Welcome to part 2 of the 3-Step Starter Guide to Airbnb. In this section of the guide to Airbnb you set the scene by providing photographs of your home and describing the property accurately while also making your listing enticing. In the post entitled “Airbnb Photos – Take the Best Pictures for your Listing“, I cover in detail the types of pictures you want to use for your listing. Some key takeaways include showing your home in the most favorable way that is also accurate as well as taking pictures in good lighting. Refer to the post for more detailed input.
Airbnb Listing Description
The next area in your Airbnb hosting guide allows hosts the opportunity to portray their properties in the most appealing light possible. When you logon to Airbnb, many sections exist allowing you to enter information about the property. Fill them all up! The more information, the better. The initial section that reads, “Describe your place to guests” only allows for 500 characters. Use this section wisely since this pops up first on the listing. Put your best foot forward. This includes a fancy title!
The first section that reads “Describe Your Place to Guests” is mandatory. Fill this section out. As mentioned, it is highly suggested you supply information for all sections as thoroughly as possible. The “Describe Your Place to Guests” section cannot be skipped! Please don’t even try. As a general rule for your guide to Airbnb hosting you should always strive to fill out as much information as possible.
Additional Descriptive Sections
The other sections dedicate listing space to describing your home in greater detail. Use descriptive wording. How would you explain your home to someone who likes to hear every last detail? Be sure to speak about the listing in a favorable light while being honest. Should your guests feel deceived, your ratings reflect this. Not a recommended way to kick off your listing. Highlight the positive aspects while not hiding the areas that may not be too desirable.
The next area speaks to your availability. The amount of interaction you wish to dedicate towards your guests is completely up to you. Some hosts choose to keep a strictly business approach keeping the interaction to a minimal. For those looking for this type of arrangement, clearly designated areas within your property may be identified so that the guest remains in their own space. This is okay. People have different motives for starting an Airbnb.
On the other end of the spectrum, one can find hosts who are highly social. In this scenario, it is not uncommon for the host and guest to enjoy a drink or break bread together. This end of the spectrum borders Airbnb experiences where you take your guest on excursions exploring the area. More on the experiences later. Just know your hosting style is completely up to you and it may also adapt depending on the guest. That is okay too!
Describing your Neighborhood on Airbnb
Next up our 3-Step Starter Guide speaks to the area in which your property is located. What is your neighborhood like? Active, quiet, remote, festive, close to the forest or beach? What activities do people partake in when visiting. Highlight all tourist attractions as well as anything you have discovered through your time at this location.
Guests come in all shapes and sizes so don’t assume you know what they enjoy and why they are visiting. The bigger variety of options listed can mean the more time a potential guest spends looking at your individual listing which can equate to the increased chance they will book your home. Don’t be bashful here; use those bragging rights!
Airbnb Transportation Options
Lastly Airbnb requests information about transportation. Mention the distance to local attractions for all methods of transportation. This includes by car, bus, and on foot. It is especially helpful to detail the stores, restaurants, and bars within walking distance. Many people coming through town travel without cars so the walkable options are often sought after. Any information you can add about Lyft or Uber helps as well.
It is also important to note that should you have more information that falls into one category or the other and you run out of room, it is okay to let it flow to the next section. You will not be penalized for offering information that does not match the title. The more thorough the information the better, wherever it happens to land. Add as many details as you can to give potential guests the fullest picture possible.
Determining your Airbnb Title
This is the next area for the guide to Airbnb hosting you will need to fill out is simply the title. If you have something special about your property, list it here. Examples include a variety of items. Here are a few: Beachfront, pool, on golf course, private entrance, heart of downtown.
Airbnb Photographs
Airbnb will not let you move further in the process without uploading a picture. Please use a profile picture that clearly shows your face in good lighting. This will help you to get bookings when you start. Nobody wants to be the guinea pig and try the creepy listing where the owner won’t show his/her face! If at all possible, we’d like to see those pearly whites. Similar to the photographs of your home, upload a profile picture that shows you favorably and in good lighting. It is helpful if you have a sunny disposition on your face as well. No one wants to stay with a grump host!
For the lady hosts –
This extra tip here is not something that can be found in most Airbnb hosting guides, but it is important to mention as we want you to succeed.
When structuring your profile, think about what kind of image you want to portray. Remember that both men and women will be reviewing your profile when deciding on where to book. Also note, when potential guests are looking to book stays your profile picture automatically appears. This is the opposite from what hosts experience. When a host receives a booking, we can only see the profile image of the potential guest after they have they have officially booked. Any message exchange beforehand keeps their pictures hidden.
Not the case for when guests are viewing hosts’ listings. I suggest nothing too sexy for you want people to book a room with you because of the accommodations, not because they want to meet you (unless that is your goal 🙂 ). Also, be aware that many people will make judgments based on the picture provided. An exceptionally attractive photo may lose you some bookings. Choose pictures that portray you as approachable. I personally use a photograph with no makeup and a smile.
Last Step to Create your Profile
The last bit of information needed for Step 2 in the 3-Step Starter Guide for creating your listing on Airbnb is to simply add your phone number. A cell phone number is what is best as a contact number. Airbnb provides the option to receive texts messages. I highly recommend this so that you may receive all notifications as quickly as possible.
Texts can come to the phone number you provide for anytime a guest or potential guest books your accommodation or has questions. This number will also be displayed on your profile. Guests and potential guests will be able to contact you so make sure the understand you are publicly displaying this phone number for all to see.
If this makes you feel uncomfortable, there are options such as google phone numbers that you can use so that your number may remain anonymous while displaying a different phone number that is associated with your own phone number.
Congratulations on making it through Step 2 for this 3-Step Starter Guide to Airbnb hosting. Only one more step to go before you are live and ready to accept future guests! Venture onto Airbnb Host Step 3 – Get Ready for Guests! to start hosting immediately.