Leveraging Social Media & Continuous Listing Improvements – Seeking Insights from Experienced Hosts!

[Paras45]

Hey, fellow hosts! 😊

I recently created a detailed social media carousel post after spending countless hours researching tutorials, experimenting with AI tools, and refining the visuals. It took a lot of effort, but I truly enjoyed the process and wanted to share it with the community here!

As a host of Shankar Bhawan in Rishikesh, I’m constantly working to make my listing better—whether through small but meaningful upgrades, enhancing the guest experience, or improving my listing’s visibility. I’ve noticed that each little effort adds up, making a difference in how guests perceive and engage with my space.

However, I also have a few questions and observations that I’d love insights on from experienced hosts:

1️⃣ Do You Also Notice a Drop in Inquiries When Your Calendar is Full?

I’ve realized that when my listing is booked, I receive significantly fewer inquiries. Most of my inquiries come within 1-7 days of the check-in date, so if my calendar is full, I don’t get as many messages. Is this something other hosts have noticed too? Would it help to mention a waitlist or possible cancellations in my listing description? I’d love to hear if there are any strategies to maintain a steady flow of inquiries even when booked!

2️⃣ Should I Keep Updating My Listing Photos for Small but Meaningful Upgrades?

Over time, I’ve made several improvements to my space—like adding a geyser for hot showers, enhancing the aesthetic appeal with thoughtful decor, and installing a full-size mirror for a better guest experience. These are small changes, but they add value.

Would you recommend updating listing photos frequently to reflect minor enhancements, or is it better to update them only when making major changes? I want to make sure my listing remains fresh and appealing without overdoing it.

3️⃣ Beyond Just Listing on Airbnb, What Else Do You Do to Promote Your Space?

I’ve been actively using social media (Instagram @shankarbhawanrishikesh) to showcase my homestay, engage with potential travelers, and build a strong brand presence. I also offer experience-based stays, like adventure + stay packages, and I’m exploring more ways to attract guests outside of Airbnb’s search algorithm.

I’d love to hear what has worked best for you! Have you found success with:


✅ Local partnerships with tour operators or businesses?
✅ Running promotions or using email marketing for past guests?
✅ SEO strategies to drive traffic to your listing?

4️⃣ How Can I Repurpose My Social Media Creatives for Maximum Impact?

Since I’ve put so much effort into my carousel post, I don’t want it to just be a one-time thing. I’m thinking of:

🔹 Sharing it across multiple platforms (Pinterest, Facebook groups).
🔹 Turning it into a short video for reels/stories.
🔹 Using snippets for Airbnb community discussions.
🔹 Converting it into a blog post or guest email content.

If you have any suggestions on how I can make the most out of my creatives, I’d truly appreciate it!

Hosting is a journey of continuous learning, and I’m grateful for this community where we can share experiences and insights. Looking forward to your thoughts and any advice you might have! 😊

[Paras45]

At-least someone needs to see @Bhumika  😂 

[Bhumika]

 haha @Paras45 , thanks for the tag! 

I am tagging a few experienced hosts to see what they think of your social media creatives above and if they can support your questions and help us here. 

Hi  @Debra300 @Guy991 @Till-and-Jutta0 @Ranveer1 @Nash-Cottages-LLC0 @Susie0 @Oksana127  @Shikha25 @Ahmed570 , beyond just listing on Airbnb, what else do you do to promote your space? Do you have any tips or ideas for our new host Paras? 

Thank you everyone in advance for your support! 

[Ahmed570]

Generally speaking @Paras45 @Bhumika , I suggest hire a professional photographer, it will help a lot. As I can see you are a new host, I think you get one free through AIRBNB.

It is normal that most of my inquiries come within 1-7 days of the check-in date.

Regarding you advertising through social media, my personal experience was not positive. But I liked your idea so much, as I did advertise only though FP messenger.

Wish your the best.

[Oksana127]

Hi @Paras45 

Thank you for sharing your experience! It’s clear that you’ve put a lot of effort into improving your listing and leveraging social media for promotion.

I manage few apartments and we operate without using social media, email marketing, or partnerships with local businesses. Here are my thoughts on your questions:

 Drop in inquiries when the calendar is full

Yes, this is completely normal. When your listing is fully booked, Airbnb reduces its visibility in search results since available listings get priority. We don’t use a waitlist, but if you have returning guests, you could offer them an option to sign up for updates on availability. Also, opening dates further in advance helps maintain a steady flow of inquiries.

Updating photos for small improvements

We only update photos for major changes, such as a renovation or new furniture. For smaller updates (decor, mirror, water heater), we simply mention them in the listing description. Frequent photo updates can temporarily lower your ranking on Airbnb as the system "recalculates" your listing’s performance.

Promoting beyond Airbnb

Our strategy for high occupancy includes:

✅ Strong reviews – they build trust and improve ranking.

✅ Flexible pricing strategy – we use dynamic pricing tools.

✅ Great service – many guests return and recommend us to others.

Repurposing content

Since we don’t use social media, we don’t have experience in this area, but your approach sounds excellent! Especially the idea of creating short videos and sharing them on Pinterest.

You're doing an amazing job with your marketing efforts, and it will definitely pay off! Good luck! 😊