Tips for listing your home on AirBnb to earn money while travelling
Wait, so I can earn money even while traveling? Where do I sign up? Yep, AirBnb has changed the game forever. Ever since it was founded back in 2008, it provided people with a great way to earn some cash while they were away. However, there are some things you need to do in order to get the best possible deal. We won't point out the basics, but instead, we will focus on the little things that will make your offer stand out from the rest. To find out what these little tricks are, check out the article below.
Quality photographs are a must
Just to clarify, a quality photograph isn’t just the one captured with a great camera. Consider hiring a professional for this job, as they will have an understanding of how to capture the essence of your home and the surroundings. It is a small investment that can go a long way. Still, if you want to do this on your own, make sure to use a good camera, take photos on a sunny day where there are a lot of natural light, and make sure that all the bed sheets and pillows are in perfect order.
Mention the nearby attractions
In the previous section, we already said something about the surroundings, but photos aren’t the only way in which you should describe it. Be careful though, you wouldn’t want to write a long and boring list that no one would read. Instead, stick to bullet points, such as:
- Public transit
- Parks
- Shopping malls
- Restaurants
- Cafes
Perks
Again, this is a small investment that can bring you a lot more in return. People like these sorts of things, and it can be the reason why they pick your place instead of the other one. It does not have to be anything major, but you just want to make your home as attractive to others as you can. It is absolutely vital to provide certain stuff, like towels, Internet connectivity, coffee and sugar, and so on. A great way to make your place stand out even more would be to offer bonus perks, such as maps of the city, toiletries and local treats. You would be surprised how much of an impact these things could have.
Provide an honest description
If you live in a noisy neighborhood, or something around the house isn’t working properly, it is important to be honest about it. The last thing you would want is to get some really bad reviews, because it will ruin your reputation forever. However, try not to use a negative tone at any time, and instead, focus on the positives. Instead of calling your neighborhood noisy, call it a party-friendly and urban. You wouldn’t want to scare the people away. Also, if you have pets, you would have to mention it.
Try to keep a good acceptance rate
Every time you accept or decline a booking, it is recorded, and later shown on a 0-100 scale. You wouldn’t want to have this number all the way down, but it is understandable if you decline once in a while. You should also try to keep a strong response rate, as this is also measured. Be careful to always have the last message if you are a host, or it can bring your response rate down. It is quite a stupid rule, but a simple message saying „Thanks“ or „Great“ should do the trick. If guests see that you are active, and do your best to go “above and beyond“, they will be more attracted to you.
Be there for your guests
With just a little bit of effort, you can make quite a portfolio on AirBnb. Potential guests can see all of your previous reviews given, as well as received. This will put their mind at ease, as no one wants to go to an irresponsible host. Furthermore, if you can, leave an emergency contact that they can reach in case any problems arise. Try to work out a deal with some of your friends or family. The last thing you would want is to have someone calling you over a leaky sink while you are enjoying your trip.
These are some of the things that separate good hosts from the great ones. With just a little effort you can become the latter one. It is really as simple as that.
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