What the Top 10% of Hosts Do Differently: From Listings to Experiences

In the world of unique stays and glamping, one thing stands out: not every host is playing the same game! Scroll through a few listings and you’ll see it right away. Some properties jump off the screen, pulling you in and making you want to pack a bag immediately. Others, although equally beautiful, get passed over in seconds.

So what sets the top 10% of hosts apart?

It’s not just about fancy features or cool amenities. It’s about the experience they create even before the guest arrives. In other words, from the moment they spot the accommodation when browsing social media or asking for inspiration from friends.

First Impressions Really Do Matter!

When people walk past a high street shop, they are tempted inside by the window display. The better the display, the more likely the shop owner will attract new shoppers. It is precisely the same in hospitality, even if your business is in the middle of a rural area and nowhere near a high street or natural footfall. So you need to think of your online listing like a shop window. No matter how magical your place is, if your images and descriptions are cluttered, dark, or uninspired, people will move on in the blink of an eye.

Take this example… one host had all the right ingredients

• Firepit under the stars
• Hammock made for lazy afternoons
• Great food and local attractions
• Stylish interiors

But the photos were dim, the spaces looked crowded, and the angles didn’t do the property justice. 

In other words, guests couldn’t see the magic!

Once they invested in brighter photos, highlighted the best features, and rewrote the description to tell a story, bookings shot up. Guests could finally feel what the stay would be like before they even arrived.

That’s the difference between being overlooked and being fully booked.

What the Best Hosts Do Differently

The most successful hosts don’t just rent out a space… they create an experience. Here’s how they stand out:

• They know who they’re talking to. They have taken the time to really get to know their ideal guest and design everything around attracting them. This could be families, couples, wellness seekers, adventurers and more.
• They use photos that shine. Guests shop with their eyes first. Clear, inviting photos (professional if possible, or at least well-staged) make all the difference.
• They tell a story. “2 bedrooms, 1 bath” doesn’t spark much excitement. But “Wake up to birdsong, sip coffee on the deck overlooking rolling hills, and finish your day stargazing by the fire” paints a picture guests can’t resist.
• They highlight experiences, not just amenities. Guests may want WiFi, but what they’ll remember is yoga at sunrise, evenings by the fire, or family game nights under the stars.
• They keep things fresh. Their listings aren’t static. Photos are updated, descriptions are refreshed, and subtle touches are added to ensure the space always feels current. 

Small Tweaks, Big Wins

Here’s the good news… You don’t need to start from scratch to level up. Often, the most minor changes can really make a difference. For example:

✔️ Swap out dark, grainy photos for bright, natural ones
✔️ Clear away clutter so guests can picture themselves there
✔️ Rewrite the headline so it grabs attention instead of blending in
✔️ Add thoughtful touches. For example, a welcome basket, a handwritten note, or local treats

Those details build an emotional connection that nudges guests from just scrolling and browsing to booking.

The Ripple Effect

When you shift your focus from listing a space to creating an experience, everything changes:

• Guests arrive excited
• Reviews get better
• Bookings come in more steadily
• Word-of-mouth spreads naturally
  

That ripple effect is what keeps the top 10% of hosts a step ahead.

So ask yourself...

What’s one small step you can take today? 

A new set of photos? 

A refreshed description? 

Or maybe rethinking how a guest’s journey feels from that very first click when they are looking for inspiration for their next glamping holiday.

Because in the end, it’s simple… spaces get listed, but experiences get booked.

If you need support with your unique hospitality marketing to attract bookings and increase occupancy, explore our done-for-you services with Inspired Collective Ltd (link below).

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