Sound Familiar?
Pesky Problem
The photos of your Airbnb online don’t do your place justice.
This is a common situation for hosts. When you pull up your listing in the Airbnb app, you see a big gap between the lackluster photos online and the incredible reality of your Airbnb in person. Your guests notice that difference too. In their reviews, they say things like, “So much better than the photos!” or “Way cooler than I expected.” If any of this is resonating with you, then you’re probably leaving money on the table. No one wants to hear that, but focus on the inverse. There’s money just sitting there on the table ready for you to scoop up! You just need a listing that puts your Airbnb’s best foot forward.
Let's Try This
Bite-Size Solution
Hire a professional photographer to shoot your space.
A professional photographer has the expertise to capture the true magic of your space. In our opinion, professional photos are the single most important investment you can make in your Airbnb’s success. Seriously. The single most important investment. And this is true whether your Airbnb is super fancy or super simple. We truly believe that every Airbnb host should invest in professional photos. Here’s why.
None of your other hosting superpowers matter if you can’t get folks in the door. And remember, guests make nearly all of their booking decisions based on your photos. The perceived value of your Airbnb skyrockets when guests flip through polished, professional photographs of your space instead of flat, amateur snapshots. These new photos will bring your space to life and give potential guests the confidence to make a reservation.
15 Minutes
Here's Your First Step
Reach out to three local photographers for free quotes.
Here’s the typical objection to this piece of advice: a professional photographer is just too expensive. Did that pop up in your mind? If so, we completely understand! But take a second and ask yourself, how do I know that? Often, a one-hour photoshoot of your Airbnb costs way less than you think. The only way to know is to ask. We’d bet you’ll recoup your investment with just a few new bookings.
So here is your first step! Hop online and search for local photographers. These folks likely shoot family portraits, professional headshots, maybe weddings, etc. Challenge yourself to follow through and reach out to three individuals. You can send an inquiry email or just use the contact form on their website. Your message can be short and sweet, something like:
“Hello! I am a local Airbnb host in need of 20 to 30 professional photos of my <short description of your space goes here>. Could you provide me with a quote for this work? Also, if this isn’t the type of work you do, is there another local photographer you would recommend? Thanks!”
There’s absolutely no pressure to book anything. Just gather the quotes (they’re free after all!) and then you’ll have all the information you need to make the right decision for you going forward.