In this episode, Neil dissects the crucial stage of communicating with guests before they book. With over 2,000 guests hosted and eight years of experience, Neil shares valuable insights on how to handle guest inquiries effectively. He emphasizes the importance of responding promptly, addressing all questions with respect, and never making guests feel silly for asking. Ultimately, Neil guides hosts on how to navigate guest inquiries and create a positive booking experience.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Guests appreciate fast responses, even if it's just to acknowledge their inquiry.

• People may have different language abilities and cultural norms, so it's important not to judge based on initial messages.

• Responding to questions, even if they seem obvious, shows good customer service and can help secure bookings.

• It's important to treat all questions with respect and provide helpful answers, as it can impact the guest's decision to book.

• How you make guests feel through your responses can build trust and influence their decision to book with you.

BEST MOMENTS

"Speed of response is so important. I've had guests turn up to my home saying things like, 'oh thank you so much for your fast response.'"

"We never know the backstory of the person asking the questions. We don't know what experiences they've had."

"Never make anyone feel stupid for asking you a question, because we have no idea what the long-term value of that guest could be."

"We rarely remember what people say or do to us, but we always remember how they made us feel."

"Emotions are such a big deal, we use them to tell us what's real. Whatever you did, told a truth or a fib, guests recall how you made them feel."

ABOUT THE HOST

Neil has led a fulfilled and unconventional life, navigating an extraordinary journey from the Royal Navy to prop-making in London's West End theatres. Born into a military family, it was a twist of fate which led him to the theatre, where he contributed to iconic productions such as Phantom of the Opera.

Eventually, Neil transitioned to Corporate Event Team Building, eventually founding his own venture in 1999. Financial challenges in 2017 are what prompted a strategic shift to Airbnb hosting, proving a reliable backup income. By 2021, Neil and his business partner triumphed over significant debt, fuelled by their resilience and the success of Neil's Airbnb venture. Now, Neil has left the corporate world behind, thriving solely through his flourishing Airbnb endeavours.

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to "The Airbnb Superhost," your ultimate guide to mastering the art of hosting on Airbnb. In each concise 15-minute episode, Neil will reveal the secrets to creating unforgettable guest experiences and maximizing the potential of your property, drawing on over 8 consecutive years as a qualifying Airbnb Superhost.

With a focus on 3 specific aspects of running an Airbnb business; the host, the property, and Airbnb itself, Neil provides step-by-step guidance on everything from ambiance creation to effective communication.

In each episode, a Superhost Secret will help you elevate your hosting game and keep guests coming back for more. Whether you're a seasoned host or just starting out, Neil’s actionable tips and tricks will help you become a hospitality superstar.

Disclaimer: The Airbnb Superhost is in no way affiliated with Airbnb. All ideas, thoughts, concepts and data presented in this podcast are entirely Neil’s own and do not represent the views of Airbnb.

In this episode, Neil shares valuable insights on how hosts can take control of their bookings calendar by creating their own "crystal ball" using a spreadsheet. By delving into the power of the Airbnb calendar and the importance of staying on top of bookings, Neil provides practical tips on maximizing revenue, increasing occupancy rates, and personalizing guest experiences. He emphasizes the significance of regularly checking and syncing the calendar with other plans to ensure a smooth guest experience and financial success.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Keep track of bookings and guest interactions by using a personal spreadsheet alongside the Airbnb calendar.

• Regularly review cash flow, occupancy rates, earnings per room, guest demographics, and average room rates to make informed decisions and optimize listings.

• Take advantage of settings like adjusting booking availability, blocking dates, activating instant book, and setting pricing strategies to control bookings effectively.

• Minimize cancellations to maintain Superhost status by staying organized, communicating promptly with guests, and utilizing Airbnb's cancellation policies.

• Develop a daily habit of cross-referencing your Airbnb calendar with other scheduling tools to ensure accuracy and prevent missed messages or bookings.

BEST MOMENTS

"I find it enables me to look into my future... I create my own crystal ball."

"Knowing the average room rate means that I can anticipate how many more bookings I need to hit my monthly target."

"You are totally in control of when any guests can book with you."

"Cancellations are a biggie... it will definitely negatively affect your super status."

"Make it a daily habit to check that your Airbnb calendar synchronizes with everything else that you do."

ABOUT THE HOST

Neil has led a fulfilled and unconventional life, navigating an extraordinary journey from the Royal Navy to prop-making in London's West End theatres. Born into a military family, it was a twist of fate which led him to the theatre, where he contributed to iconic productions such as Phantom of the Opera.

Eventually, Neil transitioned to Corporate Event Team Building, eventually founding his own venture in 1999. Financial challenges in 2017 are what prompted a strategic shift to Airbnb hosting, proving a reliable backup income. By 2021, Neil and his business partner triumphed over significant debt, fuelled by their resilience and the success of Neil's Airbnb venture. Now, Neil has left the corporate world behind, thriving solely through his flourishing Airbnb endeavours.

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to "The Airbnb Superhost," your ultimate guide to mastering the art of hosting on Airbnb. In each concise 15-minute episode, Neil will reveal the secrets to creating unforgettable guest experiences and maximizing the potential of your property, drawing on over 8 consecutive years as a qualifying Airbnb Superhost.

With a focus on 3 specific aspects of running an Airbnb business; the host, the property, and Airbnb itself, Neil provides step-by-step guidance on everything from ambiance creation to effective communication.

In each episode, a Superhost Secret will help you elevate your hosting game and keep guests coming back for more. Whether you're a seasoned host or just starting out, Neil’s actionable tips and tricks will help you become a hospitality superstar.

Disclaimer: The Airbnb Superhost is in no way affiliated with Airbnb. All ideas, thoughts, concepts and data presented in this podcast are entirely Neil’s own and do not represent the views of Airbnb.

In today's episode, Neil delves into the crucial aspect of the customer journey, focusing on the start of this journey. Neil emphasizes the importance of understanding the customer journey and how it impacts the success of an Airbnb business. He shares insights on creating a roadmap for guests, starting with the offering, which includes elements such as photos, written descriptions, badges, reviews, and pricing. Neil provides valuable tips on how hosts can optimize their listings to attract and retain guests, ultimately leading to positive reviews and repeat bookings. Through engaging storytelling and practical advice, Neil highlights the significance of building trust and eliminating doubt in the guest-host relationship to ensure a seamless and successful customer journey.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The customer journey is the complete experience a customer has while interacting with a business, from initial research to post-stay review on Airbnb.

• Mapping out the customer journey helps hosts identify opportunities to improve guest experiences and increase the likelihood of bookings and positive reviews.

• The offering, including photos, descriptions, amenities, badges, reviews, and pricing, plays a crucial role in attracting and retaining guests.

• High-quality photos and detailed descriptions are essential in showcasing the property and enticing potential guests to book.

• Removing doubt and ambiguity in the guest experience is crucial for building trust and ensuring guests feel comfortable and satisfied, leading to repeat bookings.

BEST MOMENTS

"My mission is to help you to gain the golden Superhost status and the coveted Guest Favourite badge and all the benefits that come with them, no matter where you are in your Airbnb journey."

"The journey starts long before they actually book, so the roadmap is there for us to be able to lead them to the place where they press buy."

"A good roadmap makes them feel comfortable with us. And trust me, if at any time our guest feels uncomfortable with us, they will disappear."

"The biggest destroyer of any relationship is when doubt creeps into it. When doubt exists, do you really believe what someone is telling you? Do you trust them? No."

"Beware of the little white lie. And if you are wondering why, if you cause any doubt and you then get found out, your business will struggle to fly."

ABOUT THE HOST

Neil has led a fulfilled and unconventional life, navigating an extraordinary journey from the Royal Navy to prop-making in London's West End theatres. Born into a military family, it was a twist of fate which led him to the theatre, where he contributed to iconic productions such as Phantom of the Opera.

Eventually, Neil transitioned to Corporate Event Team Building, eventually founding his own venture in 1999. Financial challenges in 2017 are what prompted a strategic shift to Airbnb hosting, proving a reliable backup income. By 2021, Neil and his business partner triumphed over significant debt, fuelled by their resilience and the success of Neil's Airbnb venture. Now, Neil has left the corporate world behind, thriving solely through his flourishing Airbnb endeavours.

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to "The Airbnb Superhost," your ultimate guide to mastering the art of hosting on Airbnb. In each concise 15-minute episode, Neil will reveal the secrets to creating unforgettable guest experiences and maximizing the potential of your property, drawing on over 8 consecutive years as a qualifying Airbnb Superhost.

With a focus on 3 specific aspects of running an Airbnb business; the host, the property, and Airbnb itself, Neil provides step-by-step guidance on everything from ambiance creation to effective communication.

In each episode, a Superhost Secret will help you elevate your hosting game and keep guests coming back for more. Whether you're a seasoned host or just starting out, Neil’s actionable tips and tricks will help you become a hospitality superstar.

Disclaimer: The Airbnb Superhost is in no way affiliated with Airbnb. All ideas, thoughts, concepts and data presented in this podcast are entirely Neil’s own and do not represent the views of Airbnb.