🚀 The Challenge of the First 10

Opening your kitchen as a host on Homlunch is exciting… but it can also be nerve-racking:

“What if nobody books?”
“Where do I start?”
“How do I get someone to choose me?”

The good news: you don’t need to be a marketing expert to get your first 10 diners.
With a few simple tweaks and very practical strategies, you can start filling your table little by little.

This article is designed to help you take those first real steps, without overcomplicating things.

1️⃣ Your Profile and Photos: Your First Impression

 Before thinking about sharing your link, it’s crucial that your host profile and experiences look clear, trustworthy, and appealing; here you can learn how to make your profile stand out and get more bookings on Homlunch.

✅ Check this on your profile:

  • Profile picture: warm, clear, and well-lit (not blurry or too dark).

  • Host description: share a bit about yourself, your story with cooking, and what you like to prepare.

  • Experience/dishes: make sure it’s clear:

    • what’s included

    • what’s being served

    • for how many people

    • at what time

📸 Photos that “sell” without words

  • Use natural light (near a window).

  • Take photos of plated dishes, not just pots.

  • Show color: salad, rice, sides, sauces.

  • If possible, include a photo of your table set up or a simple setup.

Ask yourself this:
If someone who doesn’t know you lands on your profile, would those photos and descriptions make them feel safe and hungry?

2️⃣ Start with a Simple but Strong Menu

For your first diners, it’s best to offer something you master, that is filling and popular.

Menu ideas to begin with

  • Breaded chicken or beef (milanesa) with rice, salad, and beans.

  • Chicken tinga with tortillas and toppings.

  • Meatballs in sauce with rice and tortillas.

  • Cochinita pibil with pickled red onions and beans.

Don’t try to impress with something complicated if it stresses you out.
What matters is that the dish comes out tasty, consistent, and well presented.

3️⃣ Start with Your Inner Circle: Friends, Family, Neighbors

Your first diners can be:

  • Coworkers.

  • Neighbors in your building or neighborhood.

  • Family members who live nearby.

  • Parents from your kids’ school.

What can you do?

  • Share your Homlunch profile in your chats:

    • “I just started as a host on Homlunch. If you’d like to try my [dish], you can book here 🧡.”

  • Invite 2–3 trusted people to try your experience and, if they like it, ask them to:

    • recommend you

    • help you share your link

It’s not about “selling hard,” but about letting them know you now have an organized way to share your cooking.

4️⃣ Social Media: Less Text, More Cravings

You don’t need to be an influencer.
With 1–2 well-crafted posts, you can grab the attention of people who already follow you and discover how to attract foreign tourists to your home with Homlunch

Basic tips:

  • Post photos of your dishes already plated.

  • Use short captions, like:

    • “You can now try my [dish] by booking on Homlunch 🍽️”

    • “I opened my kitchen on Homlunch: homemade food, cooked at home with lots of love.”

  • Use stories to show:

    • when you’re cooking

    • your table ready

    • details of the experience (without showing diners’ faces without permission)

And always, always, include your Homlunch link.

5️⃣ Clear Schedules and Availability

Diners truly appreciate when it’s easy to understand:

  • Which days you cook.

  • At what times.

  • How far in advance they need to book.

If you’re just starting, you can:

  • Offer 1 or 2 fixed days a week.

  • Keep a small number of diners (for example 2–4).

That gives you control and helps you build confidence while your first reviews come in.

6️⃣ Take Care of Every Detail in the First Experience

Your first 10 diners are key: reviews, recommendations, and new bookings can come from them.

Make the experience:

  • On time: food ready at the agreed hour.

  • Filling: portions generous enough so no one leaves hungry.

  • Warm: a kind greeting, a short explanation of the dish, a smile.

Small details that make a big difference:

  • Good packaging if the food is to go.

  • Offering salsa, lime, or a simple extra.

  • Thanking them for choosing your kitchen.

7️⃣ Kindly Ask for Recommendations

If you see someone leaving happy, don’t be shy to say:

“If you liked it, it helps me a lot if you recommend me or share my Homlunch profile with someone else.”

It’s not mandatory, but many people are glad to support when they see effort and heart.

8️⃣ Adjust Based on Your Diners’ Feedback

Listening to your first diners is extremely valuable:

  • Did they like the portion size?

  • Would they prefer a different schedule?

  • What dish would they like to try next time?

With that feedback, you can:

  • Adjust your menus.

  • Update descriptions.

  • Improve your service step by step.

Homlunch grows experience by experience, and every improvement brings you closer to the next group of diners.

🚀 From 0 to 10: Closer Than You Think

With simple strategies:

  • A clear, attractive profile and photos

  • A simple but delicious menu

  • Your inner circle + social media

  • Warm, attentive service to each diner

…those first 10 stop being a distant dream and become a realistic goal.

🌐 Start Today with Your Homlunch Profile

If you already cook delicious food at home and want your dishes to reach more people, this is the moment:

👉 Go to Homlunch.com, sign up as a host, create your first experience, and start working toward those first 10 diners, who can easily become many more.