There are a lot of myths about owning an Airbnb. The biggest of which is that it’s easy, passive income and that if you simply have enough properties, you can quickly become a millionaire while relaxing on the beach all day.

I’m here to tell you that, for most hosts, that’s simply not true.

Airbnb hosting is hard work. Between finding the right property, setting it up, responding to guests, figuring out how to command the highest price, doing tons of maintenance and upkeep…Airbnb hosting can quickly amount to much more than you bargained for.

If you’re feeling lost, overwhelmed, or simply want to earn more revenue while spending less time managing your Airbnb, read on for 10 must-know secrets to owning a successful Airbnb in 2024.

10 Must-Know Secrets To Owning A Successful Airbnb In 2024

1. Optimizing your Airbnb listing is no longer optional

Competition among Airbnbs has increased drastically over the past few years. Today, it’s harder than ever to compete with all the new short-term rentals on the market, stand out amongst the crowd, and consistently convince potential guests that your Airbnb is the best place for them.

A few years ago, a few photos you snapped on your phone and a list of amenities might have been enough to capture the attention of potential guests. Today, that’s simply not the case. To maximize revenue, your Airbnb listing needs to be specifically designed to rank high in search results AND successfully convince the potential guests who land on your listing to excitedly hit “book!”. To do that, your listing needs to be optimized–here are 7 ways to optimize your listing right now.

Pro tip: One of the best things you can do to stay competitive and start earning more from your Airbnb is improve your listing.

2. Automating your Airbnb messages is an absolute must

As a short-term rental host, you don’t have time to manually send messages to every single guest. You also can’t risk accidentally forgetting to send check-in information or other crucial details guests need when staying with you.

Stop wasting time and avoid costly mistakes by spending a few minutes to set up these five automated messages for your Airbnb.

The best part? Setting up scheduled messages through Airbnb’s built-in tool is totally free. And I’m making it as easy as can be by sharing the exact automated messages I use as a Superhost.

3. It’s easy to overspend on your Airbnb

If you’re checking out what other Airbnb hosts are up to, it might not take long to convince yourself to buy more, more, more for your short-term rental. Makeup towels, tissue box holders, customized coasters…the list goes on and on.

As Airbnb hosts, we’re especially susceptible to convincing ourselves we need EVERYTHING because we never know what will go wrong at our property or what tiny detail our guests will call out in a less-than-glowing review.

But, if you let yourself worry about too much, you’ll quickly find that there’s nowhere to draw the line. Find out how to answer the question “Do I really need that?” and get 10 non-essential Airbnb items truly worth the investment in this blog post.

4. Becoming a Superhost is easier (and more important) than you think

As an Airbnb host, one of the best things you can do for your business is earn Superhost status. That’s because knowledgeable Airbnb guests know that Superhosts have met strict hospitality standards and consistently host high-quality stays.

So, as an Airbnb Superhost, you’ll have instant credibility with potential guests and your listing will have increased visibility in search. Find out how to effortlessly become an Airbnb Superhost in three quick months!

5. Property maintenance is an absolute non-negotiable

As a short-term rental host, the importance of regular property maintenance can’t be overlooked. Taking the time to visit your rental property at least every six months will ensure that you’re addressing small issues before they become disasters that impact your business.

In this post, I’m walking you through every single step of a thorough property maintenance check. Following these steps will ensure your rental is ready to earn the 5-star reviews you deserve.

6. You need to know what your Airbnb guests really want

As an Airbnb Superhost, I’ve hosted over 300 guests. Throughout my first year hosting, I spent hours each week talking to my Airbnb guests, answering questions, resolving issues, and reading their reviews. I’ve also stayed in close to 50 Airbnbs myself, so I have tons of first-hand experience about what it’s like to be a guest.

If you’re a first-time host who wants as many 5-star reviews as possible, it’s crucial you hear these five secrets I’ve learned the hard way that can help your new Airbnb business become a huge success. Make sure to read down to the bottom for my #1 tip!

7. You’re not going to earn 5-star reviews with every stay

Let’s face it, Airbnb reviews are simultaneously the best and worst part of hosting on Airbnb.

That’s because all the hard work you put into hosting can feel worthwhile when a guest leaves a glowing review. And, well, a less-than-perfect review can make you wonder if you got into the right business in the first place.

Some lucky hosts have nothing but exceptional reviews. Others are struggling to get out of a streak of negative reviews. Most of us are somewhere in between. No matter where you stand, this guide can help you successfully handle negative Airbnb reviews.

8. Putting your reviews on autopilot is key

When it comes to Airbnb reviews, you can’t mess around—reviews can make or break your entire business. Don’t risk learning about how Airbnb host reviews work through trial and error.

Get tons of tips all first-time Airbnb hosts need before leaving reviews for their guests. Get five real examples of reviews I’ve left my Airbnb guests and my super simple 3-step process to make writing your own Airbnb reviews a breeze.

9. Guests will ask for a full refund more often than you’d think

As an Airbnb host, it’s inevitable—guests will ask you for a refund from time to time. This is especially true for Airbnbs in areas with more extreme weather than their guests are used to, which concerns guests and impacts their travel plans.

But, just because guests ask for a full refund doesn’t mean you have to give them one to make them happy—here’s how to avoid giving refunds and STILL make your guests happy.

10. It’s not passive income but you can outsource a lot of the work

While I share tons of tips to help you navigate hosting with ease and become a profitable Airbnb host without wanting to rip your hair out…well, sometimes we just have to be honest with ourselves about when managing every aspect of our Airbnb, every minute of every day, all by ourselves is just too much.

If you’re finally ready to outsource the things you hate about hosting or are wondering if hiring an Airbnb co-host is right for you—look no further. As a real Airbnb Superhost who just hired her first co-host, I’m breaking down what it’s really like to hire someone to manage your Airbnb. Read on to find out what you need to know BEFORE hiring your first Airbnb co-host.

Pro tip: One of the best things you can do to increase your profitability is optimize your listing.

Takeaway

By implementing the 10 things covered in this post, you’re now ready to earn more revenue, make fewer mistakes, and spend more time doing what you love.

Have any questions about owning an Airbnb? Let me know in the comments.

Save this post for later:

Disclaimer: All content on this website is for informational purposes only. You are taking all provided information at your own risk. We are not financial, real estate, legal, investment or other professionals. Nothing on this website should be construed as professional advice. We will not be liable for any loss or damage of any nature. For more information, read our disclaimer.