How to stage photos for your Airbnb listing
Airbnb Listing: First Impressions Matter
Airbnb has become a popular platform for travellers in New Zealand and all over the world in fact. It is not surprising to find a lot of homes available within an area, some very similar to yours. This can make the competition pretty stiff.
As a host, you need to make your home stand out from the seas of other listings. It won’t matter if your home has all the bells and whistles if potential guests don’t click your listing. The big question here, how do you attract potential guests to click on your listing? The answer is by posting stunning photos!
Aside from the price, the eyes of Airbnb users will always be looking at the photos. It sets the expectation for guests about the space. The quality of your photos and how the property is portrayed is also a glimpse of you and your personality as a host.
Sometimes, photos are enough to make them want to book the place right away. This happens when guests are able to visualise what their experience will be when they visit.
Did You Know?
Your Airbnb listing photos are crucial to the success of your rental. According to Airbnb, here is what happens when you use professionally staged photos:
- 40% increase in earnings
- 24% more bookings
- 26% higher nightly price
Top Photo Tips for Your Airbnb Listing
If you are not confident with your skills, hire a professional photographer to do the shoot for you. If you want to do it yourself, we still encourage you to prepare well in advance.
Here are the most useful tips on how you could create jaw-dropping photos to
Style your Airbnb
Think of what style your guests will appreciate. But before deciding on a theme or style, it will be helpful if you have a specific target market in mind.
Perhaps your place is near a popular destination for families with young children. If so, make our home family and child friendly. If you’re near the beach, perhaps throw in some beach towels or accessories. If you live near business areas, then a minimalist design with perhaps a small office desk or table will go a long way.
To highlight comfort, other hosts choose neutral colours for sofas and furniture. These will be complemented by accent pillows and throw blankets.
A themed Airbnb will help make your property stand out. However, make sure to plan it carefully to avoid the risk of completely putting off other potential guests. Sometimes too many themed items are too much to handle.
Tidy up
Before doing the shoot, make sure that the space is clean and tidy. Do not include too many personal items like family pictures, papers and even gadgets. Set the scene and decorate appropriately to make it look inviting. Most importantly, make sure you don’t accidentally get your shadow or reflection in the photos – nothing screams amateur more loudly than an accidental glimpse of the photographer.
Turn on the lights
A good photographer knows the importance of good lighting in setting the mood of the photos. Make sure to shoot during the day when the natural light is bright.
Highlight the surroundings
If you have a nice yard perfect for barbecue nights or cozying under the stars, take a picture of what the place looks like at night. Let your guests dream and visualise themselves having such experiences.
Guests will also appreciate photos of amenities and other unique details like an artwork or a fireplace. Lastly, it will be helpful to include a picture of the neighbourhood or popular local attractions.
Use high-quality photos
This goes without saying, but make sure to only upload high-resolution photos. A decent camera will take better-looking photos than your regular smartphone. Be consistent with your photo format and keep in mind that landscape photos are best.
Follow these five tips to level up your Airbnb game. If you have more questions about Airbnb management, don’t hesitate to send us a message here.