Why Building a Relationship with Guests Is Necessary for Remote Hosts
Expert tips from Jasper Ribbers on effective guest communication strategies for remote Airbnb hosts, from early engagement through post-departure follow-up.
Guest post by Jasper Ribbers, author of Get Paid For Your Pad
My Hosting Story
I previously worked as a stock trader for a financial firm in Chicago. After six years, I abandoned my high-rise career to pursue full-time world travel. To fund my travels, I rented my Amsterdam apartment on Airbnb, eventually hosting over 250 guest groups. Through optimization and continuous improvement, I published Get Paid For Your Pad, an Amazon bestseller that has assisted thousands of hosts.
The single most important aspect of hosting is communication. I rent out my entire apartment remotely, and what I learned to be the key ingredient is maintaining an open, consistent dialogue with guests.
How Remote Hosts Can Communicate Effectively
Home-sharing differs fundamentally from traditional hospitality because hosts develop personal connections with guests. Effective communication proves essential for positive experiences and strong reviews.
Start Early
Respond promptly and courteously to booking inquiries. Encourage potential guests to ask questions, demonstrating attentiveness and care.
Provide Detailed Information
Once booking is confirmed, immediately share comprehensive details about the space, neighborhood, and city. A well-crafted guidebook with abundant photos helps guests visualize their stay and builds anticipation.
Make Contact Accessible
Offer multiple contact channels beyond the default platform email and phone. Free messaging applications like WhatsApp and Viber work well for internationally-based hosts.
Build Personal Connection
Engage guests in conversation about their trip’s purpose. Understanding their goals enables better recommendations. Don’t hesitate to discuss non-hosting topics and share common interests.
Strategic Check-ins
Contact guests immediately after arrival to address any issues promptly. Follow up the day after check-in, since comfortable sleep matters significantly for away-from-home travelers.
Post-Departure Appreciation
A brief goodbye message thanks guests and encourages positive reviews. Remind them they’re welcome to return.
Impact
Quality communication ensures guests feel valued and cared for, resulting in better experiences and more forgiving attitudes toward minor problems that may arise.
Looking for tools to put these ideas into practice? Explore Properly’s solutions:
- real-time inspection tools — catch issues before guests arrive with photo-verified reports
- Autoscheduler — automates turnover scheduling so nothing falls through the cracks
Ready to automate your rental operations?
Join 10,000+ hosts who use Properly to automate turnovers, verify quality, and deliver five-star stays.