Are you a new Airbnb host? Or are you getting ready to get your very first rental up and going? Congrats on taking a big step that can have a positive impact on your financial future! It can be overwhelming to think about all the things you need to do in order to be a successful host. Here is the reality – you are not going to know every single thing before you get started. No matter how much you prepare, there will be an element of learning as you go. Does that mean you should just wing it? Of course not! Learn what you can, but don’t let the feeling of needing to know everything prevent you from taking action. Keep reading for some essential tips to help you get started.
***QUICK NOTE! Once you are ready to set up your Airbnb Host profile, please reach out. I can provide you with a referral link that you can use. I will get some money for the referral and, best of all, you will also get some money from Airbnb for using a referral code. Win-win-win. 🙂***
1. Understand Your Market as a New Airbnb Host
Before listing your property, take time to understand your local market. Research other listings in your area to gauge pricing, amenities offered, and the type of guests they attract. This will help you position your property competitively. I think it is risky to pick a random market for your short-term rental. Choose a market that you know! The place you live or an area you visit frequently are both good options. In both of those markets, you understand what brings people to the area. You can envision the types of guests who will be drawn to your place. A personal understanding of the market will help you choose the right type of property, set it up for the types of guests most likely to visit your area, and highlight the local attractions.
It is possible to research areas and get an Airbnb in a hot or upcoming market – and I’ll post some content on the best way to approach that model.
2. Create an Inviting Listing
Your listing is your property’s first impression. Write a clear, inviting description highlighting unique features and amenities. Use high-quality photos to showcase your space in the best light. The best option is to get professional pictures from a photographer who has experience with real estate photography. The vast majority of people who are searching Airbnb will decide whether or not to click on your listing and explore it based on the pictures. Let me say that again – THE LISTING PICTURES ARE IMPORTANT!! Make high-quality pictures a priority.
Remember, authenticity matters – ensure that your description accurately reflects what guests can expect. Take some time to consider what matters to your potential guest and address those things in the listing.
Need helping creating the perfect listing? Reach out to us!
One trick to help you get started with the listing description is to use ChatGPT to get you started. I made a video for you to show you how simple and helpful it can be.
3. Price Smartly
Pricing can be a make-or-break factor. Start with a competitive rate to attract your first guests and gather reviews. You can set up a promotion for the first three guests to give them a discount. This is a great way to get guests to give you a chance before you have any reviews. We stayed in a beautiful short term rental in Kalispell, Montana that was a great deal because we were the first or second guests. You can also consider using Airbnb’s pricing tool, called Smart Pricing, which adjusts rates based on demand, to optimize your earnings.
I go through some of the ways you can set up pricing and promotions on my YouTube channel. I also have a course that walks you through how to do everything you need to do. Join my email list to get signed up for the pre-launch – the form to sign up is below.
Pricing can be tricky – if you need help, please get in touch! We can help you develop a customized pricing plan for your rental that helps you maximize stays and profit.
4. Prioritize Cleanliness and Safety
Cleanliness is essential in the short-term rental business. I truly believe that you can make the vast majority of guests happy by providing a rental that is clean and safe. Ensure your property is spotless before each guest’s arrival. It often takes time to find and train a team that will clean your short term rental to your standards. At the beginning, you will need to go check the property after each clean to make sure everything is done properly. As you train your cleaners – or if you do it yourself – a good rule is to walk through the house and pretend you are the guest. What is the first thing you would notice as a guest? Is there anything that would be a major issue for you if you noticed it in a place you rented? You can have your cleaner take pics of each room and send them to you. This simple step can help you cleaning crew notice anything that was out of place or missed. It is also good to have pics after each cleaning in case there are any issues with damage from a guest.
It is also important to adhere to safety standards by equipping your space with smoke detectors, a first-aid kit, carbon monoxide detector (if you have gas heat/appliances) and clear emergency exit instructions.
5. Offer Essential Amenities
Basic amenities can significantly enhance guest comfort. Provide essentials like high-speed Wi-Fi, fresh linens, towels, and basic toiletries. A coffee maker and some coffee supplies are also essential if you want to have happy guests.
I went to a short-term rental near Dallas, TX a few months ago. I had been traveling all day and did not feel great. The thing I wanted more than anything else in the world was a hot shower. I wanted to feel fresh and clean. We put shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in our Airbnb so I assumed those things were available where we planned to stay – no such luck. I was disappointed to find the only things in either bathroom were facewash and hand soap. I was desperate so I used the facewash for everything. It was not awesome. We had to make a trip to the store later to get real toiletries. I should have checked the listing more closely because I would have brought supplies from home. It’s not a requirement to leave toiletries for guests. However, my general philosophy is to make things as simple as possible for guests. I think these small touches go a long way toward getting you great reviews and repeat guests.
6. Be a Superb Communicator
Effective communication is crucial if you want to be successful as a host. It is important to respond promptly to inquiries and booking requests. Your future status as a Superhost is partially dependent on your response rate to guests. If you provide clear instructions for check-in and check-out as well as the info guests need – WIFI, codes, etc. – it will cut down on the time you spend responding to guest questions. You do need to be available to answer any questions that come up beyond the info you provide.
Did you know that you can set up scheduled messages and quick reply messages through your Airbnb app? You can set up a message to be sent to guests automatically upon booking. These messages can be customized with their name and booking information. You can do this for a welcome message, check-in instructions, check-out instructions, and so much more. If you take the time to write a few high quality messages for your guests – and then automate those – it will save you time and provide guests with essential information in a timely manner. Here is an example of what automated message looks like when you set it up. The specific information for the guest name and checkout info is automatically populated by Airbnb using what are called ‘short codes’. (This is something I teach you to do in my course. 🙂
Hi /Guest First Name/! Your stay is coming to an end your checkout date and time is /checkout date/ at /checkout time/.
As you get ready to leave, please take any trash outside to the large bins that are sitting on the driveway. Feel free to leave used towels on the floor or hanging on a hook. Leave any beds that were used unmade.
If you have any questions as check out approaches, do not hesitate to reach out.
Thanks so much for staying with us! We hope to host you again in the future.
7. Gather and Act on Feedback
After each stay, Airbnb sends guests messages to encourage them to leave a review. Some hosts also send guests a request for reviews. I personally do not ask guests for a review because I know Airbnb does that already and I don’t want to annoy them. And, when you leave a review for a guest, Airbnb lets them know and often that prompts guests to leave their own review. Honest feedback can help you make improvements to your property for future guests. Pay attention to any recurring suggestions or concerns and act on them to enhance future guests’ experiences. And, when you leave a review for a guest, Airbnb lets them know and often that prompts guests to leave their own review.
You can also ask guests to reach out to you directly if there are any issues during the stay. This can allow you to address issues while the guests are there and hopefully prevent a poor review.
8. Understand the Legalities
Familiarize yourself with local regulations regarding short-term rentals. This includes zoning laws, tax requirements, and any necessary permits or licenses. Staying compliant is essential to avoid legal complications. Dig into this before you go to the trouble of getting and setting up your short-term rental. If you didn’t look into these details and already have an STR up and running, PLEASE do so as soon as possible. You do not want to allow an oversight create problems for you in the future.
9. Create a Memorable Experience
Going the extra mile to create a memorable experience can lead to repeat guests and excellent reviews. Consider offering a welcome gift, local tips, or personalized recommendations to make their stay special. We have our booking set up as ‘request to book’ instead of ‘instant booking’. There are several reasons for this. One perk of having it set to ‘request to book’ is that potential guests often let me know why they will be in town. This allows me to do something special from time to time if I know the guests are coming for a special event.
10. Stay Organized
Managing a rental can involve juggling multiple tasks. Stay organized with a dedicated calendar for bookings, a system for tracking expenses, and a routine for property maintenance. I have a Profit and Loss Google Sheets Template that you can check out if you are looking for a way to keep up with all of your income and expenses related to running your Airbnb.
Starting as an Airbnb host can be both exciting and daunting. By focusing on these essential tips, you can create a foundation for a successful and rewarding hosting experience. Remember, hospitality is at the heart of this venture, so always aim to create a welcoming and comfortable environment for your guests. You can do this! Happy hosting!