In an ever-competitive industry, finding creative ways to stick out from the crowd is a must. One simple but effective way to do this is by utilizing Airbnb special offers. This post will break down what you need to know about creating Airbnb special offers and putting them out there for your guests.
Host Tools provides an automated, unified calendar for short-term rental hosts, allowing you to seamlessly list on all major channels. Start your free trial today!
What are Airbnb special offers?
Airbnb special offers are what they sound like: something special to encourage browsing eyes to book. Examples of Airbnb special offers include discounting the usual nightly rate, removing cleaning fees, or offering a free night. Many hosts will use special offers during the slow season or when they’re trying to fill some empty days on their calendar.
Why would you use special offers?
Let’s talk about why you may want to add Airbnb special offers to your marketing strategy.
1. Attract last-minute bookings
As you well know, occasionally we may find gaps in our calendar. This is particularly true during the off-season. Offering special deals can be one way to fill these gaps. A discounted stay could be just the thing browsing eyes need to book that last-minute weekend away with their honey.
2. Stand out in the crowd
As with any business, you have to remain competitive. If a guest is choosing from a group of properties with similar amenities and reviews, they’re likely going to lean toward the one with a cheaper price. One easy to inject yourself into that equation is with Airbnb special offers.
3. Earn more with longer stays
Another great option is offering deals to encourage guests to book longer stays. For instance, if someone is considering a three-night stay, you could offer a discount to extend their reservation to five nights. In general, longer stays reduce your turnover costs and earn you more money in the long run.
How to use special offers
A tips and tricks to keep in mind:
1. Pay attention to your calendar
Stay on top of your calendar. Find gaps between bookings and use them as opportunities to send special offers. You can also consider using dynamic pricing tools to assess market trends and determine when a special offer is most likely to lure in guests.
2. Be strategic with your discounts
While offering discounts is good, you want to be sure you’re not doing it too much. If you’re always offering discounts, you could be missing opportunities to fill your calendar with high-paying guests.
3. Be clear in your communications
Communication is key. Clearly outline what they’ll receive for the discounted price, such as early check-in, late check-out, or other added perks. A well-crafted message accompanying your offer can make all the difference.
4. Highlight time-sensitive deals
Creating urgency can encourage guests to book immediately. Consider emphasizing the time-sensitive nature of your Airbnb special offer. Phrases like “limited-time offer” or “book within 24 hours to claim this deal” can nudge potential guests to finalize their booking.
How Host Tools can help
If this all sounds a bit overwhelming, don’t worry. We’ve developed Host Tools to make managing your property easier than ever. We offer helpful features like automated messaging, calendar management and smart lock integrations (just to name a few) to make managing the day-to-day tasks of a rental simple. Our tools save you time and let you focus on more important elements of running your business.
Final thoughts
It’s obvious that there is a genuine time and place for Airbnb special offers. Whether you have gaps in your calendar to fill or you’re looking to stand out from the competition, special offers are a great option to pull out from your toolbelt.
Host Tools provides an automated, unified calendar for short-term rental hosts, allowing you to seamlessly list on all major channels. Start your free trial today!
