508. Hosting Hotline: What Should You Do If Your New Listing Isn’t Getting Bookings?

In this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and Annette take on a question from a new host who’s been live on Airbnb for a month without a single booking. Frustrated, they’re wondering if the problem is market saturation, high guest fees, or simply the fact that the neighbor’s house has a pool.

If you’ve ever launched a property and heard crickets, you’re not alone. Sarah and Annette walk through the mindset shift and tactical steps every host needs when bookings aren’t rolling in:

• Stop blaming what you can’t control. Saturation, guest fees, and neighbor amenities aren’t the full story. Hosts need to focus on the levers they can control.
• Audit your listing presentation. Are your photos professional, clear, and guest-focused? Is your description highlighting unique value? Is your calendar even open and bookable?
• Identify true comps. The house with a pool isn’t a fair comparison if you don’t have one. Focus on properties with similar size, amenities, and guest profiles.
• Read your analytics. Airbnb’s insights show where guests drop off, whether you’re showing up in search, and what your conversion rate looks like. Data removes guesswork.
• Adopt an owner’s mindset. Hosting isn’t passive income — it’s active business ownership. Treat your listing like a product that needs to be tested, tweaked, and improved.

At the heart of this episode is a challenge to hosts: take extreme ownership. If your listing isn’t getting booked, don’t wait for Airbnb’s algorithm to save you. The hosts who succeed are the ones who audit their listing, study their competition, and make data-driven changes until they get results.

Resources mentioned:

YouTube Video: The Secret Airbnb Setting That Improves Listings by 300% – Deep dive into Airbnb settings that can boost visibility and conversions.

Mentioned in this episode:

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