There’s no denying it, Airbnb has revolutionized the way we travel, offering unique stays in locations all around the world. But for hosts like us, it's a competitive market where standing out is the name of the game. Matt Hunter here, and as a seasoned Airbnb host, my wife Lisa and I have unlocked the secret to creating a 5-star experience while proving it with our incredible occupancy rate! What is the occupancy rate? Well according to Airbnb.com, occupancy rate (or OcR for short) is the number of nights booked divided by the total nights available to be booked across all relevant listings. We have found that an average Airbnb property achieves somewhere from 30-50% OcR while across our properties, we are hitting 70%+!
For any vacation rental property owner, this is the dream! But believe it or not, we were once new to the industry and thought that numbers like this could only be achieved by the high rollers in the industry.. If you are feeling that way, let me be the one to encourage you so that you can create a high-revenue Airbnb experience just like us, with your very own property!
The Power of the Perfect Picture
When you're browsing through Airbnb listings, what's the first thing that catches your eye? The photos! Your potential guests are no different. The cover photo is what I like to call your “hero shot”, and you will only have 2 to 5 seconds to capture their attention! So, what should you focus on in those crucial moments? It's all about putting up your best pictures that will make the guest stop scrolling to learn more about your listing.
The secret here is contrast and uniqueness. Your photo should stand out not just on its own, but also against the competition. Think about what distinguishes your property. If other listings are featuring their front façade, try highlighting an outdoor living space, a fire pit, and another unique amenity. It's that uniqueness that will get travelers to pause and explore your listing further! How often have you scrolled through Airbnb listings just to find the same-looking places over and over again? You need to make your listing stand out from the competition by adding a photo that looks like it came from a magazine!
The Hook: Cover Photo and Title
The key to a captivating listing is creating a hook - a combination of the cover photo and title that pulls travelers in. It's a seamless experience from that first click to the booking, and it all starts with this initial connection.
Your title is the bait that lures potential guests into your listing (like I just talked about). Next is the title, and with up to 50 characters at your disposal, you’ll need to make them count! Instead of going for something generic, be intentional. Highlight your property's key features and what makes it special. Provide a snapshot of what your listing offers and what is special about your property!
Beyond the cover photo, there are four more photos you need to pay attention to. When guests view your listing on a desktop, they'll see the first five photos, or it's the first few they'll scroll through on their phones. Make these count. Showcase your kitchen, living room, a standout amenity, and the master bedroom. The aim is to pique your potential guest's interest and encourage them to click through and explore further!
Writing an engaging listing description can be challenging, even for experienced hosts. When I first started to write my own listing titles and descriptions, I thought I was doing a great job! It wasn’t until I learned that the Title and Description are the most important pieces to getting a high ranking on Airbnb’s platform. That's why I recommend using professional Airbnb description writers - they understand the platform's algorithm and can craft listings tailored to meet its criteria! If you would love some recommendations and putting together a helpful team to assist in creating your listing, book a call with me here!
Staying on Top of Your Amenities
When it comes to being successful in this industry, you need to keep in mind that Airbnb grades hosts on various factors such as cleanliness, and responsiveness being some of the most crucial. Rather than cramming your listing with countless amenities, focus on nailing the basics. This will set the stage for an extraordinary guest experience! Sure, adding more amenities sounds tempting to make your potential guests more attracted to your property, but maintenance can quickly become a burden. To maintain your high standards and avoid negative guest experiences, try keeping your amenities list manageable and in an accurate condition. Remember: you can always add as you grow your listing.The last thing you want is a guest being disappointed over an amenity they thought they would have access to, and just to find out that it isn’t what you described it as!
It all comes down to this: a clean, well-lit, and inviting space is paramount. When guests walk into a property that feels like home, they tend to treat it with the utmost respect. If your property is clean and inviting, guests are more likely to take good care of it.
Appealing to the Senses
Ok, I’m giving you the secret sauce today and a little extra value since you made it all the way here in this blog. As you can imagine, first impressions are EVERYTHING! That is what we always talk about the Senses…This was a sales strategy I developed years ago and it really stuck with me and made me think about “how you experience a product or brand truly can help you build a sustainable brand and business.” Once I made that connection I really have built onto how I can provide that in all areas of our portfolio.
- Sight: Ensure your property is well-lit and visually inviting.
- Sound: Create an ambiance with soft background music.
- Smell: Use tools like Pura to control the fragrance and provide a pleasant aroma.
- Touch: Make the space comfortable with the right temperature and cozy furnishings.
While preparing your space for your guest to arrive, you always want to remember to touch on all of these senses. That will ensure a good first impression, and make them excited for the vacation ahead.
Pro Tip For a 5-star Guest Experience: As I said before, effective communication with your guests is also vital. One of my favorite ways to do this is to use schedule messaging to reach out to them throughout their stay. Welcoming them on their first morning, sending checkout lists, and thanking them for their stay are all great ways to communicate. This thoughtful approach encourages positive reviews and improves your Airbnb ranking!
Responding to Reviews: Turning Negatives into Positives
The Airbnb algorithm is exceptionally favorable towards five-star reviews. Therefore, it's essential to strive for that top rating. Four-star reviews can be detrimental, so focus on achieving and maintaining that perfect score.
Whether the reviews are positive or negative, always respond. If a guest leaves a negative review, take it as an opportunity for improvement. Acknowledge the issue and explain how you're addressing it. This shows potential guests that you're attentive and dedicated to providing an excellent experience. With the competitive world of Airbnb, one thing I have learned and experienced with my clients is that guests look at these types of details when going through their booking process.
The path to Airbnb’s success isn't about overcomplicating things. It's about mastering the basics, combining visual storytelling with an exceptional guest experience, and leveraging technology to optimize your listing. By following these tips, you too can become a host that travelers can't resist booking with, and Airbnb's algorithm will certainly take notice. So go ahead, excel in the world of Airbnb, and become the host everyone is talking about!
I have so many tips and tricks to becoming an expert Airbnb host that I want to share with you, so if you enjoyed this blog, then keep an eye out for part two of Tips for Getting More Bookings and Glowing Reviews. You can also follow me on Instagram at @matthunter27, where I will announce when I post it! And remember, if you want to spend some time one-on-one with me to ask any questions you may have, book a call with me here!