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First thing: despite my alias, I’m no longer a NewbieHost. I’ve been doing this now for a few years and have a well-reviewed Plus property.
Airbnb has been reaching out to me to ask me to become a “Community Leader” for Hosts. I don’t think I’ve read about it here. I am not inclined to do it (mostly just can’t be bothered), but am I missing something?
Any thoughts or insights?
I don’t know where you are so this may not apply: In areas with an abundance of Airbnb listings, Airbnb approaches area hosts to support /moderate a local Airbnb Facebook group. You must list on Airbnb to join.
Airbnb provides early releases of policy changes etc., invites the FB group members to meet ups, & occasionally (rarely in my area) invites the FB group members or the Airbnb Community Leader to participate in feedback sessions to/with Airbnb.
The advance releases are valuable. A few members in my area have developed supportive relationships. I’ve developed a very supportive & collegial relationship with my area’s Community Leader. Most of the FB members are lurkers & don’t actively participate.
Someone in this group will probably make a comment about working for Airbnb for free. Ignore it. If you are interested, try it. It’s voluntary so you can quit if you don’t like it.
One of my new hosts told me his neighbor/airbnb host is one & recently participated in a host feedback meeting with Airbnb in NY.
Here’s the Airbnb article about it
I didn’t know if you had seen it
https://www.airbnb.com/resources/hosting-homes/a/lead-your-local-host-club-293
We have a group like that in my area, and they are useless. All they do is woo-yay ABB policy and the fb page is just them sharing posts from ABB that are just fluff. There is no real conversation happening in that group, and she has a “positive comments only” policy… So it’s useless if you want to discuss actual problems that actually exist. They’ve chosen some vanilla person who won’t rock the boat and every now and then hosts a free morning tea. Saying that, I think a local hosting group could have a lot of value.
Thanks all for the feedback. I don’t think it’s my style to host something like that. My Airbnb is usually booked, but I’m perfectly happy if it’s not booked too because I use it as my own guesthouse as well. Getting that involved seems like more “work” than I’m up for at this time.
I would be tempted to lead them all astray and promote direct bookings!
hehe, you and I can be best friends. Sounds like something i’d do as well.
I joined ours (not as a leader, just facebook member) and it’s a mix of AB&B pablum (surveys such as “what amenities do your guests love?”), host angst over regulations – the local facebook site is consumed right now about new DC regs that don’t apply to me in Virginia, and some practical stuff – I need a cleaner, I have an HVAC issue can anyone take my guests next week, etc.
It has been used to organize input into the local regulatory process, which I think is probably the best use.
I frequented it when I first joined, now I never look at it.
I would imagine that when Airbnb invites someone to be a Community Leader, they expect you to be a rah rah cheerleader for Airbnb, introducing “nice” topics of conversation and one wouldn’t last long in that position if you weren’t.
Sorta like the (G)Host Advisory Board, which seems to be some secretly acting cabal of hand-picked hosts, who, despite the fact that they are supposedly representing hosts’ concerns, have had to sign some sort of non-disclosure agreement and are not at liberty to share what they work on or do with the hosting community.
Nor is there any formal process for communicating with them, you can only reach them as individual hosts through the Airbnb CC or the Facebook groups they participate in.
Occasionally one of them starts a topic post on the “Airbnb Updates” section of the CC, always something that is an Airbnb pet feel-good PR topic, like “inclusion”, or about how the majority of host-run listings are run by senior female hosts and let’s all applaud that. (As usual with the millennial corporate mindset, praise is considered to be the ultimate reward, never mind any actual concrete support)
Only Airbnb could come up with such a concept. To announce the formation of a group of hosts which are paid to “represent” us, yet are sworn to secrecy as to how they are in reality doing that.
Can you imagine having a lawyer representing you, who actually wasn’t allowed to communicate with you or tell you what she was doing on your behalf?
I know this was off the original topic, but the “community leader” position seems to be much of the same idea, although they are in fact meant to interact with the community.
All good reasons why I’ve got zero interest in being part of this process. I was just wondering if maybe there was some value I was missing. T you perfectly summarize what my suspicions were all along. Thanks!
Hi Anne. How do I post?
Hi @Ncelife53
Do you mean create a post in this group?. New members must be members for a while before they can post. I don’t k ow the rules. I’m copying in @KKC & @jaquo for info
@Annet3176 is correct @Ncelife53 new members are blocked from making new post initially to help prevent spammers joining just to promote their product or services.
I’m part of a local FB and Whatsapp group for vacation rental owners/managers. It is independent of Airbnb/VRBO. Most of the discussions are around finding services and contractors. There is a strong sentiment for taking direct bookings. People also inform if they had some bad guests who they had to kick out. People help each other out if their place has an issue and need to arrange alternate accommodations for their guests.
Very useful to have a group like that to discuss local issues.
I want to start direct booking, but I feel that it will be an overwhelming amount of work. Did you build a website, or you are mostly relying on word of mouth from previous guests?
In the process of building a website.
Many returning guests that I offer direct booking as they were great guests.
All of my homes have their own names and guests don’t like paying fees, so the houses are easily searched.
Covid cancellations led to many direct bookings.
Currently I am 100% booked until mid November across 4 listings - there are 3 Airbnb bookings of 2 nights each and 2 b.con bookings of 3 nights.
I am also with a local real estate agent who brings me guests.
Yes, that’s what I meant