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As an Airbnb host, creating a warm and memorable experience for your guests begins long before they set foot on your property. One of the most effective ways to establish a positive connection is through your Airbnb welcome message.
I am not referring to an arrival day packet or a big Airbnb welcome letter, but the specific message I send a guest immediately after booking. Some hosts like to automate messages, and large property managers typically automate the initial point of contact.
However, I do not. I personalize each and every message that I send to my guests. That said, I do have a stockpile of saved message responses that I use as templates and may share some more of those down the road. So, leave me a comment if you enjoyed this blog post!
Airbnb Hosting Tools
If you are new here, I am a top-rated Airbnb superhost with four condos along Highway 30A, a gorgeous stretch of beaches in the Florida panhandle.
At Our Little Lifestyle, I have many comprehensive Airbnb buying guides and in-depth tips to help you set up your Airbnb rental property. My posts include everything from Airbnb Bedding to Choosing the Best TV for your Airbnb. I also have posts that share how to make your Airbnb baby-friendly and others sharing Airbnb must-have items that many new hosts need to remember. Feel free to click here to browse those!
Today, I am doing something different. I am sharing one of my actual saved messages that act as my first point of contact with my guests.
Crafting the Perfect Airbnb Welcome Message
A well-crafted welcome message sets the stage for a positive stay and leaves a lasting impression on your short-term rental guests.
In this blog post, I’m excited to share my welcome message with you and some tips to help you create your own. So, let’s dive in and discover how to make your guests feel truly at home!
The Importance of a Welcoming Introduction From a Host
The welcome message is the first communication your guests receive from you, so it’s crucial to make it count.
A thoughtful and personalized message sets the tone for their stay, instills a sense of anticipation, and makes them feel genuinely welcomed. Taking the time to craft a warm and engaging introduction can significantly enhance your rental guests’ experience.
Personalizing Your Message
One of the keys to creating an exceptional welcome message is personalization. Guests appreciate knowing that you’ve taken the time to tailor the message specifically for them.
Upon booking, I have the Airbnb setting activated to require them to leave me a message. By default, the platform asks them to share about themselves and when they plan to arrive. Or something along those lines.
Reading this message lets you know what type of guest you are hosting. Since our Seacrest Beach condos are smaller studio condos and one-bedroom units, we typically host couples or young families. It is here that my guests usually mention if they have been to the area before or if it’s an anniversary trip. However, some just write a simple message like “Hi.” Regardless, it allows you to respond and initiate the conversation by starting a message chain in your Airbnb inbox.
When replying, address them by name and acknowledge any specific details they’ve shared in their booking request or profile. Personalization helps establish a connection and shows that you genuinely care about their comfort and satisfaction.
Striking the Right Tone in an Airbnb Message
The tone of your Airbnb greeting message plays a vital role in setting the atmosphere for the guest’s arrival. Aim for a friendly and inviting tone that aligns with the spirit of your listing. It’s an Airbnb welcome note, a basic introduction to you, and it ensures the Airbnb guest that they are in good hands. We all strive to be Airbnb Superhosts!
Whether you prefer a more formal approach or a casual and laid-back style, make sure it reflects your personality and matches the overall vibe of your property.
Should You Include Essential Information?
At this point, I do not. I save all that for my House Manual, primary recommendations message, and check-in instructions. I don’t want to overwhelm them right away with too much information.
And to be honest, they have 48 hours to cancel after booking, and it’s not uncommon for people to make and cancel vacation rental reservations during that period. Unless it is a last-minute booking, I only do a little beyond my initial two messages during that window.
My Airbnb Welcome Message Template
Below is the exact template that I have saved. I use this to welcome all my guests, which is critical to being a successful Airbnb host.
Hello {insert name nere},
Thank you so much for choosing our condo for your visit {next month, this summer, in August, ect}. Have you been to the area before? I’m happy to provide recommendations if you would like!
Sarah
Or if they mention that it’s their first time in the area, I change it to:
Hello {insert name nere},
Thank you so much for choosing our condo for your visit {next month, this summer, in August, etc}!
Since it’s your first visit to this area, I’m happy to provide recommendations if you would like! Is there anything in particular that you two enjoy?
Sarah
Other changes that I add include asking the ages of their children so that I can provide age-appropriate recommendations. Or if they tell me that they love the area, I ask if they have stayed at our particular 30A condo complex before.
Sometimes a new booking’s guest communication will say something like, “We come here all of the time,” in which case I acknowledge that they must love the area as much as I do. But I always offer to give them my recommendations.
My Airbnb Welcome Message Follow Up
Most guests respond to this within the first 24 hours, and we have a friendly dialogue open. They know I care, which is a critical part of my Airbnb workflow. Using automated messages may save time, but you sacrifice some of the personal connection.
If you take a minute and read my Airbnb reviews, you will see that my guests mention me by name. They appreciate my time and effort to make their trip the best possible. And if you own or manage vacation rentals, you understand how important this is to Airbnb guests.
Some guests never respond. In that case, I circle back with a follow-up message a couple of weeks later or a month before their stay. In it, I ask if they had any questions or wanted any recommendations before their visit. Most often, they respond at this point and ask specific questions, such as where the nearest grocery store is.
Or they might ask about specific beach rules or Airbnb check-in information. Most of the information they need and other important details can be found in the House Manual in their booking. I usually direct them there, which is helpful because they will need to read through our Airbnb house rules before their trip.
Follow Up Message
For the ones that do respond, they typically want recommendations, have one or two questions, and tell me a little more about themselves. As a follow-up, I reply with the following:
That sounds great! I’ll put some recommendations together for you and send them over in the next few days. Also, if you have Instagram, I have an account at www.Instagram.com/ourlittleretreats, and the story highlights serve as a virtual guidebook. Feel free to tap through those!
This encourages them to follow me on social media and familiarize themselves with the area. It also buys me some time because my next message will be fairly long with tailored recommendations for their stay. I use a few templates based on whether it’s a couple, a family, or a couple with a baby.
Since I do put quite a bit of time and energy into these recommendations, I like to sit down 2x-3x a week to do them. I customize those templates based on the dates of their stay, what they are looking for, special events, etc. This is important to me. I would hate to tell them about my favorite Sunday brunch when their stay is Monday through Friday.
As a family travel blogger myself, I am very capable of sharing honest and valuable tips and recommendations.
A Personal Airbnb Welcome Message is a Must
Crafting a welcoming and memorable Airbnb host introduction is a powerful way to make your guests feel valued and cherished. Personalizing your welcome message and striking the right tone can set the stage for an exceptional stay.
Remember, your welcome message is an opportunity to create a positive first impression and establish a strong connection with your guests. So, go ahead and steal my welcome message as a starting point, and make it your own by infusing it with your unique personality and local flair. Happy hosting!
Airbnb Shopping Guides
And if you are a new host, make sure to check out my Airbnb buying guides! I put as much intention behind what I choose to put in our condos as I do in sending my messages. This is what sets a successful host apart from the rest!
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