Start Your Own Travel Hosting Business

Entrepreneur Media, Inc. is the premier content provider for and about entrepreneurs. Their products engage and inspire every day with advice, solutions, and resources that fuel the bold and independent way entrepreneurs think. After 31 years, nobody reaches more growing businesses. Based in Irvine, CA, Entrepreneur Press is a leading small-business trade publisher, providing aspiring, emerging, and growing entrepreneurs with actionable solutions to every business challenge — ultimately, leading them from business idea to business success.Jason R. Rich is the author of more than 55 books, as well as a frequent contributor to numerous national magazines, major daily newspapers, and popular websites. He's also an accomplished photographer.

• Chapter 1 – Airbnb Has Changed the Way People TravelWhat is Airbnb and other businesses like it?How the service works.What is a travel host, and how can someone generate an income from it?What you need to get started.Consider the safety and comfort of your family, pets, and property.Overcome the biggest misconceptions travelers and potential hosts have about Airbnb and other hosting businesses.Benefits of becoming a travel host.Chapter 2 – Get Started as a HostDeciding what you’ll offer.Creating an account and listing.Tips for composing an attention getting listing.How to attract the type of guests you want to interact with, and who share a similar lifestyle.Strategies for adding photography to your listing.Top 10 amenities you should offer that will allow you to increase your nightly rate.Promoting your listing and differentiating yourself from other hosts.Taxes and legal considerations relating to becoming a host.Insurance and security considerations.Expert tips for composing and publishing a property listing, as well as insurance and security tips will be provided. Chapter 3 – Preparing Your PropertyDecorating and furnishing your property.Creating a clean and comfortable living space.Setting limits as to what areas guests can use.Selecting the best selection of amenities to offer.Cleaning and preparing for guests.Choosing key entry door locks versus digital door locks with programmable codes. Other home security technologies worth investing in.Setting your nightly price, plus how and when you’ll be paid.Experts tips for preparing your property, decorating, choosing amenities to offer, and getting ready for guests.Chapter 4 – Establishing the Rules for Your GuestsCreating a list of rules and expectations for guests staying at your property.Sample rules, and how to politely present them to your guests.Why rules and important, and how to enforce them.What to do when rules are broken or trust is tarnished.Chapter 5 – Best Practices for Communicating with GuestsManaging reservations.Initial communications with potential guests via text messaging or email.An in-person welcome.Interacting with guests during their stay.Strategies for improving your interpersonal and social skills.How to offer additional customer service and amenitiesOffering advice or serving as a tour guide for guestsOffering restaurant recommendationsSpending social time with your guestsBecoming knowledgeable about your city and what it offers to guestsExpert tips and strategies from experienced travel hosts.Chapter 6 – How to Use the Airbnb Website and Mobile App as a HostStep-by-step directions for navigating the Airbnb.com website and how to utilize the online-based tools available for hosts.Step-by-step directions for using the Airbnb, Homeaway, or VRBO mobile app on a smartphone or tablet.How and where to obtain the assistance you need.Chapter 7 – How to Generate Extremely Positive Reviews and Repeat GuestsHow to generate the best possible reviews from your guests.Ways to generate repeat guests and positive word-of-mouth referrals.Pitfalls to avoid when dealing with complaints and problems with guests.Expert tips for avoiding the top pitfalls and problems many hosts encounter.Chapter 8 – Managing Your Money and Reinvesting in Your Hosting BusinessAdditional tips for setting your nightly rate.Additional tips for maximizing your nightly rate, based on amenities provided, location, earned reviews, and demand.When and why it makes sense to reinvest income into your hosting business in order to acquire nicer furniture, higher-quality bedding, and improved guest amenities, so you can ultimately charge higher rates.Additional tax tips from a Certified Public Accountant.Chapter 9 – Other Related Services You Should Be Aware OfInformation about Airbnb competitors and similar services, as well as the pros and cons of using them.Appendix A – Directory of Resources