Booked Solid Podcast

The Short Term Show x Gil Chan Collaboration: “Revolutionizing Direct Booking Websites for STRs”

Recently, I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Avery Carl on The Short Term Show. This interview was even more special because Avery and her team were kind enough to agree to a crossover episode for Booked Solid to spotlight direct booking strategies and tools that help STR hosts take control of their business. We discussed a topic near and dear to my heart: building sustainable, long-term success through direct bookings. While we covered a lot, I want to share a few takeaways that I think will especially resonate with hosts. Building a Direct Booking Site in 15 Minutes. Here’s How…. Summary and Highlights Why Direct Bookings Matter (And Why They’re Hard to Start) One of the things Avery and I both agreed on: direct bookings aren’t just about saving on fees — although that’s certainly a benefit. It’s about regaining control. “When you build a direct booking site, an email list, and a social presence — you’re building something that compounds over time.” But let’s be honest — the barrier to entry can feel high. I tried building my first direct booking site on WordPress, and it took me four weeks. It looked good, but it wasn’t integrated with my PMS, and it wasn’t scalable. That’s when I knew there had to be a better way. Tips for Getting Started with Direct Bookings Whether you’re just exploring the idea or knee-deep in building your own site, here are a few lessons I shared during the episode: 1. Start before you’re “ready.”You don’t need to be tech-savvy. Use what your PMS gives you, collect guest emails, and build from there. Every early action compounds later. 2. Focus on mobile performance.We found that nearly half of our traffic comes from mobile devices — but most bookings still happen on desktop. That means mobile is where first impressions are made. If your site loads slowly or doesn’t feel “native” on a phone, you’re leaking trust. 3. Use your past guests to power future stays.I shared our 12-month nurture sequence we built inside Klaviyo. It took a couple of days to set up, but now it’s automated — sending tips, travel content, and a special offer around month 9, just in time for rebooking. 4. You don’t need to go it alone.During the episode, we talked about the power of community. Whether it’s two or three friends or a mastermind group, having people you can bounce ideas off of can be game-changing. What About Google Vacation Rentals? Avery brought up a great point: one of the biggest reasons to have a direct booking site today is to get listed on Google Vacation Rentals. While it’s still early days and the traction is light, we both agree: if Google leans in the way they did with Google Flights and Hotels, it could seriously disrupt the OTA space. Just know this: Google won’t send traffic to Airbnb. They require a true direct booking site. Rapid Fire Questions At the end of the episode, Avery hit me with three rapid-fire questions we ask every guest: What advice would you give 20-year-old Gil?Take more risks. It’s way harder when you have a family and a mortgage. Starting this company has taught me more in the last year than I ever expected — and I wish I had made a leap like this sooner. What advice would you give a new STR investor in 2025?Find your tribe. Don’t go it alone. Even a small circle of smart, generous hosts can help you navigate decisions faster and more confidently. Favorite book that’s impacted your mindset?Definitely Start With Why. Knowing your purpose makes decisions easier. For me, this business was born out of my own pain as a host. That keeps me centered every day. Conclusion If there’s one thing I hope listeners take away from this conversation, it’s this: direct bookings aren’t just a nice-to-have. They’re the future. But it’s not about perfection. It’s about momentum. Start small, start scrappy — just start. If you haven’t listened to the full episode yet, I’d love for you to check it out. It’s a special one — a true collaboration between The Short Term Show and Booked Solid. 🎧 Listen to the episode here Building a Direct Booking Site in 15 Minutes. Here’s How…. If you’re looking for tools to make the leap into direct bookings faster, easier, and way more optimized — that’s exactly why we built CraftedStays. We’re a platform built by hosts, for hosts. With PMS integrations, beautiful templates, and mobile-first performance — you can go from setup to a live site in 15 minutes. Seriously. 🗓️ Let’s talk about your property! Book a call with me today, ⁠here⁠ Transcription Gil: It’s not like you’re gonna be able to build out your website and you’re able to drive traffic to it and get bookings immediately. It takes time for you to build that engine there. The, the earlier that you start, the easier it gets to, to that point where you actually can drive significant amount bookings. And I think the realistic goal is like in two to three years, you should be able to get 40, 50, 60, 65, 80% direct bookings. So the earlier you can start in that journey, the easier that you’re able to be much more independent. Hey folks. Welcome back to Booked Solid, the podcast where we interview top operators in the short-term rental industry to share their secrets on how they’re booked solid. On today’s show, it’s gonna be a little bit different. I’m actually going to be collaborating with Avery Carl from the Short-Term Rental Shop. Uh, I’m excited to share this episode with her because she had a chance to interview me on why I ended up starting CraftedStays in the first place. How we’re thinking about things differently, uh, in terms of direct bookings and really how to leverage the best tools possible. Um, so I had a lot of fun recording this with her. It’s actually very interesting and nice to be on the other side

Direct Bookings

How to Create a High-Converting Landing Page for Cohosting Clients

A well-crafted landing page can be the difference between a homeowner choosing your cohosting services or continuing to manage their property on their own. If you’re looking to attract more homeowners and grow your short-term rental management business, your landing page needs to be clear, compelling, and conversion-driven. Using the StoryBrand framework, we’ll walk you through the key elements of a powerful cohosting landing page that speaks directly to homeowners, builds trust, and encourages them to take action. 1. Identify Your Ideal Homeowner (The Character) Every great story starts with a character. In this case, that character is the homeowner looking for a management solution. Ask Yourself: How to Implement This on Your Page: 2. Present the Problem (Why They Need Help) Homeowners visiting your page need to quickly recognize why they should hand over their property to a professional. Common Pain Points: How to Implement This on Your Page: 3. Position Yourself as the Guide (Why Choose You?) Now that you’ve shown you understand their problem, it’s time to prove you’re the best solution. Key Selling Points to Include: How to Implement This on Your Page: 4. Outline the Process (The Plan) Make it easy for homeowners to understand how your cohosting service works. A simple, structured plan removes uncertainty and encourages action. Sample 5-Step Process: How to Implement This on Your Page: 5. Create a Strong Call to Action (What’s the Next Step?) Your CTA should be clear, action-driven, and reduce hesitation. Examples of Effective CTAs: How to Implement This on Your Page: 6. Show the Transformation (What’s the Outcome?) Help homeowners envision how your service will improve their lives. Key Benefits to Highlight: How to Implement This on Your Page: CraftedStays: Powering Your Professional Cohosting Landing Page With CraftedStays, you can seamlessly create a professional landing page on the same site as your direct booking website. This means potential homeowners can see how you manage properties firsthand, boosting credibility and trust. Ready to take your cohosting business to the next level? Start building your management page with CraftedStays today!

Direct Bookings

Stop Wasting Time: How to Write Better AI Prompts for Your Vacation Rental Blog

Why AI Isn’t Giving You the Best Results (Yet) We’ve all done it—typed a quick prompt into ChatGPT, hit enter, and hoped for the best. But when the AI spits out something bland or way off the mark, it’s easy to assume the tool is the problem. The truth? It’s probably your prompt. AI tools work best when they have clear, detailed instructions to follow. If you’re using AI to help write blog posts, social media content, or guest communication, learning how to craft better prompts will save you time and frustration. But the secret isn’t just writing a better prompt—it’s giving yourself time to refine it before you even hit enter. Why You Should Stop Writing Prompts Directly in ChatGPT It’s tempting to type directly into ChatGPT and fire off a prompt as soon as you have an idea. But that approach often leads to weak results, making you spend more time tweaking and re-running prompts than necessary. A better approach? Write your prompts in a Google Doc or a notes app first. This simple shift forces you to: When you rush into writing a prompt, you risk starting off on the wrong foot—leading to a cycle of frustrating back-and-forth interactions with AI. Taking a few extra minutes to develop the prompt outside of ChatGPT reduces time wasted and improves the final content. The Google Doc Trick: A Simple Way to Get Better AI Results One of the easiest ways to improve your AI-generated content is to draft your prompt in a document first instead of typing directly into ChatGPT. Why? Think of it like writing an outline before a blog post. A little prep work leads to a smoother writing process. Instead of treating AI as an instant solution, treat it like a creative assistant. The better instructions you give, the better the output you’ll get—saving you time and effort in the long run. Better Prompts = Better Content = More Direct Bookings When you take the time to write better AI prompts, you get: But content alone isn’t enough. It’s just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to growing a direct booking business. A well-structured website that’s designed to convert visitors into guests plays an equally important role. That’s why at CraftedStays, we focus on making direct booking websites that work seamlessly alongside your marketing efforts. Whether you’re driving traffic with AI-generated content or optimizing guest messaging, having a site that’s built to convert ensures you’re making the most of those efforts. Want to see how a high-converting direct booking site can work for you? Explore CraftedStays Today

Booked Solid Podcast

No Job Boards, No OTAs, Just Bookings: Direct Bookings the ‘CraftedStays Way’ with Owen Johnson

When it comes to growing a short-term rental business, many operators rely on online travel agencies (OTAs) or job boards. But Owen Johnson, took a different route through Direct Bookings. In this episode of Booked Solid, Gil dives into Owen’s unconventional approach to direct bookings, where the focus is on building systems and loyalty that don’t depend on third-party platforms. Owen shares his journey of growing a thriving remote team, mastering pricing automation, and crafting a seamless guest experience that keeps customers coming back for more. Summary and Highlights 🧑‍💼 Meet Owen — Founder, CEO, and STR Operator Owen runs a short-term rental business that he built from the ground up. What started as one property has grown into a remote-managed portfolio, thanks to a strong team, solid systems, and a clear focus on what works. He’s not just a host—he’s built a company that helps others succeed with STRs. His approach combines smart tech, consistent marketing, and hands-on team management—even while working from a boat off the coast of British Columbia. 🔑 What You Can Learn From Owen 1. Tech Stack & Tools That Work 2. Hiring & Managing Virtual Assistants 3. Direct Booking Done Right 4. Early Investment in Marketing 5. Running the Business with the Right Mindset 6. Book That Shaped His Thinking 🌐 Connect with Owen Johnson 📧 Email: ⁠team@nwpads.com⁠ 📞 Phone: (425) 516-7928 📸 IG: ⁠@northwestpads⁠ 🌐 Website: ⁠www.nwpads.com Transcript Owen: To build businesses, you know, don’t be afraid to fail. ’cause I’ve done a lot of failure too. I’ve failed more than I’ve succeeded to get where I’m at today. So you have to stick your neck out there. You have to build grit with it at the same time and get a thicker skin in the process. So my idea would be, you know, be dedicated. Don’t let somebody else build it for you. Build it yourself. Own your decisions. You know, there’s a lot there. I mean, there’s not one piece of mindset, but other than the fact is those are your dollars and you don’t, you’re not rich by giving it all away. You have to protect your money. You have to protect your people ownership mentality. There you go. That’s the one piece of mindset I. You’re not an employee. This is your business Ownership mentality is a state of mind, and when you’re brand new in business, you better have it. Otherwise your business will fail. If you treat your business like you’re an employee, you’re gonna be an employee for somebody else. Good. Gil: Hey folks. Welcome back to Book Solid. The podcast where we bring in top operators to share their strategies, to help you maximize your booking, scale, your revenue, and stay ahead of short-term rentals. On today’s show, I have Owen Johnson. He’s actually a new client of ours that we brought on, uh, to craft his stays. I wanted ahead to, to come to the show because he has grown his social following and he has just a, just a. Interesting story on how he’s approached things, the learnings that he’s done along the way, uh, how he grew his account to 46,000 followers, and how he’s leveraging that now that he’s. Broaden in that following. And we’ll also talk about some of the things that he’s doing along the side around the technology. Uh, now that we’re implementing a site, we get to approach things like advertising, uh, retargeting ads, conversion funnels. So we’ll talk a a bit into really how he’s thinking about his tech stack, uh, and how we’re leveraging the new platform together. So I’m really excited to bring him onto the show and I hope you guys enjoy it. Gil: Hey Owen, welcome to the show. Owen: Hey Gil, how’s it going? Thanks for having me on. Appreciate the, the get together here today. Gil: yeah. I’m excited to have you on. Uh, we met a couple weeks back, uh, because we were doing a, an onboarding call and I was just looking at your portfolio and I immediately knew that you are a customer that I wanted to work with, and I also wanted you to be, uh, be on the show and kinda share your knowledge on, on what you’ve done as well too. So I’m excited to have you here. Owen: Yeah, yeah. Great, man. No, I was really impressed with, uh, your, um, your portfolio, how you guys do your websites and stuff and the way you reach back and showcase the build and stuff like that. So I’ve, uh, gone through quite a few different builds on websites since I started my journey. And, um, I could see that the talent was there and, and that, you know, you understood the deliverables that everybody’s really looking for. And a lot of times we don’t see that. So, Super excited to work with you. Gil: I appreciate that. I think one of it has to do with just, I think two things. Like one, us being hos ourselves and, and knowing what you’re trying to do with the websites. It really helps understanding like what you’re trying to communicate. And I, the second part is like, I still onboard almost all of our clients, so I get to talk to hosts all the time. I, I get to see the best of the best and in terms of the websites and what people were trying to build and what you’re trying to get to. So I was super excited to kinda help showcase your properties, because when I saw your, I actually, I think it was your Instagram feed. I just saw some really beautiful properties and the way that you are able to communicate that story there through your social profile, that was really impressive. So definitely I wanna have you talk about that and I think like, because of that, I, I wanted to make sure that I showed you what we can do

Direct Bookings

How to Create a High-Converting Cohosting Landing Page with AI

Creating a compelling landing page for your cohosting business can be overwhelming. You know you need to attract homeowners, showcase your expertise, and drive conversions—but where do you start? At CraftedStays, we’re always looking for ways to help hosts scale their business, and we’ve developed an AI-powered prompt that guides you through crafting a high-converting landing page using the StoryBrand framework. In this post, we’ll walk you through how to use this powerful tool, what to expect, and the potential pitfalls to be aware of when leveraging AI for landing page creation. Creating a compelling landing page for your cohosting business can be overwhelming. You know you need to attract homeowners, showcase your expertise, and drive conversions—but where do you start? At CraftedStays, we’re always looking for ways to help hosts scale their business, and we’ve developed an AI-powered prompt that guides you through crafting a high-converting landing page using the StoryBrand framework. In this post, we’ll walk you through how to use this powerful tool, what to expect, and the potential pitfalls to be aware of when leveraging AI for landing page creation. Why This Prompt Works Most cohosting landing pages fail because they are either too generic or too cluttered. The key to a great page is clarity—homeowners need to understand what you offer, why it benefits them, and how to take action. Our AI prompt ensures your messaging is: ✅ Customer-Centric – It shifts the focus from you to the homeowner’s needs and concerns.✅ Structured for Conversion – Follows the proven StoryBrand framework for a clear and compelling narrative.✅ SEO-Optimized – Ensures you naturally incorporate keywords that help your page rank on Google.✅ Easy to Implement – You answer the critical questions, and AI generates a polished, persuasive landing page. How to Use the AI Prompt to Create Your Cohosting Landing Page Step 1: Copy and Paste This Prompt into ChatGPT To generate a fully optimized landing page, start by copying and pasting the following prompt into ChatGPT: “I want to create a high-converting cohosting landing page using the StoryBrand framework. First, ask me a structured set of critical questions, categorized by each StoryBrand section, to shape clear, compelling, and conversion-driven messaging. Then, use my responses to generate the following: Once the first draft is generated, ask if I’d like any refinements or alternative versions of specific sections.” Step 2: Answer Key Questions About Your Business The first step is responding to a structured set of questions that uncover the essential details of your cohosting business. These questions guide AI in generating messaging that resonates with your target audience. 🔍 Questions You’ll Be Asked: 💡 Pro Tip: Take your time answering these! The more detailed and specific your responses, the stronger the final AI-generated copy will be. Step 3: AI Generates a Fully Written Landing Page Once you’ve provided your answers, the AI will use them to craft a structured landing page that includes: 📝 Headline & Subhead – A clear, benefit-driven statement that grabs attention.📌 Problem Statement – Why homeowners struggle with self-management and why they need a cohost.✅ Your Unique Value Proposition – What sets you apart from other property managers.🚀 Step-by-Step Plan – A simple breakdown of how easy it is to get started.🎯 Call to Action (CTA) – Encouraging homeowners to take the next step (book a consultation, get a revenue estimate, etc.).📈 Transformation Section – A before-and-after comparison of how their rental business improves with your help.📸 Imagery Suggestions – Recommended visuals to enhance credibility and engagement. Step 4: Optimize & Customize Your Page While AI can generate a solid foundation, human oversight is crucial. Here’s where you refine and tweak the content: 🔹 Ensure the tone fits your brand. AI is great at structuring copy, but small edits can make it feel more personal and aligned with your voice. 🔹 Fact-check the claims. AI pulls from your answers but may overgeneralize. Adjust any revenue claims, testimonials, or stats to match your real-world data. 🔹 Refine the CTA. AI can draft effective CTAs, but testing different wording or placement can help increase conversions. 🔹 Incorporate SEO. AI can include your core keywords, but you might want to fine-tune for search intent and add an SEO-friendly meta description. Caution: Where AI Can Go Wrong While AI is an incredible tool for accelerating the creation process, it’s not perfect. Here are some potential pitfalls: ⚠️ Generic or Overly Formal Language – AI might generate copy that feels too stiff or generic. Tweaking it to match your brand’s voice is key. ⚠️ Lack of Emotional Appeal – AI structures the logic well, but human stories and real emotions bring it to life. Add personal anecdotes or client testimonials where possible. ⚠️ Misaligned Targeting – If your responses are vague, AI may not fully capture your ideal audience. Be specific in answering the initial questions. ⚠️ Overuse of Buzzwords – AI sometimes leans into jargon like “cutting-edge” or “seamless solutions.” Replace fluff with real, concrete benefits. Final Thoughts: The Best of Both Worlds AI isn’t here to replace human marketers—it’s here to enhance what we do. By using this AI-powered StoryBrand prompt, you can: ✅ Speed up content creation without sacrificing quality.✅ Ensure clear and compelling messaging that speaks directly to homeowners.✅ Leverage data-driven storytelling to build trust and increase conversions. At CraftedStays, we’ve built our platform with hosts in mind. You can create and publish your cohosting landing page directly on the same site as your direct booking page, adding credibility when homeowners see how well you manage and market properties. 💡 Want to test it out? Try our AI-powered landing page generator today and elevate your cohosting business!

Booked Solid Podcast

Beyond the Sale: Building High-Performing STRs from Day One featuring Tyler Coon, Founder of Savvy Realty

When most people think about real estate agents, they picture the transaction — the showing, the contract, the close. But for Tyler Coon, it’s just the beginning. On this episode of Booked Solid, Gil sits down with Tyler, founder of Savvy Realty, a nationwide real estate team laser-focused on helping investors buy (and succeed with) short-term rentals. What sets Tyler apart isn’t just his knowledge of STR markets or his deep portfolio of investor clients — it’s how he turns a real estate purchase into a launchpad for long-term profitability. This conversation goes beyond the sale — into operations, trust-building, design strategy, and the critical role of direct bookings from day one. Summary and Highlights 👤 Meet Tyler Coon Tyler Coon is the founder and CEO of Savvy Realty, a nationwide team of short-term rental agents known as Savvy STR Agents. Based in Asheville, NC, Tyler has specialized in short-term rental investment real estate since 2019. What started as a solo passion quickly scaled into a full-service operation helping investors acquire high-performing STRs across the country. Now with a presence in over 20 markets nationwide, Tyler continues to expand Savvy’s footprint — aligning clients with smart, profitable opportunities and supporting them long after the sale. 🧠 Key Takeaways from This Episode 1. Treat the Purchase as the Starting Line, Not the Finish Tyler doesn’t just help clients “buy a house.” He helps them understand if they’re ready to operate an STR successfully. That means: 2. The Best STR Agents Know the Whole Game With access to real-time revenue data, local vendor networks, and design professionals, Tyler ensures his clients aren’t flying blind. 3. Direct Bookings Should Start From the First Stay Whether it’s capturing emails with StayFi or hiring influencers to drive traffic to a direct booking site, Tyler believes in planting the seeds for independence early. “Guests are making core memories at your property. Why wouldn’t you want them to come back — directly?” 🔁 Direct Bookings in a Changing OTA Landscape Tyler doesn’t mince words about what’s coming: “If you’re not building a direct booking strategy now, you’re going to be behind. Airbnb’s algorithm will be pay-to-play before long.” Tyler’s long-term vision? Market-level direct booking sites — collaborative platforms that bring the top listings in each region together, owned and promoted by the operators. (Spoiler alert: we may be partnering on that very thing in Asheville soon.) ⚡ Rapid Fire with Tyler What’s one mindset shift you’d share with someone new? “You’re going to screw it up. Forgive yourself early and often. Make the repair, then move forward.” What’s one book that changed your life? Rocket Fuel – “It helped me understand that I’m a visionary. I need integrators around me to execute.” What’s one tactical move to grow direct bookings? “Collect every guest’s email — StayFi, emails at checkout, whatever it takes. Then send a video after their stay with a discount code and your direct booking site.” 🎯 Final Thoughts: It’s More Than Real Estate Tyler’s approach is a masterclass in long-term thinking. It’s not about the closing table. It’s about helping investors build something that works — not just today, but years down the road. If you’re ready to get serious about your STR portfolio, this episode is a must-listen. 👉 Listen to the full episode here 🔧 Built to Book? We’ve Got You Covered If you’re building a direct booking strategy, check out how CraftedStays can help: 🌐 Connect with Tyler Coon Transcription Tyler: Collecting email addresses, right? Something like stay fi to make sure that you’re truly collecting email addresses from everybody you possibly can in that group. Because at the end of the day, those folks are gonna know someone else. So the more email addresses you’re collecting, the more you can market to these people and try different tactics, right? Don’t just send some bland newsletters, something like that. You know, Bill Faeth preaches this a lot about his new bookings. He sends them a video. Send everybody after they check out, send them a video, email all CC’d together and say, Hey, we loved having you guys. Thank you for leaving the place so clean. We’d love to have you back. I’m gonna send you a little discount code for if you guys want to come back next time. Here’s my direct booking site. Nothing’s stopping you from sending that email nowadays, and I guarantee. 0.001% of reservations are getting something like that. If anyone. Gil: Hey folks. Welcome back to Book Solid, the podcast where top operators share the strategies to maximize bookings, scale your rentals, and get ahead of the short term rental game. On today’s show, I have Tyler Kon. Tyler Kon is the founder of Savvy Real Estate. He has many agencies throughout the Nation to help folks get into short term rentals. I’m bringing him onto the show mainly because. I found his tactics, his way of approaching acquisitions of rentals. Very different than a lot of other brokerages, and I wanted him to share kind of how he thought about. Getting people into short-term rentals, how he thinks about that relationship between an agent or the brokerage and the client themselves. And really how does he think about long-term success to really make sure that they’re, they have what they need to be successful. Um, we dive into a lot of meaty topics. I’m really happy to have him on the show and really just have him share some of the vision, some of the values that him and his team has. Gil: Hey Tyler, welcome to the show. Tyler: Thanks Gil. Good to be here, man. Gil: Yeah. On the show today we have Tyler Kon from Savvy. Um, Tyler, before we get get started, do you mind giving a quick introduction on who you are? Tyler: Yeah, absolutely. Uh, my name is Tyler Coon. I’m the founder and CEO of Savvy, STR agents, a nationwide, uh, real estate team that specializes in helping investors buy and sell short-term rentals. Gil: Yeah. You’ve been, you’ve been in this industry for a little while

Direct Bookings

Unlocking AI’s Potential: How to Write Better Prompts for Vacation Rental Blogs

Why a Strong AI Prompt Matters When using AI to help draft content for your vacation rental blog, the quality of the output is only as good as the prompt you provide. AI isn’t a mind reader—it generates content based on the details you give it. If you’re vague, you’ll get generic results. If you provide context, structure, and clear instructions, you’ll get engaging, well-targeted content that resonates with your audience. A well-crafted prompt ensures that: Let’s break down an effective prompt structure and how to apply it to your vacation rental blog. The Key Components of a Strong AI Prompt 1. Context: Set the Scene Before asking AI to generate a blog, give it some background on who you are and what you’re trying to achieve. This ensures the AI tailors the writing to your business and audience. Example: “I run a short-term rental blog aimed at travelers looking for unique stays and travel tips.” This small addition instantly frames the content, so AI knows it’s writing for a travel audience, not just any generic topic. 2. Objective: What’s the Goal? Clearly define what you want the blog post to accomplish. Example: “I need an engaging blog post that helps travelers make the most of their stay and explore local attractions.” This guides AI to focus on useful information rather than a generic vacation rental sales pitch. 3. Specific Requirements: Fine-Tune the Details This is where you dial in exactly what you want. The more details you provide, the more targeted your AI-generated blog will be. Example: By specifying these elements, you make sure the blog is written in the right style and optimized for search engines. 4. Examples or References: Show, Don’t Just Tell If you want the content to match a particular style, point AI in the right direction by referencing blogs or publications you admire. Example: “Write in a style similar to travel blogs like Nomadic Matt or The Blonde Abroad.” This tells AI to adopt a storytelling, first-person approach, rather than something stiff or corporate. 5. Format: Guide the Structure A clear structure ensures your blog is easy to read and flows well. Instead of getting a long block of text, provide formatting instructions. Example: “Write in sections with clear headings. End with a call to action encouraging readers to book a stay or share their own experiences.” This keeps the post organized and drives reader engagement. Tailored AI Prompt for a Vacation Rental Blog Now that you understand the framework, here’s a ready-to-use prompt you can copy, tweak, and use: Prompt Template I run a short-term rental blog aimed at travelers looking for unique stays and travel tips. I need an engaging blog post that helps travelers make the most of their stay and explore local attractions. The target audience includes couples, families, and solo travelers. The tone should be friendly, informative, and inspiring. The post should be between 800-1,200 words and include local recommendations, travel tips, and a call to action. Optimize for SEO using keywords like ‘direct booking websites,’ ‘short-term rentals,’ and ‘vacation rentals.’ Write in a style similar to travel blogs like Nomadic Matt or The Blonde Abroad. Structure the post with clear headings and end with a call to action encouraging readers to book a stay or share their own experiences. Final Thoughts: Make AI Work for You AI is a powerful tool, but it needs clear direction to produce high-quality content. By using this structured approachto prompt writing, you’ll generate vacation rental blogs that are more engaging, well-organized, and SEO-friendly. And if you’re driving traffic to your vacation rental business, having a well-optimized direct booking website is key. CraftedStays helps property owners create high-converting websites that turn blog readers into paying guests. If you’re looking for a seamless way to showcase your rentals, we’ve got you covered. Want to see how your blog and booking site can work together? Check out CraftedStays today.

Booked Solid Podcast

Booking More by Posting Less: Turning Instagram Into a Funnel by The Social Media Hotelier – Paul Anderson

In this week’s episode of Booked Solid Show, formerly Direct Booking Simplified, we sat down with Paul Anderson—also known as The Social Media Hotelier. Paul is a marketing strategist specializing in leveraging Instagram to drive direct bookings for short-term accommodation businesses. As a retired guest house owner, international bestselling author, and expert in consumer psychology, Paul transforms complex marketing concepts into actionable strategies tailored for hosts. Known for his practical insights and engaging delivery (and yes—his now-iconic orange beanie), Paul helps hosts cut through the noise and turn lookers into bookers with ease. Paul’s journey—and his proven framework—offers a timely reminder: social media isn’t about going viral. It’s about showing up, consistently, for the guest you actually want to host. Summary and Highlights We covered a lot in this conversation, but here are the takeaways that really stood out: 🎯 Post Less. Measure More. Paul doesn’t believe in endless posting. In fact, it almost broke him. Instead, he came back with structure. Three posts a week. Same time, every time. And most importantly: a system for tracking performance, so he could double down on what worked and ditch what didn’t. “I was halfway through a 30-day content challenge, and I found myself tossing and turning at 2 AM trying to come up with something to post. I realized the content was rubbish—and it was hurting my mental health.” 📊 Track What Actually Matters Paul is not impressed by follower counts or vanity metrics. What does he look for? He teaches his students to measure profile conversion rates—how many visitors hit ‘Follow’—and link clicks, because that’s where bookings begin. Not likes. Not reach. Just action. “Link clicks as a proportion of profile visits is the holy grail. There is no target. What we want is everyone who visits our profile to hit the link in bio and come off the platform… and ask three things: Do they have vacancies? Can I afford them? Where’s the book now button?” Paul’s 3 Quick Wins for Better Instagram Performance Before wrapping up, Paul shared three specific, actionable tactics that every host can implement today to improve their Instagram strategy: 1. Optimize your Instagram name fieldThe name field (that bold line right under your profile photo) is keyword gold. It’s one of the first things Instagram’s algorithm scans when users search. Instead of repeating your handle, use keywords your guests are likely searching—like “Smoky Mountain Cabin” or “Pet Friendly Rental Lake Tahoe.” It’s simple SEO that most people miss. 2. Always post in 4:5 portrait formatTall images (1080×1350) take up more screen space, helping your content stand out in the feed. Square or horizontal content gives away real estate to other posts—and can reduce visibility. For reels and feed posts alike, fill the screen. 3. Don’t stress about trends. Focus on fundamentals.Forget the trending audios and the perfect posting time. Instead, get clear on who your ideal guest is, what they care about, and how you can communicate that consistently. Nail the basics. Everything else is just noise. “If you haven’t got the fundamentals down, you’re literally doing the proverbial in the wind and hoping something sticks. It’s a complete waste of time.” These aren’t hacks—they’re habits. And they compound when practiced consistently. Want to Go Deeper with Paul? Paul’s coaching program, Instabooked, is packed with practical tools for hosts who want to stop posting aimlessly and start building momentum. It’s not a content template library or a done-for-you service. It’s a system you can own—built from trial, error, and a whole lot of spreadsheets. And Paul is offering 30% off Instabooked exclusively for our listeners and subscribers.🎁 Use code CRAFTED at checkout:👉 thesocialmediahotelier.com/instabooked Rapid Fire with Paul Anderson As always, we wrapped up the episode with a few quick questions: 📚 One book everyone should read?Decline and Fall by Evelyn Waugh (for laughs), and Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller (for clarity). ⚡️ One piece of tactical advice to take action on today? Connect with Paul Want to reach out or follow along with Paul’s latest content? Final Thoughts This episode wasn’t about hacks or algorithms. It was about getting back to the fundamentals—knowing your guest, telling your story well, and building trust at every touchpoint. And if you’re looking to build a website that reflects those same principles—clear messaging, fast performance, mobile-optimized for bookings—our team at CraftedStays is here to help. We believe great hosting deserves a great online presence.🧡 craftedstays.com Transcript Paul: And so the journey from the piece of content to the profile and onto the website need that, that slide as such needs to be as smooth as possible. Link clicks is a proportion of profile visits, is the holy grail. There is no target for that. What we want is everyone who visits our profile to hit the link in bio and come off the platform, see our beautiful website, and essentially within the hope that they would have only three questions. Paul: Does this host have vacancies? When I want to travel, can I afford them? And where is the book now button? Gil: Hey folks. Welcome back to direct booking simplified, where we break down the strategies and tactics to win in direct bookings on today’s show. I have Paul Anderson, Paul, welcome to the show. Gil: Yeah, Paul: spoke last time. Very, very excited to share direct booking tips with your Gil: yeah. I’m, I’m glad to see the, the orange beanie again, uh, the very on brand. Paul: Yeah, it’s also very, very cold here, so it is keeping my head warm at the moment. The United Kingdom is kind of frosty and snowy and floody at the minute, so yeah. Gil: Do you, uh, do you wear the beanie in the summers as well too? Paul: Ordinarily, no. So, the beanie was bought, um, when My firstborn was very, very young and we lost him very briefly in a crowd. And I’m sure as most parents would remember, if you lose a child, even for five seconds, it feels like an hour. Totally freaked out. Um, and so I thought, well, what

Direct Bookings

Product Update: A More Seamless Booking Experience

At CraftedStays, we’re always working to improve how short-term rental hosts get more direct bookings. Our latest update enhances the guest booking experience by replacing third-party booking widgets with a fully integrated booking system. While this update benefits OwnerRez users, it’s part of a larger effort to optimize direct bookings across multiple property management system (PMS) integrations. A Smarter Booking Flow We’ve removed the old OwnerRez booking widgets and built a custom booking component that blends seamlessly into your website. What This Means for You For OwnerRez Users: How to Enable the Update If you use OwnerRez, switching to the new system is quick and easy: Once enabled, the system automatically updates to provide a more streamlined booking flow. More Product Improvements Coming Soon This update is part of our ongoing mission to make CraftedStays the best direct booking website builder for vacation rental hosts. Some of our upcoming enhancements include: We’re committed to helping you increase direct bookings, reduce OTA dependency, and improve the guest experience. Turn on the new CraftedStays booking component today and start converting more visitors into booked guests!

Booked Solid Podcast

Airbnb Shut Down His Listing—Now He’s Taking Full Control with Direct Bookings with Zachary Humphrey

In our latest Booked Solid podcast episode, we sat down with Zachary Humphrey, a registered nurse who turned his passion for real estate into a thriving short-term rental business. Zach isn’t just any investor—he’s built his portfolio from the ground up, balancing a demanding W2 job with his growing STR empire, and learning some hard but valuable lessons along the way. From rental arbitrage to ground-up A-frame construction in Kentucky’s Red River Gorge, Zach’s journey is packed with insights—especially when it comes to why direct bookings are the key to long-term success. Summary & Highlights The Airbnb Nightmare That Changed Everything At first, Zach followed the standard STR playbook, listing his properties on Airbnb and VRBO. But a Thanksgiving weekend disaster made him rethink his approach. A guest violated house rules, caused property damage, then falsely reported a gas leak—leading Airbnb to suspend his listing for three days. Not only did he lose thousands in peak-season revenue, but he also had to fight to clear his name. “I don’t have control over this like I think I do. If I had a direct booking site, I could have handled the situation myself without relying on Airbnb.” That’s when Zach realized that depending on OTAs meant giving up control. Since then, he’s prioritized building his own booking channel, collecting guest emails, and taking ownership of his STR business. Direct Bookings = Higher Profits + Better Guests One of Zach’s biggest takeaways? Direct bookings don’t just save hosts money—they attract better guests. As a travel nurse, Zach himself books short-term stays every week. His experience taught him that frequent travelers prefer to book direct, skipping platform fees while still enjoying a trusted experience. “If we’re doing this to make money, then direct booking is the way to go. Guests feel like they’re saving money while, in reality, I’m making more by bypassing platform fees.” This insight shaped Zach’s direct booking strategy: By controlling the guest relationship, Zach ensures more repeat bookings, fewer platform headaches, and higher profit margins. Rebuilding After a $100,000 Loss Zach’s path to success hasn’t been easy. In fact, his biggest learning moment came from a devastating $100K loss on his first A-frame build in Red River Gorge. After trusting the wrong contractor, he found himself entangled in a fraud case with zero recourse to recover his money. Instead of giving up, Zach pivoted. He doubled down on building better partnerships, thoroughly vetting contractors, and diversifying his revenue streams through flips and joint ventures. His story is a raw, real reminder that setbacks are inevitable—but resilience separates successful investors from the rest. Rapid Fire Questions with Zach To wrap up the episode, we put Zach through our signature Rapid Fire Round. Here’s what he had to say: 1. What’s one piece of mindset advice for someone starting something new? “Know who you are first. Your investments shouldn’t define you. Money and real estate are temporary—don’t let them consume your identity.” 2. Any books that have shaped your investment philosophy? “Fake by Robert Kiyosaki. It opened my eyes to how the system is rigged and why you need to take control of your own financial future.” 3. What’s your #1 tip for hosts looking to start or grow their direct bookings? “Don’t overthink it. Start by capturing guest emails with StayFi. Once you have that list, marketing to them is easier than you think.” Listen to the Full Episode Zach’s journey is one of resilience, smart investing, and taking control of your business. Whether you’re an experienced host or just getting started, this episode is full of valuable lessons to help you maximize profits and minimize platform dependency. 🎧 [Listen to the full episode of Booked Solid here] . And if you’re ready to build a direct booking strategy that works, join our CraftedStays community—where top operators share insights, strategies, and tools to help you scale. And if you’re looking for an easier way to build a high-converting direct booking website, check out CraftedStays—the platform built for STR hosts who are serious about owning their bookings. 🔗 [Learn More About CraftedStays Here Follow Zach’s Journey Transcription Zachary: And I also make more profit margin when you book direct. And so that’s what I do. If we’re doing this to make money, then direct booking is the way to go. And it also benefits and incentivizes your future guests or guests you have now, if you know how to approach that correctly to save money too, in their minds, they’re saving money while you as the host are actually making more money by going on a direct booking platform. And when I use Airbnb every week as a travel nurse, I have to go direct booking because I cannot afford all those fees all year long. When you’re really using Airbnb frequently, and guests that are well affiliated with Airbnb, and usually, or short term rental stays, those are usually good guests. They want to book direct, so booking direct also can tend to bring you, I think, a better guest quality, because these people are more savvy. They’re looking for that stay. They’re familiar with short term rentals. Of course, our presentation of that’s got to be a decently good looking website. They’ve got to have confidence when they’re looking at your website. And things like that, things have to flow to give them that confidence that Airbnb gives as a multi billion dollar industry. Hey folks, welcome back to book solid the podcast where top operators share their strategies to help you maximize your bookings, scale your revenue and stay ahead of your short term rentals on today’s show. I have Zachary Humphrey. He’s a W2 nurse in his day job and has done multiple investment strategies. He’s actually going to walk us through a few different learnings that he’s done. I’ve actually really enjoyed the show because we had a chance to talk through what he’s gone through, through his investing journey. He’s done everything from arbitrage. To new ground developments, fix and flips, and all the different things that he’s learned along the way. And I just really love the way that he’s approached it. The mindset, some of the challenges, you’ll be

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