5.5 Tips for Getting Great AirB&B Reviews. And getting guests to write them!! Your tips?

Question

5.5 recommendations on getting a good AirB&B review, and getting them to actually leave it!

I'm new to AirB&B rentals, so someone please post better recommendations for me below!

1) Communication. Let them know what's going on. Send an email that they're confirmed. Respond quickly.

2) Directions, what to do, etc. I have a pre-compiled list of options & cost from each airport, (INCLUDE UBER! AirB&B folks like tech stuff ;), nearby restaurants & bars, local websites for awesome stuff to do, link to get around on public transportation, etc...

3) Make their stay awesome with easy stuff they appreciate! Give them something they'll appreciate that was not included in the listing (preferably inexpensive) e.g., a) a listA couple cold waters & beer in the refrigerator. I had one couple who thanked me profusely, left a great review, and didn't even drink the beer. But they appreciated it..

4) Little lifestyle stuff. Bluetooth alarm clock (for small rooms) or stereo to play their Pandora or personal music on. An iron & ironing board, since many are going to something nice when they travel. Provide bikes (to up value of room also..)

5) Follow up to get review if they loved it but didn't get to it! I have followed up with several emails, and even a couple texts to guests who never got around to leaving a review.. 14 days! If they still don't leave a review, emphasize how much you enjoyed providing a place they enjoyed, that you left a great review for them - but that AirB&B only posts it if they leave a review also - and the reviews will help THEM get a place somewhere else next time, as a guest.. I like to include lots of smiley faces :), have an awesome day :) etc, to not feel pestering, and try to seem more helpful.. (I'm newer w/ AirB&B and trying to build my reviews, so each one is important to me.. Helps up occupancy and price/night..)

5.5) Here's the language I used on my last one. One of 2 recent guests that had great feedback verbally, but only left review after a couple contacts.. (he asked about an ironing board last minute). Feel free to steal, or post a better one..

Hi *******(Name here),

I hope you enjoyed your stay in Oakland, and some of the extra things I added for the room like the refrigerator, and an iron & ironing board to help get ready.

I posted a good review for you as a guest on AirB&B, which will help you book places in the future, but it only posts once you also leave a review for me. So it helps us both out ????

If you could please take a minute to leave a review, I greatly appreciate it! ????

***Link here***

Thanks ****Guest Name****! And have a great week ????Best,J MartinWhat are you doing to get great reviews on your AirB&B unit(s)?

And have a great week ????

Best,

J Martin

What are you doing to get great reviews on your AirB&B unit(s)?

Purnell C. · Answer

Johnson is right about leaving the review first.  I would have taken longer to leave some of the reviews but the hosts were doing so right away. This compelled me to review promptly.

Johnson H. · Answer

One more thing is that Airbnb recently changed their review process so that if you leave feedback for someone, they have to leave feedback for you in order to see the feedback given to them. Majority of the time, if I leave feedback first for them, they will leave something back for me. People are always anxious to see what their host wrote about them!

Johnson H. · Answer

J,

What I learned for getting positive reviews on Airbnb is the following:

• Be very responsive with communication to guests.
• Have a very very very clean unit. 
• Have very clear instructions on how to get to the unit, how to get into the unit, and contact information if anything goes wrong.

I haven't been actively seeking feedback anymore since I am selling my unit but I still get great feedback with 22 positive reviews. I have a guest book on the coffee table to operate the Nest and TV, rules for my unit, local activities, etc. Take a look my listing and let me know if you have questions.

J. Martin · Answer

Thanks @Johnson H.  for the listing..

I've been keeping it tidy, and have had to change out some sheets already.. Do you charge anyone for messing up linens? Or just cost of business? Ironically, our listing are very close in price, although mine doesn't have a living room or kitchen. Just a bedroom and bathroom.

Absolutely, communication and cleanliness is key. I should have put that latter one. My place is small, so luckily quick to clean. But I've been doing it myself!! Booo!!!! $40/cleaning fee.. but still.. I'm not trying to become a maid... Will fix that soon.

(I think someone was eating in bed :(

@Purnell Cook ,

I was leaving reviews first, but people just never followed up. I'll care less when I have as many as Johnson. But Oct Nov Dec is prime time occupancy and rates in Bay, so I want to maximize my reviews and bookings during this period. I'm fully booked for the 30 days for 6 reservations, starting in 2 days. Will have the door converted to a wall by then!

J. Martin · Answer

@Purnell Cook ,

I know AirB&B sends it out, but I have found that only about half of the people leave it on their own without another reminder so far.. Because I'm trying to build my profile, I'm trying to get 100% to leave a review..

I'll send you my profile..

Purnell C. · Answer

Maybe you could charge a refundable cleaning fee.  Include it in the cost of the room and if you find the accommodations were left clean, refund that amount.  I wish hotels would do this since I always  feel cheated leaving the room clean and other people leave them a mess.

Purnell C. · Answer

Air-B&B makes the request for the review for you.  If you don't mine, PM me your AirB&B profile so I can take a look.

Mel Selvidge · Answer

1.  Show exactly what you're offering in your listing.  Even if your place has a few shortcomings, if they're obvious in your listing, people are more likely feel satisfied with what you delivered.  If you make it look or sound better than it is, you will get complaints.

2.  Be impeccably clean, and toss out anything that is too stained or beat up.  Buy towels, linens in quantity when they're on sale to account for that hair grease that just won't come out.  Get things that either wear hard (non-teflon cookware, pleather couch) or can be cheaply switched out (slip cover couch, Ikea duvet covers, open stock dishes to replace damaged ones and keep the set matched) if they get thrashed.

A penalty-based cleaning fee (instead of a flat fee) will leave your guests feeling, well, penalized after their stay.  Even if they know they deserved it, it may eclipse the gushy thoughts that they might have otherwise shared about the sixer of Sierra Nevada that you left for them.  As Johnson mentioned, I've found that the guests who pay more take better care of the place and are actually happier with their stay.  Bargain hunters are really concerned with getting their money's worth.  My property manager takes a smaller deposit than many and rolls the cleaning fee into the nightly charge to keep things more positive, and less punitive.

3.  Make people feel like they are sharing your home and not like they are guests in a hotel.  Their experience will be more special, they will be more forgiving of imperfections, and they will treat your stuff more respectfully.

Johnson H. · Answer

The only thing that has happened to my condo is that someone took the Apple Remote and I didn't realize it until another guest mentioned it. Since I didn't know who it was, I couldn't charge anyone for it.

I have a nonrefunable cleaning fee and now a high deposit of $200 for a stay and I can do this because I have a high number of reviews. The high deposit will weed about a lot of people looking to treat your unit like a dump and not be charged for it. The guests that know that they will be a good guest and won't damage your unit don't mind the higher deposit.

5.5 Tips for Getting Great AirB&B Reviews. And getting guests to write them!! Your tips?

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