Not getting any reservations

Shawn656
Level 1
Springfield, OR

Not getting any reservations

I notice that I am not getting any reservations or inquiries for my new place, could use some insight:

  1. This is my first time and place hosting
  2. I may have jumped the gun and created my own problems:
    1. We bought a tiny home to put on our property for Air BnB.
    2. We have several large sporting events this summer nearby and I wanted to get up and running early in Air BnB for the potential reservations. So, while I knew it would be 2-3 months before the site was ready with fencing, decks, utilities, etc. I put the listing on Air BnB with several pics showing the progress with a May 1st opening date. So, listed for 2 months from March - April with first reservations available on May 1st.
  3. I just realized yesterday, that I had not completed my profile, had my identification verified, etc.
    1. All has been done and identification verified
  4. I just added my listing to Facebook as well yesterday.
  5. I am in Oregon, land of perpetual rain till June. I plan to have a professional come out and take pics when the last few details are finalized in the next week and better weather.

I am looking for insights to better promote and attract inquiries.

8 Replies 8
Shawn656
Level 1
Springfield, OR

I should have given you the listing link  www.airbnb.com/p/forestcreektinyhome 

Ann72
Level 10
New York, NY
Shawn656
Level 1
Springfield, OR

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@Shawn656  Great choice of lead photo - the contrast between the deep blues and the warm glow of the strung lights will really catch the eye in search results.

 

Your listing description is an entertaining read, but it's way too much to demand of people who might be considering dozens of listings. At the very least, you should preface it with a quick-reading summary of the home's amenities and highlights. The rest of it is only of interest to people who have already made your listing their first choice.

 

One very common error new hosts make is to assume Airbnb will enforce fees and fines on their behalf just because they're written in the listing. But they definitely don't do that. The only thing you accomplish by threatening "$1000 cleaning fee" is scaring away everyone who bothers to read the whole essay.

 

And about that fee. I understand your aversion to residual smoke odor, but sorry, "no smokers" is a non-starter. Anything guests do outside of your property is well outside your jurisdiction. You allow pets, so presumably you've factored wet-dog smell and animal hair removal into your cleaning plan.That smell on the sheets left behind by someone who smoked elsewhere is no different - it's just a fact of life you're going to have to deal with - and no, you can't claim "damage" for it because it isn't.

 

As long as you don't use Instant Book, you can discuss your quirks and pet peeves in the Request conversation and determine case by case whether each guest is a good fit. But you can't get there if nobody is requesting in the first place, so try not to scare people away with crazy threats, even if they're meant in jest. 

Branka-and-Silvia0
Level 10
Zagreb, Croatia

@Shawn656  your tiny house is very cute and seems like a perfect place to relax.... until reading your description and house rules 🙂

 

Without going into details I'll just say what you will soon realize by yourself - people don't read. They just book based on the first few pictures on your gallery and maybe a few first sentences. So, my advice would be to shorten your text as much as possible and just stick to the most important info.

 

Second, your bed is one step from the kitchen. The first time someone fries some baken and eggs, or some spicy Chinese or Indian food you will be sorry for declining an outdoor smoker who doesn't cook 🙂 And yes, btw, you can't forbid people to smoke outside your property or keep their guns in their car, which brings me to another question - do you intend to inspect their car for guns? And you should really remove the suggestion for taking a daily shower, you are not their mum 😄

 

I understand you put a lot of money, time, love, and effort into your property but you need to accept there will be odors, mud, noises, stains, and some unintentional damage. You should relax so your guest can relax ( that's why they booked it in the first place.)

 

Good luck 🙂

Jenny
Community Manager
Community Manager
Galashiels, United Kingdom

Hi @Shawn656 

 

You've had some great advice here so I just wanted to wish you the best of luck with your listing!  

If I ever make it to the USA (I'm in Scotland), I have always wanted to go to Oregon, and your tiny home looks like just the kind of spot I'd love to stay.

I hope the tips you've received help with your bookings - do come back and let us know how you're getting on.

Jenny

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Shawn656
Level 1
Springfield, OR

This is some very great advice. I can see that as a new host, I was entirely too protective of my property and that I needed to "loosen up" on the rules a bit or simply not be an Air BnB host. I fell prey to the horror stories of other hosts who had terrible renters and advised to "bullet proof" your listing with all the rules listed in the description. I will relax the and shorten the description.