Through my experience hosting on Airbnb, I’ve discovered simple ways to add to my home design to make a guest’s experience at my place go more smoothly.
Here are three Airbnb host tips to help your guest help you!
Make finding/accessing things as easy as possible.
Don’t make your Airbnb guests go out of their way. For example, if you set them up a shelf in the fridge (which I highly recommend), don’t make it a small one that they have to maneuver their way around your old condiments to get to.
For example, this is what I write to show guests which refrigerator shelf is for them:
It’s the biggest and most accessible shelf in my refrigerator, and the sign tells them quickly where they can:
- eat (put on their shelf fresh things that will go bad if they’re not consumed, like milk, vegetables, etc.—your guests will see it as a treat!)
- drink (often, guests will leave me beer. I don’t drink beer, but my other guests sure do! Pass it forward, baby.)
- put (when guests go shopping to cook their favorite dishes in your place, they’ll know exactly where to put their personal things for easy finding)
It also gently lets them know to stick to this shelf and say, ignore the Sancerre chilling on the refrigerator door. (And yes, guests do respect this!)
Don’t assume a guest knows how to use something.
We’re not talking about undermining anyone’s intelligence. You’re way better off explaining something from a loving place than saying nothing.
For example, I tell my guests to please not use soap on my cast iron pan—cuz dang, when I was in my 20s I didn’t know the first thing about cast iron pans! You’re not talking down to them—you’re educating them in a kind, refreshing way.
Here is how I help save costs and help people determine how much soap to use when doing their laundry:
I noticed that when I didn’t write “only fill 1/2 cup” on the laundry detergent, it disappeared way faster… and it’s only because people might not be sure what kind of machine you have. Writing this made my detergent last way longer, but more importantly, it’s a hand-written message from you helping people figure out what will give them the best results when navigating your place. You might feel like these things are obvious–but you’re doing a lot of your guests a huge favor.
Always guide/instruct your guests from a place of openness.
Which language do you think reads better when writing about, say, keeping a balcony screen door shut: 1 or 2?
- Do NOT leave the screen door open! Bugs get in.
- Please keep the screen door always closed. Bugs will become your friends at night if you don’t. :)
Sure, you can express the sentiment either way. But which way is more inviting, friendly and accessible? I trust you can figure it out. :) (And no, you don’t have to use a smiley face.)
Your guest is not a stranger using your service—he/she is sleeping in your bed. Don’t be afraid to show your personality, to have a sense of humor, to make them feel at home.
Expect the best from your guests, teach them what that means to you and they will give it to you.
Thanks for reading! Have a question that wasn't answered here? If you'd like more specific help, I'd love to work one-on-one with you. Or, if you want to work collaboratively in a group with fellow motivated hosts, find out if the next Abundant Hosting Mastermind group is open. I also wrote a book, Cleaning Up, where I give you the nuts and bolts (and so much more) of finding your perfect turnover assistant, thereby upleveling your profit and success on Airbnb. Have a beautiful day!