Airbnb Listing Description: Are You Writing Yours Wrong?
As an Airbnb host, you may be wondering how to write a listing description that will attract guests and persuade them to book your property. Here are some tips on what to include in your Airbnb listing description, as well as how to write persuasively.
Your listing description is a marketing tool
You want to use persuasive language to convince guests that your property is the perfect place for their next vacation or staycation. Guests will also want relevant details about your Airbnb listing to make sure your short-term rental has the appropriate amenities they are looking for before they make their booking.
Once a potential guest has clicked on your listing your home description is your first opportunity to give guests information about your vacation rental beyond what they can learn from your cover photo and the very few words in your listing title.
What information do you want to highlight in your listing description?
You want to share any standout amenities or location information you can share with your ideal guest. Ask yourself, why do people travel to your destination? If people travel because you’re right next to a stadium talk about that. If you have a pool, highlight that feature. If your home has a unique architectural feature this is where you want to mention it.
You also want to talk about what kind of experience you’re offering. Are you trying to provide a romantic weekend away? Set the stage for your potential guests.
How to write your Airbnb listing
-Write in the 3rd person
-Use descriptive words: “bright, open, boho, chic, modern”
-Mention unique features including architectural style and amenities: “modern passive solar house. Relax after a long day exploring in the cedar soaking tub. watch the sunrise from the expansive porch with a cup of pour-over coffee in hand.”
-Use commands: “relax, unwind, recharge.”
How NOT to write your Airbnb listing description
-Don’t write in the first or second person: No “we” or “I”
-Don’t just list things off: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
-Don’t include brand names: “Keurig, Starbucks”
-Don’t use ALL CAPS, //// slashes, or ampersands
You’re not creating a real estate listing
Remember you are painting a picture for a guest’s experience. You are not trying to sell your home. There is a subtle but very large difference. On the one hand, you want a guest to get the relevant information they need to complete the booking process, but you don’t need them to think about the long-term viability of “owning” your Airbnb. They just need to transport themselves mentally to your home for a short period, NOT live there.
Short-term listing examples
For a small 2 bedroom beach house
The term “Boho” gets thrown around a lot, but this romantic seaside cottage is the real deal. Step through the doors and be transported to another era -gorgeous art, vintage furniture, and an eclectic style that can’t be bought (or faked), all drenched in sun streaming through the enormous windows overlooking the ocean.
This vacation will be all about relaxing: when you’re not lounging inside, you can walk a few feet to the shore or stroll into the gorgeous, sleepy village of Buxton.
4 bedroom oceanfront home
Enjoy watching the dolphins play as you sip your coffee on the deck of this art- and light-filled perch on the most peaceful street in Salvo. Every room in the house has been recently updated with original paintings and modern furnishings that create the perfect place to unwind. When you’re not on the beach, join the group around the large, central table for family dinners and games, curl up in the hanging chair with a book, or retreat to one of the cozy bedrooms for a mid-afternoon nap.
1 bedroom 1980s home
Relax and recharge in a beautifully updated passive solar home in the woods. Enjoy original art and a professionally-equipped kitchen inside, along with songbirds and extensive landscaping outside. Don’t feel like cooking? You’re only a few minutes from downtown Durham, major shopping centers, and great restaurants.
Your bedroom is outfitted with a super-comfortable, high-density foam mattress and luxury bedding, and sports views overlooking the tree canopy.
Tiny-ish home in Durham
You’ll feel like you’re getting away from it all in this brand new, private tiny house in the trees (even though you’re minutes from Duke, and downtown Durham, and loads of shopping and restaurants). All the right amenities are here – full kitchen, laundry, A/C, and high-speed internet – but don’t be surprised if you find yourself opting to relax in the swing on the screened-in porch while you soak in the sounds of the birds and the trees instead.
In conclusion
Your Airbnb listing description is a tool to use persuasive language to market your rental property to guests. Be sure to include relevant details and unique selling points, while avoiding common mistakes like extensive lists, and first-person writing. With these tips in mind, you can write a listing description that will help you attract guests and convince them to book your property. Check out Airbnb’s internal guide on “sprucing up your listing description” here.
