How to get more bookings (without adding anything new)

If you want to make more money for your Airbnb or hotel (without doing anything new) this is for you.

Today, I'm sharing an interview I did with Ryan and Jordan from Outlier Stays. A company that exists to help rental operators maximize revenue from Airbnb.

Here's what we talked about:

• What makes an Airbnb listing good

• How to make an Airbnb listing good

• Do pricing and listing quality work together?

• What 2027 and beyond will look like

As always, the full interview is at the bottom.

If you hate listening to interviews on YouTube, the rest of this read will be a collection of my notes.

Note: Do you like these interviews? Rate this article "so good!" at the bottom for more. If you hate it, don't rate it.

Let's start here

We quickly began by walking through the Airbnb Listing Optimization process. This was my favorite part.

Let's dive in:

Step 1: Start with an honest gut check. Would you click?

This may seem too simple but it works. How many times have you actually stared at your listing and asked "would I click this?"

Probably never.

Review these items:

• Title

• Cover photo

• First 5-10 listing photos

The goal: You want your first impression to look like nothing else in the area.

Do this first, then move onto step 2.

Step 2: Reduce friction

There are three places guests spend time during their stay:

• Bedrooms

• Premium spaces (patio, game room, etc...)

• Local area

Make sure those are the next photos people see after the cover series.

Once you're done uploading, talk about those three places in the description.

Don't skip this.

Step 3: Check hidden settings

Airbnb Listing Optimization isn't all about looks. There may be things like:

• Policies

• Procedures

• Cancellation policy

• Reviews

• Calendar issues

• Blocked dates

Preventing a booking. These things are easy to miss because most rental operators set it and forget it.

Example: If your cancellation policy is bad compared to everyone else, consider changing it.

Improve one hidden setting at a time. Otherwise you won't know what worked.

Step 4: Keep going

Like anything in marketing, nothing is one and done.

Over the course of a month, make one big change and see if that led to more:

• Views

• Clicks to listing

• Bookings

You can see these data points on Airbnb.

That's the game. Small improvements = incredible gains

Final note

This is an interview I've wanted to do for a long time.

I've been on plenty of calls with rental operators who come to us for more bookings.

By the end of the call, I've introduced them to Airbnb Listing Optimization.

Why?

Sometimes new (Google or Facebook Ads) isn't always better.

I'll end with a metaphor I enjoyed from Ryan:

Imagine there are two 1967 Mustangs:

• One is beautifully restored

• One is rusting in my backyard

They are technically the same car, but don't command the same price.

• The restored Mustang → Looks better and will sell for more.

• The one rotting in my backyard → Squirrels love it. No one else will.

The same applies to Airbnb listings:

Look better → More bookings

Then the domino effect continues:

Higher bookings → higher prices

If you want more bookings in 2026 & 2027, the secret may lie in a couple improvements with what you're already doing.

That's all for today. I'll see you in the next article.

P.S. Writing this from Boston, MA. I joined an adult beer softball league. Most of the time I’m standing around like this. I haven’t swung a bat in well over a decade. Here are the stats:

• Home Runs: 0

• Triples: 0

• Doubles: 0

• Singles: 2 😀 

• Strikeouts: 1

• Defensive position: 3rd string benchwarmer

My team is called the Pink Stallions. We won 12-4. You’ll see us in the big leagues soon.

Watch My Interview with Ryan & Jordan

We Will Install a Social Media Direct Booking Machine in 7 Days For Your Airbnb or Hotel

What if you could have a done-for-you implementation built by the same team that has driven millions in direct bookings and 10 million plus views across social media for real rental properties? (my team ;)

Work with us here →

Links you might like:

1. Connect with Ryan & Jordan (Outlier Stays)

2. Love these interviews? Start your binge here (The Lodge Social)

3. Converting Apartments to Short-Term Rentals for 3x the Revenue (Booked Solid Show)

4. Know your audience before you know your brand (LinkedIn)