How to Host on Airbnb
Are you thinking about becoming an Airbnb Host? Or are you already hosting on Airbnb and you want to know how to achieve Superhost? I started hosting 10 years ago and have hosted hundreds of guests since.
At first I didn’t even have a luggage rack or an alarm clock for my guests. Over time, I learned what amenities guests love, what systems would help me host more easily, and how to manage hosting along with my family and job and sweet golden retriever begging for walks.
So, before you get started with Airbnb hosting, let me backup to the beginning and give you the basics.
If you’re considering hosting in your home, here are the three areas that you need to ace in order to be successful with hosting.
Of course, there are important logistics you’ll need to sort out before you start hosting: insurance, local regulations, how often you want to open your hosting calendar, and pricing, but we can get to all of those next. If you want to be successful at hosting - you’ll need to be strong in these three areas:
Home Styling
Guests will book your place and will value it more if its attractive, clean, and well styled. Here are a few questions to consider:
Why would guests stay with you (based on your location)? To visit relatives, to vacation, or to work? Consider WHO your typical or ideal guest will be and then think about how to set up your space for them.
Are you set up for guests? Where will they sleep and sit to read a book? Where will they work, and do you have super strong wifi?
Clutter! It’s the enemy in Airbnb hosting. You need to clear the space of any personal items, personal photographs, and knickknacks. Make the kitchen countertops and bathroom surfaces as sparse as possible. Put small appliances away. Your guests need to be able to unpack their own belongings.
Add personality. Create a spacious, beautiful space by styling it well with the right-size furniture, neutral, minimal decor, and pops of color. Create a color theme and keep it simple and light. Add arts and plants, but sparingly.
Create a welcome station for guests to get info and instructions when they arrive.
Review fire code and safety measures: ensure your space is safe for guests. Fires happen - what can you do to keep guests safe and ensure that preventative measures are in place? How can you help your guests check into your space smoothly and safely if they arrive at night? Read Airbnb’s Home Safety recommendations.
Housekeeping
Guests want immaculate spaces. Consider these questions:
Who will clean your space? Will you hire someone or do it yourself?
If you’re hiring: how will you coordinate last-minute bookings (or change your Airbnb settings so that last-minute bookings not an option). How will you communicate with cleaners about the needs in the space? Create a cleaning checklist. And pay a living wage to your cleaning staff: research what a living wage in your location would be.
How much time is needed to turnover the space between guests?
Can you invest in multiple sets of sheets and towels so that you can turnover the space without waiting for laundry?
Familiarize yourself with Airbnb’s cleaning policy during Covid and make sure anyone cleaning your space follows their guidelines: wearing gloves, a mask, ensuring proper ventilation, cleaning ALL linens between guests and knowing the difference between cleaning and disinfecting. Airbnb cleaning guidelines.
One hair will ruin a guest’s opinion of the cleanliness of your home. Aim for perfection.
Hosting with authentic care and connection
We all crave connection. If guests wanted an automated, anonymous experience, they would stay in a hotel. Guests LOVE hosts who make their stay and experience personal. Is your guest coming for their birthday? Surprise them with flowers. Is your guest coming for work? Leave them a handwritten note greeting them and wishing them a productive week. Address them by name. Leave them a few treats.
Be honest. Is your space old or quirky? Set realistic expectations for your guest, and then exceed them.
Be kind. Check your bias and welcome everyone equally into your home. Welcome everyone, and make things personal if you can - a personal text or email or note to welcome them.
Resolve issues by listening and leaning towards “the customer is always right.”
If you’re looking to elevate your Airbnb hosting, I’m creating something special. Click here to get on the waitlist.
I’d love your comments below: what has been your experience with Airbnb hosting and what questions do you have as you think about hosting in the future?