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Hello, welcome back for another great episode.My name is Sarah Kara Kahan.I'm Annette Grant, and together we are Thanks for visiting.
Let's start this episode like we do each and every week, and that is showcasing one of you incredible hosts who is going to our website, strshare.com, sharing as much as you can about your short-term rental so we can share it with our hosting world here on the podcast, to our email list, and of course on Sundays on our Instagram channel.
Annette, who are we sharing this week?This week we are sharing
Hiawassee River Retreat.Check the show notes, but it's H-I-W-A-S-S-E-E, River Retreat, and get your notepads out because there is some good stuff.Number one, we talk about this often in their highlight reel.
The very first highlight, they have their loyalty program. They have a loyalty program for guests that visit for their second visit, third visit, fourth visit, fifth visit.They're complimentary things that they provide.
So if you've been trying to figure out a loyalty program, look no further.What are some examples?The second visit is a complimentary romance package, wow, wow, wow, $100 value.
The third visit, complimentary romantic package plus a s'mores kit, $125 value.Fourth visit, romance package, s'mores kit, and a t-shirt.Oh, they're going to do the marketing for you.Genius.So just keep going. The loyalty program goes on and on.
Oh, good.And then next, here's what I want you to do because they have an absolute masterclass in upselling.The one thing I wanna tell you is this is an adults only riverfront retreat with luxury amenities and a mini wedding chapel.
Y'all, they are charging $100 for two hours in a tree house bathtub.
Wait, so you could not stay there and just take a bath?
You cannot stay there.If you're not a guest, it's $200 for two hours.If you're a guest, it's $100 for two hours.That is an amazing ROI on a bathtub.Yes, it is.But I want you to not only look at that.
There are so many upsell opportunities that they are taking advantage of in this couples retreat environment.So if you go to their Instagram, go to their link and buyout, it takes you to their website.
It has that loyalty program, but they also have enhancements, romance package, $100.So it's silk rose petals, LED candles and chocolates.Oh, if someone says we're coming for our anniversary, I'll sell them on this.
The LED candles, you use those over and over again.A couple of roses, some chocolates.They have firewood bundle, a lover's gift set, s'mores kit.This one, anyone can participate in this next one.It's the happiest birthday.
They do balloons, a sampler cheesecake platter, and a birthday candle.This is $100, but do you know that people are going to take you up on this offer?We know we just had an upsell session in our membership, and we had hosts that are doing this
for free.Actually, it's not just for free.They're actually losing money by doing this.They're paying for it.
If in the messaging, someone says, we're coming for anniversary, we're coming for a birthday, we're coming for X, Y, Z. Before you even create the package, say, oh, we have a birthday package.Are you interested?
And you can create it when the opportunity comes up. But I want you to look at the Hiawassee River Retreat and all of their upsells.I think they are absolutely crushing it.And that treetop bathtub idea, brilliant.
And I know there's some other hosts that rent out maybe their sauna hourly.That isn't just guests, depending on the location and how your place is set up, but there are ways to really
really profit as much as possible off of your property and go above and beyond and give them an experience that other hosts might not be or hotels.Yes.
And if you think about it too, I mean hotels, if you want to use their spa or obviously the tub in the property is one thing, but if it's like a special feature.
Click it and see your host already saying, right, but I just want to be able to offer to my guests for free.I want to be included.
And hey, if that works for your business model, and you're still in your revenue, and you're hitting your goals, by all means.
But I think this is a really good thing to think about ways to... Like Annette always says, we only have... We have limited inventory. You have 365 days to sell.And honestly, if you're selling all those days, you're probably priced too low.
So there's other ways that you can still have great value on your stay.And then if a guest wants to invest in a little something extra, that's their decision to do so.
Yes.And so if you have upsells that you are crushing it with, please DM or email us so we can share it with other people on the show.
Or if you are crushing it with your upsells and you wanna be a guest on the show and do a masterclass for other hosts, let us know.All right, Sarah, let's get into today's episode.
All right, so unless you've been under a rock, you know that Airbnb released their 2024 winter release.So all the new things that they've added to their app and their desktop portal for hosts and as a traveler.
And we wanted to unpack the biggest announcement, which is their co-host network. This is not the first time they've done this.Annette and I, we remember the first time they did this back in the day.I was a co-host.
I would like, I was helping people on the weekends.I was helping people full-time doing a portion.I would get a portion at every reservation.I didn't know this.You didn't?No.Yes, girl.It was random people?
No, that circus house, I was part of his, I was a co-host and I would make, you could set a percentage back in the day and get a percentage of each and every reservation.I mean, I was helping a co-host, but
I could get... I forget what the percentage was, but I actually got paid out via Airbnb, helped him on that.And then, that was like a full-time co-hosting gig through the marketplace.I actually met him and started that through the marketplace.
And then, I actually met a... It was a doctor in town, but they went back and forth between two properties a lot.So, I would help her when she was out of town.So, I was like temporary with her. So it was interesting.
And honestly, it was so long ago, I can't remember all the nuances there.
But I thought it was fun because I was that's where I was already co-hosting with, you know, when I got started, but I put myself on the platform and started to see what else was out there.
I put myself in the platform.I just remember some weird hosts reach out.
Yeah.Like some people wanted me to like change the bed or clean.I don't know.Like it was weird.
Well, for me, I just, I don't remember exactly, but the introduction of the host and what they wanted me to do just seemed off color.I don't know.So I was getting better leads through my Instagram DM.So I didn't give it much of a chance.
And then all of a sudden it disappeared.So the opportunity to participate in their original co-host, I don't think they called it the network at that point, but then they stopped doing it.
So, and then I felt like I think the thing after that was like their Lux.And remember Airbnb Plus?Plus, that's what it was.
And I applied for that and got, well, they wanted me to make some changes, but then I heard some, there were some things about Airbnb Plus, which is now no longer.
Yeah.So who knows if the second time of the co-host network is going to make it.But we know why they're doing this.Yes.
Again, Airbnb wants every house everywhere to be on the platform.So they want to take out any sort of friction for someone that is interested in hosting, but doesn't have the time, maybe doesn't have the experience.
They want to make it easier for people to host.And that's what they think the co-host marketplace is going to do.
And I want to share with you that Annette and I just took a deep dive, we'll spare you, but took a deep dive into the co-host network terms and conditions, which that's always a really fun place to visit and really dive into.
I do think one of the most interesting things, there are like more requirements to be a co-host than the actual host, which is interesting, but one of them is you must be within a 60 mile radius of the property.
So, I think that is very, very interesting because right now you can host, you don't need to be anywhere near your property and you can host.But for co-hosting, that is one of the biggest stipulations as you do need to be within 60 miles radius.
And I don't know if they're taking that off your home address.I'm sure they are.But that is one thing that is for sure.And you also, we're trying to go through the onboarding process right now too.
There's some stipulations when you apply and you actually do need to have an onboarding call.It's like this 30 minute call.I don't know what that looks like.We're trying to do that to find out more for you.Or a video to watch.
But like that doesn't exist with just hosting.So very interesting.Yeah, that is interesting.
I do want to point out that the services you can offer, first of all, if you read the T's and C's, Airbnb essentially says, listen, all we're doing is connecting the host with this quote unquote co-host and everything else is up to you.
What you're saying about Paul and know it all or it's between y'all?Your name's Paul, it's between y'all.
Or no, my name's Paul, it's between y'all.
That's essentially what their T's and C's are saying.
They're like, hey.Oh, yeah.My name's Paul.It's between y'all.Like whatever goes down goes down.Correct.We are not a part of it.
Not a part of it.We have zero skin in this game.No.And I, if you know this, if we are wrong at this, I just want to admit that I don't, we didn't see anything in the T's and C's about this, but I don't believe Airbnb is making any money off of this.
Like, you know, like platforms like, I'm just going to call it Turno. That's how you can find a cleaner, right?
And how Turno makes money is they want to keep you on their platform, and when you rehire the cleaner, you pay them on the platform and they take a little service fee from that.I don't think Airbnb is doing that here.
And with their co-host network, one of the services you can offer is cleaning and maintenance.So, okay, you get to find someone who you see their reviews, how long they've been hosting, and you have to have, I think it's over a four point... Eight.
So you have to be good at this thing.
Yeah.And there's like, it's a hundred days, like three reservations, 12 reservations in the last year or a hundred stays.Yeah.Or a hundred days.Sorry.
So, you know, I have reached out to, so although I am a co-host, I'm always growing my team, so we're actually looking for a co-host, or I don't call them a co-host, I call them an inspector, right now.
And so I reached, I was like, Annette, I'm just going to see what this is like.And this is very interesting.
So I found, of course, me being me, I reached out to the most highly rated, been on the platform the longest co-host and just engaged in conversation.And instead of offering up his services, he offered up his mother-in-law.
He was like, let me ask my mother-in-law to see if she wants to help you.Oh my gosh.
And I was like, wait, dude, like you're supposed to be the one.Yeah.And by the way, Airbnb, your vetting process is really working here.Yeah.It'll definitely be interesting, but we will definitely have a follow-up episode.
Like we're on the waitlist now because you get like waitlisted to be on.We've had some other hosts that are also being waitlisted to be officially approved, which it'll be interesting how that gets saturated and what goes on there.
So, here's the cool thing now, let's talk about the opportunity here for you.If you've thought about, we'll talk about both sides of the coin, looking for a co-host and being a co-host.
If you've been interested in putting your toe in the water in terms of just making some side cash and getting to work more in this industry, maybe you don't have enough money to buy a property right now, or whatever the case may be, you wanna add some.
I'm even thinking about offering, I mean, I know that we're applying to be on it, but like offering it up and I don't know, let's see, like, will I find my next client there into my co-hosting business?
The COOs can manage a range of tasks, listing creation, listing management, pricing and availability, guest communication and reservations, onsite guest support, cleaning and maintenance, interior design and styling, obtaining permits and handling specialty offerings.
And in Airbnb's T's and C's, you can... Tell them how much you cost to do your services.You can get paid however you want.You can get paid in the app, but you don't have to.So that's really cool too.It's really just this marketplace, this network.
of qualified individuals.
Yeah.And I think it's genius because we have so many people all the time like, how do I find new clients for my co-hosting business?And this is, you're going to have direct access.We all love how Airbnb can market our properties.
So they're going to be helping market your services to new hosts, to current hosts. It's just going to be interesting on how this whole thing pans out.
The one thing that we've seen, I was trying to get some qualifying facts here, but I couldn't find the exact thing that I wanted, but I do not think If you're a professional property management company, they're letting you advertise on the platform.
I'm going to have to really drill down and figure that out.But Sarah and I are going to go through the reps a little bit more here and see if we can get all the info for you.
Well, it's interesting. people when you start your listing, you can choose to put your business name or your personal name and whether it's your face or your business logo.Wait, it also says hospitality coaching you can offer up.
Airbnb has their ambassador program.
But sky's the limit, I guess, on what a co-host is.
No, literally, you can do whatever you want.But you have to get approved first.You have to get approved.And I think approving... First of all, when I quote unquote applied, I had to put where I'm at and my phone number.
And then I immediately got an email that I'm on quote unquote waitlist.So I think it's just their process of making sure, again, you meet those standards of qualifying you as having experience, which
As I'm looking for an inspector right now, I posted on Craigslist, I posted on Indeed, I posted on my Instagram stories, I had my current inspector share with her network.But this is really cool because again, the sky's the limit in terms of...
what you have the person do.I don't have to get nervous like with Terno.I have to pay on their platform.This Airbnb is like, nah, pay them however you want.Have your own agreements in place.
It's up to you to make sure that you can, that you have that 1099 relationship or that employee relationship.It really is.They're just making it easy too. to find someone that is qualified.
Now let's talk about if you are a coast again and it's saving you money from marketing yourself and starting up a whole business.I mean, you do wanna understand that when you are entering someone's property and you're doing work on their behalf,
you might want to look into some sort of coverage, you know, for yourself.If you slip and fall on their stairs, do they have a lot of insurance companies?If the business, if an individual hires a 1099 or independent contractor,
they require that independent contractor to be insured themselves.So on both sides of the coin, you want to make sure that you understand how that would work.Liabilities.
Because if you get hurt as a co-host and you're like, well, the person who had me go on their property, you might, I don't know, you may not be able to claim any sort of damages or what have you.
So just, again, Airbnb, and if you read their G's and C's, they're like, hey, we have no, this is between you two.So it's really just a network, like they call it.
Identify, I think they identify themselves.
Identify, yeah. So we encourage you to explore the co-host network and take advantage of the features.Try it out.If we know anything from Airbnb, they're going to tweak this.
What they do now in terms of this video that you have to either watch or hop on a call, whatever that is, who knows if that'll stick around.Who knows?
Yeah, it'll definitely ebb and flow and change, but definitely worth giving a try.There's a few other updates. like the messaging was updated.So if you're traveling, you can just see your messages while you're traveling.
What were the other options there, Sarah?
It was like- New quick replies.Quick replies, yeah.I'm excited about, you can edit your message and you can unsend it, which, you know, we've all been there wanting to unsend things.
You can customize your earning reports on Airbnb, filter by income stream, and easily view when payouts are on the way.Again, remember, this is just as it relates to your bookings that you get on Airbnb.
And when you plan a trip, and this is whether you're traveling and booking an Airbnb, or just so you know how your guests are finding you, now more than ever, make sure you're staying.We actually talked about this.
at the Vacation Rental Managers Association Conference we just got back from, Verma.Airbnb's amenities, you know how you can go in there and check whether you have an amenity or not.
And then sometimes you can add even more details like, yes, you have a coffee maker.What kind of coffee maker do you offer?Is it a Keurig?Is it a Chemex?Like all the different things.
And sometimes you'll go back in and it'll be unchecked or there'll be something new that you can add.So I actually have a reoccurring task for myself to go in there every two weeks and just peruse it on a couple of different listings to see
Did something change?Am I showing up?"Because Airbnb is making the filtering process and how a short-term rental stands out on their platform even more easy to see.
The examples they give are personalized highlights to give you the lowdown as a traveler.Things that matter.
Yes.Baby essentials, garden view.Is it perfect for families?Really helping you curate and design your perfect.
And they pull that data from the amenities that you select on the listing.
So again, if you have not been in your amenities section on Airbnb in quite some time, or if you're like me on a PMS, when I'm in hostfully, the different amenities option there, they'll tell you whether it's just a hostfully amenity, an Airbnb amenity, booking.com, Verbo.
I, yes, I go in there and I make sure that all looks good, but I will still go directly in the app, in the Airbnb app and make sure everything is communicating as it should.I trust nothing and no one per usual.Oh, you know what I want?
I want to happen.I'm just going to put this out there.Okay.As a host, it would be cool if I could post a help wanted to a co-host.
And they oh, yeah, so that I don't have to bear out reaching to you versus yeah So that I don't have to message all because I have a very specific Once it needs and like yeah, I see what you're saying.
You like that.I like that too.I think the other last-minute thing on the Speaking of the last thing on the upgrades is they have that last-minute feature that's coming up to Like looking for last-minute stays.I think it's on that filter
Airbnb owns Hotels Tonight, right?The app.If you guys have ever used it, it's like a nuts favorite thing to be on.
We'll put the link in the show notes.I really do.And hey, it's great for you as hosts to just from time to time pop in there and see what the rates are for last minute travelers that are looking to book in your area.It's a good thing to check out.
Yeah, and right now, I was just on it actually, because I'm going to Nashville, and I don't think they put in their short-term rentals on hotels tonight.It is strictly hotels.
So I wonder if this is Airbnb's attempt to get even more last-minute-y, because we, okay, we also learned this at VIRMA, at the conference we just went to, that data is showing that pretty much US-wide, and I don't know if you're feeling it in other countries too, if you're listening in,
the booking window is getting much shorter than it used to be.
And the different data companies that were reporting this at Afirma are essentially saying that this tightening of from when someone goes on the app and actually books is getting shorter because people are kind of hanging on to their pocketbooks a little tighter, especially in the uncertainty of the economy and the election coming up in the U.S.
Even if you don't live in the U.S., we all know an election in the U.S.can affect other countries and other marketplaces.So
When people go on to book a short-term rental though on Airbnb, they are ready to buy in most cases because they've got to book fast and make that decision fast.
So if they've decided they can afford it or they want to spend money, they're most likely going to make a decision.
Yeah.And that last minute trip is popping up like, look at places you can book right away.And it's apply the Instant Book feature.If you have not started to use Instant Book yet, please, we implore you, turn on Instant Book.
All right.Well, I'm excited to see how this matures and unfolds.You, everyone out there listening, if you try this out, if you are already on it, will you slide into our DMs, let us know how it's going for you.What insights do you have to share?
We'll do a little update because I think this is really going to be interesting, especially as we're getting out of you know, that COVID era of not being able to stay in hotels, right?Everyone was like on the short-term rental Airbnb train.
And now we're getting out of it a little bit.You have to work a little bit harder to get those bookings.And people are seeing how much work goes into making a short-term rental successful.
I think if you have the time to help someone out, it is the co-host era.Agreed.And there is going to be plenty of opportunity for you to help people out or some side money grow your co-hosting business for free.
Again, it's like, it's like how we always say how Instagram is, you know, free marketing.Airbnb is essentially giving you, as a co-host, they are giving you the person who needs what you have to offer for free.Incredible.
With that, I am Sarah Karakian.I'm Annette Grant, and together we are Thanks for visiting.Talk to you next time. Thanks for listening to the Thanks for Visiting podcast.Head on over to the show notes for additional information about today's episode.
And please hit that subscribe button and leave us a review.Awesome reviews help us bring you awesome content.Thanks for tuning in and we look forward to hanging out with you next week.
Want to know our best kept hosting secrets?They're all inside our STR must-haves master list, our secret weapon that continues to transform ordinary hosts into extraordinary hosts.
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