Tips to Help You Write an Amazing Airbnb Welcome Email or Letter
So, you’ve got some new guests coming to stay at your property. If you want to be a great Airbnb host, then you would have to do more than just host them. You would also have to ensure that they are happy; before, during, and after their stay. But, how do you create a wonderful rapport with your guest right after they just made their booking? Penning a great welcome letter would be a good place to start.
What is a Welcome Letter?
A welcome letter allows you to show your guests that their stay means something to you and you want it to be as enjoyable as possible. They are normally between 1-3 pages long, touching on a wide range of topics regarding your home. The letter could cover anything from how to use appliances to where to buy a bowl of noodle soup in your local community. It also allows you to inform them of the house rules, albeit in a pleasant manner.
When is the Best Time to send it?
When it comes to sending an Airbnb welcome email or letter, people use different strategies. For some hosts, this is taken care of by an automated welcome letter sent electronically once the booking is made. Others prefer to send a ‘Thank you for your booking, we’ll get back to you shortly’ email in response to the booking, then send a welcome letter closer to when the guests are due to arrive.
If you don’t want to send your welcome letter immediately after the booking, it’s best not to leave it till it’s late. Leading up to their stay, a lot of Airbnb guests will be traveling and probably without stable internet, so you could:
· Send your letter at least 3 to 5 days before their arrival date.
· Print out a copy of the letter and leave it in the entrance or hallway so that your guests can read it again and refer to it anytime they need to.
Checklist for Airbnb Welcome Letter
Directions to Your Home – It’s not enough to just give your guests your address, ensure you write a set of instructions on how to locate your house. You could also ask for an email address so you can send maps and photos to them.
House Rules – This is probably included in your property description but listing it in your welcome letter allows you to restate your house rules so that your guests are reminded about them.
Wi-Fi – Access to a Wi-Fi network is important. One of the first things your guests will probably do as soon as they arrive at your property is to log in to your Wi-Fi network. Ensure that they have the password and any other details required to use the router.
Appliances – While leaving instructions about how to use a microwave might appear a bit trivial, you have to remember that your guests are coming from different parts of the world, and may not be familiar with the appliances in your property. Endeavor to include instructions for air-conditioning or heating appliances as well as sound systems and kitchen appliances.
Information on Checkout – What is the checkout time? Where should they leave the keys? What about the trash, where does it go? Give a detailed outline of the checkout process in your welcome letter.
Contact Information – Hopefully, you did a great job providing all the necessary information in your welcome letter and your guests won’t have to contact you during their stay. However, it’s always a great idea to provide a number they can reach you on. Also, ensure that your phone is close by and switched on.
Make it Personal
Even though it’s easy to see Airbnb as just a transaction between two strangers, you need to remember that most people decide to stay in an Airbnb property because of the need to connect with a local and the feeling of having an exceptional experience. So, when you’re writing your welcome letter, share something about yourself, and let your guests know why you love living in your community.
Give them ‘insider tips’ about the neighborhood – could be your favorite place for an evening walk or the diner with the best meals. And if there are events scheduled for around the time of their stay, let them know about it. Your guests will know you want them to enjoy their stay and that they are valued.