Title and first picture to attract guests

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Hi there,
how do we attract more visitors to us? My concern is mainly about the title and the first picture. So 2 questions:

  1. What kind of title should we use to host? a) something like “Andrea & Silvia’s home (private room)” then add information in the description, or b) “Double room near to racetrack”, meaning to stuff more information we can in the title?
  2. What kind of picture should I use for first (main) picture? a) the room / bed(s) picture, b) a generic picture of the apartment, then leave the bedroom / bathroom picture as second / third pictures?

Thank you in advance of your help.

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I didn’t like the idea of only one photo as my main picture and so for my first picture I created a collage of several photos showing the guestroom, bathroom, house, neighborhood, etc. That way they see an overview without even clicking.

As for the title, I think it’s probably more important to put keywords that are appealing to the guests instead of your name. Maybe someone has some more precise tips, but I put a keyword and the advantage of my llisting which is its location. I think right now mine is “Private Guest Room/Bath Close to ____”.

3 Likes
3

Hi-For some reason, I can not find your listing & I thought this forum allowed it-so I do not know which pics you are using-What type of racetrack are you near?

Why not have as your 1st pic an action shot of the track? I find that the exterior area photos are great attention getters. As for the name, why not tie in the track, if it is a big draw? Something like, “Winners Circle” or “Shack Near the Track”?

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It’s definitely better to use descriptive keywords in your title. That will stand out more to potential guests than your names (which they don’t know and won’t really care about).

Your main picture should be the main thing they want to see. If it’s a private bedroom, use your best photo of the room as your main picture. If it’s the whole property, use the defining room (probably the living room, or the kitchen if it’s really great, or whatever room they’ll be using most or most excited to see).

5

Hi Verlok

Key to nearly all marketing is to attract your target market.

Therefore, what you are talking about is attracting MORE guests in general; so you want to think what is the most appealing to the majority of people. What would grab the attention of just about anyone? Not just race track goers… unless that is what you are going after?

Then that is the other side of it: If you think you could get a good in-flow from just race-goers and that is where the money is, then go for it! As Mermaid says, put a picture of the racetrack (action shot is a great idea) as a front pic. And those looking on Airbnb for a place to stay near the racetrack will most certainly look at your list first. Especially if you really are that close.

But, be warned. Dont put all your eggs in one basket. If you only go for race-goers and you become known for that and something happens at the racetrack and it gets shut down or closes for a few months whilst re-furbing or something, you will open yourself up to a dead space of no bookings. (ALSO, how many race-track attendees, do you think use Airbnb? I personally dont think it is commercial enough yet to be used by everyone… so you may need to consider that you are not advertising on a particular site aimed at racing anyway…)

Have a think about what YOU look for when you are booking a place to stay. What picture makes YOU stop and click-to-open? What title would make you understand the listing by just reading those 8-10 words?

Dont try to be something you are not. And make the best out of what you have got.

People are inherently lazy. And/or do not have time to stare at things too long. I can’t remember how long it is but I think there is some kind of 2 sec rule. And if someone walks past an advertising board of some kind and doesn’t get it within the time they glance at it and walk past, which is about 2 secs, they will ignore it. People will only stop to look at it if it appeals to them / connects with them / is something they are already looking for.

What you are really asking about is, how do I compete with the many other listings on the same page that is being viewed at that time by that viewer?

  • The answer is: To be well-priced (as that is what most people filter by). To have a room people would like to have in their own home (as in decorated to a standard they would be happy living in). And to look warm and friendly (be that through a jolly, welcoming yet informative title, a well-worded and interesting listing, but also a well-taken photo with good colour and a tidy surrounding).

This is completely subjective. And some people are happy to be in a box room, single bed, white walls and plain bed sheets. Because they just need a functional place to rest (and would look to spend less money). Others want a boutique hotel look, with fancy pillows on the bed, modern pictures on the wall, large space, high quality blinds/curtains and fancy lamps… (And more often than not, people want something they dont have. And stay in a place they dont normally stay in. Therefore, in my head, a higher proportion of people would be attracted to the latter than the former.)

SO, it is not always the way it is listed as much as the product itself which is more important.

Good luck! Choose your target market and go get them!

Regards

7

The article mentions a base price. Maybe a stupid question, but where/how does one set a base price assuming a given minimum is set with smart pricing active?