An Airbnb business is a lot of work but when done right, it’s incredibly rewarding. We here at Hostly Chicago have gotten the opportunity to work with hundreds of Airbnb hosts assisting them in building their Airbnb business from the ground, up. One way we do this is by implementing Airbnb marketing strategies to help you compete. Here are a few of our secrets to get you started.
Pricing
There are many things to consider when pricing your Airbnb. To boost your ranking, Airbnb seeks out the fairest prices with the highest value. Falling in the middle of your competitive market price is the sweet spot for Airbnb to boost your search ranking.
Assessing your Airbnb listings optimum price is all about comparison. Just like any business, you have to understand what guests or customers are willing to pay. To determine your value take a look at competing Airbnbs. Refine your search for the following:
- View geographical competition from neighborhood, city, even entire state.
- Compare Airbnb’s with the most similar size and shape (bedrooms/sq ft)
- Style (Apartment, home, duplex, penthouse)
- Amenities (Do you offer the same extras?)
Social Media Marketing
Are you treating Airbnb like a small business? If so, that means you are sharing your Airbnb on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and any other marketing channel you can get your hands on. You could even blog about your hosting experience. Whatever you do, you have to get the word out about your Airbnb. If you want people to be talking about your Airbnb the conversation starts with you.
Professional Staging and Photos
Now that you’re planning your next big move on Facebook and Instagram start planning on hiring a professional to stage and photograph your Airbnb. Your Airbnb photos are the cornerstone of the other Airbnb marketing strategies to help you compete
For the purpose of your Airbnb business, staging is creating the ultimate living “scene”. Staging done right gives guests the best idea of how they will live and feel in your Airbnb. Let’s talk numbers to discover exactly how photography is a vital part of a successful Airbnb business and impacts your bottom line. A 2017 consumer review survey shows 94% of clicks were motivated by images. This is your traffic we’re talking about. This is someone scrolling through 14 pages of Airbnb results and choosing to click yours because of the photos. But how to convert those clicks to bookings?
Master Your Listing
All of your Airbnb marketing strategies will come down to your listing. Consider your Airbnb listing your landing page. Land your booking by applying the following:
- Create a Unique Headline
- Sell an Experience Not Just a Rental
- Go Beyond Basic Amenities
- Maintain Positive Reviews
- Over-Deliver on All Claims
Hire a Professional to Do it All and More!
Recently, 3 of our Chicago Airbnb’s were rated among the top 50 Airbnb’s out of the 7,000 in the city! As excited as we are about the news, we are more grateful that with the help of the Plus badge, potential guests can have that little bit of extra peace of mind when booking. We were even able to share this excitement in a brief interview with the Chicago Tribune.
Allow us to expand your Airbnb business by creating and implementing Airbnb marketing strategies to help you compete.