Get Paid For Your Pad | Airbnb Hosting | Vacation Rentals | STR Revenue Management EP164: This Week in the World of Airbnb
Jun 23, 2017
28:01
Can Airbnb have its cake and eat it too? With the company’s efforts to professionalize and provide guests with consistency, some hosts feel that the ‘sharing’ roots of the platform have been diminished. It is possible for Airbnb to function more like a hotel, yet maintain its signature personal touch?
Jasper is joined by David Jacoby, Co-Founder and President of Hostfully, to discuss this week’s headlines regarding the Airbnb shift to promote best practices among its hosts, including that of the Instant Book feature – which is being upgraded to allow hosts more control.
They also cover Airbnb’s acquisition of Trooly, a background check startup that will help protect users from bad actors and further professionalize the platform. Last but not least, Jasper and David answer listener questions about attracting bookings during low season. Remember, you can email your questions to jasper@getpaidforyourpad.com!
Topics Covered
Article #1: Can Airbnb Professionalize Without Losing the Personal Touch?
•Airbnb plays up ‘sharing’ roots
•Of 3M total listings – 1M shared space, 1M private, 1M management co.
•Push for consistency of experience
Article #2: Airbnb Tries to Behave More Like a Hotel
•Instant Book feature, flexible cancellation policy
•Hosts encouraged to upgrade space
•Business-friendly tag (privacy, Wi-Fi, 24-hr access, iron)
•Must attract different types of travelers to grow
•Changes likely part of prep for IPO
•Focus on increasing supply
Article #3: Airbnb Ramps Up Push to Get More Hosts to Choose Instant Booking
•Instant Book introduced in 2010, 40% using
•Default search (must de-select to see additional listings)
•Suite of new tools incentive for hosts to turn on Instant Book
•Improved calendar tool for multiple listings in same home (prevents double-bookings)
•Gives host more control
•Saves step for hosts who rarely turn down guests
•With customization, listing process more complicated
Article #4: Airbnb to Buy Background-Check Startup Trooly to Root Out Scams
•Acquisition to protect from bad actors
•Authenticates user identities to avoid scams
•Could be added to Instant Book features
•Improve image in preparation for IPO
Q: How do I attract more bookings during low season?
•Make listing as attractive as possible
•List on multiple platforms
•Establish your own website
•Consider subletting when demand is low
•Explore niche sites like misterb&b, Bud and Breakfast or Innclusive
•Reach out to previous guests
•Add creative options (i.e.: packages)
•Host refugees through Open Homes initiative
•Join the Couchsurfing community
Resources Mentioned
Article #1: fortune.com/2017/06/18/airbnb-professional-personal-hosts
Article #2: nytimes.com/2017/06/17/technology/airbnbs-hosts-professional-hotels.html
Article #3: skift.com/2017/06/14/airbnb-ramps-up-push-to-get-more-hosts-to-choose-instant-booking
Article #4: bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-06-16/airbnb-to-buy-background-check-startup-trooly-to-root-out-scams
HomeAway, VRBO, 9flats
Booking.com, TripAdvisor, Expedia
misterb&b, Bud and Breakfast, Innclusive
Open Homes, Couchsurfing, Thibault Masson’s RentalPreneurs Article
Connect with Jasper
Email: jasper@getpaidforyourpad.com
Twitter: @GetPaidForUrPad
Instagram: @GetPaidForYourPad
Facebook: www.facebook.com/getpaidforyourpad
This episode is sponsored by Aviva IQ. Aviva IQ automates messages to your Airbnb guests. It's also free!
Jasper is joined by David Jacoby, Co-Founder and President of Hostfully, to discuss this week’s headlines regarding the Airbnb shift to promote best practices among its hosts, including that of the Instant Book feature – which is being upgraded to allow hosts more control.
They also cover Airbnb’s acquisition of Trooly, a background check startup that will help protect users from bad actors and further professionalize the platform. Last but not least, Jasper and David answer listener questions about attracting bookings during low season. Remember, you can email your questions to jasper@getpaidforyourpad.com!
Topics Covered
Article #1: Can Airbnb Professionalize Without Losing the Personal Touch?
•Airbnb plays up ‘sharing’ roots
•Of 3M total listings – 1M shared space, 1M private, 1M management co.
•Push for consistency of experience
Article #2: Airbnb Tries to Behave More Like a Hotel
•Instant Book feature, flexible cancellation policy
•Hosts encouraged to upgrade space
•Business-friendly tag (privacy, Wi-Fi, 24-hr access, iron)
•Must attract different types of travelers to grow
•Changes likely part of prep for IPO
•Focus on increasing supply
Article #3: Airbnb Ramps Up Push to Get More Hosts to Choose Instant Booking
•Instant Book introduced in 2010, 40% using
•Default search (must de-select to see additional listings)
•Suite of new tools incentive for hosts to turn on Instant Book
•Improved calendar tool for multiple listings in same home (prevents double-bookings)
•Gives host more control
•Saves step for hosts who rarely turn down guests
•With customization, listing process more complicated
Article #4: Airbnb to Buy Background-Check Startup Trooly to Root Out Scams
•Acquisition to protect from bad actors
•Authenticates user identities to avoid scams
•Could be added to Instant Book features
•Improve image in preparation for IPO
Q: How do I attract more bookings during low season?
•Make listing as attractive as possible
•List on multiple platforms
•Establish your own website
•Consider subletting when demand is low
•Explore niche sites like misterb&b, Bud and Breakfast or Innclusive
•Reach out to previous guests
•Add creative options (i.e.: packages)
•Host refugees through Open Homes initiative
•Join the Couchsurfing community
Resources Mentioned
Article #1: fortune.com/2017/06/18/airbnb-professional-personal-hosts
Article #2: nytimes.com/2017/06/17/technology/airbnbs-hosts-professional-hotels.html
Article #3: skift.com/2017/06/14/airbnb-ramps-up-push-to-get-more-hosts-to-choose-instant-booking
Article #4: bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-06-16/airbnb-to-buy-background-check-startup-trooly-to-root-out-scams
HomeAway, VRBO, 9flats
Booking.com, TripAdvisor, Expedia
misterb&b, Bud and Breakfast, Innclusive
Open Homes, Couchsurfing, Thibault Masson’s RentalPreneurs Article
Connect with Jasper
Email: jasper@getpaidforyourpad.com
Twitter: @GetPaidForUrPad
Instagram: @GetPaidForYourPad
Facebook: www.facebook.com/getpaidforyourpad
This episode is sponsored by Aviva IQ. Aviva IQ automates messages to your Airbnb guests. It's also free!
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