If you’re interested in hosting at all on Airbnb then you need to be focused on becoming an Airbnb superhost immediately.
Why?
Not only will you get featured in more searches and get access to exclusive rewards, but you will get more bookings. People trust superhosts, and rightly so! Superhosts are outstanding hosts that provide exceptional service and Airbnb rewards them with this title.
My husband and I decided to rent out one of the spare bedrooms in our house at the end of December 2019. A few weeks later in January, we had our first booking. Before we knew it we were getting booked every weekend.
By April 1st we were superhosts! That means within three months we were getting all the perks of being a superhost and making a good amount of extra money.
How did we become Airbnb superhost immediately? I truly believe it came down to offering the lowest price in our area while providing the best service based on the steps I share below.
We maintained 5 stars, a perfect review, that entire time and we still have it today! I don’t say that to brag, but to show you that it can be done when you are prepared, are accommodating, and are truly interested in caring for your guest’s needs.
In fact, when we started we had no clue what we were doing. After each guest, we found a way to make their stay more enjoyable and implemented those strategies immediately. Don’t worry, keep reading and I’ll share exactly what we did.
One last thing before we jump in. It’s important to know what qualifies you as an Airbnb superhost. Currently, you have to have had a 4.8 star rating or higher, 10 stays in the past year or 100 nights over 3 stays within the year, less than a 1% cancellation rate, and at least a 90% response rate. Check out all the details on Airbnb’s website here.
Each of the steps I cover below is an option that guests can select when they leave you a review. Your goal as a host is to receive all of these compliments with every booking!
So, are you ready to become a popular Airbnb superhost immediately? I promise you have what it takes!
Sign up to become an Airbnb host here!
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Step 1 – Provide Outstanding Hospitality
If you want it, then you have to act like you do! Being an Airbnb superhost requires you to go the extra mile. Guests can tell when you care and when you don’t, and your reviews will show it!
To become an Airbnb superhost immediately you need to treat each guest like they are family.
Some examples of this may be getting up early to shovel the walkway, leaving a light on at night, being available to help at a moment’s notice, offering flexible check-in and check-out times, and more.
When you’re an Airbnb host you quickly realize that each individual or group that you host is different. Everyone has different expectations, reservations, and entitlements. You don’t really know what you are going to get when you have a booking, but honestly, that just adds to the fun and adventure of the experience.
To provide outstanding hospitality is important that you lay out the ground rules from the beginning. After I get a booking, I send a “Welcome” message that lets guests know a quick bullet point summary of important things to note that sets the expectation from the beginning. Here it is clipped out of the message:
Some items of special note:
* Maximum number of residents is 2. This is to ensure proper care of the house.
* The only places available for your use is the bedroom and bathroom you reserved. We will be home and using all the other areas of the house. If you need to cook something or use the fridge, just let us know and we would be happy to make accommodations.
* We are on well water, but we have a filtered water dispenser right next to the on/off handle on the kitchen sink. We will have it labeled for you.
* My husband works from home Monday-Friday in the other guest bedroom on that side of the house.
* We have puppies! They are very friendly and just want to be your best friend. But don’t worry, they are not allowed on furniture, in bedrooms or bathrooms.
You’ll find directions and other household information in the next message. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call, text or email me.
Then I send the “Household Manual.” This has literally everything they might need including directions, parking information, check-in and out information, emergency contact, and local recommendations.
I used free Airbnb templates from Sally Miller that you can find here, but just search online and you find a few professional ones to use to make your own welcome documents.
To be a popular Airbnb superhost immediately, start by acting professionally and laying the expectations. It is your house or property and you are in charge. You need to be kind, but also let guests know what you require of them.
Clear, professional communication leads to a 5-star rating and can solve almost any conflict or problem before it happens.
If you don’t like rules and feel harsh sending them to your guests, things are only going to be harder. You can certainly be flexible but laying ground rules means everyone is on the same page. Plus, you’ll be answering a lot more messages if you don’t send a “Welcome” or “Household Manual”!
Outstanding hospitality means being a servant. Put yourself in your guest’s shoes, treat them like family, and offer as much assistance as you can! Then, set the expectation of what you require of your guests.
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Step 2 – Have Quick Responses
The next step to becoming an Airbnb superhost means that you are on top of it!
My husband often laughs because I can almost be too much on top of it, trying to anticipate questions before they even happen. But, as an Airbnb host, I have never been too on top of it.
A requirement (in my opinion) of an Airbnb host is to have notifications enabled on the Airbnb app. This means you can reply to messages as soon as they come in and you don’t need to worry about checking the app.
I do a daily review of my inbox, calendar, and progress on the Airbnb app each night to be sure I didn’t miss anything. If you don’t reply to someone’s message or booking inquiry within 24 hours it will hurt your response ratings as a host.
Replying to messages is huge for the Airbnb community. In fact, one of the requirements for superhost is to have at least a 90% response rate. That means that you need to reply to everything!
Here’s a secret I have found that not a lot of hosts do. I will always reply to messages as soon as I can, but I will also reply to every single message. That’s right, every single one.
That means, if someone just sends a smiley face then I will reply to that message. If someone says “thank you!” then I am sure to reply with “you’re welcome!” because every response counts.
To become an Airbnb superhost make sure you reply to every single message and do it as soon as you can.
In fact, I firmly believe this is one of the simplest things you can do as a host to boost your reviews and become an Airbnb superhost immediately.
This also means that you are quick to respond to text messages, phone calls, and outside messages that you may receive from guests. Remember, your guests need to be treated like they are your number one priority. When you reply fast it shows them that you care and that you respect their time and wishes.
Quick responses are certainly my highest compliment from guests! It’s so easy to do.
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Step 3 – Create Thoughtful Touches
This section is where we experienced a learning curve on our Airbnb superhost journey.
You see, in the beginning, we just had a bedroom with a bed, a wardrobe, and a few pieces of décor on the wall. It was a simple, cabin-feel bedroom and definitely felt cozy. However, as guests came and went we realized we could do more.
One thing we started to add was a handwritten note for each guest. My husband has better handwriting so he usually writes them. He included their name or names, why they said they were visiting, a recommendation, and a thank you for staying with us.
We found that it was a simple and easy way for guests to feel special.
Other thoughtful touches included adding a heater to the room for when it was cold at night, a plant for a pop of color, and even custom woodwork pieces that added personal touch.
In the bathroom, we kept up pictures of our family with us on our wedding day. We included a sign about our faith and simple touches of things we liked. We never put on a show or become fake to please others, but simply shared with people who we are and what we find aesthetically beautiful.
Honestly, that’s why a lot of people choose Airbnb over other options. They want to experience your world – see your culture, learn about what makes you unique, and experience what your side of the world is like.
To be an Airbnb superhost immediately, invite people into your world. Show them the things you enjoy and give them a rounded experience.
Step 4 – Make It A Stylish Space
A stylish space goes hand-in-hand with thoughtful touches. While you should most certainly make the space yours, make sure it is also consistent, clean, and catered to your guest’s needs.
Don’t leave junk lying around. Have a theme. What kind of guests are you looking to attract? Be stylish and put an effort into the complete vibe of the entire room.
Our guest room brings people into an outdoorsy getaway. They feel like they are in a log cabin, maybe bringing memories to them from vacations of their childhood or sparking feelings of dozing off by the fire.
Perhaps your ideal guest is wealthy and so you want to go with a more upscale, modern vibe. Whatever it is, just be sure that you are envisioning your space before you design it.
Remember, you are selling the space. Guests see the pictures and only buy if they know they will feel safe and comfortable.
You are now in the business of selling space to others temporarily. To be an Airbnb superhost you need to make your space stylish. Your stylish space may end up being your biggest competitive advantage.
Consider even adding a guest book like this one to your room for a fun touch!
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Step 5 – Keep Everything Sparkling Clean
A clean space is critical for most guests. While everyone has a different standard of cleanliness, it is vital that you are cleaning everything and carefully looking over it even after it is clean.
If you don’t have a clean space you can be sure that it will be mentioned in your guest’s review. We had a stink bug make its way into our guest’s bathroom one time during their stay and while there was nothing we could essentially do about it, it was mentioned in the review and we lost a point in the sub-category of cleanliness.
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Here are some things you need to do between each guest: wash all the sheets, sweep or vacuum the floors, take out the trash, clean the bathroom, lint roll the mats, and be sure there is no dust hiding.
Also, take advice from previous reviews. One guest gave us a review wishing the bathroom stayed cleaner. We realized, they were tracking in dog hair from the living room and it made the bathroom look dirtier. When we kept the entryway and living room swept, guests’ areas stayed cleaner.
Always clean between each guest to become an Airbnb superhost immediately.
Step 6 – Offer Local Tips
Most of the time your guest will be from pretty far away. They are clueless when it comes to your neck of the woods. Share with them some helpful advice. It will go a long way.
For example, let them know there is only meter parking downtown but they can park for free at the supermarket and walk. Or, let them know that your favorite restaurant is having a special band live tonight and they can use a coupon you have from the local ad.
Airbnb also lets you make a guidebook as a host where you can put in all your favorite stops. Guests that book from you will have access to your recommendations and enjoy reading your local favorite stops.
You are adding to what Airbnb does best: connecting travelers with locals for amazing experiences. When you do it right, Airbnb will reward you with superhost status.
Lastly, we found that adding a local magazine to the bedroom really was the cherry on top. I receive a subscription to “Our Wisconsin” magazine from my workplace. I put the latest edition on the nightstand and now guests have something helpful and informative for them to read at night!
Try adding your local recommendations in a binder or local magazine to help guests feel welcome!
Step 7 – Have Amazing Amenities Available
Coffee. My husband and I love coffee and we realized about a month in that we had to find a way to make it easy for guests to brew a pot every morning.
My husband made a custom wood table out of wood from our backyard, we set up an old Keurig machine we didn’t use anymore, purchased some tea bags and creamer and we had a coffee bar set up super quick!
I have also heard of hosts cooking breakfast for guests in the morning or leaving a whole breakfast section available for guests each morning. It could even be as simple as leaving a granola bar with the handwritten note I suggested earlier.
Either way, make sure you have some sort of amenity available that guests will love. You can include it in the detail of your booking if you’d like, such as “Beautiful Lakefront Bedroom with Complimentary Breakfast.” It will set you apart as an Airbnb host, no doubt about it!
There you have it, seven steps to becoming an Airbnb host immediately.
Before I leave you to go apply all of these action steps and launch you into becoming a superhost I want to leave you with a couple of reviews we received. They show that going the extra mile really does make the biggest difference, leave you with 5-star reviews, and make you into an outstanding superhost!
This was my husband and my first experience at an Airbnb and it was so enjoyable! The check-in process was so seamless and simple. Path shoveled, light left on, instructions messaged ahead of time on how to get in, bedroom was very clean, comfortable, spacious and private. As hosts, Kelsey and Landon were the perfect level of welcoming and hospitable but not meddling which we were concerned about never having stayed at a bnb before. Beautiful surrounding scenery great overall value highly recommend!
Would highly recommend kelseys place to stay! She was accommodating with our arrival time, the place was clean, stylish and their two boarder collie dogs were adorable and well trained. What more could you ask for!
What are your thoughts on this blog post? Any tips you would like more detail on or questions? Leave them in the comments below! I read everyone.
Sign up to become an Airbnb host here!
Kelsey at GoodPointGrandma
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I dont rent a space on airbnb but as an airbnb user I have to say these are great tips. I’ve stayed in quite a few airbnbs during my travels and I always appreciate when hosts offer local tips, stylish spaces and CLEAN accommodations. Great post!
Thank you so much Jordyn!
This is so true! My mom rents a small apartment in Airbnb and she became a superhost super fast. Offering the lowest price and providing the best service is the way to go. Once you have a great reputation you can increase the price.
Oh wow, so glad other people are doing it too! Exactly! Thanks, Melissa.