How to host a smooth experience

Guests appreciate when their host is dedicated to providing a seamless experience. This means being responsive, providing clear arrival instructions, describing your experience accurately, and being on time and organized.

Use Airbnb’s messaging tools to respond to guest messages promptly before and after an experience.

• Use quick replies. These message templates pull details from your listing and guest reservations to help you respond quickly. You can edit them and also schedule them to be sent at certain times, like right after a guest books.
• Set up notifications. Seeing guest messages immediately can improve your response time. Pay close attention leading up to your meeting time.

“Giving prompt responses is very important,” says Jib, who hosts a cooking class in Bangkok. “The faster you can solve guest problems or answer their questions, the more they feel you’ll be reliable.”

Make sure guests know where to meet to help show that you’re reliable.

• Write detailed instructions. Provide relevant details to help guests find your meeting location and know how to recognize you.
• Share directions ahead of time. Schedule a quick reply with arrival instructions a day or two before your experience so your guests have time to ask questions.

Dani, who hosts a walking tour of Brooklyn, sends a welcome message when guests book explaining the subway and where they’ll meet and depart. “That gives guests plenty of time to plan the rest of their day,” she says.

Your listing should go into detail about what guests can expect during the experience.

• Add any co-hosts. Go to your calendar to add the co-hosts you work with to the instances they’ll be hosting. This helps guests know who to look for.
• Include in-depth information. Help guests prepare for your experience by sharing everything they need to know in your listing description and photos. For example, you might let them know what to pack, like hiking shoes and water, or show photos of steep stairs.

“I let guests know we’ll walk to a market, where they’ll experience vibrant sounds and rich aromas,” says Graciela, who hosts a cooking class in Mexico City. “This way, they arrive prepared and excited for the experience.”

Following your itinerary helps your experience run smoothly.

• Take time to plan ahead. Prepare your location and any supplies to keep your experience on schedule. For example, make sure the area is clean and there are enough chairs and workspaces.
• Set a manageable pace. Start and end on time, and include breaks so you don’t have to rush through activities.

“I spent a lot of time planning my route,” says Evren, who hosts a music walking tour of Soho in London. “And then I rehearsed and rehearsed to make sure it worked.”

All hosts, photos, and listing details must meet the standards and requirements for Airbnb Experiences.

Information contained in this article may have changed since publication.