At GuruWalk, the guru has to come with your own experience offer, we do not give scripts or routes for your tour, although we are always willing to support you in creating your experience. You could decide to create either a classic free walking tour, or a pay-what-you-want experience (online cooking class, yoga,...).  

The main features on which your experience should be based are:

• Pay What you Want. At GuruWalk, we only offer the "free payment" formula, in which the walker who books the tour decides the amount he wants to pay at the end of the tour. Depending on how their experience was, some people will contribute €10, €15 or more… This modality allows more people to join the tour so, in the end, you could gather a group of 20-25 people and generate around €200 per tour.

• Based on your passion. Most of the free tours are focused on the most emblematic places in the city, but you can choose other topics based on what you are most passionate about (history, gastronomy, sports, series, movies, nature, etc.) There is no limit to the imagination!
  

• Personal. The walker awaits your personal touch, unique knowledge and special recommendations.
  

• Funny. The walker expects a fun experience, not a history lesson.
  

What difference can a guru find between a free walking tour and a conventional one?

In this article we explain the main differences between a traditional paid-in-advance experience and a pay-what-you want one, as well as the aspects that must be taken into account when launching as a guru. This must be taken into account when debuting an experience with an open price, especially if you have a lot of experience offering traditional fixed payment tours.

1. The walker pays at the end

In a free payment experience, the walker pays at the end what he/she considers appropriate. In the vast majority of cases, the walkers pay the guru in cash, although some gurus use a portable card reader for the convenience of the walkers.

Many gurus explain the payment concept at the beginning and / or the end of the tour. The most important thing is to make it clear that “free” should not be understood as free of charge, but rather as free to join without commitment and to pay what you want in the end.

In addition, it is used to explain that it is not a hobby or a job for tips, but that it is your job and that it should be paid as such.

Talking about money can be a delicate thing and that is why many gurus prefer not to mention it so as not to feel uncomfortable. If you do, make sure you do it without the walker feeling pressured, always in a friendly way. Otherwise, it could end up being uncomfortable for walkers.

2. First approach to the city​

The free tour is a good way to introduce the walker to your city, as well as to make yourself known, showing the passion that you transmit for your work.

The typical free walking tour typology deals with a wide variety of topics, both historical and artistic, architectural, etc. It also provides practical information such as schedules, museum prices, gastronomic recommendations or places that are seen during the tour.

This approach is also cultural. The walker who participates in a pay-what-you-want experience does not want to be just another tourist, but wants to learn more about your the lifestyle and customs of the inhabitants of your city or even learn words or expressions in the local language.

3. A fun experience

It is important to be an expert on the topic of the tour, as well as to transmit this knowledge in an entertaining way, since this will have a very positive impact on the walker's final reward.

4. A personal touch

Walkers who participate in a guruwalk experience expect a personal touch from the guru. Although the itinerary or the topic may be similar to others, a guru who was born in a city will approach his tour differently than a guru who has lived there for only a few years. Same for someone sharing a passion, so you can get to know a city from different points of view!

Your personal touch must be reflected in the guruwalk to create a more humane experience. Walkers expect this vision and personal interpretation of the city on a guruwalk.

It may be by telling personal anecdotes related to a place of interest, by recommending places worth visiting, restaurants, etc. Or how you discovered the passion you're sharing, when it became a passion, etc.

5. The no-shows

It’s a reality on free walking tours and any pay-what-you-want experience: as walkers don’t have to pay anything in advance to book the guruwalk, it’s possible that they don’t show up at the meeting point. However, there are many ways to decrease these “no-shows”.

1. One way would be to contact the walkers (via Whatsapp or the platform) before the tour, reminding them of the day and time of their reservation, as well as emphasizing the importance of punctuality. These messages can be automated through the platform for your convenience.

1. In case of rain, we recommend that you inform them that the guruwalk is still open, in case they have any doubts.

1. Another option could be that you explain to them the easiest way to get to the meeting point, or how to recognize you.