Everything you need to thrive as a guide

Start by researching similar tours in your city on Tour General. A good rule of thumb is to price per person based on the experience length: $25-45 for a 2-hour walking tour, $50-90 for a half-day food or adventure tour, and $100+ for premium private experiences. Adjust for group size — small private groups expect a premium. Review your pricing every quarter and bump it up as your reviews grow. Remember: you keep 100% of every booking, so every dollar you raise goes straight to you.

Use natural light — shoot during golden hour (an hour after sunrise or before sunset). Include at least one wide shot of the location, one close-up of food or a detail, and one of people enjoying the experience. Avoid stock photos; travelers can tell, and they want authenticity. Six to eight photos is the sweet spot. If you have an intro video, add it — listings with video convert up to 40% better. Hold your phone horizontally for landscape shots, and keep the horizon level.

Reply to messages within a few hours when possible. Travelers often message several guides at once and book whoever responds first. Be warm, specific, and helpful — answer their question, then add one useful detail they didn't ask for (a nearby landmark, what to wear, where to park). After a tour, send a thank-you message and gently ask for a review. Reviews are the single biggest driver of future bookings.

Every Tour General guide purchases a $19 Bronze Background Check through HireShield.com and uploads the resulting PDF in the dashboard. Once approved, a verification badge appears on your profile and tours. Travelers consistently choose verified guides over unverified ones — the badge pays for itself many times over. Keep your badge current; renew before it expires so you never lose the trust signal.

Delight starts before the tour: send a welcome message with meeting point, what to bring, and a photo of yourself so they can find you. Start on time, every time. Learn and use names. Leave space for the traveler's curiosity — the best tours feel like a conversation, not a lecture. End with a personal recommendation (a restaurant, a viewpoint) travelers can't Google. Then ask for the review while the experience is still fresh — we send an automated reminder, but a personal nudge helps.

Open availability at least two weeks ahead so travelers booking trips can find you. Use recurring availability for weekly walking tours to fill your calendar without manual work. Block off dates you're unavailable immediately — nothing hurts a profile like a cancellation. Aim for at least one open slot on weekends, when most bookings happen, and a few weekday mornings for travelers passing through.

Offer a private tour option and price it as a flat group rate — families and corporate groups love the predictability. Mention in your description that you can customize the tour for special occasions (birthdays, proposals, team outings). Respond fast to group inquiries; they often compare several guides. Deliver an unforgettable experience and a single corporate client can become a recurring revenue stream.

Start with one excellent tour in your specialty. Get it to 10+ reviews. Then add a second, different tour (different time, audience, or theme) to capture more search demand. Keep 100% of your earnings and reinvest in better photos, a short intro video, and that background check badge. Most full-time guides run 3-5 tours and host 15-30 bookings a month. Consistency — showing up, replying fast, and delivering great experiences — compounds faster than any hack.