Convert views to bookings

[Sam-And-Ben0]

I am new to this and am trying to figure out how to convert a massive amount of views to actual bookings. I have a specialty house that was used in a popular tv show, but it seems people look at the listing without booking (3 actual bookings so far). I have my price higher than others due to added value of the tv show, made sure pictures are the best, adjusted the title several times, seemingly to no avail. I’m out of ideas of what to tweak. Perhaps it’s the area I’m in and normal? Should I simply be patient? I feel I’m missing something fundamental. Any pointers? 

Thanks!

[Emiel1]

@Sam-And-Ben0 

I never heared about the TV show, so for that it is not impressing me.

I noticed it shows same price for 1 or for 16 guests, so probably smaller parties will not book (maybe experiment to set a  a lower basic price for up to 8 people + addional fee for more guests ?)

The title says "free WiFI", but as WiFI is free in most listings i suggest to delete that gimmick from the title

The listing has a 20% discount on it for first three bookings, so for some reason it is still not attractive to most people to book. Maybe do not focus too much on the "TV serie" ? It's a nice extra to market the house, but IMO not the main reason people want to book the place.

[Sam-And-Ben0]

I’m not out to impress anyone. The show is actually very popular in America and being able to stay in one of the houses has been an exciting idea to most people we have talked to while doing research. I have taken your advice and significantly lowered rates to get some guests and positive reviews and changed the title. Thank you for your input. 

[Mike-And-Helen0]

@Sam-And-Ben0 maybe they don't Respect the Chemistry?

Is the pizza on the roof a little offputting?

[Susan1404]

@Sam-And-Ben0Since you are new to hosting, why don't you offer a lower price with an special introductory offer.  That will get you some reviews and get you past the "new hosts on the block" phase.  Good reviews will then allow you to possibly raise your prices up some.  Sometimes you have to get your foot in the door.

[Emiel1]

@Susan1404 

As you can see on the listing there is already an introduction offer: 20% discount for first three bookings.

[Susan1404]

@Emiel1Missed it.  Apparently the price has changed since I looked too.  It was $249 or something close to that and it is now at $149. 

[Sarah977]

@Sam-And-Ben0  I haven't watched TV in 40 years. Perhaps if Beyonce had stayed at your place, people would be clamoring to stay there, but the fact that it was used in the filming of a TV show that the majority of Airbnb guests have likely never heard of, doesn't necessarily give it added value. And your profile photo, which I assume you think is cute and funny, isn't exactly warm, welcoming, or inspiring in confidence.

[Yadira22]

@Sam-And-Ben0 

Hi- hope you are well and welcome to hosting. 

Your home looks lovely- i would probably move the photo of the outside section with the fire feature as your main listing photo, looks so cosy.  Maybe even dress it up to have people there making s’mores during a cold night 🙂 gives of this idea of childhood, comfort, etc. 

I think it’s great that your home was used to film such an iconic show (breaking bad was a great show and would probably add a screenshot of this in the listing photo as to emphasise this point for true fans) but it’s not probably the biggest selling point for a listing which is supposedly family friendly- there is just a small disconnect here. Travelling as a family, my main concern is homely comforts as oppose to whether a show was filmed there + as mentioned above not everyone is a “breaking bad” fan. Just my opinion. 

Your space seems to be full amenities which would make for a great holiday home but I don’t think you exploit this opportunity in your listing description. Constantly you are referring to the “breaking bad house 5.3” and I get why you do this as this is your major marketing pull but honestly it does not roll that nicely of the tongue. The terms “breaking” and “bad” are not what i would generally want my home to be associated with especially if travelling with children. 

I would talk about what makes this a “home away from home” - Airbnb’s original marketing pool. This would probably attract both fans (I imagine friends) and family groups. 

I do wish you luck and have a beautiful rest of day! 

Yadira 🙂 

ps - to tag someone you need to @ and select from dropdown selection. Otherwise the person you are responding to would not necessarily see your response. 🙂

[Emilia42]

@Sam-And-Ben0 

So I just googled "Breaking Bad 5.3" and the first few things to pop up are recent articles (from People and Lonely Planet) about your new Airbnb with your profile picture and everything. While this is super cool and obviously attracting a lot of views and attention on your listing, in all reality are people dropping what they are doing to book a trip to Albuquerque? Right as school is starting? Would you do that? I agree with some of the other posters that you have a really great family friendly listing. But when I tuck my children in at night I am not doing to tell them that the reason we are staying in this house is because Walter White himself used this place as his mobile meth lab. I think you do have to be patient and wait for the right audience as you have a very specialized listing. The bookings will come and right now the high amount of views is keeping your listing higher up in the search rankings.

[Sarah977]

@Sam-And-Ben0 Further to my above comment, although I haven't ever seen the show, I'm certainly aware of it, and that it was a highly acclaimed production. However, Airbnb is an international booking platform, so even if almost all Americans, and even Canadians, are aware of the show, unless you want to limit guest appeal re your home being the site of a TV production, others'  suggestions of what to highlight about your home to attract any guests you'd be happy to welcome are spot on.

And I do think your profile photo is cute and funny, I just question whether it's the type of photo that guests, especially those travelling as a family, would be receptive to when booking an accomodation. Like I might think a guest's profile photo of their cat is sweet, but I actually want to see a profile photo of the guest's face who expects to be welcomed into my home.

[Emily879]

I would personally change the title and the description for yours listing. You can mention it somewhere, but I wouldn’t let that be the focus. Not everyone is a breaking bad fan (I haven’t watched a single episode). Don’t take this wrong but it was filmed in 1 episode of many, which is cool, but it’s not enough of a reason I would want to book to stay there. A friend of mine has had 3 big hit movies filmed in her home over the last 3-4 years, and I still think of it as just her house. You should make the nightly price competitive. Since you are just starting out I would make it $20 or so cheaper a night than the surrounding places for awhile, just to get the reviews. 

[Sam-And-Ben0]

We really appreciate the comments and feedback from everyone. We consider it very valuable. We have already implemented many aspects of what you all have said, and re-working others. Many concerns brought up here have been concerns before and now they are validated, we can have more clear directions to go. 

Thanks again

[Paul154]

@Sam-And-Ben0 

you have a beautiful home and I see you've implemented many of the suggestions for pricing.

I suggest tweaking your pictures. 

Your pictures are very "busy". You are trying to show us all the things you have available Unfortunately, it is not inviting me. 

Less is more.

Less photos.

Less "things" on a table, bed, counter - they detract from your offering.

People like to see  free space, where they can imagine putting themselves.

Your children's room is great. In this case, "busy" is good. Toys and bunk beds help guests imagine their kids will be entertained.

There is a difference between "real" photos and "marketing" photos. Look at the marketing for new condominiums. They show people having coffee in cafes. They don't show the rooms of the condo. They are selling lifestyle. Let guests imagine living in your house.

[Paul154]

If I were in Albuquerque I would definitely stay in your "Breaking Bad" house. I love the show.