On June 4, 2019, Airbnb changed the service fee structure in order to remain competitive in the vacation rental space, especially with Booking.com, one of the largest travel e-commerce giants that has never charged guests fees to its consumers. According to Skift.com, “under the new business model, property managers that create accounts starting June 4…
February 25, 2019
How to Attract the Best Guests Using an Airbnb Guest Avatar (Part 2)
In my previous blog, How to Attract the Best Guests Using an Airbnb Guest Avatar (Part 1), I discussed how having a guest avatar(s) will help you understand your guest’s behavior, write better descriptions for your listing, and be more empathetic towards your guest’s needs. All very important things to learn about your guests. So…
January 31, 2019
How to Attract the Best Guests Using an Airbnb Guest Avatar (Part 1)
It is in the interest of every Airbnb host to attract the best guests for their space. The hope is to attract guests who will not only enjoy and appreciate your property and your hospitality but, guests who also respect your rules and boundaries. Finding the ideal guest is far from easy though, as I…
January 21, 2019
10 Must-Have Items for Your Airbnb Rental
It is not always easy to know exactly what qualifies as ‘an essential’ when stocking your Airbnb rental property. Should you follow hotel standards? Equip the place as if it were your home? How many amenities should the guest get in relation to the price they are paying? While there are no hard and fast…
January 14, 2019
How to Set Up an Airbnb Property in One Weekend
One of the main reasons why people procrastinate when getting started with Airbnb is because they think that it will take a long time to set up a property and get it ready for guests. The idea of furnishing a place for guests can seem daunting to most people, especially when you don’t know where…
January 7, 2019
5 Things Airbnb Hosts Need to Know About Dynamic Pricing
I was recently on a strategy call with one of my students and one of the big problems they were struggling with was a lack of bookings. They were in a slow time of year and they were steadily seeing a decline in revenue. This is a common struggle among hosts and it’s an issue…
December 24, 2018
When to give a refund after a cancellation on Airbnb
One of the questions I get often is: “When is it ok to give a refund after a cancellation on Airbnb?” Or, “should I refund an Airbnb guest who cancels?” This is a valid question and one that depends on how strongly you want to enforce your policy. Strict cancellation policy I normally have a…
December 17, 2018
Why you Should Showcase Unique Amenities in your Airbnb
Showcasing unique amenities in your listing is a great way to get more bookings and to stand out from the competition. But how do you know what amenities to showcase? In order to figure this our you must look at similar listings in your area. Look at the competition As a proactive host, you should…
October 8, 2018
Business Management Communication Home Sharing (hosting with private rooms) Vacation Rentals (short term rentals)
Eight Great Airbnb Listing Photo Tips—With Examples
You’ve heard the saying: “a picture is worth a thousand words….” This couldn’t be more true for your Airbnb listing. The photos are the highlight of your listing so you need to make them shine! A quick browse through of Airbnb and you’ll see many hosts out there making detrimental photo mistakes that are costing…
October 1, 2018
Eight Reasons Why You Should Have an E-lock On Your Airbnb Property
I’ve talked to many guests over the years and I’ve learned that the check-in process is the part of their travel that causes the most stress when using Airbnb. And for good reason! Traveling can be very hectic and arriving at an unknown place can bring about many unfortunate and stressful experiences. Many hosts like…