I'm Ditching Airbnb... 👀

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Having your business solely rely on one platform is extremely risky, especially because that platform has the authority to make changes to your business at any given time, without your permission 😳

I realized that my business was completely reliant on the Airbnb platform. If Airbnb goes away, so does my business. That’s when I knew I needed to regain control over my business…

Maximizing revenue

When you list your property on Airbnb, you agree to pay a significant portion of your earnings as service fees to the platform. These fees can eat into your profits, and in some cases, you might not even be aware of the hidden costs. By accepting direct bookings, you can retain a more substantial portion of your income, boosting your bottom line.

Personal Connection

Airbnb acts as a “middle man” between you and your guests, often limiting your ability to establish a direct and personal connection with them. When guests book directly with you, you have the opportunity to build relationships, offer a tailored experience, and gain valuable feedback to improve your properties!

Ownership

Relying solely on Airbnb means you're subject to their policies, which can change at any time. Your pricing, cancellation policies, and guest interactions are ultimately determined by the platform. Taking charge of direct bookings allows you to run things how you choose.

Direct Booking Sites

A direct booking website is a personalized platform where you can showcase your Airbnb properties and accept reservations directly from guests. It serves as an independent booking portal, entirely under your control!

Direct bookings are not only good for host, but for the guest as well. Just how host pay service fees to Airbnb, so does the guest.

Booking directly allows for both parties to save on fees - Win win situation! 🤩

Retargeting

Many people will tell you “Create a direct booking website and you’ll be good to go!” and while yes, I recommend creating a direct booking site - here’s something you can do in the meantime while you build that site out.

The Airbnb platform allows you to spend ZERO dollars on marketing - the traffic is already there. People go on Airbnb to find rentals to stay in, whether that be for long term or short term stays.

& I guarantee if you ask anyone they either 1. know what Airbnb is or 2. have stayed at an Airbnb or know someone who has.

In the meantime of building my direct booking site, I am retargeting to the FREE Airbnb audience I already have.

What do I mean by retargeting? I am marketing to all of the guest Airbnb sent me, for free.

How?

I went onto vistaprint.com and customized 20 magnets to put into each of my Airbnbs. On the magnet I listed

• Phone number

• Instagram

• Airbnbtakeoff.com website

Once my direct booking site is completed I will have that website on there instead of a phone number.

Since I am only marketing to my Airbnb guests there is a level of vetting that will have already taken place.

They’ve been approved on the Airbnb platform & I would have already hosted the guest already. If it was a good stay, then I’d be happy to host off platform but if it was a bad guest experience I have the right to deny the off platform booking inquiry.

Has It Worked?

Less than a week after placing these magnets into each of my Airbnbs, the direct bookings started rolling in 🚀

15 days for $3.4k - straight into my pocket! The guest ended up saving money, and I ended up making more than If we went through the Airbnb platform.

I will use this method to gain clients and re-market to them throughout the year, all while still using the Airbnb platform for more free leads 🤑

See ya Wednesday! 👋

Hailie