Post by High Priestess on May 30, 2016 0:30:22 GMT
Jaimie shared on NHF Jan 2015
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-101824
NO INQUIRIES.
Hey guys and gals, wishing everyone a happy and healthy New Year.
So i'm completely new to airbnb, and my place was listed a few days ago but I have yet to receive any inquiries. I put a lot of work and money into setting the place up and I am beginning to worry. I am not sure what I am doing wrong, and would really appreciate some advice. Thanks in advance.
- Jaimie
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Carolyn
Carolyna year ago
Hi Jaimie,
You're still early in the process, and the holidays just ended, so it's probably not unusual that you haven't had inquiries yet. People probably had their holiday plans in place before you posted your listing.
However, I think the biggest problem is you're in a saturated market. You have so much competition! I face the same situation, being in Los Angeles. You may want to consider lowering your price to start off, even though it's already a good rate. You could go just below $100, so that if people search for something with a price range up to $100, they'll see your place. Maybe try going down from $110 to $96.
Your listing and description are good. Your photos are nice, but I would get a professional Airbnb photographer. Perhaps you have one lined up already.
This is a very slow time of year for most hosts. It is disheartening - especially since you put so much into the place, and now may have to lower your price to get bookings. And you started with a great rate! Still, you'll probably take off, because you seem to enjoy the attention to detail. Good luck! (:
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Nic and Rach
Nic and Racha year ago
Totally agree with Carolyn.. When I started way back April 2011 it took me a month for my first guests so, be patient.... Fish are not biting just yet just keep on luring and as you may know fish has different feeding habits whether they are on fresh and salt water and just be ready to pull and before you know it you will be scaling your first fish anytime soon. Have you scale a fish before ? it could be messy but you will eventually get the hang of it. Have fun and enjoy hosting.
Jaimie
Jaimiea year ago
Thank you so much Carolyn. Your advice made me feel a lot better. I have already started making the changes, wish me luck..
Carolyn
Carolyna year ago
You will do great, Jaimie! Let us know how it goes (:
Elizabeth
Elizabetha year ago
Jamie, don't fret -- it's taken me a while to get my place rented too. I have yet to get my ROI five months later. You may also want to list your place on other platforms to maximize your reach. An inquiry confirmed today. Hopefully, it picks up much more.
Reply Like 1 reply Delete
Jaimie
Jaimiea year ago
Thanks a lot Elizabeth. Taking in all of the advice, I guess we just have to roll our sleeves up and do our best. Best of luck to you, and I wish you much success.
Diane
Dianea year ago
Jamie I am 6 months on here and just got my first booking this week so trust me it takes time, I too have out a lot of time and effort in butnit does take time, there is a lot of competition out there so don't despair
Reply Like 1 reply•1 like Delete
Jaimie
Jaimiea year ago
Thanks a lot Diane. I feel a lot better now that I know that I'm not alone. I will tough it out.
Andrew
Andrewa year ago
Off-season is a difficult time to launch, since it's often slow for even the most experienced hosts. Also, guests searching NYC listings encounter a lot of unreliable hosts, fake or illegal listings, and other things that aren't what they seem - so a listing without reviews raises a lot of suspicions.
One option you can try is setting an artifically low introductory price and a short maximum stay (say, up to 1 week) so you can get a few reviews as quickly as possible. After your first 3 reviews, you'll have a visible star rating, and you'll be recognized as a reputable and genuine host. You'll also start appearing higher in searches. At that point, you'll find it easier to get guests at your target price.
Reply Like Delete
Heather
Heathera year ago
I'm a new host as well (welcome!) and I feel like the off season is a good time to get started. That way we can get the kinks worked out, figure out how to do things on airbnb, etc., before the busy summer season. Good luck!
Reply Like 1 like Delete
Carrie
Carriea year ago
All the above advice is solid. I think it took me a week or so to get a booking.
When I first listed, I made sure that I was the best deal for the money in my city. That way, I knew that even without reviews, budget-conscious travelers would give me a chance. Also, because I listed at a bargain rate, my star rating for value would at least start out as a five star rating.
After I had a handful of reviews, I slowly raised my nightly price. Now, I lower my price in the off season, but have been able to steadily increase in the busier seasons.
Reply Like 2 likes Delete
Bekah and Brian
Bekah and Briana year ago
Sometimes it takes a spell to really get going. NYC is totally saturated with airBNB options so competition is fierce. You're best bet for now is to lower the price while being picky who you choose to let stay. I'd also add way more pictures, and if there IS a window in that apt, be sure to include a photo of it. Once you get some good reviews and are more in demand you can safely raise your price back up. It's one thing to not have a stove, but to not have a coffee machine is quite another. I would absolutely add a coffee maker and an electric kettle (with a small selection of tea bags, coffee and cream & sugar) as well as a toaster oven for sure, at that price.
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Bekah and Brian
Bekah and Briana year ago
Oh, and also absolutely NAME the two subway lines that are near the house in addition to where they're headed; mention whatever NYC attractions are on those train lines to show what a huge perk it is to be so close to the train! Many visitors to NYC are not remotely familiar with the city layout and expect everything to be five feet from Times Square.
Reply Like Delete
Jaimie
Jaimiea year ago
Wow. Thank you soo much Bekah & Brian. Your advice is super and I will absolutely apply them. Thank you so much! Best wishes to you guys for the New Year, and thank you so much again .
Reply Like Delete
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-101824
NO INQUIRIES.
Hey guys and gals, wishing everyone a happy and healthy New Year.
So i'm completely new to airbnb, and my place was listed a few days ago but I have yet to receive any inquiries. I put a lot of work and money into setting the place up and I am beginning to worry. I am not sure what I am doing wrong, and would really appreciate some advice. Thanks in advance.
- Jaimie
9 comments
Follow
Like
Delete
Hide
Carolyn
Carolyna year ago
Hi Jaimie,
You're still early in the process, and the holidays just ended, so it's probably not unusual that you haven't had inquiries yet. People probably had their holiday plans in place before you posted your listing.
However, I think the biggest problem is you're in a saturated market. You have so much competition! I face the same situation, being in Los Angeles. You may want to consider lowering your price to start off, even though it's already a good rate. You could go just below $100, so that if people search for something with a price range up to $100, they'll see your place. Maybe try going down from $110 to $96.
Your listing and description are good. Your photos are nice, but I would get a professional Airbnb photographer. Perhaps you have one lined up already.
This is a very slow time of year for most hosts. It is disheartening - especially since you put so much into the place, and now may have to lower your price to get bookings. And you started with a great rate! Still, you'll probably take off, because you seem to enjoy the attention to detail. Good luck! (:
Reply Like 3 replies•3 likes Delete
Nic and Rach
Nic and Racha year ago
Totally agree with Carolyn.. When I started way back April 2011 it took me a month for my first guests so, be patient.... Fish are not biting just yet just keep on luring and as you may know fish has different feeding habits whether they are on fresh and salt water and just be ready to pull and before you know it you will be scaling your first fish anytime soon. Have you scale a fish before ? it could be messy but you will eventually get the hang of it. Have fun and enjoy hosting.
Jaimie
Jaimiea year ago
Thank you so much Carolyn. Your advice made me feel a lot better. I have already started making the changes, wish me luck..
Carolyn
Carolyna year ago
You will do great, Jaimie! Let us know how it goes (:
Elizabeth
Elizabetha year ago
Jamie, don't fret -- it's taken me a while to get my place rented too. I have yet to get my ROI five months later. You may also want to list your place on other platforms to maximize your reach. An inquiry confirmed today. Hopefully, it picks up much more.
Reply Like 1 reply Delete
Jaimie
Jaimiea year ago
Thanks a lot Elizabeth. Taking in all of the advice, I guess we just have to roll our sleeves up and do our best. Best of luck to you, and I wish you much success.
Diane
Dianea year ago
Jamie I am 6 months on here and just got my first booking this week so trust me it takes time, I too have out a lot of time and effort in butnit does take time, there is a lot of competition out there so don't despair
Reply Like 1 reply•1 like Delete
Jaimie
Jaimiea year ago
Thanks a lot Diane. I feel a lot better now that I know that I'm not alone. I will tough it out.
Andrew
Andrewa year ago
Off-season is a difficult time to launch, since it's often slow for even the most experienced hosts. Also, guests searching NYC listings encounter a lot of unreliable hosts, fake or illegal listings, and other things that aren't what they seem - so a listing without reviews raises a lot of suspicions.
One option you can try is setting an artifically low introductory price and a short maximum stay (say, up to 1 week) so you can get a few reviews as quickly as possible. After your first 3 reviews, you'll have a visible star rating, and you'll be recognized as a reputable and genuine host. You'll also start appearing higher in searches. At that point, you'll find it easier to get guests at your target price.
Reply Like Delete
Heather
Heathera year ago
I'm a new host as well (welcome!) and I feel like the off season is a good time to get started. That way we can get the kinks worked out, figure out how to do things on airbnb, etc., before the busy summer season. Good luck!
Reply Like 1 like Delete
Carrie
Carriea year ago
All the above advice is solid. I think it took me a week or so to get a booking.
When I first listed, I made sure that I was the best deal for the money in my city. That way, I knew that even without reviews, budget-conscious travelers would give me a chance. Also, because I listed at a bargain rate, my star rating for value would at least start out as a five star rating.
After I had a handful of reviews, I slowly raised my nightly price. Now, I lower my price in the off season, but have been able to steadily increase in the busier seasons.
Reply Like 2 likes Delete
Bekah and Brian
Bekah and Briana year ago
Sometimes it takes a spell to really get going. NYC is totally saturated with airBNB options so competition is fierce. You're best bet for now is to lower the price while being picky who you choose to let stay. I'd also add way more pictures, and if there IS a window in that apt, be sure to include a photo of it. Once you get some good reviews and are more in demand you can safely raise your price back up. It's one thing to not have a stove, but to not have a coffee machine is quite another. I would absolutely add a coffee maker and an electric kettle (with a small selection of tea bags, coffee and cream & sugar) as well as a toaster oven for sure, at that price.
Reply Like Delete
Bekah and Brian
Bekah and Briana year ago
Oh, and also absolutely NAME the two subway lines that are near the house in addition to where they're headed; mention whatever NYC attractions are on those train lines to show what a huge perk it is to be so close to the train! Many visitors to NYC are not remotely familiar with the city layout and expect everything to be five feet from Times Square.
Reply Like Delete
Jaimie
Jaimiea year ago
Wow. Thank you soo much Bekah & Brian. Your advice is super and I will absolutely apply them. Thank you so much! Best wishes to you guys for the New Year, and thank you so much again .
Reply Like Delete