This post is for the advanced Airbnb host, the Superhost even, who is looking to make their (already amazing) listing stand out when more and more listings are being added to Airbnb every day. I hope you enjoy and find value here!
Poetry? Have you gone bananas, Ms. Abundant Host?
No, I have not. Nor am I recommending you start adding haikus to your listing description.
However, I recently took a month-long poetry class, and I’ve realized the value of being so specific with your description that it becomes universal and actually resonates more with your audience.
Poetry is an essence, an art and a way of representing a deeper emotional world—a world we all hold inside of us.
And setting the scene in a poetic or descriptive way for our guests could influence whether they book your place or your neighbor’s.
Take these two statements, on moments when our productivity/purpose vanish:
Your motivation may disappear some nights, and you may find yourself sad and in pain.
Your motivation may dry up from you in the night, and you may find yourself parched and crumbling—caked with sweat, glazed in pain.
Which makes you feel more? Which almost feels tangible to you?
Now, let’s flip this concept to Airbnb hosting.
Here are two ways to write the same thing for a ski retreat listing, with a completely different tone:
1. Fireplace available for guest use.
2. After a long day exploring, our fireplace awaits you! Pour yourself a frosty-rich chocolate stout from our local brewery and keep your toes toasty while watching the sun set over the mountains.
Here’s the magic: You’re not actually offering anything more in the second example than the first.
You’re not even offering to buy them that beer!
You’re still just offering a fireplace. But, you are setting the scene for how a guest might enjoy your place— and that can make all the difference.
My example might be a bit wordy for some—and you only want to sprinkle this type of writing into 10-20% of your listing, not everywhere—but, feel free to make it more concise to your liking.
Check out the incredible writing on this listing:
From the very beginning, these folks nail it: “Reconnect with nature and disconnect from technology on your own private deck surrounded by pristine and untouched nature just a short drive away from LA.”
Think about how this could read… something like: “Private deck. Great views. Cell service is minimal, but we’re minutes from L.A.”
Honestly, way too many listings read like that these days, and it adds zero magic to your listing. In my opinion, it only detracts.
This writing gives me a felt experience of what the possibilities exist if I were to stay there.
No wonder I found this listing highlighted by Airbnb, second on the home page of amazing destinations around the world!
The most important thing to remember is:
When people choose your listing over others’ that are similar in price, location and style—often they are making an emotional decision.
How can you express the experience you want your guests to have using some descriptive language here and there—so they can really feel what it will be like to be there?
Want one-on-one help? Contact me!
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!