So, you’ve decided to host on Airbnb to make some extra cash, connect with new people or save up for something special. Fabulous! But, where do you start? No dilly-dallying in this post: It’s go time! Here are the very first three things you’ll do, in this order, to get you started hosting on Airbnb.
The Airbnb Guests That Nearly Shut Down My Listing (And What I Learned About Myself From It)
This experience feels tender still, and as much as this puts me in a vulnerable position to share this, I figured it would be important to do so—to let you know that I’m not perfect, that these things happen, that it may happen to you, and even if it does—you’ll be okay.
Recently, there was a huge athletic event in my home city, and so I had been able to rent my one-bedroom out for double the usual cost.
I headed out to go camping in the mountains for the weekend with a friend, trusting as usual that these would be the kinds of guests I’ve always attracted—respectful, clean, communicative and generally good people.
I was wrong.
Declining An Inquiry? Don’t Forget to Do This One Thing First
There is a message you can be writing back when you decline that could earn you future bookings, should you desire them! Read on for more.
A Big Airbnb Transition And a Fresh Focus for The Abundant Host
I’m moving from primarily a Feels-Like-Home Host to the Bed-and-Breakfast Host, after having moved on Aug. 1 into a gorgeous, modern, spacious two-bedroom with my love. What does this shift mean for The Abundant Host? Read more to find out.
What’s Your Unfair Advantage as an Airbnb Host?
I was working with a client recently who was frustrated that people were copying her listing.
She felt like she had put a lot of time and effort into her description and details (not to mention in the physical listing itself!) and people were pulling a copy-and-paste number on her.
My advice was simple:
Write copy that they can’t copy. (Read more!)
Location, Shmocation! How to Position Your Listing to Get Five Stars, No Matter Where It Is
I’m about to say something pretty controversial, so listen up. :) Even if you live in the middle of nowhere, you can get 5 stars in Location on Airbnb. Because, like all things, it’s not just about what you think it
Which Kind of Host Are You? Address Your Problem Areas to Get Five Stars in Every Category
You may have read a few blogs on hosting by now, and you may have noticed that a lot of hosting advice is geared toward the “general” host.
However, there are really three major categories that hosts fall into—and depending on which kind of host you are, you may need different resources, tools and advice to make the most of your hosting experience.
This article will help you:
– figure out what kind of host you are
– uncover your biggest challenges as that category of host
– highlight your potential problem areas on Airbnb (read: where you’re likely to lose stars!)
– arm yourself with strategies and solutions for rising above these challenges and problems
Ready? Let’s get into it!
Airbnb Cleanings: Should You Hire a Service or an Individual? Here’s My Recommendation
There are plenty of paid Airbnb cleaner and turnover services now that serve the host community, some nationally based and some local. Airbnb has even integrated Handy into their platform in some areas, like New York City. And they often do more than cleaning—they can take care of everything from washing the sheets to handing over the keys.
My general opinion, however, is that paid services are too impersonal for this particular kind of work.
Here’s why.
Presenting… My New eBook, “Cleaning Up”!
We’re now three days out from the public launch of my new book, Cleaning Up: How to Work With a Turnover Assistant to Uplevel Your Profit, Freedom and Success Hosting on Airbnb. The intro pre-order tier has now ended; those of you who ordered early and got the discount will receive the book early, today!
Today, I’m so excited to reveal the full title to you and the cover design.
It was designed by Tony Bacigalupo, who is a whiz at Photoshop and funneled my exacting demands into poetry in pixels. :)
The Abundant Host Goes to Paris! Clink Glasses With Me at the Airbnb Open
One of my core focuses right now is to bring you more community through The Abundant Host. I want us to be able to brainstorm together, to learn from and help each other—so I’m taking actions in Fall 2015 with this in mind.
And on this front, today I have some exciting news for you…
I’ve been invited to the Airbnb Open 2015 in Paris (Nov. 11-14)! I’ll be there, milling about, taking notes for you from all the best workshops and enjoying myself thoroughly. :)
In addition to being at the conference, I’m hosting a special event just for The Abundant Host community.