Just put up my listing ,when can I expect to get guests?

This is a question that we see very often on the host community groups. A host lists their property, and then wonders when they will get their first guest. They may want to know how long other hosts had to wait until they received a guest. They may ask what they can do to try to turn inquiries into bookings. Basically, there is no "average", because everything depends on the supply and demand in your region. And hosts are well advised before going into a business, which doing short term rentals is, to learn about how to run that business, study that business, learn about the supply and demand in their area. These are all things that anyone should do before they start up a business, or along with the starting of a business. Unfortunately a lot of people jump into hosting without realizing that it is actually a business like other businesses, and thus they aren't quite prepared to run that business. One of our missions as experienced hosts is to encourage new hosts to make some effort to learn about running a hosting business before getting started -- which one can do by reading hte host community forums, carefully reading over and learning the Airbnb website, and talking to other people in one's area who are involved in the property rental business.




Kelly shared Feb 20 2016

Hello from Vancouver!

I am a new host. Just wondering how long on average it takes to start getting bookings.
4 comments
Following
Like

Delete
Hide
Kelly
Kelly16 hours ago
I have a professional photographer coming soon because these pics do not do the space justice!

Reply Like Delete
Ed & Hugh
Ed & Hugh15 hours ago
It took us a few hours to start seeing bookings.

Reply Like Delete
Kelly
Kelly13 hours ago
Wow Ed and Hugh! Lucky you!

Reply Like Delete
Deborah
Deborah12 hours ago
Kelly, there isn't an "average" -- for many hosts, it's just a few hours or a couple days, but then there are hosts in Uganda who have listed 2 years ago and haven't had a single booking yet. In hosting, everything is relative. Keep in mind during your first month as a host you will get an artifical promotion and your listing will be promoted above that of other more established hosts in your area. This will only last about a month, and then you will be competing with everyone else in your area.

The best way to see how business is going in your area, is to check with other hosts right in your area.

Reply Like 3 replies Delete
Kelly
Kelly12 hours ago
Thank you Deborah. How do I check with other hosts in my area?

Deborah
Deborah11 hours ago
Look at listings in your area....

Deborah
Deborah11 hours ago
You can see other listings' calendars and that tells you how business is going for them. Also there may be a Vancouver hosts' group.