AIRBNB - Tips for hiring out your house for holiday accommodation
As someone who has photographed many many many Airbnb’s … and spoken to a variety of homeowners Airbnb-ing their properties … here are some of my top tips for Airbnb-ing your home.
Styling
Before you have your property photographed, it is a good idea to think about wether you are whiling to spend some money to restyle your property by a professional stylist … I come from a background in Interior Design and Styling, as well as having experience in Marketing and Graphic Design … this combination of skills, always being focused on home interiors is what sets me apart now as a professional and trusted photographer, who also styles.
You definitely don’t have to have me re-style your home, you can choose any interior designers/stylist you like, if you like their style, but I do think a really beautiful Airbnb, that is aesthetically pleasing not only in photographs but also in person is very important to really get the most out of Airbnb-ing your home, to stand out from the crowd.
Having key features you become known for in your Airbnb (when potential guests see photos fo your Airbnb online), a particular painting, a cool colour palette … the most relaxing space someones ever laid eyes on … all these things add up to a memorable space, it all goes in with your branding, the more professional you are about Airbnb-ing your property, the more money you can charge and the more bookings you are going to get.
I have a variety of stylists I can reccomend for you, depending on the style you are after, and how far you want to go when it comes to re-designing or re-styling your home.
2. Photography
Obviously I highly recommend a professional photoshoot of your Airbnb when it is styled it’s best. Professional photography is going to say to your potential clients, that you take Airbnb-ing seriously, that you are a trusted Airbnb Host, with a home worthy of their holiday money spending.
Before your photoshoot, you do want to make sure the home is clean and tidy, this saves me (or the photographer you choose) time, tiding and cleaning, that could be spent photographing your space.
After the photoshoot, after you have received your professional photographs, here’s what you should know …
3. Branding … choosing a great name for your property, having a logo custom made, starting an instagram for the property … and even better, a website for the property. If all this overwhelms you, these are all things I am more then capable of doing for you, please don’t hesitate to get in contact to chat about my Airbnb branding packages … getting you completely set up, and teaching you anything you need to know in the on going marketing of your Airbnb.
4. Instagram … Having an instagram for the property doesn’t necessarily mean you have to keep up with that instagram, constantly posting etc … it means the people who stay at your Airbnb, have an instagram account to tag when they are posting photos, it means there friends will be able to check out your Airbnb, by clicking that tagged link straight away … you can set up automated messages for anyone direct messaging you on instagram, so you really don’t have to be using it as such … but by all means if you are into it, I can teach you how to use Instagram to better your Airbnb business.
5. Airbnb.com … Setting up your profile on Airbnb.com … probably the most important task of them all, I can also do this task for you if you choose, adding all the professional photos, writing a beautiful description etc etc.
6. Local Guides … An added extra, that is just such a nice touch to an Airbnb, is a local guide … a list of places, cafes, restaurants, things to do … ideally a list that you write out, as you will know the area of your Airbnb better then me, and then I will design a Mini Local Guide, that is branded beautiful to your personal Airbnb, this Guide can then be sent to your guests as a PDF, once they book their stay at your Airbnb, before they arrive for their holiday … you could also have a copy printed nicely as more of a magazine, to sit on the coffee table, waiting for your guests when they arrive.
Courses
If you REALLY want to get into all things Airbnbing your home yourself I can highly recommend doing either one of the following courses:
Sarah Andrew’s Airbnb Course.
I have heard amazing things about this course, I haven’t done it myself, but I definitely believe this would be worth looking into if you are serious about Airbnb-ing your property. The creator of The Hosting Masterclass owns The Captains Rest, very well known Airbnb in Tasmania.
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Salt at Shoal Bay use to always host Airbnb workshops, it doesn’t look like they are doing them right now, but I would keep an eye on this too, they looked incredible, I lot of them were hosted in collaboration with Natalie Walton, a well known stylist.
Managing your Airbnb.
If you want someone to completely run your Airbnb, including a makeover, all the cleaning, booking holiday makers etc … I can also highly recommend Ranger Property who are based in Byron Bay. (I do most of their photographing work for the many many Airbnb’s they manage.