Critique my Listing - Ashlyn from Minneapolis, MN, USA.

[Ashlyn25]

New host, just posted my listing yesterday, and using PriceLabs. Please share your honest feedback! Link to listing: https://abnb.me/fl1gTwzyoob

[Sarah977]

@Ashlyn25  The exterior of your place is really cool looking, but I wouldn't use it as your cover photo, as you are only listing a private room. Showing the entire house as the cover can lead to misunderstandings with guests. 

Use either one of the outdoor shots showing the outside area guests have use of or the bedroom. You also need a better shot of the bed- take it from an angle, not straight on from the foot of the bed. I would also liven up the monochrome color scheme with a colorful throw pillow or throw on the bed. And take more shots of the bedroom from various angles to give a sense of the whole room.

Why are you listing a private bedroom with a queen  bed for 3 guests? It should be 2 guests. And you neeed bedside tables and reading lamps on both sides of the bed with a bed for two. You don't even have one. 

Retake your living room photos with better lighting. The photos are way too dark.

[Ashlyn25]

Thank you so much! I am still adding decor and accents to the private room. I will take better photos once that’s done. 

[Anonymous]

@Ashlyn25   It looks like you've made some updates to your listing after @Sarah977 's great suggestions, and the listing is looking lovely! Your descriptions are well-written and logically organized. You draw just the right amount of attention to the presence of cats in the home. The way you lovingly describe your neighborhood really captures the way a great homestay can make a cool residential area an exciting destination in its own right. The living room shows off particularly well with the warm cozy lighting, and the common areas all seem to offer a really pleasant vibe.

Keeping the leafy veranda shot as the lead photo makes sense as we're going into spring/summer, though when you start looking toward winter bookings it will be wise to switch it with a warm interior shot.

Emphasizing the common areas over the bedroom sends a strong message that you're targeting interactive guests who like to use the whole home, rather than those who just need a place to sleep. If you're looking forward to offering a social experience, you might add a bit more about your interests and the types of activities you'd be open to sharing with guests. If you prefer to attract guests who keep to themselves and don't sprawl out over the home too much, it's best to add more deco and features to the bedroom to make it more attractive as a self-contained space. 

At your price point, 1-night stays would leave you really undercompensated for all the time and effort you have to put into cleaning and preparing. My sweet spot for homestays is 3 nights min 14 nights max.

I don't know how many people out there will be excited about the shared bidet, but there are at least 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQx-ZbSQSBM

[Ashlyn25]

Thank you - your perspective is really helpful as I did not see that before. 

I am really thankful that you and Sarah shared about the minimum and max stays - excellent advice. 

Lol, that bidet video is perfect and hilarous!

[Sarah977]

@Ashlyn25  I also wanted to compliment you on your well-written, informative description. It says everything it needs to while being just the right length that no one will go cross-eyed trying to plow through it. Well done.

I am also a home share host, and like Andrew, I have a 3 day mimimum and 14 day maximum, which has worked out well. Cleaning for one night at my price point isn't something that makes financial or time sense for me, and 14 days is about the longest I want to take a chance on a guest in my home who may or may not be compatible. 

[Betsy153]

It looks awesome and the price is sweet!  I'm on my way to MN!