How things were for you when you first began your AIRBNB

[Eileen462]

Hello Hosts!

Please tell me how things were for you when you first began your AIRBNB?  

[Title updated by Community Manager for relevancy]

[Felicity11]

Hi @Eileen462 

Great to hear from you. This community group is a great way to meet others who are like minded and will have lots to tips to share with you.  it does take time to build momentum but it does happen.  Keep an eye on what others in your area are offering and keep reviewing your listing and listening to what your guest tell you !  

[Eileen462]

@Felicity11  Thank you for your great suggestions Felicity!

[Jeaneen2]

I carefully planned all of the things I would need for each space months in advance. Super nervous when the first guest arrived, but it was great! Everyone was pleasant and friendly. I’m having a great time meeting new people and hosting. 

[Letamnin0]

My theme for Airbnb is "serving people" and learning from them.  When I started Airbnb, Dec. 2022 my first guest arrived and I was not ready.  I had to tell the guest that I was not ready.  I just set up Airbnb and I did instant booking without fully understanding.  I apologized to the guest refunded him the entire amount including Air fees and offered him a free stay in the future.

[Kathy33]

Eileen, our first year we were booked 365 days. We take one nighters and every guest is a possible future guest. We have never given a bad review. One of our first guests ( a bad one and a first timer) has stayed with us 4-5 times.  They just needed to know how Airbnb works. Also our place is half a mile from cruise ship port and we are close to downtown Etc. Good luck and HAPPY HOSTING 😀

[Denise1657]

I jumped into it last year (2022) for a huge event 1 mile away from (NFL draft) and it instantly booked...so fast it made me wonder if I priced it too low.  But, no reason to be greedy.  I am a planner and simply thought about all the things I would like when traveling.  

So I invested in all new towels (extras to easily change them out), got the travel size shampoos etc, new sheets, bed topper.  And, the biggest investment to get it ready was the keyless door entry.

all in all I only spent about $300 to get the first one ready.

I then essentially became a concierge prior to their arrival.  I would send them a PIN for the door (one they provided), instructions to park etc.  And through that ask what they were here for and if there were any recommendations I could provide.  

I provided everything from bus routes (for the big event), personal Uber (at a low charge) to get them to their event, and restaurants, live music options.

WHAT is GREAT about this, is that I am discovering things I want to do as well.  Concerts or events I didn't realize where going to be here.  (I am treating myself to a 90s dance party for my birthday because I found it for my guests coming in soon.)

Concierge it, make it unique.

[John89]

Hi @Eileen462 : sorry it has taken me this long to reply to your question but i use my phone almost exclusively and i never saw the message.  

I am not sure what you are asking? It was dead easy to do.

I have been doing this for a while now and with the computer changes I seem to be more inept than at the start.  Today for example I had an inquiry to rent my cabin for a month in my prime season and I noticed that the price was WAY to low.. I had a month discount of 50% (I thought for the winter months) 

so that is a question i have.  How do i set a monthly discount of 50% for November to May?

To answer your question it was very slow at the start as I was the first person in our town to offer airbnb services.  Then it has grown to a good retirement wage.  

I am a huge fan of the platform.  I always thought it was brilliant.  I would love to take Brian Chesky fishing up here if your talking to him. haha.  I want to make positive suggestions and cautious thoughts.

John

[Eileen462]

@John89   Thanks John!

[Jennifer4037]

Costly at first. I treated it as if I was going to stay so it’s similar to my home.  Maintenance wise it’s better from a cost perspective now I’m 4 months in.  I’ve had some very good and some very bad renters with Airbnb.  Always rely on your best judgement in those situations, when you have a bad tenant. I haven’t charged one yet for additional damage, but I’ll be updating my listing to include it for the few bad apples I’ve had over the last few months.  Luckily it’s about 10% of my rentals so far. And if their review as a guest is not a 5, there is probably a reason you should second guess accepting them.

[Eileen462]

@Jennifer4037  Thank you Jennifer!   Eileen

[Jennifer4037]

Anytime!

[Jeri121 · Accepted solution]

Hello @Eileen462 
SO EXCITING! My BFF  suggested to try AirBnB, she had an online match-making date with a Host who lived close by me who rented a room in his home on AirBnB.
I immediately conjured up visions of my available spaces to be my new Golden Goose! 
🪿… with my already innate ability for hospitality, with the love to be of service, it was a game changer and been nothing but a pleasurable learning experience. My spaces are constantly growing, evolving and improving. I’m still in my first year, but the extra $40,000+ gross was more than I imagined. The support and commitment that AirBnB shows through app improvements, the immediate ability to contact AirBnB help is the pinnacle for my success as a host. 
I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to engage in this hospitality business. I’ve ventured many independent businesses throughout my life, caring for my elderly parents for 18 yrs, although rewarding on an emotional, spiritual and personal level, that left me virtually stuck at minimum wage jobs, painstakingly physical labor and unemployable in my 60’s. Thanks to my very best friend from kindergarten (I’m in my 65th yr of life) I’ve built an enjoyable thriving successful business in 1 year. 
I can only wish the best for others who work smart, not hard to make this easy endeavor a success! 
Jeri, Coventry CT

[Eileen462]

@Jeri121   Wow Jeri how exciting!  Im going to check out your profile!!   Eileen

[Christina1706]

I bought a new construction home with the sole intent of STR.  It was scary and overwhelming, but just as exciting too!  What I learned was there are so many things "to do" to set up from scratch.  Many which I didn't consider (or budget for!).  However, I knew I wanted to host and provide that servant leader of servicing guests and travelers so I kept my eye on the prize. The prize was "go live" on AirBnB day!  It's been great thus far, but only a few months in (1/2 a year).  Flies by!!

[Edmond68]

@Eileen462 It is a pleasant experience and it gives me the opportunity to meet new people and contribute to the improvement of the accommodation service in my city.