Graham Beck is the Co-founder and CEO of DropDesk, a platform dedicated to a singular, transformative mission: unlocking the potential of underutilized spaces to foster human connection.
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Venue Special Instructions apply to all guests visiting your location and should include general information like parking, WiFi, and main building access. Package Special Instructions are tied only to a specific offering. They allow you to keep sensitive information safe (like private room codes) and ensure guests only receive the specific equipment guides or rules relevant to what they actually booked.
Why Post-Booking Instructions Matter
When someone books with you on DropDesk, the experience doesn't start when they walk through the door—it starts the moment they confirm their reservation. Clear, well-thought-out instructions prevent confusion, reduce back-and-forth messaging, and make the difference between a seamless arrival and a frustrating one. This is a key part of successful hosting on DropDesk.
To help you manage this, DropDesk offers two distinct instruction types: Venue Special Instructions and Package Special Instructions. While they sound similar, they serve entirely different purposes.
Feature
Venue Special Instructions
Package Special Instructions
Who Sees It?
Every user who books any package at this location.
Only users who book this specific package.
Primary Goal
Provide foundational arrival details.
Provide specific, targeted, and secure information.
Best Used For
General building access, parking, Guest WiFi, main house rules.
Private door codes, equipment manuals, room-specific rules.
Where to Edit
Location / Venue Settings
The Package Builder
Venue Special Instructions: Foundational Instructions
Venue Special Instructions are your go-to for everything a guest needs to know about your physical building. These instructions are automatically shared with every single user who books at your venue, regardless of what they are doing there.
Think of this as your general welcome guide. It ensures that whether someone is booking a hot desk or hosting a large private event, they have the essential details to navigate your space.
What to include at the Venue level:
General building check-in procedures (e.g., "See the front desk")
Main door or lobby access codes
Building WiFi network and password
Parking instructions or transit tips
Universal house rules (e.g., "No smoking," "Quiet hours after 8 PM")
Shared amenity guidelines (e.g., "Help yourself to the kitchen coffee")
Venue-level Guest Instructions apply to all bookings at your location.
The Golden Rule: Imagine it is your guest's first time visiting the neighborhood. What do they need to know to find the building and get inside comfortably?
Package Special Instructions: Customize and Secure
Package Special Instructions are highly specific and targeted. These are created during the individual package setup process and are only shown to users who book that exact package.
While venue instructions stay broad, package instructions should be specific. You do not want every single person in your building to have the passcode to your expensive media room—only the person who rented it.
Use Package level instructions for:
Secure Access: Unique lockbox codes or private room PINs.
Equipment Guides: Instructions for using podcast microphones, A/V setups, or specialized fitness gear.
Targeted Rules: Guidelines tied strictly to the package (e.g., "Please wipe down the massage table after use").
Arrival Nuances: Details that only apply to this booking (e.g., "Your private office is the second door on the left").
Package-level Special Instructions are only shown to guests who book this specific package.
Set Your Guests Up for Success
By utilizing both types of instructions effectively, you are not just telling users what to do—you are actively setting them up for a successful, stress-free visit. Dial in your Venue Instructions once, then use Package Instructions to securely tailor the experience for every unique offering in your space.
Need Help?
If you have questions about setting up Venue or Package Special Instructions, our support team is here to help. Visit our Help Center or reach out directly through your Host Dashboard.
