One of the biggest travel trends in recent memory is the use of Airbnb. If you are looking for a reasonably-priced place to stay when you travel, you can find what you are looking for by visiting the Airbnb web site. However, it’s not just a way to save money when you travel.

You can also make money when you rent a room or your whole apartment or house using Airbnb. If you are interested in using this as a money-maker, here are some tips for making the most of your experience:

Create Your Airbnb Listing

As with just about anything you are trying to sell online, your Airbnb listing matters a great deal. You want to describe your rental in a way that is engaging yet honest. Think about amenities that you can offer so that others will be interested in staying at your place.

It’s also important to provide images. People like to see what they’re paying for. One of the great things Airbnb offers is a professional photographer. This is a free service offered by Airbnb, so you might as well take advantage of it. That way, you don’t end up with poor pictures that don’t help your listing.

Put together a listing that is attractive and professional, and you will be more likely to have interest in your rental (of course, it also helps to be located somewhere that people actually want to go).

Offer Desirable Amenities

If you want to get a little more money out of your listing, you need to offer amenities that people want. Consider amenities you can offer, such as leaving little soaps and shampoos. What about access to Wi-Fi? Do you stock the fridge with food staples before you leave? Do you have interesting publications you can leave out? Think about what you can provide that would make a guest feel more comfortable in your home. When you offer amenities and nice touches, you are likely to get better reviews (and more business in the future).

Be Available and Responsive

When you put up a listing on Airbnb, the assumption is that you will be available and responsive. If someone has questions, you need to get back to him or her as quickly as possible. You can download an app from Airbnb that helps you stay connected and alerts you to interest in your listing. Use these tools to manage your listing better so that you don’t miss out on good guests.

Protect Yourself

Part of making money with Airbnb is protecting yourself. Some of those who list on Airbnb make it a point to never rent to someone who doesn’t have a picture and a fleshed out profile. You can look for renters who have a good history. This makes sense if you want to avoid scammers and bad guests. There’s nothing wrong with passing on someone if you don’t think it will be a good fit.

Jenna Rose Robbins, a relative newcomer to Airbnb, learned the hard way that you need to protect yourself. Here are some of the things she suggests for those who are just getting started with Airbnb as a way to make money:

• Take photos of bookshelves, cabinets, and other similarly crowded spaces. “This will make it easy to spot if a book or other item is missing,” says Robbins.
• Put some items in storage. If you have particularly valuable items, it makes sense to safeguard them by locking them away. Robbins keeps a running list so she doesn’t forget anything. “Since I rent out my primary residence when I go on long trips, there are some valuable items that I put away. I keep a list on my iPhone and I add to it as I think of new things.”

 

It’s also important to understand the terms. Find out what can be taken from the security deposit if a guest violates your trust. If you end up with a huge utility bill, or if there is damage done to your home, find out what recourse you have before you let the space. Look at the Airbnb terms, and find out what your own home insurance policy will cover. You don’t want your Airbnb adventure to cost more than you make.

Would consider listing your abode on Airbnb? If you have listed, what are your tips?