We have the honor of interviewing Tracey Northcott from Tokyo Family Stays about how she delivers her guest experiences and how that translates to more direct bookings. Tracey walks us through how she thinks about the entire booking journey and how she can deliver the best guest experience beyond just a great place to stay. Her mindset has led to a sustainable book-direct business from repeat guests and strong word of mouth. Summary and Highlights In our recent podcast episode, we had the honor of speaking with Tracey Northcott, the visionary behind Tokyo Family Stays, an established vacation rental business in Japan. With over 12 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Tracey shared invaluable insights on how to create a successful and sustainable hosting business that prioritizes authenticity and guest satisfaction over mere profitability. 1. Emphasizing the Local Experience and Anticipating Guest Needs Tracey’s journey began with a simple yet profound principle: provide guests with an authentic local experience. Unlike impersonal stays, Tokyo Family Stays thrives on connecting visitors with the heart of Tokyo, enriching their travel experience through carefully curated local insights and services tailored to their needs. 2. Developing a Strong Brand Identity and Values Rather than being just another “Airbnb host,” Tracey advocates for hosts to establish a distinct brand identity and values. This strategic approach not only attracts ideal guests who resonate with those values but also fosters long-term guest loyalty. By embodying values such as hospitality, cultural immersion, and community engagement, hosts can create a memorable and meaningful stay experience. 3. Mapping the Guest Journey and Personalizing Services Central to Tracey’s success is her meticulous attention to the guest journey. From initial booking inquiries to post-stay follow-ups, every touchpoint is an opportunity to exceed expectations. By anticipating guest needs and preferences, hosts can deliver personalized services that leave a lasting impression. 4. Building a Direct Booking Presence and Nurturing Relationships While many rely solely on OTAs (Online Travel Agencies), Tracey advocates for building a direct booking presence. This not only reduces dependency on third-party platforms but also allows hosts to cultivate relationships with repeat guests through effective email marketing, SEO strategies, and collaborations with local businesses. 5. Core Values and Authenticity Tracey’s guiding philosophy revolves around defining core values and purpose (“why”) as the foundation for building a hosting business. By staying true to these values, hosts can authentically connect with guests and uphold the responsibility of hosting beyond mere accommodation. 6. Long-Term Strategy and Sustainability In a landscape often dominated by short-term gains, Tracey underscores the importance of a sustainable business approach. By focusing on guest satisfaction, community integration, and ethical business practices, hosts can build a resilient and thriving vacation rental business. Conclusion Tracey Northcott’s insights challenge conventional wisdom in the hospitality industry. Her emphasis on authenticity, values-driven business practices, and personalized guest experiences serves as a beacon for both seasoned hosts and newcomers alike. By embracing these principles, hosts can not only differentiate themselves in a competitive market but also create meaningful connections that transcend mere transactions. Follow Tracey on Instagram through @tracey.northcott Transcription 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 Tracey Northcott, all the way from Japan. Welcome on the show, Tracey.  Tracey: G’day, g’day, g’day, Gil. Sorry, I have to be really Australian when I, you know, when I come on podcasts, I’ve got to like, you know, wear my, wear my, um, uh, my nationality with pride. Tracey: So,  Gil: That’s awesome. Before we get too deep, Tracey, do you mind giving folks a brief introduction of who you are?  Tracey: Sure. No problem. So yes, I’m, my name’s Tracey. I’m CEO of Tokyo family stays. So yes, I’ve been in Japan for 24 years. I’m not Japanese clearly. Um, and, uh, I run a vacation rental business. Um, and, I love it. Tracey: And it’s, it’s brought my family a lot of financial freedom and also, you know, freedom to, to travel and also learn about ourselves. So it’s, it’s been a really, really interesting journey. So I wasn’t always in vacation rentals. I come from a background of science and technology. Um, I was a chemist and then, which is a different whole other story. Tracey: And then I actually came to Japan to work with my brother, who’s a software engineer, and we make actually language learning applications on mobile phones. So we’ve been doing that for 25 years and that’s still going, but it’s mostly passive at this point. So it lets us play and do passion projects and real estate was always one of my passions. Gil: Yeah. How did you first get into it?  Tracey: Well, it was kind of by accident. So we were playing around in real estate. So, um, we, as. as business owners, we were always sort of happy to take on, uh, help other people with their businesses. And we had a friend who was a real estate agent who, who didn’t have like a full paid up company and they wanted to do real estate. Tracey: They had the license, but didn’t know how to actually run a company. So then we said, all right, rent a desk from us and, um, use our infrastructure and our, you know, our tax accountant and all of those things that you need when you’re running a business. And you play in real estate and then we’ll share some, we’ll do some profit sharing. Tracey: And so that was fun because, you know, we’re able to, you know, play around with real estate and, and, um, not buying. So I was sort of helping people, um, with subletting, um, you know, the, the visa and, and things are fairly, fairly strict here. So actually getting an apartment when you’re, you know, when you’re working here is quite hard when you’re a foreigner. Tracey: So I was helping people

Join us as we chat with Chris Jeub, the Glamping Guy. Chris has built a portfolio of glamping sites and has slowly increased from 3% direct bookings to up to 50% direct bookings by leveraging simple tactics such as delivering a great guest experience, working on his SEO, running ads, and posting on Facebook groups. Chris walks us through his journey from relying on Airbnb for most of his revenues to sustaining a healthy business with direct bookings. Summary and Highlights Chris began his journey into glamping with a modest vision that has since grown into a thriving enterprise. Monument Glamping now offers a diverse range of accommodations including tent structures, container homes, and custom RVs. What started with just 3% direct bookings has surged to an impressive 40-50%, thanks to Chris’s innovative marketing strategies. Marketing Innovations that Work Chris shared several tactics that have been pivotal in driving direct bookings: SEO Mastery: From Branding to Strategic Positioning Understanding the importance of SEO, Chris made a crucial shift by optimizing his website title to “Glamping near Colorado Springs and Denver.” This targeted approach significantly improved search engine rankings, making Monument Glamping more visible to potential guests searching for unique accommodations in the area. Navigating Media and Government Relations Chris highlighted the power of media coverage in expanding his reach. By proactively engaging with the local newspaper and offering insightful content, he not only gained visibility but also developed a deeper understanding of local governance, which proved invaluable in navigating regulatory landscapes. Insights and Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs Reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey, Chris emphasized resilience and adaptation. He shared, “The universe will be against you when starting something new and creative, but perseverance is key.” His tactical advice included aligning website content with customer search behavior rather than purely relying on brand-centric titles. Scaling Strategies and Future Prospects Looking ahead, Chris stressed the importance of building scalable systems and delegating operational tasks. By gradually offloading responsibilities like cleaning, he has positioned Monument Glamping for sustainable growth in a lucrative niche that continues to expand. Conclusion Chris Jeub’s story is a testament to the power of innovation, perseverance, and strategic marketing in transforming a vision into a successful reality. Whether you’re in hospitality or another industry, his insights offer actionable strategies to elevate your business. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories and practical tips on our podcast! Ready to take your marketing strategies to the next level? Contact us today to learn how we can help you achieve your business goals! Follow Chris on instagram @monumentglamping Transcript Gil: All right, we’re recording and then it records locally too. So don’t worry if we fall off, if there’s lags and so on. Okay. And I’ll, we can always edit stuff out too. So I’ll start I’ll cut a little bit into it. So don’t worry about that. Sounds good. Awesome. Hey folks, welcome back to Direct Booking Simplified, where we break down the tactics and strategies to win in direct bookings. Gil: On today’s show, I have Chris Jeub. Also known as the Glamping guy. Hey, Chris, welcome to the show. Hey, Gil. Thanks for having me on. Yeah, it’s really good to have you. Yeah. Before we get too deep into it, do you want to give folks a introducing introduction on who the glamping guy is? Sure. The glamping guy,  Chris: you could check me out@glampingguy.com. Chris: I, I actually am a teacher. I started glamping five years ago. When my wife and I remodeled the bedroom and we stuck a tent out back instead of living in the living room for a month. And we loved it. We threw it up on Airbnb after that and booked out the rest of the summer. The rest is history. Chris: And five years later, here I am with two properties in Monument, Colorado permitted for 36 units, which is quite the. Quite the permits and and we’re, and I’m loving it. Now I actually publish video content and classes for people who want to get into glamping. So if you are a landowner who wants to break into the, what I call the sexiest asset class in real estate, and that’s glamping. Chris: I’ve gone through the ropes through the thick and thin and really made a lot of mistakes along the way. Honestly, I’m very transparent in my videos and my YouTube channel and things like that. Just sharing sharing the journey living the life and loving outdoor hospitality. Chris: Short term rental marketing. So I’m on Airbnb and Verbo and the whole works as well as direct bookings. And I’m on that journey of trying to get as many direct bookings as possible, trying to raise that curve. And I like, like probably a lot of your listeners. I’m trying my best to get into that direct booking world. Gil: Yeah. So given that you’re a teacher, do they refer, do your students refer to you as a glamping guy or did they even know that you’re the glamping guy? Yeah they  Chris: do. They do. I have videos online. So I do have a YouTube channel. So if you go to glamping guy on YouTube. Yeah, you’ll see me and I just posted some things. Chris: I was, I had my first public hearing last week and secured four more units and things like that. I had neighborhood uprising and things. So a lot of the things that short term rental world has to deal with, especially Creative things like glamping or the ADU world. There’s a lot of controversy involved with that. Chris: So that’s what that’s what I do. And, but then I do have a introductory course called easy entry to the, what is it, easy entry to the business of glamping. And then I have a larger eight weeks to launch. that is more expensive, but more involved. And then as well as a mastermind where I take care of students, do they

On this episode, we get to do a collaborative interview with Michael Chang from STR Like the Best. In this two-way interview, Michael Chang leads us through his mindset of making short-term-rental investing approachable to anyone that’s committed. We talk through his technology stack that he uses to manage his rentals, and areas where he’s upgrading to improve his direct booking rate Summary Highlights In a recent engaging podcast episode, Michael and Gil discussed their personal experiences and realizations on the nuances of short-term rentals, emphasizing the pivotal shift towards direct bookings as a strategic milestone for property owners and managers. Here’s a breakdown of the insightful discussion and key takeaways of their discussion. Evolutionary Path: From OTAs to Direct Bookings Michael and Gil underscored the advantages of leveraging Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) such as Airbnb during the initial phases of establishing a rental business. The gentlemen agreed, that in this period, typically spanning 1-2 years, is crucial for building visibility, refining operations, and understanding guest expectations. However, as experience grows and a loyal customer base develops, the focus shifts towards diversifying bookings through direct channels. By years 3-4, aiming for 50-60% of total bookings via direct channels becomes a realistic and advantageous goal. This transition demands consistent effort and strategic marketing initiatives tailored to your property’s unique attributes. Essential Components for Direct Booking Success Achieving substantial direct bookings hinges on several key components: Tailored Marketing Strategies for Success Successful marketing in the short-term rental industry requires a tailored approach: Strategic Growth Approach Michael and Gil exchange thoughts on the importance of starting small and mastering one marketing channel at a time rather than spreading efforts too thinly. This focused approach allows for better measurement of effectiveness and optimization of resources. Balancing Platform Risks and Rewards While direct bookings offer greater control and reduced platform dependency, OTAs continue to provide valuable exposure and guest protection. Striking a balance between these channels is crucial for maximizing occupancy and minimizing risk. Resources and Guidance For those looking to enhance their direct booking performance, resources like CraftedStays and industry podcasts serve as invaluable sources of guidance and inspiration. This platform aims to provide insights into emerging trends, innovative strategies, and success stories within the dynamic short-term rental landscape. Embracing Innovation and Opportunity As a relatively young industry, short-term rentals present ample opportunities for creativity and innovation. New entrants can leverage this dynamic environment to carve out niches, differentiate offerings, and capitalize on evolving guest preferences. In conclusion, transitioning from OTAs to direct bookings represents a strategic evolution for short-term rental operators. By focusing on building a strong online presence, implementing targeted marketing strategies, and leveraging valuable resources, property owners can unlock new levels of success and sustainability in the competitive vacation rental market. Follow Michael on instagram @strlikethebest & @michaelchangbnb Transcription Michael: You don’t know where to start. Like find people that have done it before. Facebook groups are a great place. Your local real estate meetup, like wherever you can find people that I think it’s also important to find people that you connect with. Right. It’s, I mean, it’s hard. Like I’m, you know, 44 and I have two kids. Michael: Like it’s hard to connect with probably like a 20 year old that like is just starting out and. thing, but like, you know, if you find someone else that is, you know, you and that person on the same wavelength, you know, similar values, similar background, whatever it is. Um, I think there’s that kind of like trust there that gets, uh, you know, that you can kind of bond a lot easier and then that trust factor is a lot higher and then you, you know, kind of take the advice that you’re given because sometimes it’s hard actually, it’s just like, You hear the advice, but like, you don’t take the advice and like, you got to listen to, you got to hear it from someone that you like believe in and trust to, to take that advice. Gil: Hey folks, welcome back to direct booking simplified. We break down the tactics and strategies to win in direct bookings. Today’s show is me slightly different. We have Michael Chang on the line. He’s a short term mental host himself. He does Airbnb arbitrage and is also a coach on today’s show. We’re going to actually do a collaboration together. Gil: Well, we get to interview each other. So let’s get right in.  Michael: Uh, it’s my great pleasure to welcome Gil Chan to the show. Gil, thanks for joining us today.  Gil: Yeah, it’s great to be here.  Michael: And, uh, thanks for, uh, you’re, you’re my first guest where we’re live streaming, uh, the podcast. So, um, you know, anything, anything goes wrong, don’t worry about it. Michael: We’ll just keep talking and, uh, and we’ll edit it afterwards, but hopefully we’ll have a few people watching. And if you’re, if you are watching, if you have any questions, feel free to, feel free to, uh, uh, To write your questions down and we’ll try to answer them. But, um, no, but, but Gil, like, no, great to have you on the show. Michael: We met at STR wealth, um, conference in Nashville back in February. So, um, you’ve been, you’ve been busy ever since with, uh, with, with your properties and new projects. So I’m excited to talk more about that.  Gil: Life has not slowed down at all. Um,  Michael: but why don’t, before we start off, um, why don’t you give a chance to introduce yourself to the audience? Michael: Um, kind of what you do and, uh, and your portfolio particularly.  Gil: Yeah. Yeah. So I, I’m a short term rental host myself. I have three properties, uh, two in Branson, Missouri, sorry, two in the smoky mountains and one in Branson, Missouri, been hosting for a couple of years now, and then I’m also the CEO and founder of crafted

On this episode, we have Rose Tipka. While she is listed on the OTAs, she emphasizes the importance of diversifying your revenues across multiple channels, including your own direct bookings. She uses good, old, marketing tactics to fill her. calendar. Today she breaks down where she focuses her energy and how she executes her marketing strategy. Summary and Highlights In our recent podcast episode with Rose Tipka, an esteemed figure in the hospitality industry, we explored into the complex of delivering exceptional guest experiences and crafting effective marketing strategies. Here’s a breakdown of the insightful takeaways from our conversation: 1. Guest Experience Excellence Rose Tipka’s philosophy revolves around nurturing a guest experience that begins long before arrival and extends well beyond departure. She emphasizes personalized touches such as customized videos, handwritten notes, thoughtful gifts like magnets, and proactive follow-up via surveys and comment cards. These efforts are designed not just to satisfy guests but to make them feel like cherished family members on vacation. 2. Hospitality-First Mindset Central to Rose’s success is her unwavering commitment to treating guests with the utmost care and attention. Her approach to hospitality permeates every aspect of her business, ensuring that every interaction leaves a lasting positive impression. 3. Targeted Marketing Strategies Rose attributes her high direct booking rates to her deliberate targeting of her ideal guest avatar. By tailoring her content and marketing efforts specifically to resonate with this audience, she has created a loyal customer base that prefers booking directly rather than through third-party platforms. 4. Consistency and Patience Pay Off Building a reputation for exceptional guest experiences and establishing a robust direct booking strategy doesn’t happen overnight. Rose emphasizes the importance of consistency and patience, revealing that it took approximately nine months of dedicated efforts before she began to see significant returns in repeat and direct bookings. 5. Strategic Partnerships with Influencers Recognizing the power of collaboration, Rose actively seeks out partnerships with content creators and influencers whose audience aligns closely with her ideal guest profile. These collaborations not only expand her reach but also reinforce her brand’s credibility among potential guests. 6. Ownership of Marketing Efforts A key piece of advice from Rose is for hosts and property managers to take ownership of their marketing initiatives. While online travel agencies (OTAs) play a role in booking, developing a strong direct booking strategy is essential for long-term sustainability and growth. 7. Conclusion: A Guest-Centric Approach In summary, Rose Tipka exemplifies how a combination of genuine hospitality, targeted marketing strategies, and strategic partnerships can elevate the guest experience and drive business success. Her passion for creating memorable stays shines through in every aspect of her operations. Incorporating Rose Tipka’s insights can empower social media marketers and property managers alike to refine their guest experiences and marketing efforts, ultimately fostering stronger guest relationships and increasing direct bookings. Transcription Rose: I would encourage listeners to view their company as separate from the OTAs, as a real business off of those, and then really buckle down in old school marketing work of how to get your company, your product out there in front of your guests. To really take ownership of making these reservations to drive their revenue for your company and not relying on a nameless, faceless OTA to send you your business. Gilbert: On today’s show, we have Rose Topeka. Rose and I actually shared an apartment together at WealthCon. And we didn’t even really know it, uh, Rose, welcome to the show. Rose: Hello. Yeah. That was pretty funny. When we realized that we had actually shared an apartment at the STR Wealth Conference and it took us a couple of minutes into our conversation to realize that. Gilbert: I was embarrassed that we were talking and I reached out to you and I didn’t realize that we actually shared an apartment together. That was hilarious. Yes. Rose: Yes, now in our defense, it was a huge apartment and there are a lot of people coming and going. But as with anything, you know, when you meet somebody new, you always try to figure out like who you know in common. Rose: I also live in a small town. This is like in our DNA here. And so when we realized that we knew people in common, and not only that we had shared an apartment together, we’re like, Oh, wow. Okay. Well, that makes it easier. Gilbert: Yeah. I was like, you, I think you were asking, like, do I know this person from Branson? I was like, oh, well, you probably know Ryan Duffy. Gilbert: And you’re like, oh yeah, we stayed with him. I was like, wait a minute. I stayed with him too. Rose: Was it this year? Yeah. It was this year. Gilbert: Did you enjoy the conference? Rose: I did. Yes, it was a good time. It’s always a lot of energy there. There’s always a great opportunity for everyone just to come together. Rose: Sometimes this industry can be kind of isolating because we’re all doing our jobs in different corners of the earth. So those opportunities where we all can get together and, and, you know, do that in person stuff is really invigorating. Gilbert: Yeah. Did you attend the previous conferences as well too? Rose: Yeah. So this was the second STR wealth conference that I had been to, and I’ve gone to some conferences kind of all over the world. Rose: Cause I’ve been speaking at conferences down in Australia, over in London, um, all kind of all over the place. So there’s a lot of energy in Nashville. Gilbert: There is, there is that one was a packed one. I did not expect it to be such a big show. And I hear like every year the, the two of them really like kick it up another notch. Gilbert: So I’m, I’m interested in seeing what it comes to next year. Rose: Yup. Always a lot of energy there. Gilbert: Yeah.

In this episode, Lindsey Rodriguez from Stay Booked breaks down why it’s crucial to invest in your own marketing and how to get more repeat bookings with effective email campaigns Podcast Summary We recently had an awesome chat with Lindsey Rodriguez on our podcast. Lindsey has been in marketing for over ten years, taking her skills to the short-term rental world. She shared some super helpful tips that anyone can deploy. Here’s what she had to say! Why Direct Bookings Matter Lindsey believes relying only on platforms like Airbnb isn’t the best idea. She says, “You don’t want to build your house on someone else’s land.” You don’t want to rely on one platform for all your revenues. Instead, you should be diversifying your revenues between the various OTA and direct bookings. The Magic of Emails Lindsey thinks the best way to get repeat guests is by collecting their emails. This way, you can keep in touch with them. If you keep popping up in their inbox, they’ll remember you and might book again. Sharing Helpful Info When you send emails, don’t just ask them to book again. Share cool stuff about your area, like fun events or secret spots. This shows you know your stuff and makes guests trust you. Easy Tools for Collecting Emails Lindsey uses a tool called StayFi to collect emails when guests log onto the WiFi. It’s super easy and doesn’t bother guests. Once you have their emails, you can set up automated messages that go out over the year. For example, two months after they leave, you can send an email saying, “Can you believe it’s been two months?” Using Social Media Social media is also important, but Lindsey says you don’t need to go viral. Just have a decent presence so when people look you up, they see you’re legit. Post some nice pictures and updates regularly. Just Get Started Lindsey’s biggest advice is to start now. You don’t need a perfect plan or system. Just begin collecting emails and posting on social media, and you can improve as you go. In a Nutshell Lindsey Rodriguez’s tips are simple but powerful. Collect guest emails, share helpful info, use tools like StayFi, and be present on social media. Most importantly, don’t wait to get started. These steps will help you get more direct bookings and build a stronger business. For more awesome tips, listen to our full podcast with Lindsey Rodriguez! Essential Highlights Here are a few key takeaways from the podcast with Lindsey Rodriguez: The core message was to be intentional about building direct relationships with guests through valuable email content to increase their lifetime value, rather than over-relying on OTAs. But do it in a sustainable way that fits your strengths. Transcription  It doesn’t need to be hard. Like it doesn’t, it doesn’t, it can, in fact, it can be automated. Like there’s a little bit of upfront work required, but this isn’t something you have to do and then do and then do. And then do it’s like, you kind of set it and forget it. I don’t want to oversimplify, but like, if you’re doing it, right. It’s relatively low.  Hey folks, welcome back to direct booking simplified. We break down the strategies and tactics to win in direct bookings on today’s show. We have Lindsey Rodriguez. She’s an SDR operator and it’s a digital marketer by trade. Today, she’s going to walk us through how she runs effective email marketing campaigns to bring in more repeat bookings. So let’s bring her in.  Hey, Lindsey.  Hey, how are you?  I’m doing good. I’m not sick for once, uh, which is really good having two kids of my own. How are you?  I’m good. I am a little sick, but, um, that’s just par for the course of the kid in daycare. So we’re going to get through it.  Yeah. They, they’re like little Petri dishes. Like they just bring home just about anything. And your job is done. Try not to catch it.  Yeah. I’ve given up trying.   You just embrace it.   It is.   Oh, well, it’s great to have you on the show. Uh, I really enjoyed, uh, you, your webinar last, uh, last week, it was like a couple of weeks back with Mike. Um, and I definitely wanted you to share some of the learnings and some of the things that you shared, um, On that  webinar. So kind of before we get too deep into it, do you want to give a folks a brief intro on kind of who you are? Um, what you’ve done and kind of like your, even your W2 stuff, your, your, your day job.  Yeah, of course. So my name is Lindsey Rodriguez. Um, I am a first and foremost, a wife and a mom. I live right outside of New York city. Um, and my day job for the past 10, 15 years has been as a marketing executive. So I’ve worked for, I started my career with the Boston Bruins. Um, I’ve worked for a ton of big brands, uh, a ton of small brands. I most currently lead marketing for a company called Daily Harvest, um, frozen food company, you know, about a hundred million plus, so sort of middle market. Um, and. We had been doing the W two thing for a really long time. My husband and I, we had a baby. Um,  our baby was about this now was I guess about a year and a half ago. Um, our baby was about four ish months old, got really sick, um, was in the ICU for a week and, I, my husband and I were like doing shifts in the ICU overnight and I was answering Slack messages in the ICU from my boss. And I just had a moment of realization of like, what am I doing? And so that is what started us on our short term rental journey. Um, we