Airbnb is increasingly becoming a holiday rental marketplace as opposed to its mantra of the sharing economy. According to statistics, in 2015, 63% of all airbnb listings in the US were for entire homes, and only 34% were for private listings.
Entire homes offer a level of privacy, personal space and autonomy that private rooms are seen as lacking. But as a traditional "private room" host, here are three simple strategies you can employ to make your private room listing stand out from the crowd:
1. Compete on price
This is the main advantage of a private room listing compared to a whole home. Typically private room listings are cheaper due to the shared space, which makes them attractive to budget conscious travellers such as young couples or solo travellers. Price your room to make it attractive to a booking of one or two persons and aim to hit the sweet spot between a the price of a hostel private room and mid-range a hotel room in your area.
2. Add your personal touch
As an Airbnb host myself, my private room listing attract a lot of solo travellers seeking a mixture of company, local knowledge and a cozy "home away". Instead of a stark room full of Ikea furniture, I fill my apartment with things that reflect my style and who I am - boho mid century furniture, family photos and trinkets, artworks and photography I love, and lush green pot plants and flowers. My guests have often remarked on the style and personality of the space.
While many guests want privacy and their own personal space, it's important to remember that people who willing to book a private room often want an authentic experience. Being yourself, and offering a real home to your guests is an important part of that experience.
Think about the room you are listing on Airbnb and your home. Is it reflective of who you are? Are you creating a home for your guests to come back to every night?
3. Offer value for money
What can you include in your nightly rate that doesn't cost you a lot, but offers great value and convenience to your travellers? This could be as simple as free use of toiletries and pantry items, to a box of chocolates, local restaurant and bar recommendations, airport transfers, or an emergency contact for when you are not around. Think about what a traveller might want or need, weigh up how much man power and money it would cost you to provide the service, and add value to your private room listing.
Ready for Airbnb? Click on my referral link to get $35 travel credit when you make a booking of $100 or more on Airbnb.
Entire homes offer a level of privacy, personal space and autonomy that private rooms are seen as lacking. But as a traditional "private room" host, here are three simple strategies you can employ to make your private room listing stand out from the crowd:
1. Compete on price
This is the main advantage of a private room listing compared to a whole home. Typically private room listings are cheaper due to the shared space, which makes them attractive to budget conscious travellers such as young couples or solo travellers. Price your room to make it attractive to a booking of one or two persons and aim to hit the sweet spot between a the price of a hostel private room and mid-range a hotel room in your area.
2. Add your personal touch
As an Airbnb host myself, my private room listing attract a lot of solo travellers seeking a mixture of company, local knowledge and a cozy "home away". Instead of a stark room full of Ikea furniture, I fill my apartment with things that reflect my style and who I am - boho mid century furniture, family photos and trinkets, artworks and photography I love, and lush green pot plants and flowers. My guests have often remarked on the style and personality of the space.
While many guests want privacy and their own personal space, it's important to remember that people who willing to book a private room often want an authentic experience. Being yourself, and offering a real home to your guests is an important part of that experience.
Think about the room you are listing on Airbnb and your home. Is it reflective of who you are? Are you creating a home for your guests to come back to every night?
3. Offer value for money
What can you include in your nightly rate that doesn't cost you a lot, but offers great value and convenience to your travellers? This could be as simple as free use of toiletries and pantry items, to a box of chocolates, local restaurant and bar recommendations, airport transfers, or an emergency contact for when you are not around. Think about what a traveller might want or need, weigh up how much man power and money it would cost you to provide the service, and add value to your private room listing.
Ready for Airbnb? Click on my referral link to get $35 travel credit when you make a booking of $100 or more on Airbnb.
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