How to Start Your Own Airbnb Consulting Business

Have you considered starting your own Airbnb consulting business? If you run a successful business as an Airbnb host, consulting is another great way to earn money from Airbnb.

In fact, you don’t even need to have any previous experience with consulting. That’s because you already have a wealth of knowledge that you can share with potential Airbnb hosts as a result of your own Airbnb hosting experience.

If you’re ready to find out if Airbnb consulting is right for you, here is a brief guide to help you start your own profitable Airbnb consulting venture.

What Does an Airbnb Consultant Do?

Consultant vs. Co-host

An Airbnb consultant is someone who helps hosts and property managers make the most out of their listings. They offer expert advice on things like pricing, marketing, improving the guest experience, and staying compliant with local rules.

Airbnb consultants might also give tips on how to get better reviews, stand out in search results, and streamline operations.

On the other hand, an Airbnb co-host is more involved in the day-to-day running of a short-term rental. They take care of things like check-ins, guest communication, cleaning schedules, and any maintenance issues that come up.

Co-hosts usually work with the property owner and get a cut of the rental income in return for handling the operational stuff.

So basically, a consultant offers strategic advice, while a co-host is there to help with the hands-on, daily tasks of managing a few rental vacation businesses.

Is Short-Term Rental Consulting Right for You?

Before you get started with your Airbnb consulting business, you should first determine if consulting is a good fit for you. Just because you know how to become a consultant, that doesn’t automatically mean that you should.

Here are some of the key characteristics that successful Airbnb consultants have:

Self-Motivation

You need to be able to get the work done on your own, without the support of a boss. You’ll be responsible for managing all of the important tasks from invoicing clients to actually delivering the services.

Significant Experience as a Vacation Rental Property Host or Part of a Property Management Company

Since your main job is to help Airbnb hosts succeed, you need to have deep knowledge of how to help hosts succeed on Airbnb. You also need to have significant experience as an Airbnb host.

While you don’t have to have thousands of vacation rentals in your Airbnb portfolio, it’s a good idea to at least have a few along with the Airbnb profits and 5-star reviews that demonstrate that you know what you’re doing.

You Need People Skills

Your Airbnb business requires good people skills. This also extends to the short-term rental consulting business. You’ll need to market yourself, negotiate with your clients, and position yourself as an expert. If any of this sounds like it will be difficult for you, then consulting might not be the right fit for you.

However, if all of this sounds like a walk in the park, congratulations! It’s time to start building your Airbnb consulting business.

3 Things You Need to Start an Airbnb Consulting Business

The main benefit of running an Airbnb consulting business is that you don’t need any special credentials or a physical office. To grow your business successfully, you only need the following three things:

1. A Unique Consulting Service Offer

To attract clients, you need a distinct consulting service offer that short-term rental hosts hosts would be interested in paying for. Start by identifying the biggest challenges you’ve overcome in your own Airbnb business—like maximizing bookings or strategically staging properties. Create a service that addresses these specific issues, helping your clients from start to finish.

2. Target a Specific Niche of Airbnb Hosts

Conduct a competitive analysis and dive into market trends by exploring top Airbnb host blogs, popular books on managing Airbnb properties, and the social media profiles of successful Airbnb consultants. 

This will help you understand the needs and behaviors of potential clients, allowing you to focus your efforts on a niche that values your expertise and is willing to invest in specialized consulting services.

3. Designing Your Marketing and Strategic Planning System

Strategic marketing is crucial for drawing in and retaining clients. Host planning workshops that focus on key areas such as revenue optimization, customer feedback analysis, and the latest property management strategies. 

Use performance metrics and monthly reports to demonstrate the effectiveness of your approaches. Implement a marketing funnel with online advertising to drive traffic to your landing page, complemented by a value-packed introductory video and a pre-screen survey to ensure you attract the right clients. Schedule consultations to discuss detailed, customized strategies for each host.

By focusing on these areas, you’ll ensure that your Airbnb consulting business is not only set up to attract the right clients but is also equipped to help them grow their businesses effectively. With tools like iGMS, you can automate routine tasks, allowing you to dedicate more time to strategic planning and client communication, further enhancing your consulting services.

Consulting Packages and Pricing

To start an Airbnb consulting business, you can consider offering three specific packages on your consulting calls, tailored to different client needs and stages in their Airbnb hosting journey:

Starter Consultation:

This package is perfect for those new to Airbnb hosting or considering entering the market. It’s a 30-minute session where clients can ask basic questions and receive guidance on whether Airbnb management or hosting is the right investment for them. 

This is an introductory session designed to help new hosts get acquainted with the fundamentals of property management and short-term rental operations such as pricing strategy, choosing the right property, and creating a compelling listing.

Price: $75 – $100

Advanced Strategy Session:

Targeted at hosts who already have active listings but are looking to improve their performance, this 1-hour session offers a deep dive into optimizing Airbnb listings. 

It covers a range of topics such as search algorithm optimization, advanced pricing strategies, guest communications enhancements, and marketing insights to boost visibility and bookings.

Price: $200 – $250

Expert Follow-Up:

For hosts who have implemented strategies from the Advanced Strategy Session and seek further refinement and troubleshooting, this 30-minute session provides ongoing support. It’s aimed at tackling new challenges that have arisen, fine-tuning operations, and ensuring the host can adapt to changing market conditions to maintain optimal listing performance.

Price: $100 – $125

These tiered offerings are designed to meet hosts where they are in their Airbnb journey—from just starting out to seeking advanced operational strategies. This approach not only accommodates different levels of experience but also helps build a pathway for growth, encouraging hosts to return as their needs evolve and their proficiency increases.

Final Thoughts

Starting your own Airbnb consulting business is all about nailing three key things: crafting unique services that solve real problems for hosts, zeroing in on the right niche, and getting your marketing just right. It’s all about making sure the right people hear about how you can help them turn challenges into wins.

Make your life easier by using tools like iGMS, which automates the nitty-gritty stuff, freeing you up to focus on what really matters—helping your clients thrive with personalized strategies and stellar advice.

Thinking of turning your Airbnb smarts into a consulting gig? Jump on board with iGMS today and start your journey to becoming the go-to expert for Airbnb hosts looking to level up their business.