Top 10 Secrets Every Airbnb Host Needs to Know to Skyrocket Their Earnings

As an Short Term Let/Airbnb host, there are some tips and tricks that the company may not want you to know. We have gathered these insights from ex-employees of Airbnb as well as from our own experience in using the platform and from third party analytics.

While Airbnb offers a wealth of information and resources for hosts, some insider knowledge can help you take your hosting game to the next level, push you up the listings on Airbnb and give a serious boost to your earnings.

1. Customise your pricing

Airbnb offers a pricing tool that allows hosts to set a base price for their listing, but this tool may not always give you the best price for your specific circumstances. Consider customising your pricing based on factors like the day of the week, the season, or local events. For example, if there's a big music festival in town, you may be able to charge more for your listing during that weekend. If you can afford to, consider using one of the many available pricing tools out there, like PriceLabs, Wheelhouse or Beyond Pricing. These software packages automate a lot of this based on supply and demand in your area, though we would recommend that you still keep a manual check on rates once a week, which is something we do for all our clients.

2. Prioritise avoiding bad reviews, even more than getting good reviews

We all love a 5 star review, but did you know that getting four 'five-star' reviews and one 'one-star' review (average 4.2) is much worse than getting four '4-star' reviews (average 4.0). Mathematically that might not sound like it makes sense, but the reason it is worse is that with a one star review, Airbnb's algorithm will think there is something wrong with your listing. When that happens, the guest may not book on Airbnb again, whereas guests who rated stays a 4 star, most probably will. So they prioritise consistently 'good' reviews, more than inconsistently 'amazing' reviews which have some poor ones mixed in. By prioritise, I mean they will push the listings that are getting 'consistently good' reviews to the top of the search results, so your property may not get seen when a guest searches. The bottom line here is you want to avoid bad reviews if at all possible.

3. Respond quickly to inquiries

Airbnb prioritises hosts who respond quickly to guest inquiries, so make sure to check your messages frequently and respond promptly. This will not only help you earn better rankings but also ensure that you're providing the best possible experience for your guests. It is one of the pre-requisite for being designated by Airbnb as a 'Super-Host' to be responsive to all enquiries (responding to 90% of new messages within 24 hours).

4. Keep your calendar up-to-date and as far in the future as possible

Airbnb's search algorithm favours listings that have up-to-date calendars, so make sure to keep your calendar updated and accurate. This will help you attract more guests and improve your search rankings. You should try to release future months availabilty if you can, we would recommend at least 3 months, ideally 6 months or more into the future.

5. Offer unique experiences

Consider offering unique experiences that set your listing apart from others in your area. For example, if you have a garden, you could offer a gardening workshop or a cooking class using ingredients from your garden. If you live in a popular tourist destination and know the history of the area, considering offering tours if this is something you might enjoy. Airbnb is really pushing the 'Experiences' part of their site now. You can charge for these tours as well on Airbnb so it will boost your Host earnings in addition to the earnings from your stay. You can then offer a discount or free pass to the tour to your guests.

6. Take great photos

Your listing's photos are one of the most critical factors in attracting guests, so make sure to take great photos that showcase your space. Consider hiring a professional photographer or investing in a high-quality camera to capture your space in the best possible light. We employ professional photographers for all our listings. You should consider it an essential investment that you will make back many times over.

7. Create a comprehensive guest guide

Provide your guests with a comprehensive guide to your listing and the surrounding area. Include information about local restaurants, attractions, and transportation options, as well as any rules or instructions for your space. There are many digital apps that can do this effectively, such as Hostfully. However, even a Google Docs is an excellent, simple and free way of doing this, which you can also amend easily, even from their mobile app. It is amazing how few hosts do this, but it will help guests to get the answers they need quickly, which in turn can facilitate a positive experience and a great review.

8. Go above and beyond with amenities

Offering extra amenities can help you earn positive reviews and attract more guests. Consider providing things like snacks, drinks, or bicycles for your guests to use during their stay. Complete your listing on Airbnb as thoroughly as possible to select all the amenities you have, many Hosts skip over a lot of this, which is a mistake. Some guests filter their search results by amenities (e.g. free parking, wifi, washing machine), so leaving any of these off that your property does actually have will lose you the opportunity to capture that booking. It is also worth looking at the amenities as a checklist for you to consider what you could or should have, though not all will be applicable or even recommended.

9. Encourage guests to leave reviews

Approximately 70% of Airbnb guests leave reviews, according to data from Airbnb. Reviews are crucial to your success as an Airbnb host, so make sure to encourage your guests to leave reviews after their stay. You can do this by providing a nicely worded note in your guest guide or sending a follow-up message after their stay. The timing of this is important. We follow up for all our clients to ensure the highest probability of a good review.

10. Use cross-promotion to boost your listing

Consider partnering with other local businesses to cross-promote each other's listings. For example, if you have a rental property near a popular restaurant, you could offer a discount on a meal at the restaurant for guests who book your listing. You can include this in your house guide alongside other recommendations in the area.

By implementing these tips and tricks, you can take your Airbnb hosting game to the next level and stand out from the competition. While Airbnb do not publish some of these insights, they can help you attract more guests, earn better reviews, and ultimately increase your income.