10 Steps to Increasing Your Airbnb Bookings

Are you tired of having empty rooms and unbooked dates on your Airbnb calendar? As an Airbnb host, your goal is to increase your Airbnb bookings and maximize your income from your short-term rental.

In this post we’ll talk about 10 proven strategies to increase your airbnb bookings. From setting a competitive price to providing exceptional customer service, these tips will help you stand out from the competition and attract more guests to your property.

Optimize your airbnb listing

Start by optimizing your Airbnb listing. Make sure your listing includes high-quality photos that accurately represent your space, a detailed description of your property and amenities, and any unique features or benefits.

• Include high-quality photos that accurately represent your space. This could include photos of the exterior of your property, the entrance, each individual room, and any common areas or outdoor spaces.
• Use my Airbnb Title and Description Generator to write a detailed and accurate description of your property and amenities. Include information about the size and layout of the space, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, any special features or amenities, and any rules or policies guests should be aware of.
• Highlight any unique features or benefits of your property. This could include things like a hot tub, a fireplace, a private balcony, or a convenient location.
• Include accurate and up-to-date information about your availability and pricing. Make sure your calendar is up-to-date and that your pricing reflects any discounts or promotions you may be offering.
• Consider offering additional amenities or services to guests. This could include things like providing toiletries, fresh towels and linens, or offering transportation or tour services.

Competitive pricing

Set a competitive price for your listing. Research similar listings in your area to see what they are charging and adjust your price accordingly. Keep in mind that setting a lower price may help you attract more bookings, but you want to make sure you are still making a profit.

• Research similar listings in your area to see what they are charging. This will give you a good idea of the going rate for properties like yours in your location.
• Consider the amenities and features of your property. If your property has unique features or amenities, you may be able to charge a higher price.
• Take the time of year into account. Prices may vary depending on the season, so make sure your pricing reflects any changes in demand.
• Consider offering discounts or promotions to attract more bookings. For example, you could offer a discount for longer stays or for last-minute bookings.
• Monitor your booking rate and occupancy levels. If you are not getting as many bookings as you would like, consider adjusting your price to make it more competitive.
• Don’t be afraid to experiment with your pricing. Try setting different prices for different times of the year or for different lengths of stays to see what works best for your property.
• Keep in mind that setting a lower price may help you attract more bookings, but you want to make sure you are still making a profit. Consider your costs, such as cleaning fees and taxes, when setting your price.
• Be transparent and upfront about any additional fees or charges that may apply. This will help avoid any surprises or misunderstandings for guests.
• Communicate with your guests about your pricing and any changes or updates. If you need to adjust your prices, be sure to let your guests know in advance to avoid any confusion or disappointment.
• Consider using Pricelabs to automatically handle your night rates dynamically.

Be responsive

Be responsive to inquiries and messages from potential guests. Respond to inquiries promptly and professionally to show that you are reliable and available. This can be automated using a service like Hospitable.

Offer discounts

Consider offering discounts or promotions to attract more bookings. A few examples could be:

• Offer a discount for longer stays. This could be a percentage off the total price for stays of a certain length, such as 10% off for stays of 7 nights or more.
• Offer a discount for last-minute bookings. This could be a percentage off the total price for bookings made within a certain number of days of the arrival date, such as 15% off for bookings made within 3 days of arrival.
• Offer a referral discount for guests who refer their friends or family. This could be a percentage off the total price for the referring guest’s next stay, or a discount for the friend or family member who is booking.
• Offer a seasonal discount. This could be a percentage off the total price for stays during a certain time of year, such as 20% off for stays in the off-season.
• Offer a discount for returning guests. This could be a percentage off the total price for guests who have stayed at your property before, or a special welcome gift or amenity.
• Offer a discount for guests who book multiple properties. If you have multiple listings on Airbnb, you could offer a discount for guests who book more than one of your properties at the same time.
• Offer a discount for guests who book on a weekday. This could be a percentage off the total price for stays that include any weekdays, such as 10% off for stays that include a Sunday or Monday night.
• Offer a discount for guests who book for a certain number of nights. This could be a percentage off the total price for stays of a certain length, such as 15% off for stays of 5 nights or more.
• Offer a discount for guests who book during a slow period. If you have periods where you typically have lower occupancy rates, you could offer a discount to attract more bookings during those times.
• Offer a discount for guests who book a certain number of rooms. If you have multiple rooms available, you could offer a discount for guests who book more than one room at the same time.

Improve the guest’s experience

Improve your guest experience by providing thoughtful amenities and services. This could include things like providing toiletries, fresh towels and linens, and offering local recommendations or suggestions for activities and attractions.

• Provide toiletries, such as soap, shampoo, and conditioner. This will save guests the trouble of having to buy their own and can add a touch of luxury to their stay.
• Offer fresh towels and linens. Make sure your towels and linens are clean and in good condition, and consider providing extra sets for longer stays.
• If you want to make sure your short-term rental is stocked, use my Airbnb Host Checklist Generator. It automatically generates a list of all the top products that the Superhosts use in their Airbnbs.
• Provide local recommendations or suggestions for activities and attractions. This could include things like restaurants, museums, parks, or local events.
• Offer transportation or tour services. If you have a car or access to a car service, you could offer to pick guests up from the airport or provide transportation to local attractions. You could also offer to provide guided tours or activities in the area.
• Provide a home-cooked meal. If you enjoy cooking, you could offer to prepare a meal for your guests. This could be something simple, like breakfast, or a more elaborate meal.
• Offer a welcome basket or gift. This could include things like local snacks or treats, a bottle of wine, or a small souvenir.
• Provide information about the area and your property. This could include things like a map of the area, a guide to local attractions, and a list of emergency contacts and useful numbers.
• Offer access to shared spaces or amenities. If you have a shared backyard, pool, or other common area, consider allowing your guests to use it during their stay.
• Provide additional amenities, such as a coffee maker, a mini fridge, or a hair dryer. These items can make your guests’ stay more comfortable and convenient.
• Be available to answer questions or offer assistance. Let your guests know that you are available to help with any issues or concerns they may have during their stay.

Encourage reviews

Encourage past guests to leave positive reviews and ratings on your listing. Positive reviews can help increase trust and credibility, which can in turn lead to more bookings.

• Provide exceptional customer service. Make sure your guests have everything they need during their stay and go above and beyond to make their experience enjoyable. This will increase the likelihood that they will leave a positive review.
• Ask guests for their feedback. After their stay, send your guests a message thanking them for choosing your property and asking them if they had any feedback or suggestions. This will show that you value their opinion and are interested in improving your listing.
• Respond to negative reviews in a professional and courteous manner. If you receive a negative review, respond to it promptly and apologize for any issues or concerns the guest may have had. Offer to make things right and invite the guest to contact you directly to discuss their experience.
• Offer incentives or rewards for positive reviews. This could include things like a discount on a future stay, a small gift or souvenir, or a special amenity during their next visit.
• Use social media to promote your positive reviews. Share your positive reviews on your social media accounts and encourage your followers to leave a review if they enjoyed their stay.
• Include a call to action in your listing. In your listing description, include a statement encouraging guests to leave a review if they had a positive experience.
• Provide a review card or survey. After your guests check out, leave a review card or survey in the property for them to fill out. This can make it easier for guests to leave a review and provide feedback.
• Follow up with guests after their stay. Send your guests a message a few days after their stay thanking them for choosing your property and asking them if they enjoyed their stay. This can remind them to leave a review and provide an opportunity for them to share any feedback.
• Make it easy for guests to leave a review. Include a link to your listing on Airbnb in your follow-up message, and make sure the review process on Airbnb is simple and straightforward.
• Show appreciation for positive reviews. If a guest leaves a positive review, respond to it and thank them for their feedback. This will show that you value their opinion and appreciate their support.

Social media

Use social media and other online marketing channels to promote your listing. Share photos and updates on your property on social media and consider running targeted ads to reach potential guests in your area.

• Share high-quality photos of your property. Post photos of your property on your social media accounts to give potential guests a sense of what your space looks like. Be sure to include photos of the exterior of your property, the entrance, each individual room, and any common areas or outdoor spaces.
• Share updates and information about your property. Post regular updates about your property on your social media accounts, such as information about any recent renovations or improvements, new amenities or services you are offering, or any special promotions or discounts you may be running.
• Use hashtags to increase visibility. Use relevant hashtags in your posts, such as #Airbnb, #vacationrental, and #hometostay. This can help increase the visibility of your posts and make it easier for potential guests to find your listing.
• Share reviews and ratings from past guests. If you have received positive reviews or ratings from past guests, share them on your social media accounts. This can help increase trust and credibility, which can in turn lead to more bookings.
• Offer special promotions or discounts for followers. If you have a large following on social media, consider offering special promotions or discounts exclusively for your followers. This can encourage more people to book your property and can help increase engagement with your posts.
• Use Facebook and Instagram ads to reach potential guests. Consider running targeted ads on Facebook and Instagram to reach potential guests in your area. You can target your ads to people who have shown an interest in similar properties or who are located in your area.
• Engage with your followers. Respond to comments and messages from your followers, and ask for their feedback and suggestions. This can help increase engagement with your posts and can help build a community around your listing.
• Collaborate with other Airbnb hosts or local businesses. Consider partnering with other Airbnb hosts or local businesses to promote your property. For example, you could cross-promote each other’s listings or offer a discount or package deal for guests who book with both of you.
• Share videos of your property. In addition to photos, consider sharing videos of your property on your social media accounts. This can give potential guests a better sense of what your space looks like and can help make your listing more engaging and interesting.
• Use social media to connect with potential guests. If you receive inquiries or messages from potential guests on social media, be sure to respond promptly and professionally. This can help increase trust and credibility and can encourage more people to book your property.

Additional services

Consider offering additional services or experiences to guests. This could include things like providing a home-cooked meal, offering transportation or tour services, or hosting a unique event or activity.

Resolve issues quickly

Be proactive in managing and resolving any issues that may arise. If a guest has a problem or complaint, address it quickly and professionally to maintain a positive reputation and prevent negative reviews.

Review your account often

Continuously monitor and improve your accounts. Airbnb and VRBO sometime add new features, fields to fill out, boxes to check, cancellation policies, and new fee structures. Keeping an eye on your accounts and make changes or adjustments as needed to increase your bookings.