Post by High Priestess on May 27, 2016 19:10:44 GMT
Kayla shared on Anecdotes May 2014
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-90011
People not reading our profile.
We have often found people not reading detail in our space and they arrive expecting something else and they don't enjoy their stay. They arrive expecting a private room, they arrive when we are at work instead of during our check in times, they arrive at the wrong door or they will be afraid of dogs.
We have included a confirmation word on our profile that people need to include in their message to us but a lot of people are still not getting it. Does anyone have any suggestions?
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Sheryl
Sheryl 2 years ago
If you read a lot of postings, you will find that this is a common hosting problem! I think some guests just see "great space" "great price" and CLICK!
In order to be sure that my prospective guests are clear about my offering, I respond to inquiries with some standardized language that highlights what is most important to me. You can do the same. Just draft some language that says something like, "I am so glad that you are interested in a stay with me, my husband and friendly dog. As listed, your sleeping quarters are in the living area. We've outfitted your space with great bedding and fluffy, fresh linens and blankets. We will do our best to create a cozy, quiet space for you to rest during the night. Is there anything you need to be more comfortable in the space?" You will be able to tell my your guest's response whether they read your note. They may say, "Oh, no. I can't sleep in a living room." Or, they may say, "I can sleep anywhere!"
Reply Like 1 like
Julie and Eric
Julie and Eric2 years ago
Even if you had five words as your entire description, I'm not sure everyone would read it.
A lot of people use the app and they flip through photos. Think about changing your photo descriptions to address these concerns. Put the photos with the often missed information first - they may not look at all of them. For instance, "Your airbed is in the LIVING ROOM of our apartment," etc.
It's also important to confirm things like check in time and location with the guest. Get to the point where they say they'll "go the back door with the red awning at ___ pm" so you know they've understood.
CAPS ARE OKAY if they're used sparingly. If I see caps for more than a few words, I stop reading because I feel like I'm being yelled at.
Hostel is spelled hostel (or hostal).
Good luck!
Reply Like 2 replies•2 likes
Juliet and Ed
Juliet and Ed2 years ago
OMG Kayla.... Julie and Eric are right! Check your spelling!!!!!! Your listing says "We are not a hostile".
Stephanie and Steven
Stephanie and Steven2 years ago
Even adding captions to photos doesn't always work. I am considering putting signs on things in our photos. People just do not read a thing. And a personal tip: the spell check/autocorrect is not your friend - watch it doesn't bite you in the ass. I'm sure you are not "a hostile" but I think what you are trying to say is "we are not a hostel." The two are quite different.
Nicole
Nicole2 years ago
I use standard language to all inquiries, "airbnb listings are as unique as people themselves. Please take the time to reread our listing carefully to ensure it meets all your needs. Get back to me with any questions, concerns, and acceptance of our listing and I will approve your reservation."
Reply Like 2 likes
Gaga
Gaga2 years ago
Juliet is pretty right, Kayla needs to read her profile herself before she expects her guests to read it. Check-in time at 1 AM is a bit too much. I think she needs to find a way to deliver the keys to her guests.
Reply Like 1 reply•1 like
Julie and Eric
Julie and Eric2 years ago
I'm seeing 1 PM
Sheryl
Sheryl 2 years ago
Nicely said, Nicole.
Reply Like
Christina
Christina2 years ago
Like Sheryl, I respond to inquiries by thanking them and then proceeding to tell them if the room is in a shared part of my house or separate (I have 2 rooms I rent), what they have access to, whether or not they qualify for the free Metrocard, and how long it takes to get to Manhattan, and anything else that seems pertinent. I would not relay on the "secret word," although I think that is clever.
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Erik
Erik2 years ago
Just an idea, since Julie & Eric said a lot of people flip through photos on a smartphone app, perhaps you could actually add text and arrows to your photos indicating that it is a shared space, or other critical & commonly over-looked information.
Reply Like
Gail
Gail2 years ago
Yes, I do not use instant book because I have a dog which is listed a few times in my listing. I always respond with something like , thank you for your inquiry! Before I can accept a reservation it is important that I hear back from a potential guest that they are not allergic to dogs and will be comfortable with a dog on the premises. I've had about 70 guests and only one did not like dogs but my price was right and the dog and guest were able to get along quite well.
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-90011
People not reading our profile.
We have often found people not reading detail in our space and they arrive expecting something else and they don't enjoy their stay. They arrive expecting a private room, they arrive when we are at work instead of during our check in times, they arrive at the wrong door or they will be afraid of dogs.
We have included a confirmation word on our profile that people need to include in their message to us but a lot of people are still not getting it. Does anyone have any suggestions?
8 comments
Follow
Like
Sheryl
Sheryl 2 years ago
If you read a lot of postings, you will find that this is a common hosting problem! I think some guests just see "great space" "great price" and CLICK!
In order to be sure that my prospective guests are clear about my offering, I respond to inquiries with some standardized language that highlights what is most important to me. You can do the same. Just draft some language that says something like, "I am so glad that you are interested in a stay with me, my husband and friendly dog. As listed, your sleeping quarters are in the living area. We've outfitted your space with great bedding and fluffy, fresh linens and blankets. We will do our best to create a cozy, quiet space for you to rest during the night. Is there anything you need to be more comfortable in the space?" You will be able to tell my your guest's response whether they read your note. They may say, "Oh, no. I can't sleep in a living room." Or, they may say, "I can sleep anywhere!"
Reply Like 1 like
Julie and Eric
Julie and Eric2 years ago
Even if you had five words as your entire description, I'm not sure everyone would read it.
A lot of people use the app and they flip through photos. Think about changing your photo descriptions to address these concerns. Put the photos with the often missed information first - they may not look at all of them. For instance, "Your airbed is in the LIVING ROOM of our apartment," etc.
It's also important to confirm things like check in time and location with the guest. Get to the point where they say they'll "go the back door with the red awning at ___ pm" so you know they've understood.
CAPS ARE OKAY if they're used sparingly. If I see caps for more than a few words, I stop reading because I feel like I'm being yelled at.
Hostel is spelled hostel (or hostal).
Good luck!
Reply Like 2 replies•2 likes
Juliet and Ed
Juliet and Ed2 years ago
OMG Kayla.... Julie and Eric are right! Check your spelling!!!!!! Your listing says "We are not a hostile".
Stephanie and Steven
Stephanie and Steven2 years ago
Even adding captions to photos doesn't always work. I am considering putting signs on things in our photos. People just do not read a thing. And a personal tip: the spell check/autocorrect is not your friend - watch it doesn't bite you in the ass. I'm sure you are not "a hostile" but I think what you are trying to say is "we are not a hostel." The two are quite different.
Nicole
Nicole2 years ago
I use standard language to all inquiries, "airbnb listings are as unique as people themselves. Please take the time to reread our listing carefully to ensure it meets all your needs. Get back to me with any questions, concerns, and acceptance of our listing and I will approve your reservation."
Reply Like 2 likes
Gaga
Gaga2 years ago
Juliet is pretty right, Kayla needs to read her profile herself before she expects her guests to read it. Check-in time at 1 AM is a bit too much. I think she needs to find a way to deliver the keys to her guests.
Reply Like 1 reply•1 like
Julie and Eric
Julie and Eric2 years ago
I'm seeing 1 PM
Sheryl
Sheryl 2 years ago
Nicely said, Nicole.
Reply Like
Christina
Christina2 years ago
Like Sheryl, I respond to inquiries by thanking them and then proceeding to tell them if the room is in a shared part of my house or separate (I have 2 rooms I rent), what they have access to, whether or not they qualify for the free Metrocard, and how long it takes to get to Manhattan, and anything else that seems pertinent. I would not relay on the "secret word," although I think that is clever.
Reply Like
Erik
Erik2 years ago
Just an idea, since Julie & Eric said a lot of people flip through photos on a smartphone app, perhaps you could actually add text and arrows to your photos indicating that it is a shared space, or other critical & commonly over-looked information.
Reply Like
Gail
Gail2 years ago
Yes, I do not use instant book because I have a dog which is listed a few times in my listing. I always respond with something like , thank you for your inquiry! Before I can accept a reservation it is important that I hear back from a potential guest that they are not allergic to dogs and will be comfortable with a dog on the premises. I've had about 70 guests and only one did not like dogs but my price was right and the dog and guest were able to get along quite well.