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 Welcome Back To Side Hustle Weekly!

I’m excited to share with you another great side hustle you can start today! Today we will be discussing how you can take your first step into the world of 3D real estate.

$5k-$10k A Month From The 3D World of Real Estate

In the competitive world of vacation rentals, Airbnb hosts are constantly looking for ways to stand out and attract more guests. High-quality photos are great, but a 3D virtual tour offers potential guests an immersive, realistic way to explore the property online before booking. As a 3D tour provider, you can tap into this growing demand by offering Airbnb hosts an initial 3D tour service and charging a monthly fee to keep the tour active, generating a recurring revenue stream.

This guide will take you through the steps to start and grow a successful 3D tour business focused on Airbnb rentals, from setting up the equipment to marketing and pricing strategies.

Step 1: Learn the Basics of 3D Tour Creation and Get the Right Equipment

The first step is learning how to create high-quality 3D tours and understanding the technology involved. 3D tours allow potential renters to explore a property as if they were there in person, so investing in the right tools and software is essential.

Equipment and Software to Get Started:

• 3D Camera: Invest in a reliable 3D camera, such as the Matterport Pro2 or Insta360 ONE X2, which are popular choices for real estate tours. These cameras capture a 360-degree view of each room, allowing you to create immersive tours.

• Tripod: A sturdy tripod is essential for capturing steady shots and ensuring smooth image stitching.

• 3D Tour Software: Matterport and Zillow 3D Home are industry-standard software options that allow you to upload and edit your 3D scans, generate walkthroughs, and host tours online.

Start by practicing with your equipment and learning how to capture each room effectively. Online tutorials or platforms like Udemy and YouTube offer comprehensive guides on using these tools.

Step 2: Build a Portfolio with Free or Discounted Tours

Before charging clients, it’s essential to build a portfolio of 3D tours that showcases your work. Reach out to a few local Airbnb hosts and offer a free or discounted 3D tour. This initial portfolio will demonstrate your skills and allow you to gain hands-on experience with the process.

Tips for Building a Strong Portfolio:

• Target unique properties: Offering tours for unique or visually appealing properties will make your portfolio stand out.

• Showcase on a website: Create a simple website where you can host examples of your work, making it easy to share with potential clients.

• Collect testimonials: Positive feedback from hosts will boost your credibility and encourage new clients to trust your service.

A high-quality portfolio will help you establish trust with potential Airbnb hosts and make it easier to sell your service at full price.

Step 3: Reach Out to Airbnb Hosts and Market Your Service

Now that you have a portfolio, it’s time to reach out to Airbnb hosts and showcase the value of a 3D tour. Marketing to Airbnb hosts requires a focused approach, as they may not be aware of the benefits of 3D tours yet.

Effective Marketing Strategies:

• Direct outreach: Find Airbnb listings in your area and reach out to the hosts directly via email or Airbnb’s messaging platform. Explain how a 3D tour can enhance their listing, increase bookings, and give them an edge over competitors.

• Social media promotion: Use platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook to share your 3D tours and tag relevant Airbnb groups or property management communities. Social proof and visual content will help attract attention from interested hosts.

• Partnerships with property managers: Property managers often oversee multiple Airbnb listings and could be a great source of repeat business. Offer them bulk discounts or a referral incentive for each host they bring on board.

By demonstrating the value of 3D tours for attracting guests and securing more bookings, you can successfully capture the interest of Airbnb hosts.

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Step 4: Set Up a Pricing Structure for One-Time and Recurring Income

For your business model, you’ll want to set up a one-time fee for creating the 3D tour and a monthly subscription to keep it hosted and accessible. This approach gives Airbnb hosts flexibility and ensures a steady revenue stream for you.

Pricing Tips:

• Initial tour setup fee: Charge a one-time fee for creating the 3D tour, typically ranging from $300 to $500 depending on the property size.

• Monthly hosting fee: Charge a subscription fee to keep the 3D tour active and hosted on your platform or Matterport’s system. A reasonable range for this could be $30 to $50 per month per listing.

• Discounted packages: Offer discounted rates to hosts who manage multiple properties, encouraging them to use your services for more than one listing.

This pricing model gives Airbnb hosts an affordable way to enhance their listings, while providing you with a consistent, recurring income stream.

Step 5: Streamline Operations and Hire Support as You Scale

As your business grows, you’ll need to manage more clients, maintain subscriptions, and create new tours efficiently. To scale smoothly, consider hiring a small team or outsourcing tasks.

Key Roles to Consider:

• 3D tour creators: If demand increases, bring on freelancers or part-time employees to help create the tours. This ensures you can take on more clients without stretching yourself too thin.

• Sales and outreach team: Hire sales professionals to reach out to more Airbnb hosts or property managers, expanding your client base without requiring your direct involvement.

• Customer support: As the business grows, having someone to handle client inquiries, technical issues, and renewals will be essential. Excellent customer service can also lead to referrals and long-term client relationships.

Outsourcing tasks and building a team will allow you to focus on business strategy and growth, maximizing your monthly income potential.

Pros and Cons of a 3D Tours Business for Airbnb

Pros:

• Recurring income: The monthly hosting fee model generates steady revenue.

• Growing demand: As VR and 3D technology become more popular, Airbnb hosts are more likely to see the value in virtual tours.

• Low overhead: Once you’ve invested in equipment, maintenance costs are minimal, allowing for high-profit margins.

Cons:

• Initial investment: High-quality equipment and software can be costly upfront.

• Learning curve: Producing professional 3D tours requires technical skills, so time is needed to learn the process.

• Client turnover: Some Airbnb hosts may stop using the service, requiring ongoing client acquisition efforts.

Requirements to Get Started

• 3D camera: Recommended options are the Matterport Pro2 or Insta360 ONE X2.

• Tripod: A stable tripod to keep your shots steady.

• 3D tour software: Matterport or Zillow 3D Home for creating and hosting tours.

• Website or portfolio: A simple website to showcase your work and attract clients.

• Marketing tools: Platforms like Buffer for social media scheduling, and Google Analytics to track website performance.

Recommended Products to Maximize Results

• Matterport Pro2: The industry standard for high-quality 3D tour capture.

• Canva: To create marketing materials and promotional content.

• ConvertKit: For email marketing campaigns to stay in touch with clients and prospects.

• Google My Business: To list your business locally and attract more Airbnb hosts in your area.

Potential Monthly Earnings

Your earnings will vary based on the number of clients and your pricing model. Here’s an estimate based on different client volumes:

• 5 clients: $1,500 initial setup + $150 monthly subscription revenue = $1,650/month

• 15 clients: $4,500 initial setup + $450 monthly subscription revenue = $4,950/month

• 30 clients: $9,000 initial setup + $900 monthly subscription revenue = $9,900/month

With 30 active clients, you could be making close to $10,000 per month, especially as you scale and add more hosts to your subscription base.

Summary: Key Steps to Grow and Maximize Income in a 3D Tours Business for Airbnb

1. Learn the basics of 3D tour creation and invest in the right equipment.

2. Build a portfolio to attract clients by offering free or discounted tours.

3. Market directly to Airbnb hosts and property managers to secure clients.

4. Set up a pricing model with a one-time setup fee and monthly subscription for recurring income.

5. Scale by hiring support, such as 3D tour creators, sales, and customer service staff.

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to building a profitable, scalable 3D tour business that serves the growing needs of Airbnb hosts and creates a steady income for you.

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