Boosting your Airbnb’s Exposure on Instagram
What’s the secret to growing your Airbnb on Instagram? Let’s make it crystal clear.
Increasing your Airbnb business’s visibility on Instagram is a potent blend of top-quality visuals, strategic use of hashtags, and engaging with your target audience regularly.
Rather than marginally skimming this notion, let’s break it down into manageable, actionable models – the three pillars of Instagram growth: Eye-catching Imagery, Hashtag Usage, and Community Engagement.
How to Make Your Airbnb Instagrammable
1. Choose a Unique and Stylish Design
One of the key aspects of making your Airbnb attractive for Instagram is to have a unique and stylish design. Consider incorporating trendy decor elements, vibrant colors, and aesthetically pleasing furnishings that will catch the eye of your guests and encourage them to take pictures.
Key Takeaways:
- Opt for modern and unique furniture pieces
- Use bold colors or eye-catching patterns
- Add interesting art pieces or decorative items
2. Create Instagram-Worthy Photo Spots
To make your Airbnb truly Instagrammable, set up designated photo spots within the space. These could be cozy reading nooks, picturesque corner setups, or beautifully arranged dining areas that are perfect for capturing on camera.
Key Takeaways:
- Consider installing a statement wall for photo backdrops
- Add plants and greenery for a fresh and vibrant touch
- Include unique lighting fixtures for ambiance and photo appeal
3. Focus on Details and Finishing Touches
Pay attention to the details and finishing touches in your Airbnb that can make a big difference in creating a visually appealing space. From carefully curated throw pillows to stylish rugs and elegant table settings, every small touch contributes to the overall Instagrammable look of your listing.
Key Takeaways:
- Use decorative cushions or throws to add texture and color
- Incorporate fresh flowers or succulents for a natural element
- Invest in quality linens and towels for a luxurious feel
4. Encourage Guests to Share on Social Media
Lastly, encourage your guests to share their experiences at your Airbnb on social media platforms like Instagram. Consider providing a dedicated hashtag for your property, creating photo contests, or offering small incentives for guests who post about their stay. This can help increase visibility and attract more guests to your Instagrammable space.
Key Takeaways:
- Include a welcome pack with social media sharing tips
- Offer discounts or special perks for guests who promote your listing
- Engage with guests who tag your property and repost their content
| Tips | Details |
|---|---|
| Utilize natural light | Maximize natural light in your space for better photo opportunities |
| Keep clutter to a minimum | Create a clean and uncluttered environment for more visually appealing photos |
| Personalize the space | Add personal touches or unique features that reflect your personality |
Promoting Your Airbnb on Instagram: A Strategic Move
1. Utilize a Dedicated Instagram Account
A dedicated Instagram account for your Airbnb property can be an effective way to showcase your space and engage potential guests. This dedicated account allows you to post regular updates, engage with followers, and develop a unique brand presence. Practice good Instagram SEO by using relevant hashtags, optimizing your Bio, and posting quality photos and videos regularly.
Key Takeaways:
- Create a unique Instagram handle that aligns with your Airbnb’s branding
- Post eye-catching photos of your property and surrounding area
- Use relevant and popular hashtags to increase post visibility
- Engage with comments and direct messages promptly
2. Leverage Instagram Stories and IGTV
Instagram Stories and IGTV offer additional avenues to promote your Airbnb property. Showcase behind-the-scenes content, house tours, guest testimonials, and local attractions. The informal nature of these formats allows for a more personal connection with your audience.
Key Takeaways:
- Create Stories that highlight special features of your property
- Use IGTV for detailed house tours or interviews with satisfied guests
- Engage with followers by conducting Story polls and Q&As
- Use location tags and relevant hashtags in your Stories and IGTV videos
3. Collaborate with Influencers
Influencer marketing can help increase your Airbnb’s visibility and credibility. Partnering with travel, lifestyle, or decor influencers whose audiences align with your target market can result in user-generated content that reaches a wider audience.
Key Takeaways:
- Identify potential influencers who align with your brand and audience
- Establish clear collaboration terms, detailing what you expect in exchange for a stay
- Have influencers tag your dedicated Instagram account in their posts and stories
- Repost their content on your account, with their permission
4. Use Instagram Ads
Boost the visibility of your Airbnb listing with Instagram Ads. You can target ads based on demographics, interests, and behaviors to reach potential guests who are likely to be interested in your offering.
Key Takeaways:
- Create visually-compelling carousel or video ads highlighting your property
- Target ads based on potential guest demographics and interests
- Use Ads Manager to track performance and ROI
| Strategies | Details |
|---|---|
| Guest-generated Content | Repurpose content generated by guests (with their permission) to show authentic experiences at your property |
| User-Friendly Booking Process | Include a link to your Airbnb listing in your Instagram bio, ensuring an easy booking process for potential guests |
| Community Engagement | Engage with local community and businesses on Instagram. Their followers can potentially be your guests |
Selection Process: How to Get Featured on Airbnb’s Instagram
1. Understand Airbnb’s Instagram Aesthetic and Audience
Before aiming to be featured on Airbnb’s Instagram, it’s essential to comprehend the brand’s social media aesthetic and audience. Airbnb regularly highlights unique, intriguing, and visually stunning properties. Understanding this aesthetic can help you tweak your property to fit their narrative.
Key Takeaways:
- Study Airbnb’s Instagram feed to grasp their content preferences
- Strive to mirror Airbnb’s style and themes in your photos while retaining your property’s uniqueness
- Appeal to Airbnb’s global and diverse audience by showcasing local culture or unique property features
2. Capture High-Quality Images
A snapshot of your property is often your only chance to catch Airbnb’s attention. Crisp, well-lit, and aesthetically pleasing images are more likely to intrigue both Airbnb’s social media team and their followers. Furthermore, these images should emphasize your property’s unique aspects and ambiance.
Key Takeaways:
- Invest in quality photography equipment or professional photographer services
- Highlight unique property aspects or local culture in your photos
- Ensure your images reflect an inviting ambiance that aligns with Airbnb’s brand
3. Feature Guest Testimonials and Stories
Airbnb often appreciates and promotes user-generated content. Sharing guest testimonials, depicting real-life experiences at your property, can significantly enhance your chances of being featured. Emphasize on stories that highlight unique experiences, genuine emotions, or the transformation of your property into a home-away-from-home.
Key Takeaways:
- Encourage guests to share their experiences and capture candid moments at your property
- Share these testimonials and stories on your Airbnb listing and Instagram account
- Tag Airbnb in these posts to increase visibility
4. Regular Engagement with Airbnb on Instagram
Regular engagement with Airbnb on Instagram can potentially increase your property’s visibility and allow you to stay updated on any calls for hosts to be featured. Be proactive in liking, commenting, and sharing Airbnb’s posts on Instagram while also tagging Airbnb in your posts.
Key Takeaways:
- Interact regularly with Airbnb’s posts and stories
- Tag Airbnb in your property’s interesting Instagram posts
- Monitor Airbnb’s posts for any opportunities or calls for host features
| Strategies | Details |
|---|---|
| Community Involvement | Showcase your engagement with local community or environmental initiatives |
| Promote Unique Experiences | Highlight any unique or personalized experiences you provide for guests |
| Stay True to Brand Aesthetic | Ensure that your property and its marketing align with Airbnb’s brand aesthetic and messaging |
Exploring Airbnb’s In-House Instagram Strategy
1. Showcasing A Mix of User-Generated Content and Brand Content
A key element in Airbnb’s Instagram strategy involves a mix of user-generated content and brand content. The company regularly re-posts images and videos from users who have stayed in various Airbnb homes around the world, providing an authentic perspective to potential guests. Simultaneously, they create original content to showcase the diversity and uniqueness of listings.
Key Takeaways:
- User-generated content can boost trust and engagement
- Brand-created content highlights unique selling points
- Using a mix of both types of content can increase reach and engagement
2. Instagram Stories and IGTV – Behind-the-Scenes & Direct Engagement
Airbnb smartly utilizes Instagram Stories and IGTV. They use stories to provide behind-the-scenes glimpses into properties, events, and the workings of the platform, while IGTV is typically used for sharing longer videos, like interviews, travel tips, and house tours. Airbnb also directly engages with their audience through Q&As in their stories.
Key Takeaways:
- Instagram Stories and IGTV can be used for a more personal and informal connection
- Direct audience engagement can build community and brand loyalty
- Behind-the-scenes content adds authenticity and intrigue
3. Hashtag Utilization for Increased Visibility
Airbnb strategically utilizes hashtags to increase the visibility of their posts. They have created their branded hashtags, #Airbnb and #AirbnbExperiences, which allow users to share their own Airbnb experiences and get a chance to be featured on Airbnb’s Instagram page.
Key Takeaways:
- Branded hashtags can increase visibility and user engagement
- They can also generate a library of user-generated content
- Effective use of hashtags can result in better discoverability of content
4. Highlighting Social Responsibility and Initiatives
Airbnb frequently uses Instagram to share stories about their social initiatives and corporate social responsibility efforts. This commitment to being more than just a business is showcased by highlighting their partnerships, initiatives for sustainable travel, and work with nonprofits.
Key Takeaways:
- Sharing social responsibility initiatives can enhance brand image
- It demonstrates a commitment to community and sustainability
- It provides additional compelling content for followers
| Elements | Details |
|---|---|
| Visual Cohesion | The Airbnb Instagram feed is visually cohesive, with a consistent color scheme and aesthetic, reinforcing brand recognition |
| Story Highlight Albums | Airbnb utilizes Instagram’s ‘Story Highlights’ feature to categorize and preserve relevant user-generated and brand-created stories |
| Location Tagging | When posting user-generated content, Airbnb often tags the location of the Airbnb property, providing another potential touchpoint for engagement |
In conclusion, creating an Instagrammable Airbnb involves a thoughtful blend of unique design elements, strategically curated photo spots, attention to details, and active guest engagement on social media. By focusing on trendy decor, setting up picturesque photo corners, adding finishing touches, and encouraging guests to share their experiences online, you can elevate the visual appeal of your space and attract more visitors. Remember, the devil is in the details, and small efforts such as incorporating bold colors, unique lighting, quality linens, and personalized touches can significantly enhance the overall aesthetic and charm of your Airbnb. So, unleash your creativity, embrace these key concepts, and watch your property become a sought-after Instagram hotspot that leaves a lasting impression on every guest.
