How can I increase mid week bookings?

Question

My cabin has been consistently booking for the weekends since we launched a couple months ago with the average person booking 2 days in advance. The issue is trying to get bookings Monday-Thursday. Any suggestions? Is it a price issue? I have attached the airbnb listing here. Any feedback on how to improve the listings would also be greatly appreciated.

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1024868125019924074?adults=1&am...

Mitch Davidson · Answer

@Josef Bryan GersterI would continue to think hard on what else you can do to make the place a destination in and of itself. One thing that helped me was installing some arcade units from Arcade1up (and showing them in the first 5 photos). I've tested out some of them as well. The Marvel vs Capcom is one of the best, as 2 people can play and for a long time. I added 2 red chairs form Amazon to make it more attractive. They also have some great, small arcades for younger kids. Pro tip: try to find the ones you like on Amazon, because ordering from Arcade1up's website involves hefty shipping costs.

Also, my kids really love it when they see a place provides an Xbox or Nintendo 64 as well. And they can be nastalgic for some of us too. Perhaps you could better show your workstation (desk and chair), as well as board games and curated books if you have such (highly recommend you get and show some if not).

Your photos look good but I think the right photographer could make the place pop a lot more, for just a couple hundred dollars. And beyond the guests themselves, Airbnb's algorithms might gravitate to higher def photos. I heard they did so in the past.

Additionally, your review score is awesome. To help keep it 5.0 I would consider offering, as often as you can, late checkout, and just a day or two before checkout. If I know I don't have someone coming in the same day (and especially if no one's coming in the next day) I'll push the cleaning out if possible and then let the guests know they can stay as late as 5PM, and for free. That seems to really inspire them to (a) clean up well, and (b) leave me a 5.0 review.

Finally, some guests are more inclined to give you a 5.0 review, and generally be more reasonable and respectful, if the host name is a person not a company, and the host has a headshot. When I've studied my competition in the past, I see people ripping into cabin rental companies, Vacasa, you name it, for things I think they'd never complain about at my place. Meaning, they seem to have more of a heart for a person who seems to own a home or two, has a family to feed, etc. Thus I recommend considering a change to your profile name and photo.

Hope this helps.

Armani Colon · Answer

As everyone mentioned, using PriceLabs and dynamic pricing can really help boost those mid-week bookings. Lowering prices on slower days can fill in the gaps, and it’s also worth setting longer minimum stays in advance to mitigate low booking volume over time.

In my experience, mid-week travelers are usually on the road for work—client meetings, interviews, conferences, that sort of thing. Marketing mid-week as a work-friendly spot at a discounted rate could really attract that crowd.

And one more thing—your A-frame is beautiful.However, I’d definitely recommend bringing in a professional photographer. People tend to shop with their eyes, so give them something incredible to look at!

Mitch Davidson · Answer

Agreed 100%. Personally like PriceLabs the best.

Michael Baum · Answer

Hey @Josef Bryan Gerster, so you could increase you minimum stay to 3 days. That would help somewhat.

The price seems pretty fair. It looks sharp but I do agree with @Jon Martin to add some color and that scuff really does jump out at you.

You could add strips of colorful wallpaper or something on the edge of each of the stairs. Would look kinda cool.

Brian Barch · Answer

I’m in the north GA mountains.I would suggest the following:

1) better professional photos that highlight your listing

2) a persons photo as the host. People want to feel they are renting from a person and not a company

3) lower rates mid week. Use pricelabs with aggressive price drops close in.

4) some more color pops

Sarah Kensinger · Answer

Use pricing software and make sure to take in some instruction on how to use it, so you can maximize it abilities. That alone really helps to know what the average price should be for your type of property. You can also offer a perk for guests that book days between Monday to Thursday.

Michelle Baldwin · Answer

As others have said, lower the prices. That’s how you get more bookings. It’s a great little place and I think you did an excellent job. My recommendations would be fire pit area might pop and look more inviting if you went with different color Adirondack chairs, the gray ones really blend in with the surrounding gravel. Pick a nice bright color for those, like teal or red. Interior wise, I really like framed wall art. The generic canvas photos feel so cheap to me and don’t photograph well. Thrift stores are great for interesting framed pieces or even just nice frames and then order your own prints for them off Etsy. This will give your place more character. Add a long (14”x36”) colorful or patterned throw pillow on each bed.

David Silver · Answer

@Josef Bryan Gerster the place looks great!  Are you using a pricing software?  PriceLabs has worked well for me, but there are many options.

If this were my listing, I'd:

1. Give a discount to book in advance, as well as a weekly & monthly discount. This would be an awesome spot to work remotely, and you could get a month+ booking.

2. Lower the price for the weekdays, and perhaps raise the price on the weekend. I like the pricing suggestion from @Jon Martin , as well as the budget design tips, I do think they help.

3. Change your cancellation policy to "Flexible & Non-refundable".  Add a "Long Term Stay Policy", so a long-term guest would need to cancel a month ahead.

Mike Sebastian · Answer

Pricing will def help, but you can also market it to different clientele on the weekdays. See if there is anyone that comes in town for interviews, or specific week day jobs & make sure you're set up for that.

Sean Wilt · Answer

Place looks great!  We are in Rome GA, so might come check it out!  That said, we have had big success with starting with 5 night and 4 night minimums when we are several months out. You'd be surprised how you can get some nice 7 nighters 8 or 9 months our and it really helps!  As we get closer in dates, we gradually lower the minimum nights to 4, then 3.  We almost Never have a 2 night minimum until the last minute which is where it sounds like you are having success.  We'd rather have a few vacant days but get some nice long stays, than have nothing but weekends.  FYI, we have a log cabin in Lake Lure NC and and Home in Tybee Island GA.  Good luck!

How can I increase mid week bookings?

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