Stop scrolling. Start storytelling.
Instagram isn’t just a place to post pretty pictures of your space.
Used well, it can be a living extension of your hospitality, one that builds emotional connection before, during, and long after a guest’s stay.
Here’s how to use it properly, not just for likes, but for loyalty.
1. Introduce Each Season as a New Chapter
Instead of just reposting your listing photos, use Instagram to reveal what’s changing in real time.
-
Post the first snow on the deck
-
Capture wildflowers blooming along the driveway
-
Share the crackle of a morning fire in October
This helps future guests imagine themselves there. It keeps the space feeling alive, like something new is always happening.
Think: “This week in the forest...” not “Here’s the bathroom again.”
2. Give Your Guests a Place to Share Their Stories
Your guests take beautiful photos. Most will never tag you, unless you invite them to.
-
Put your Instagram handle in the guest guide
-
Leave a handwritten note:
“We’d love to see your stay through your eyes, tag us @YourCabinName if you share!”
-
Create a custom hashtag (e.g., #OurForestEscape or #TheCabinMemoryBook)
-
Feature guest photos in your Stories (with permission), it builds community trust
When guests see their story shared, they feel part of something.
And new guests will feel that emotional pull even before booking.
3. Show the Soul of Your Space
Airbnb limits what you can express. Instagram doesn’t.
Use it to give your home a personality:
-
Share behind-the-scenes moments (refilling the firewood, prepping welcome baskets)
-
Introduce local characters, the baker, the beekeeper, the dog that walks the trail
-
Tell tiny stories that bring charm and depth:
“This bench was built by my grandfather in 1972. It’s where I drank coffee every morning before school. You’ll find it under the birch tree at sunrise.”
Instagram is your chance to make your space feel like a story, not just a stay.
4. Create a Sense of Belonging (Before They Even Book)
Make Instagram feel like a campfire circle your guests can join, not a digital billboard.
-
Reply to every guest comment with care
-
Share polls or questions:
“What’s your favorite season to retreat to the woods?”
-
Host a seasonal giveaway (like a free weekend stay or local goodies)
Your Airbnb becomes more than a place, it becomes a club, a tradition, a secret you want to return to.
5. Make Instagram Part of the Experience, Not Just the Marketing
Encourage guests to use Instagram while they’re staying, not just before or after.
-
Place a small sign near a photogenic corner:
“This is our favorite reading nook. Tag us if it becomes yours too.”
-
Share a weekly guest highlight in your Stories
-
Ask them to DM their favorite memory, and share that memory back into your content stream
You’re creating a living scrapbook of your home, co-authored by the people who love it.
6. Pro Tip: Use Highlights to Curate an Emotional Tour
Use Instagram’s “Highlights” to guide new followers:
-
Seasons – clips from spring, summer, autumn, winter
-
Inside Moments – cozy fires, meals, game nights
-
Nearby Gems – hikes, cafés, lookouts, bakeries
-
Guest Stories – real photos, tagged memories, sweet messages
This becomes an immersive preview for anyone considering booking - and a reminder to past guests of what they miss.
In Summary: Stop Posting. Start Hosting - On Instagram.
When you treat Instagram like an extension of your guest experience (not just a listing funnel), it becomes one of your most powerful tools.
It helps:
-
Lower cancellations (by keeping excitement alive)
-
Drive repeat bookings (through seasonal storytelling)
-
Encourage user-generated content (by making guests feel seen)
-
Increase booking conversions (by making the stay feel human)
You’re not just running a property.
You’re building a brand, a community, and a memory factory -
Instagram is your front porch.
