I’m a huge fan of AirBnB. I really like the way they leverage all the traffic craigslist gets. Craiglist is the first place people look for sublets.
After you create a post on AirBnB they send you a sweet email (displayed below)
The email is trying to convince you to post your AirBnB listing on Craigslist.
Check out some of the great lines in this email:
1. “increases your earnings by $500/month” – awesome cash incentive for you to do this.
2. “Click here to re-post A couch in the mission in 1 click.” – it is super easy to do. wow 1 click!
The reason AirBnB does this is because if you make money they make money. They also will get flagged by craigslist if they post it for you.
Zynga got huge by piggy backing off of Facebook. PayPal piggy backed off of eBay. Pretty cool how AirBnB is piggy backing off craigslist.
PS: The AirBnB CEO gave a very inspiring talk at Startup School. Check it out.
2/11/2011 UPDATE: I just got a reminder from the “Air Team” to repost to Craigslist.
2/11/2011 UPDATE: I just got a reminder from the “Air Team” to repost to Craigslist.
I love 3 main things about this reminder
#1″Instant Sign-In” – I’m pretty sure most people don’t remember their login right off the bat
#2 “Repost to Craigslist” button – wonderful call to action
#3 Signed by “The Airteam” – this made me think their is something more to airbnb – a separate group looking out for me. Great branding.
If you want to learn more about how airbnb implemented this check out the comments on Hacker News.
Isn’t this against craigslist policy? How are they getting away with it?
It isn’t because technically the end user is submitting it not airbnb. airbnb is just making it super easy for the end user to do it.
However, I would put a bet that the airbnb team did this for their users when they first were starting out.
Does anybody know if this is actually from some agreement between Craigs List and Air bnb? The process doesn’t seem totally integrated – when I click on promote for my listing there’s a bit of copying and pasting involved.
I’ve heard people complain about being spammed by Airbnb when they post on Craigs LIst. And to link to airbnb from craigs list (as happens when you follow the promote link) This is actually against Craigs List TOU.
So just wondering – does anyone know if this is legitimate or is Air bnb just having a go till they get asked by Craigs List to stop? I love air bnb by the way and think this is really smart!
This is really clever. I’ve never posted a place on AirBnB and so had no idea that they did this. Thanks for the insight.
Wow, this is such an awesome feature. Pure genius! Gives me an idea for a start-up of mine 🙂
Great. Could you elaborate on what happens after you click the link? What have they done to ease re- posting?
After you click the link it shows you a preview of what the post on Craigslist will look like, has your email pre populated in and a big “Post to Craigslist” button.
Here are two screen shots showing you what you see:
http://img.skitch.com/20101124-grmqjj2q4t3pg22g76st7syf51.png
http://img.skitch.com/20101124-j2ereeuu6q2ekb75emgka5xt5w.png
Do they provide you code to copy & paste to Craigslist? Or do they pre-populate your Craigslist posting and you just need to complete it.
No copy pasting required. They pre-populate your posting and you need to complete it.
Rishi, great post!
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Doesn’t seem to work anymore. 🙁
Yes it does. I use it all the time. I’m an AirBnB host.
Wrong. CL will not allow you to mention Airbnb; they filter/block any reference. AirBNB has removed their tool, as of about 3 weeks ago.
Hi Kenneth – I stand corrected – thank you for correcting me.
Craigslist has disabled them:
http://i.imgur.com/ILEyc.jpg
Also check out the AirBnB FAQ:
http://www.airbnb.com/help/question/hosting/114
Looks like that gravy train is over for AirBnB but now they have enough momentum to stand on their own.
And yes, this is not great … for we hosts.
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