Improving my AirBnB Experience listing to get more bookings

Michiel24
Level 2
Hermanus, South Africa

Improving my AirBnB Experience listing to get more bookings

Hi everyone

 

I'd really appreciate any advice on how I can improve my AirBnB Experience listing to get more bookings. I feel that I'm offering something quite unique for the area I'm in. I live in a coastal town that have many AirBnB home listings, but very few Experience listings. It's a very popular tourist destination. Many people have viewed the listing (160), but I've only had one booking so far. The guest really enjoyed it and gave me a wonderful review, for which I am very grateful.

 

Can anyone give me advice? It's an outdoor photo shoot experience where we visit about three of the most beautiful parts of the town.

 

https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/643767?s=67&shared_item_type=2&virality_entry_point=2&sharer_id=1...

 

Thank you!

 

Kind regards

Michiel

11 Replies 11
Laylee0
Level 6
Gateshead, United Kingdom

@Michiel24 It’s quite specialised so it could be that the kinds of people who would book it might not have viewed it yet. 

 

It could just be a matter of taste. For example I would be more likely to book the experience if it was presented as a tour of some of the most beautiful scenic spots with a photographer (not a photo shoot of me). Because I would know a photographer would have a great eye for things and so I’d get to see the best of the place. But I wouldn’t book if I had to have photos taken of myself (I’m uncomfortable being photographed or being centre of attention) and would probably want to take my own photos of the scenery but would appreciate your guidance, knowledge and experience. 

 

Thats just me though. So maybe lower the price as a special offer then raise it again when you get more reviews? Ask for private feedback from those people to gauge your target audience? 

Michiel24
Level 2
Hermanus, South Africa

Hi @Laylee0 

 

Thanks a lot for your response and insights. I appreciate it.

 

Just more on my though process: In the photography industry in this area it's quite common for couples and families to book photo shoots that take place in beautiful scenic surroundings. I just thought it might be a good idea to market photo shoots like this to tourists as something to remind them of their visit to the area and also to get great photos of them as a couple or family in our beautiful surroundings. I thought that many people would like the idea to go for a photo shoot and get professional photos in one of the towns they visit instead of only having selfies, etc (not that there's necessarily something wrong with selfies).  I understand that it might be uncomfortable for some people (I'm also super uncomfortable in front of the camera), but I'm sure there should be a market for it. It could be as you said - maybe people who will book haven't seen it yet. I just thought it would be more popular.

 

That's an interesting idea about doing a tour and showing people areas so that they can take their own photos. It's something I can think about. It's also a good idea for me to lower the price to get more reviews. Thank you for your advice! It's much appreciated.

 

Michiel

Helen3
Level 10
Bristol, United Kingdom

I agree with @Laylee0  @Michiel24  I don't see having your photo done at a pretty background as an experience. To me an experience is something I actually do such as cooking, dancing, walking, touring an area.

 

I think the photo tour is much more appealing. 

Se pueden tomar fotos muy bonitas de el lugar con las personas que lo visitan.

@Laylee0 @Helen3 @Claudia1804 

Sorry for my slow response! Thank you for all of your insights! I really do appreciate it. I'm just not sure if people will pay for a photo tour. The appeal it will have is that I will be able to show them some of the most beautiful spots to take photos, but then again, there are so many incredible beautiful spots here (Hermanus, Whale Coast, Overberg region of South Africa) that you can't go wrong anywhere. The closest major city to me is Cape Town. There are many people who offer the same thing with a lot of success. They are also way more expensive than me. Please see two examples below:

 

https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/255932?s=67&shared_item_type=2&virality_entry_point=2&sharer_id=1... (this host asks $129, I ask $56)

 

https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/300347?s=67&shared_item_type=2&virality_entry_point=2&sharer_id=1... ($105)

 

Then there are many other places in the world where people offer this with a lot of success:

 

Paris: https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/14430?s=67&shared_item_type=2&virality_entry_point=2&sharer_id=15...

 

Lisbon: https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/27817?s=67&shared_item_type=2&virality_entry_point=2&sharer_id=15...

 

Athens: https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/251941?s=67&shared_item_type=2&virality_entry_point=2&sharer_id=1...

 

Just to name a few. It's just to show that it is possible and that there are people who like it. But it could be a matter of taste and that the tourists who come here don't look for something like this. I think what I'd do next is to lower my price and see how that goes. Thanks again for everyone's insights!

 

Michiel

Laylee0
Level 6
Gateshead, United Kingdom

@Michiel24 No problem, happy to try and help.

 

If it’s a common thing there then maybe you could look at how these other places are marketing their photo shoots and use that as a guide to adjust your experience listing? Or maybe it’s that people looking for this kind of thing are booking with more established sites. As you have one review at the moment whereas they might have 200 reviews. 

 

Keep us updated with how it goes, if you can!

Michiel24
Level 2
Hermanus, South Africa

@Laylee0 Thank you!

 

Sorry, I didn't explain myself well. It's quite common for locals to book such photo shoots, but not tourists. I do get bookings outside of AirBnB.  I'm trying to market for tourists by having a listing on AirBnB. I'm the only person in my area offering it as an AirBnB Experience. I know there are others in the country, but they are more common in the larger cities. I think I will have another look at how they are doing things. There are more tourists where they operate, but we also get quite a lot of tourists for the size of our town

 

I will! Thank you very much!

How is your pricing compared to others with similar space you offer? What about amenities ? Do you mention how unique you are in that location and by it is so? 

@Carmen-Marie0 Thank you very much for your input! Are you referring to the experience when asking about the pricing, amenities, etc? The experience I'm offering is priced well below other similar experiences in the closest major city, but a bit more expensive than what is offered in a town nearby. Thanks!

@Michiel24 

I think you have to decide what you want. If you want to have more bookings - the only way is to offer this photo-shooting for free for at least 3-5 months as well as lowering the price - as to attract guests, to accumulate reviews. You cannot attract more guests with just adding an experience. That is what I think, but I am never sure my propositions are the right ones.   

Michiel24
Level 2
Hermanus, South Africa

@Lilly28 Thank you very much for your feedback! I feel your opinion is very valid. I don't think I'd be able to offer it for free as it takes up a lot of my time, but I really think I should lower my price. It might not be financially viable if I do, but it will help me with reviews and give me the opportunity to do more of what I love! Thanks.