by Air BnB. Then we have to fill out a questionnaire about our decline of the reservation.  We state the guest has not complied with the house rules and we are "uncomfortable" hosting them in our home. We do not have IB turned on.

[Mary996]

Thanks Chris. Totally inspired....!! Many thanks indeed.

[Ted307]

We are still learning which guests are the ones we want. Some who have not replied to our follow up requests to read our listing, and answer our questions -- especially about bringing their dog -- we are happy to not host. We have a "unique" 100-year-old bunkhouse, and we want to be sure that our guests are prepared for it! We do have a higher than "target" rate of declines.

[Mary996]

@Ted307 and Chris 

I can really understand your protectiveness. It sounds such a special place. How wonderful that you can make such a blessed offering to the Airbnb Community.

Is AZ Arizona? Please forgive my unawareness. I know someone rescuing horses in that area. I would love to visit maybe stay but of course there are so many really lovely places to see in the world!!! I notice your appreciation for our long term posters on here and please know that my intention is to raise support to ease the pressure that people may have, inadvertantly, out of dedication, been putting on themselves.  I hope you will choose to stay around in the CC you have such a lovely tactful way about you. I am really appreciating your particpation. Thank you very much for being here x Please stay !

[Ted307]

Yes, AZ stands for Arizona, USA. Prescott is a very nice place, in the North of the state and not as hot as the desert cities like Phoenix. We are still a bit rural here, but only 2 hours drive from the big city. Another 2 hours driving gets you to the Grand Canyon, Arizona is a pretty big place.

I am mostly a reader on this board, I have benefited from it and I believe others like myself must also. The frequent posters here are all un-paid volunteers, as far as I can tell. Getting more people such as myself to participate might be difficult, the time involved seems to be a barrier! We are retired, and only book our Bunkhouse/guesthouse on the weekends for the most part. We are mostly protecting our privacy from guests being here continuously! I only want to book guests who will be happy in our rustic setting, and I try to be sure that our guests have read and understood our listing. I try to learn from the ones who have gone before me.

Chris

[Mary996]

Most wise and very understandable Chris @Ted307