The Airbnb Pattern Nobody Talks About

This is for rental operators in seasonal markets.

Not you? Keep reading. You'll find a nugget or two.

It's easy for seasonal rental operators to lose their mind when bookings slow down.

• First, the panic sets in

• Then you start running money equations to see how much time you got left

• Suddenly you're thinking about selling the dog

Allow me to be a voice of reason. Your short term rental is not failing.

You were probably having this same stress session last year, you just don't remember.

The truth?

Booking cycles are just doing what booking cycles do.

My full time job is running marketing campaigns for Airbnbs and hotels. I've seen these booking cycles over and over.

Today, I'm going to share what those cycles are so you can come back to this article every time you freak out.

Consider me the shoulder you can cry on <3

12 Month Seasonal Airbnb & Hotel Booking Cycles

Here is the pattern that plays out for most seasonal short term rentals year after year:

(This applies to 80% of rental operators. I'll explain at the end)

January + February → Book summer

These two months boom with bookings. Especially direct bookings.

My only regret this year is not spending more on ads. Some clients made $5, $8 and even $12 for every $1 they spent on ads in these 60 days.

How many times would you trade $1 for $12? All the times.

Most bookings are for summer. Some for weird weeks in-between.

Booking rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

March + April → Book within 60 days

These months are fine. Let me explain:

If your April, May and June is mostly booked by this point, you won't get many net-new bookings in March or April.

Booking rating: ⭐⭐⭐

May + June → Book summer

This is where you'll fill in open peak season gaps. Again, if you have none, you'll get none.

August will be the last summer month to get booked. Keep promoting. Those dates will fill in.

Booking rating: ⭐⭐⭐

July + August + September → Book fall

This is a huge money-making window for our folks who get a real fall.

"Real fall" definition:

• Leaves changing

• Pumpkin spice lattes

• Flannels

• Etc...

Slowly transition from summer to fall social media content during this time. While you're at it, boost ad spend too.

Booking rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

October + November → Book within 60 days

If there are still dates available, they'll be more last minute. I think it's because weather tends to be a critical variable. But that's me throwing assumptions at the wall.

Keep ad spend high.

Booking rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

December → Never great

Unless you're on a beach in the south or mountain town. It'll be good then.

Otherwise, just sit tight. You'll be busy soon.

Booking rating: ⭐⭐

Final thoughts

This framework holds true for 80% of rental operators.

For our friends in markets like:

• Most of Florida

• Ski towns

• Arizona

The cycle remains true.

When the cycle takes place is different.

Do you agree? Disagree? Reply to this email and let me know.

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

P.S. Writing this from New York. Came down here for Hyrox. Completely winging it. If you don’t know what Hyrox is, let me explain:

1. Run 1km

2. Do a hard event like burpees

3. Run again

4. Seven different events

It’s kinda like crossfit + track & field mixed.

Apparently we have two hours to “warm up” so I’ll figure it all out then. I’m a quick learner.

Before you go

I spend about 10 hours writing this newsletter each week. The rest of my time is spent running $100K Stay and Lodge Social.

1) $100K Stay — Learn how to make $100K for your Airbnb or hotel from social media.

• This hybrid-live training program is everything you need to get your own guests from the internet. Even if you have zero audience, experience, or marketing skills.

• Enrollment is currently open. Book a call to join →

2) Lodge Social — Our marketing team will help you get more guests to like, share and book. Work with me and my team here.

Links you might like:

1. How to Get More Bookings Without Airbnb (YouTube)

2. The social caption Ai prompt (The Lodge Social)

3. What happens when hosts stop believing in Airbnb? (LinkedIn)

4. Scaling Short-Term Rental Operations to 93 Doors (Podcast)