Hi Miranda, I am in my third week of hosting, getting stacks of bookings, even though its our quietest month of the year - last month of winter - and here is what I have learned:-
1. Use smart pricing, it makes you more competitive and you are more likely to get bookings. Prices may seem cheap, but 7 nights booking is better than 1 or 2 nights.
2. Use instant booking so people can book straight away.
3. Are you verified?
4. There is a list of helpful stuff from Lizzie and another bloke who's post seems to have been taken down, as he talked about regularly going on to the site to view calendar and bookings as this seemed to improve the Airbnb algorithym- he said its a theory, but I think there's something in it....
5. When in calendar, click on settings on the right and check that your prices are what they advise- click edit and check as they fluctuate daily.
6 Have a point of difference. Mine is an indigenous theme, with a free indigenous postcard, which hardly anyone takes, but still it's there.
Have fun and good luck! e If you know you are doing your best and the place looks great, don't let bad reviews get you down and don't take it personally, like I did initially.... Some people will never be satisfied, and you need to perceive this as their misfortune as you are doing something really positive and they are obviously on a real downer!