Mike is the co-founder of The Hideaways and Build Your Hideaway, where he specializes in helping hosts maximize revenue through unique short-term rental builds. With a background in digital marketing, Mike has scaled from 0 to 19 properties in just three years, mastering the art of market research, design differentiation, and direct bookings along the way. In this episode of Direct Bookings Simplified, Mike shares his strategies for building a strong short-term rental business that isn’t solely reliant on OTAs like Airbnb. If you’re looking for practical insights on how to strengthen your direct booking pipeline, this one’s for you. Summary and Highlights Building a Direct Booking Strategy That Works 1. Control Your Business, Not Just Your Listings Many hosts rely entirely on platforms like Airbnb. But what happens if your listing is suddenly delisted? Mike emphasizes that while OTAs are a great tool, they shouldn’t be the foundation of your business. Instead, building a direct booking strategy gives you long-term control over your revenue streams. 2. Finding the Right Market Matters Mike scaled quickly by testing different markets, from Spokane to Blue Ridge to Red River Gorge, before discovering where he could generate the highest returns. For hosts looking to expand, Mike suggests analyzing: 3. The Power of Unique Stays Mike’s success comes from designing properties that stand out, whether through amenities, location, or design elements that create an emotional response. He advises: 4. Building a Direct Booking Engine Mike uses a combination of marketing tools to drive direct bookings, including: He emphasizes starting simple: “Even if you only have one property, start collecting emails now. Use Google Sheets if you have to, but build your list and nurture it.” 5. Leveraging Social Media for Direct Bookings Mike’s properties gain traction because of strategic content marketing: “We don’t use our own photos for marketing. We hire professionals or trade stays with influencers who know how to capture the magic of our places.” Final Thoughts: Take Control of Your STR Business If you’re looking to reduce your dependency on Airbnb and scale a sustainable short-term rental business, focus on: ✅ Market research & selecting high-potential locations ✅ Making your properties truly unique ✅ Consistently collecting & leveraging guest data ✅ Using professional content & influencer marketing to boost visibility 🚀 Interested in an optimized direct booking site? CraftedStays helps hosts build high-converting websites that drive direct bookings.  Book a demo today! Follow Mike Here ⤵️ Transcription Mike: If you’re going to build a business, you need to either control the whole thing, or you need to diversify the income sources that you have. So for the people that are only on Airbnb or only on booking. com or whatever they’re on, right, that’s a very dangerous place to be because you have a mortgage, you have utility bills, you have loans, you have all this stuff. Mike: And if Airbnb turns around tomorrow and says, Hey, nevermind, I’m not going to let you stay here. You broke our policies or whatever. And I’ve heard that happen to so many people where all of a sudden it’s like, it was just D listed. It’s like, what are you going to do? So I’m hyper focused on building my business, right? Mike: And Airbnb is a part of that booking. com Verbo. They are a part of that. The core of what I have is my marketing and my direct booking. Right. And that’s what I want because I can control that. So what I’ve done since day one is tried to build all of the database that I can apply customers. Gil: Hey folks, welcome back to a direct booking simplified where we break down the strategies and tactics to win in direct bookings on today’s show. I have Mike Sebastian, Mike, welcome to the show. Mike: Thank you. It’s good to be here. Gil: Yeah. Mike is, uh, the co founder of the hideaways. Um, you might hear from it as hideaways as the, the state that you can do, but also he has build your hideaways, which is actually more on the host consulting side of things. Gil: Um, Mike, do you mind giving folks a kind of an introduction to yourself and. Maybe it’s just first starting off with like how you got, and it got started with the hideaways to begin with. Mike: Yeah, absolutely. So I think my journey was kind of similar to a lot of people’s just stumbling into real estate side and then Airbnbs and then figuring out the boring houses weren’t really doing it for me. So getting more unique, more fun and then finding the results in that. But my, my background is marketing. Mike: Um, I ran a digital marketing agency for about 10 years and as I was in that, I realized that I was getting a little burnt out and there wasn’t a whole lot of tangible asset to the marketing agency. It was just the software systems and employees. And I wanted something that had a little more, you know, girth to it, I guess. Mike: And I started looking around at my, the friends that I thought were successful, the people that I would consider mentors and all of them were in real estate. So I dove into real estate. I started loving it immediately. I got a long term rental. Then I got a short term rental. And then I started researching how to grow, how to scale, how to get investment, all that kind of stuff. Mike: And really digging into the numbers and I, you know, went from, what was it? 2022 to 2025. So three years, I went from zero to 19 properties that we managed today. Um, pretty spread out across the United States for the initial ones, but now we’re honing in on a market in Red River Gorge, Kentucky, and we are getting more and more unique with every build that we do. Gil: Yeah. Was Red River Gorge the one that you first start off with, or is

Heather Bayer is a pioneer in the short-term rental industry, with over two decades of experience. She founded and ran a successful property management company overseeing 200+ properties before selling it in 2022. Now a full-time coach, consultant, and educator, Heather shares her deep knowledge of vacation rental best practices through her platform, Vacation Rental Formula. With a strong focus on trust, responsibility, and hospitality, she helps hosts and property managers refine their operations, improve guest experiences, and drive more direct bookings. Summary and Highlights 1. Trust is the Foundation of Direct Bookings One of the biggest challenges for direct bookings is convincing guests to trust your site over an OTA like Airbnb. Heather emphasizes the importance of strong trust signals, such as transparent policies, clear communication, and visible safety measures. “If someone lands on your website and doesn’t immediately trust you, they’ll head right back to Airbnb.” Practical Steps: 2. Direct Booking Success Starts with a Strong Website Your website is the first impression guests get of your brand, and it needs to feel as professional and reliable as any major booking platform. Heather suggests doing a thorough website audit as if you were a first-time guest. Does it clearly state where your properties are located? Are cancellation policies easy to find? Does it showcase why guests should book directly? Action Item: Take an hour to review your website, ensuring that it is visually appealing, easy to navigate, and packed with trust-building elements. 3. Why Safety & Sustainability Should Be Marketed, Not Just Managed Many hosts focus on safety and sustainability for risk mitigation, but Heather argues these are powerful marketing tools. Today’s travelers actively look for eco-friendly stays and secure properties. Steps to Leverage This: 4. The Power of Guest Experience in Repeat Direct Bookings Heather emphasizes that direct bookings are built on relationships. Guests who trust you and have a seamless experience are more likely to book directly in the future. Proven Guest Retention Strategies: “Your guests aren’t just booking a stay—they’re looking for an experience. If you provide an unforgettable one, they’ll come back and book directly.” Heather’s insights highlight that direct bookings aren’t just about technology or automation—they’re about building trust, ensuring responsibility, and delivering outstanding hospitality. If you focus on these elements, you’ll naturally grow your direct booking rate over time. Checkout Heather on heatherbayer.com Transcription Heather: Trust is the absolute primary. element that has to be brought into any direct booking strategy, because without trust you’re not going to get anybody who’s been out on Airbnb who spend billions to get guests to trust them to come to you with your website, small, medium, large website, but trust you enough to part with their money with you. Because you’re not showing those trust signals that Airbnb are. So that’s at the core of what we train and teach. And then we go into responsibility, which means your responsibility to safety, to, uh, regulatory compliance, to sustainability, to having the right insurance, all these things come together to actually create that trustworthy business. Gilbert: Hey folks, welcome back to Direct Booking Simplified, where we break down the strategies and tactics on how to win in direct bookings. On today’s show, I have Heather Bader. Heather, welcome to the show. Heather: Thank you so much. Thank you for having me on. This is, this is always, I always love being on the other side of the mic. Gilbert: Yeah, yeah. It’s fun to do this both sides. I actually, I think if I had a preference, it’s more fun to be a guest on the show than a host on the show. I don’t know why. It just, I don’t know. Maybe it’s because it’s change of pace and you get to relax and be the one to consume all the questions rather than thinking ahead about the next set of questions. Gilbert: I think it is a lot of fun being the guest. Heather: Well, as As I’ve been podcasting for nearly 14 years now. Every Wednesday for 14 years. It, it just is a great contrast to, to be asked the questions and not asking them. So, yeah, far away. Gilbert: maybe, maybe slight tangent there. Well, any word of advice for myself or anyone that’s getting into podcasts, thinking about it, how did you 14 years of quite a run in terms of pace there. And a lot of folks, I think even like the first six months, they start to give up. Like, what’s, what’s your secret to, to lasting quite, quite that time. Heather: Um, well, it is consistency. The only way to, to grow an audience is to be consistent. And if you’re continuously consistent, um, and this is why I’ve never done, I’ve never done, you know, Series 1, Series 2 or Season 1, Season 2. You know, I just. just publish every week and, and it becomes habit. It is, and you batch record. Heather: So, and, and the other thing is, is, is that if you really love the business and have passion for the business, you just love talking to people. So that just converts into a 45 minute recording. What, you know, what, what more can it Gilbert: hear you. I 100 percent hear you on that one. I, I’ve met so many people through this show and I’m sure it’ll resonate with you, but like, it’s a great way to tap into the greatest minds in the industry and ask the stupidest questions that you can think of. And you just feel very vulnerable about asking those types of questions because it helps a lot of folks. Heather: I, I’ve met, I think I’ve met just about everybody that has, you know, been at the core of this industry for so many, for decades. And, and it’s a huge honour to be in that position. And, and yes, get to ask whatever you want. And, yeah, get some, get some crazy answers sometimes. I, I, I will share, share one. Uh,

On this episode of Direct Booking Simplified, we sat down with Jodie, the Founder of Hospitable Hosts – a multi author book. She is also a property manager originally from Australia who built a thriving short-term rental business in the UK—all while managing it remotely from the other side of the world. Jodie shared her journey, the challenges of scaling a direct booking business, and why hospitality should always come first. Summary and Highlights Jodie started her short-term rental business in a small country town in the UK. After moving there with her family, she converted a separate cottage on their property into a short-term rental. What started as an experiment turned into a full-fledged business that survived regulatory changes, COVID-19, and the influx of competition in the market. Despite the growth of the industry and increasing competition, Jodie’s focus on guest experience and direct bookings has helped her stand out. Scaling a Direct Booking Business While Managing Remotely Jodie shared insights on how she successfully transitioned to managing her UK-based business from Australia. One of the biggest keys to her success? Building a reliable team and systemizing operations. Why Hospitality is More Important Than Ever As more investors flood the short-term rental market, Jodie sees a major divide between those who treat it as a real hospitality business and those who chase quick profits. As Jodie said: “A lot of people got into this business thinking they could make quick money, but they underestimated the work involved. The ones who truly enjoy hospitality and have built solid systems are the ones thriving right now” Her advice to hosts looking to stand out? Make hospitality a core part of your business strategy. The Birth of Hospitable Hosts: A Community Focused on Raising the Standard Jodie is also the founder of Hospitable Hosts, a collective of professional short-term rental operators dedicated to elevating hospitality standards. What started as a book project—bringing together 40 hosts to share their stories—has grown into a movement. Hospitable Hosts aims to educate hosts on the power of putting guests first. They believe that Hospitality isn’t just about a bottle of wine at check-in; it’s about genuine care and service. A New Initiative: The Hospitable Hosts Summit Jodie announced an upcoming Hospitable Hosts Summit, happening in April 2025 in Denver, Colorado. Unlike traditional conferences, this summit will be hands-on, focusing on real strategies hosts can implement immediately to enhance their hospitality game and increase direct bookings. Jodie’s #1 Direct Booking Tip One simple strategy that has helped Jodie increase repeat guests? A tangible takeaway. “I leave a branded postcard in every property that thanks guests for staying and offers them 15% off their next visit if they book direct. Having something physical they can take home really makes a difference.” Follow Jodie Here ⤵️ Transcription Jodie: There’s a lot of people out there stating you can make X amount of money when you have an Airbnb or a property business, but it’s, it’s hard work and not everybody can keep up with that. And the hospitality side of things. So dealing with people, dealing with the guests, dealing with the public, you know, um, that’s, that can be tricky. Gil: Hey folks, welcome back to Direct Booking Simplified, where we break down the strategies and tactics of direct bookings. On today’s show, I have Jodie. Jodie, welcome to the show. Jodie: Hi Gil, thanks for having me on. Gil: Yeah, I am so happy to have you here. You are one of my favorite people that I met in, I think 2024. Um, Jodie: We did meet in 2024. Yeah, Gil: it feels like a long time ago. Um, Jodie: does. Yes. We’ve had lots of conversations. Gil: yeah. Um, do you mind giving folks a quick introduction on who you are? Jodie: Sure, sure. So, um, hi everyone. My name is Jodie. Um, I’m a host just like you, uh, listening in. Um, I have a property management company in the UK, but you can probably tell from my voice that I’m Australian. So, um, I have a pretty unique standing where I I’m a very remote host. I host from the other side of the world because I’ve not long relocated back to Australia, but I kept my business operating in the UK, which has all sorts of, uh, shall we say challenges, but it’s working. So far, so good. Gil: Yeah. Jodie: So I, Gil: how many units in the UK do you have? Jodie: uh, so I have 15 properties that I look after. Um, I have different styles of doing that. I look after, I manage two people’s properties and the rest are mine that I have on rent to rent or rent to arbitrage as you call it there. Gil: Wow. So you, when you started that, were you living in the UK before moving to Australia or how did you kind of land on this? Jodie: Yeah, I was. So I’ve lived out of Australia for a long period of time, 12 years, actually, and we were living in Europe, and then we decided I’ve got three children. Um, we were homeschooling as we were traveling, and, uh, it was time for the older two to kind of knuckle down and get some qualifications in their schooling. So we settled on the UK and we found ourselves in a beautiful little country town called Tetbury, which is actually where the the king lives. He has a house there. Um, so it’s one of those unique places. Um, you know, when you think of like stone cottages and green rolling hills. That you see on the television and in movies, that’s the type of environment that it is. And we got a home with some land and it had a separate cottage on it and just near the house. And we thought, what are we going to do with this? And we can store bikes or we could just keep it for when

Ever wondered how to break free from OTAs and take control of your bookings? Sarah Pell did just that. She went from teaching elementary school to managing a thriving short-term rental portfolio using a mix of ownership, arbitrage, and co-hosting. In this episode of Direct Bookings Simplified, Sarah reveals the exact strategies she used to scale her business, build a strong direct booking system, and maximize profitability—without overcomplicated tech. Summary and Highlights Building a Portfolio with Three STR Strategies “Arbitrage really opened up my world. Just within a year and a half, I had acquired four. Compared to saving for a single purchase, it was a game-changer.” Sarah’s path to STR success wasn’t conventional. After getting into real estate through house hacking, she realized that long-term rentals weren’t providing the cash flow she wanted. Instead, she turned to vacation rentals. She initially purchased a condo in Orange Beach but quickly recognized that saving for down payments would take too long. That’s when she discovered rental arbitrage, allowing her to scale faster. Within a year and a half, Sarah went from one STR to four through arbitrage, while also co-hosting for other owners. Balancing ownership, arbitrage, and co-hosting has given her a well-rounded perspective on managing STRs and optimizing guest experiences. Direct Booking Strategies That Work Sarah emphasizes that while starting on platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo is essential, building direct bookings is what truly allows STR owners to scale. Here are some of the strategies that have worked for her: 1. Leveraging Facebook Groups for Direct Bookings One of Sarah’s biggest game-changers was tapping into Facebook groups to promote her listings. Instead of relying solely on Airbnb, she joined vacation rental and travel-related groups in her market. “I found that Facebook groups were like a secret sauce. I would join groups for vacation stays in my area and respond to travelers looking for dates with a direct booking link. That was a huge boost early on.”  2. Using Repeat Guests to Drive More Direct Bookings Sarah actively encourages repeat guests to book directly. She offers a 15% discount to returning guests who book through her direct website and includes promotional business cards and magnets inside her properties. “We text every guest after their stay with a promo code they can share with friends and family. It’s a simple way to encourage direct bookings.”  3. Capturing Guest Emails for Long-Term Success Sarah initially collected guest emails manually but later streamlined the process using her property management software. Her team now sends email campaigns and promotional offers to past guests through MailChimp. “Even before I had MailChimp, I was manually emailing past guests with BCC. You don’t need a fancy system to start—just start collecting emails.”  4. Setting Up a Strong Direct Booking Website While Sarah started with a simple site, she’s now investing in making it more streamlined and guest-friendly. She plans to integrate better search functionality and branding to make it easier for guests to find and book her properties. Automation vs. Personalization in Direct Bookings One key takeaway from Sarah’s journey is that automation is helpful, but personal connection matters. While she uses automated text and email follow-ups, she still handles guest communications manually to ensure a personal touch. “I still handle my guest messaging personally because I want to interact with them. It helps me understand their concerns and improve my guest experience.” Scaling Direct Bookings with the Right Tools Sarah’s experience shows that you don’t need a complex system to succeed with direct bookings—you just need the right mindset and simple, effective strategies. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to scale, her approach proves that taking small steps, like leveraging Facebook groups and collecting emails, can make a big impact. If you want to hear Sarah’s full journey and her step-by-step direct booking tactics, listen to the full episode of Direct Bookings Simplified [link to podcast episode]. Join the Community Want to connect with like-minded STR owners focused on direct bookings? Join our community, where we discuss strategies, share insights, and support each other in building sustainable short-term rental businesses. [Link to community] Looking to optimize your direct booking site? At CraftedStays, we help STR owners create high-converting, mobile-optimized direct booking websites. If you’re ready to take control of your bookings and maximize revenue, check out CraftedStays today. Follow Sarah Here ⤵️ Transcription Sarah: Part of my direct booking as well is Facebook groups. So I do have a business Facebook page and you wouldn’t even need to do a page. I’ve done it even just personally. And I will have a little message with my direct booking link. And so what I do is join these groups. So like, um, you know, vacation stays of orange beach, and I will go in there and I will look for people that are searching for dates to come and I will just copy and paste my little message about my condo and. I have found that was like a, in the beginning to a huge boost in like my direct bookings is I found that a lot of people would find me on Facebook and then reach out on my direct booking website. And so I would say that, uh, I feel like Facebook groups are kind of like a secret sauce. I mean, cause you can find co hosts, you know, arbitrage, properties, direct booking clients. Like it kind of, it’s all, all there. 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 Sarah Pell. Sarah, welcome to the show. Sarah: Thank you, Gail, for having me. I’m excited to be here. Gil: Yeah. As we get into it, do you mind giving folks a quick introduction on who you are? Folks may have seen you on Instagram or other places, but yeah. Introduce yourself. Sarah: Yeah, of course. So, I’m originally from Pierce, South Dakota. That’s where I was born and

 “Trust comes from having a secure site and a seamless booking process. If your site instills confidence, guests will book without hesitation.” – Jennifer Spencer In the latest episode of Direct Booking Simplified, we sat down with Jennifer Spencer, a seasoned host with over a decade of experience in the vacation rental industry. Jennifer owns two stunning properties: one nestled in the Canadian Rockies and another in the sunny paradise of Maui. Her journey from renting a family ski getaway to running a thriving vacation rental business offers a wealth of insights for both seasoned hosts and newcomers alike. Summary & Highlights A Journey from Ski Enthusiast to Business Success Jennifer’s story began ten years ago when she purchased her first vacation rental property in the Canadian Rockies. Initially intended as a home base for her family’s ski trips, Jennifer soon realized its potential as a vacation rental. “Back then,” she shared, “Airbnb wasn’t even in my market. The primary player was VRBO, and there were no guest fees.” Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to transform the property into a six-figure revenue business. Fast forward to 2021, Jennifer expanded her portfolio by purchasing a property in Maui. This move showcased her ability to diversify not just geographically but also seasonally, offering her guests a choice between the ski slopes and the sea. The Turning Point: Building a Direct Booking Website In 2017, Expedia’s acquisition of VRBO was a pivotal moment for Jennifer. Recognizing the growing control OTAs were gaining over her business, she decided to establish her own direct booking website. “I didn’t want to be 100% reliant on a large multinational company,” she explained. “Having my own site gave me the ability to capture repeat bookings, reduce guest fees, and build direct relationships with my guests.” This decision not only provided Jennifer with more control but also helped her retain a larger share of her revenue. Key Strategies for Direct Booking Success Jennifer shared several actionable strategies during the episode that have been instrumental in her direct booking success: The Importance of Taking Action Jennifer’s advice for hosts looking to grow their direct booking strategies is simple: “Take action.” Whether it’s setting up a property management system, building a direct booking website, or sending your first marketing email, she believes progress comes from doing. “You’ll learn and grow from the process,” she encouraged. Join the Conversation This episode is packed with more insights, including Jennifer’s mindset on overcoming perfectionism and how she cross-markets her properties. Be sure to listen to the full episode for a deep dive into her strategies. Want to connect with like-minded hosts and learn more direct booking strategies? Join our Direct Booking Simplified community and continue the conversation. And if you’re ready to take control of your bookings, CraftedStays can help you build a secure, guest-friendly website that reflects your unique brand. Book a demo today and see how we can help you grow your direct bookings. Follow Jennifer Here ⤵️ Transcription Jennifer: Trust comes from having a secure site from having a tool in place that is seamless for them to book. And when you start to put kind of roadblocks or friction or things that make them question, they may not proceed with the booking, right? So I think a testament to your site is if people book and you have had no conversation with, like, I get that. Jennifer: You know, someone just books off my site, my, my direct booking site. And I’m like, awesome. I don’t know necessarily. I mean, I could find out where they came from, Google analytics and things like that, but like when I initially get that, I’m like, awesome. That means my site looked trustworthy enough that they would just go ahead and make that booking without reaching out to me, without asking me any questions. Jennifer: Right. And that’s what you want, right? You want the credibility and the authority and trustworthiness that people get from booking on an Airbnb or on Airbnb or VRBO. That’s why they’re working there, right? So if you can instill that confidence in your own site, then that’s when you’ll have a lot of success with direct bookings. Gil: Hey folks. Welcome back to direct booking simplified. We break down the strategies and tactics to win and direct bookings on today’s show. I have Jennifer Spencer, Jennifer. Welcome to the show. Jennifer: Thank you. So great to be here. Thanks for having me. Gil: Yeah. Where are you calling in from right Jennifer: Uh, I am in Calgary, Canada. Um, it’s a little bit chilly here right now. Um, so yeah, I’m, I’m located in, in, uh, Canada. Gil: Yeah. And you’re also, you have properties also in the States, not the, not the major islands, Jennifer: Yeah, Gil: but the minor islands. Jennifer: yes, well, I have exactly. Yes, that’s true. So, yeah, I own 2 vacation rental properties. 1 is in the Canadian Rockies here close to my house. It’s still 4 hour drive and the other 1 we have in Maui, we just bought in 2021 so and I have owned my Canadian property for 10 years and actually just celebrated 10 years. Jennifer: So, like, 10 years, about 3 days ago, we got the keys to that property and it’s, uh. Totally changed my life. Gil: Wow, what was the story behind getting that first Canadian Rockies property there? Jennifer: Yeah. So, I mean, I’ve always been into real estate and I bought my first place when I was like, 24. It’s always been my thing. Um, but the reason we actually bought this particular property is that we are a ski family and all three of my kids were ski racing and we were coming back and forth from the mountains a lot. Jennifer: And so we decided, okay, let’s, you know, get a, Home base in the mountains and so we bought this property and really with not the intention of having it

“I didn’t know there was a thing called direct bookings. I just knew I needed to do what I had to do—build my own brand and go after my own bookings.”   In our latest episode of Direct Bookings Simplified, we sat down with Jenn Boyles, a trailblazer in the world of direct bookings and marketing strategies for short-term rentals. Jenn has a wealth of experience as a host, marketer, and coach, and her journey from hosting an apartment in France to launching her marketing platform, BookDirectPro, is nothing short of inspiring. Jenn’s insights into building a successful direct booking strategy are invaluable. Here’s a snapshot of what we discussed—be sure to listen to the full episode for more tips on Simplifying your Direct Bookings Summary & Highlights Meet Jenn BoylesJenn Boyles is the founder and CEO of Direct Booking Success – the podcast | the summit | the program. Her mission is to help vacation/short-term rental property managers, owners and hosts increase their revenue and control with the power of direct bookings. She started as a property manager and owner herself, managing her own award-winning properties from 2013 to 2024. Finding herself with a property in an over-saturated area was what initially led her down the path of building her own direct booking business. She is the host of the weekly Direct Booking Success Podcast which is produced with a mix of educational solo episodes and interviews with Hospitality and Accommodation professionals along with fellow property managers and owners.  Jenn is also the founder of the annual Direct Booking Success Summit. This event is a FREE marketing and hospitality educational online summit for vacation/short-term rental property managers and owners who want to increase their revenue and control in their own business with direct bookings. Her latest venture is founding Book Direct Pro, the all-in-one marketing platform built for vacation rental pros by a vacation rental pro. With Book Direct Pro, Jenn aims to simplify and streamline the entire marketing process, giving hosts more control over their bookings and profits. It’s designed to cut out the middleman, empower property managers, and make direct bookings a breeze. 1. The Power of Storytelling in Marketing Jenn’s success in the UK stemmed from building a strong brand before launching her property. By documenting the construction and branding of her unique canal boat in Liverpool, she created a buzz and established trust with potential guests. “People followed the journey and joined a waitlist, so when we launched, they were ready to book.” Tip for Hosts: Share the story behind your property—whether it’s a renovation project, local attractions, or memorable guest experiences. Use social media, email newsletters, and even simple videos to bring your journey to life. 2. Start with One Property (and One Strategy) Contrary to popular belief, direct bookings aren’t just for large portfolios. Jenn emphasized how smaller hosts can leverage their personal touch and storytelling to compete with big players. “You don’t need 50 properties to make this worthwhile. Even with one or two, you can create a personal connection that larger operators can’t match.”  Actionable Idea: If you’re a remote host, batch-create content during visits. Showcase your property’s personality, local attractions, and unique amenities. 3. Focus on Guest Data Collection Jenn highlighted the importance of owning your guest relationships through email marketing. Platforms like Airbnb won’t share guest data, so hosts need to find ways to capture it independently. “Once you have their email, you can connect directly, nurture relationships, and bring them back for future stays.”  Practical Advice: Use tools like Wi-Fi sign-ups, digital registration forms, or automated guest surveys to collect guest emails. 4. Leverage Automation and Tools For busy hosts balancing multiple responsibilities, Jenn stressed the value of automation. Her platform, BookDirectPro, simplifies marketing by combining email marketing, social media scheduling, landing pages, and more into one tool. “Marketing doesn’t have to take over your life. Set up systems, automate what you can, and focus on what matters.” Pro Tip: Use automation to schedule social media posts and email campaigns. Dedicate time monthly to batch-create content, then let technology do the heavy lifting. 5. Build Trust Through Personalization Jenn shared how personalization drives direct booking conversions. Adding an “About Us” section, featuring reviews, and showcasing local attractions on your website can make all the difference. “People want to know who’s behind the brand. Share your story—it builds trust and encourages bookings.”  Quick Win: Update your website with a personalized bio and real photos of your team or family to foster trust with potential guests. Start Building Your Direct Booking Strategy TodayJenn’s journey is a testament to the power of storytelling, relationship-building, and leveraging the right tools to grow your direct bookings. Whether you’re just starting or looking to scale, her advice is clear: take one step at a time and focus on strategies that align with your goals and resources. If you’re ready to take control of your bookings, don’t miss the chance to try Jenn’s all-in-one marketing platform, BookDirectPro. Use code DIRECTSUCCESS for 50% off your first month, and schedule a free onboarding call to get started. Follow Jenn Here ⤵️ Transcription Gil: Welcome back to direct booking. Simplify where you break down the strategies and tactics to win in direct bookings on today’s show, I have Jenn Boyles, Jenn, welcome to the show. Jenn: Aw, thanks Gil. Thanks for having me. Gil: Yeah, it’s, it’s such a familiar voice. I’ve listened to your podcast on my car drives a lot. Um, so it’s really good to have you on, on this show as well. Jenn: Aw, thanks so much. I hope I haven’t caused any accidents. Gil: No, no, it’s a, it’s a, it’s a very calming conversation. So if anything, it helped me focus. Yeah, there’s not many shows in the direct booking space, um, that talks about direct booking. So I think there’s like the R2 shows and maybe a two or three others. And that’s pretty much it about direct bookings. Um, there’s a lot of more general, um, short term rental ones, but not

When you think of hostels, the image of a small, budget-friendly, often outdated lodging comes to mind. Nathan and Michael, the co-founders of Howzit Hostels, are flipping that narrative. In our latest podcast episode of Direct Booking Simplified, these two entrepreneurs shared how they leveraged their backgrounds in real estate and luxury short-term rentals to redefine what a hostel can be—and how their direct booking strategy is a game-changer Summary and Highlights Meet the Founders Nathan and Michael are the driving forces behind Howzit Hostels, a brand synonymous with upscale, community-driven hostel experiences in Hawaii. With $10 million in assets, $2.5 million in annual revenue, and awards like “Best Hostel in North America,” their journey is as much about bold decisions as it is about smart strategies. Their story began in the midst of the pandemic when most were pulling back. They took a leap of faith and acquired their first hostel in Maui. By listening to guests, implementing airtight systems, and building a values-aligned team, they’ve turned a once-average property into a high-performing hospitality business. The Secret Sauce: Direct Bookings One of the most valuable insights Nathan and Michael shared was their approach to direct bookings. By increasing their direct bookings by 12%, they’ve not only saved $59,000 annually in OTA commissions but have also increased the valuation of their business by $630,000. As Nathan explained, “Direct bookings are not just about revenue; they directly impact net income, which drives valuation. For a commercial hospitality business like ours, that’s everything.” Direct Booking Tactics That Work Mindset and Tactical Advice Nathan’s mindset advice was simple but profound: “Reframe your relationship with fear and failure.” Michael’s tactical advice? Don’t hesitate to seek help, whether it’s through your network or professionals. Why It Matters For hosts navigating the ever-competitive hospitality market, Nathan and Michael’s story is a reminder that bold decisions, meticulous planning, and leveraging the right strategies can lead to remarkable results. If you want to hear more about how they’ve built their business, tackled challenges, and created a sustainable direct booking strategy, listen to the full episode of Direct Booking Simplified. Join the CommunityWe’re passionate about empowering hosts with tools and strategies to succeed. Join our CraftedStays community to connect with like-minded professionals, learn proven tactics, and discover how our platform can help you build a direct booking powerhouse. Follow Michael and Russell Here ⤵️ 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 Howzit Hostiles, Nathan, and Michael. Welcome to the show. Nathan: Yeah, it’s great to be on. Thanks for having us, Gil. Gil: this is pretty cool. I’ll admit to both of you that this is our first pairing. We’re like 40, almost 50 episodes deep and we have not yet had a duel on the show. So I’m very interested in how this is going to be and how we can bounce ideas off each other. It’s always been a one on one. I haven’t even done a single show, uh, to be quite honest, but I’m very interested in kind of like having you guys both here and, uh, having you guys talk about just how you guys, Divide and conquer both sides of your business. Gil: Um, but before we get too deep into it, uh, Nathan, Michael, do you mind kind of sharing a little bit about your property management, what you guys have done and kind of how you guys work together? Nathan: Yeah, absolutely. So I’ll kind of kick us off here. Um, so Mike Russell and myself were the, the co founders, uh, of Howzit Hostiles. Um, if you, we each have our own story, obviously that, uh, from a, from an origin story that led to a moment. But, um, I think what people are most interested in with us, there’s, there’s two sides of our story that, that we share. Nathan: That people are drawn to, um, and, and want to hear about. And one side of it is the, kind of the investment in the real estate side where, you know, we, we basically. Took a 400, 000, uh, down payment and investment and, uh, forced about 4 million of equity in under two years. And that has now led to us owning from that 400, 000 down payment, 10 million worth of assets, uh, where we’re driving. Nathan: You know, 2. 5 million worth of revenue, uh, 800, 000 worth of NOI and 500, 000 worth of net income. And so from the investment side, I think that that part of the story is like, wow, you guys really compressed time and utilized your entire life’s work to recognize an opportunity and then jumped on it and, and, and took advantage. Nathan: From the hospitality side. I think that the part that people really go, Whoa, wait a minute, what hostile, what is a hostile? You know, like, aren’t these all dirty dingy things that like, and, um, again, we, we recognized opportunity and when they go, Whoa, they go look at our website, they go look at what we’re doing. Nathan: Um, there’s these two, these two guys. knew nothing about hostels and in the midst of a pandemic when everybody else was, you know, you know, really wait, you know, sitting back going, what’s going to happen to the world. We decided to take massive action and go all in on our vision and uh, purchased an, an existing hostel. Nathan: And in two and a half years, uh, we were awarded as the best hostel in the North America. And so people from the hospitality side are like, wait a minute, you had no experience and you went in and created the best hostel in North America. What the heck? And, um, and so when we look at the hospitality side of what we’ve done, we really attribute that to these three, three major components. Nathan: And

Rodman Schley is a seasoned real estate investor and short-term rental expert with an impressive career spanning decades. Starting with fix-and-flip properties to pay for college, Rodman’s journey evolved into a passion for short-term vacation rentals. With over $20 billion in valuations as a certified appraiser, he’s mastered the art of analyzing markets and making strategic investments. Today, his portfolio focuses on high-performing properties in Costa Rica, where he blends his love for travel with his investment expertise. Rodman’s philosophy is simple: align with your purpose, strive for excellence, and create exceptional guest experiences. Summary and Highlights In our recent episode of Direct Booking Simplified, Rodman shared invaluable insights into his journey, strategies, and mindset for mastering direct bookings. Here are the key takeaways: 1. Purpose Over Profit Rodman emphasized the importance of aligning with your purpose. “Make sure you love what you do,” he said. By combining his passions for travel and investing, Rodman found success in the short-term rental space. His advice? Be an outlier. Don’t settle for mediocrity—strive to be exceptional. 2. Why Direct Bookings Matter With a 50% direct booking rate, Rodman’s properties stand out for their exceptional guest experiences. He highlighted how direct bookings not only reduce fees but also reflect the strength of your operations. According to Rodman, each guest’s stay is a testament to your management, systems, and property’s appeal. Quote: “Think of that guest in your property right now as your most valuable opportunity to grow your direct booking rate.” 3. Building Relationships for Repeat Bookings Rodman’s approach to guest relationships is unparalleled. With an attentive onsite manager and a concierge service, his team ensures every guest feels like family. From arranging surf lessons to hosting community-style retreats, Rodman’s properties deliver more than a stay—they create lasting memories. 4. Effective Email Marketing Rodman’s email marketing strategy is simple but powerful. Monthly newsletters keep guests engaged with updates and offers, while post-stay thank-you emails nurture relationships. By focusing on value and maintaining consistent communication, his properties remain top of mind for past guests. Pro Tip: Include updates about the community and special offers in your emails to encourage repeat bookings without overwhelming your audience. 5. Conservative Planning, Exceptional Execution Rodman stressed the importance of realistic financial planning. By underestimating revenues and overestimating expenses, he mitigates risk and ensures his properties consistently perform. This conservative approach allows him to focus on outperforming his projections. Follow Rodman Here ⤵️ Transcription Rodman: I was led with profit and purpose was always second. And those don’t work out. Make sure you love what you do. If you’re coming to the short term vacation space, make sure you love it. For me, I love to invest and I love to travel. That was a perfect thing for me. So I, that’s why I love the short term vacation rental space. But the other thing I tell people is, you know, there’s so many people, if you think about life as being this big bell curve, right? So many people are in this easy space right in the middle of the bell curve. And I always say, you know, if you’re going to do something, be exceptional at it, be an outlier in it. So if you’re aligned with your purpose and you put in the work, be an outlier, be, be exceptional, be an expert at what you do. Gilbert: Hey folks, welcome back to direct booking. Simplify. We break down the strategies and tactics to win and direct bookings on today’s show. I have Robin Schley. Robin, did I say that correctly? Rodman: You said it, right. Gilbert: Awesome. Well, it’s great to have you on the show. Gilbert: Um, it’s great to, I met you a couple of weeks back and I’m, I’m thrilled to have you on the show and kind of talk about how you’ve grown in real estate, what you’re doing now, um, and share with us, uh, some tips on how to really amp up that direct bookings basically, because when I learned what your direct booking rate is, I definitely wanted you to, to share that with the group here. Gilbert: Awesome. Rodman: Yeah. Yeah. I’m excited to be here. Excited to talk. We had a great conversation when you were on my podcast and, uh, you know, it’s always just nice to be able to share this knowledge and this, this information that you collect with people and pass it on down to those folks who maybe want to figure out how to be an outlier in the space, how to be great, how to be an expert. Gilbert: Yeah. Yeah. And I always find that like through the podcast, like the best way to do that is really to get a mixture or like almost like a melting pot of different perspectives because I find that like, there’s not one, you know, that’s like going into real estate investing, starting your own business, doing anything. Gilbert: There’s not run one way to do it. Right. Um, and it’s often. Yeah. Many, many different ways of doing it. Right. And it may have different outcomes. They may have different timelines, but people approach it different ways. But the best thing to really do is really educate on what people are doing and finding out what, what works for you. Rodman: Yeah. How do you optimize, how do you get better at what you’re doing and how do you learn from others and optimize what they’re doing? And, you know, it’s a really small community of people who are doing what we’re doing. And so when we get a chance to lift other people up, teach, educate, learn from them, you gotta, you gotta jump on that. Gilbert: Yeah, absolutely. Well, before we get too far into it, do you mind giving a quick introduction on who you are, what you’re doing now, kind of how you got here? Rodman: Yeah, of course. No, of course. Like you said, I’m Robin Schley. I, uh, I’m a real estate

In our latest podcast episode, we had the pleasure of hosting Breanna Williams, founder and principal designer of Mumford Designs. Breanna specializes in short-term rentals (STR) and mid-term rentals (MTR), blending interior design, market research, and marketing strategy to create unforgettable guest experiences. With over 15 years of design expertise and a particular passion for hybrid rental properties, Breanna shared invaluable insights into leveraging thoughtful design to boost direct bookings. Summary and Highlights From Retail Showroom to STR Design Specialist Breanna’s journey began in high school, where her love for design was sparked by her parents’ homebuilding projects. After completing her degree in interior design, she worked at Lazy Boy Furniture Galleries, where she oversaw design projects for homes across diverse settings. In 2020, she founded Mumford Designs, focusing on STR and MTR properties. This transition allowed her to merge her design expertise with marketing strategies tailored to maximize occupancy and revenue. The Power of Knowing Your Guest Avatar One of the key takeaways from the episode is the importance of understanding your “guest avatar” before setting up your rental property. As Breanna explained: “If you’re trying to appeal to everyone, you’re not giving anyone a true custom experience. Knowing your guest avatar fully directs every decision, from design to marketing.” Breanna recommends starting with a property audit that combines: Bonus Article: Unveiling the Art of Guest Communication: “WHO-WHERE-HOW” Designing for Hybrid STR/MTR Properties Hybrid properties that cater to both STR and MTR audiences require a unique design approach. Breanna’s framework involves creating a Venn diagram of overlapping guest needs. For example: In a recent project in Newport Beach, Breanna designed a property targeted at families displaced due to home repairs. The home featured practical amenities such as twin beds for kids, a dedicated homework area, and a pet-friendly setup—a stark contrast to the impersonal nature of hotel stays. The Role of Photography in Marketing Photography can make or break a listing, and Breanna emphasized the importance of aligning your visuals with your target audience: “Every photo should tell a story about who your property is designed for. If you’re targeting families, show the pack-and-play, board games, or a cozy firepit perfect for roasting s’mores.” To achieve this: Breanna’s Top Tactical Tip for Direct Bookings When asked for her top piece of tactical advice, Breanna didn’t hesitate: “Know your guest avatar fully before purchasing items or setting up your property. It saves you money and ensures every design decision attracts your ideal guest.” A Mindset Shift for Hosts Starting something new can feel overwhelming. Breanna shared a mantra that keeps her motivated: “Not ‘I have to do this,’ but ‘I get to do this.’ Embrace the opportunity to learn and grow through every challenge.” Join the CraftedStays Community This episode was packed with actionable insights, but there’s even more to discover. Listen to the full episode to dive deeper into Breanna’s frameworks and strategies for STR success. Looking to take your direct booking game to the next level? CraftedStays offers tools to help you build a website tailored to your brand and guest avatar. With features like customizable templates and integrated booking flows, we simplify the process so you can focus on hosting. Join our community of like-minded hosts to exchange ideas, learn from experts like Breanna, and optimize your short-term rental business. Ready to elevate your STR strategy? Book a demo or explore CraftedStays today! Follow Breanna Here ⤵️ Transcription Gil: Hey folks, welcome back to direct booking simplified. We break down the strategies and tactics to win in direct bookings on today’s show, I have Brianna Williams, Brianna, welcome to the show.  Breanna: Hi, thank you for having me.  Gil: Yeah, I love doing this because we actually had our podcast recording a couple, actually about probably a week back now, and I’m actually thrilled to have you on this show. Gil: To talk, to have you as the guest on here. Um, so welcome, welcome here. Um, before we get too deep into it, do you mind kind of giving folks an introduction on who you are?  Breanna: Sure. So my name is Brianna Williams. I am the founder and principal designer for Mumford designs. So we specialize in short term rentals and midterm rentals. Breanna: Um, and we handle interior design, a little bit of marketing strategy, a lot of market research. And essentially we just take all of the data in that market research phase and point it straight, straight towards the design, um, and kind of gear all of that towards how we’re going to market their property. Gil: Nice. How did you get started in, in, in this business?  Breanna: Oh, it’s been a long journey. I’ve been designing for almost 15 years. So in high school, it kind of clicked for me that interior design is something that I wanted to do. When I was growing up, I would go to model homes with my parents all the time. And my dad built a lot of our childhood home with his own hands. Breanna: My mom would always do the decorating and so on and so forth. So it’s kind of just something that I knew that I wanted to do for so long. So right out of high school, I went to school for interior design, and then I got out of school and I’m like, wait. How do I get a job in interior design? So I ended up falling into retail and I worked as a designer for a retail showroom for, um, almost 10 years. Breanna: And in 2020, I left there and I started my own business and it kind of just happened by happenstance that I fell into working specifically with investors on everything from fix and flips, you know, consulting on paint colors and tile selection, you Into short term rentals and eventually midterm rentals, which is kind of midterm rentals and hybrids are like my niche, my, that’s my favorite thing to do. Gil: Interesting.

In our latest episode of Direct Booking Simplified, we had the privilege of hosting Stacy St. John, a powerhouse in the short-term rental (STR) industry. She is a Cincinnati-based STR investor and host with properties located 10 hours away in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She is the founder of the STR Sisterhood, a vibrant community exclusively for women in the industry, with over 62,000 members. Stacy also hosts the STR Sisterhood Podcast and runs coaching programs designed to empower women in STRs. From building thriving communities to mastering direct bookings, Stacy shared invaluable insights that both seasoned hosts and newcomers can learn from. Here are some highlights from our conversation that will inspire you to take actionable steps toward increasing your direct bookings. Summary and Highlights Meet Stacy St. John Stacy St. John’s journey into property management is a story of resilience and learning. “From the start, I built a team around me,” Stacy shared. “It was an absolute necessity given the demands of my corporate job.” Fast forward to today, Stacy operates a full-fledged property management company with a team dedicated to excellence and guest satisfaction. Key Takeaways on Direct Booking Strategies Stacy emphasized the importance of blending strategy and personalization when driving direct bookings. Here are some of the strategies she uses to stand out: 1. Leverage Local Directories “Being part of the Chamber of Commerce and other local directories is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to increase visibility,” Stacy explained. These listings not only help attract local guests but also improve your website’s SEO by generating high-authority backlinks. 2. Optimize for Repeat Guests Stacy ensures every guest knows how to book directly with her in the future. From branded materials in her properties to personalized follow-ups, she creates a seamless path for repeat bookings. “If they’re great guests, we always invite them back with a discount offer,” she added. 3. Email Marketing Done Right Email marketing is a cornerstone of Stacy’s direct booking strategy. She’s focused on creating segmented campaigns tailored to specific guest profiles. For instance, golfers receive updates about upcoming golf events in Myrtle Beach, while families get tips on family-friendly activities. “It’s all about delivering value that’s relevant to their experience with us,” she emphasized. 4. Invest in SEO-Driven Content To drive organic traffic, Stacy’s team regularly publishes blog posts optimized for SEO. “We’re focusing on topics that resonate with our audience, like seasonal events and travel tips, and repurposing this content into our email campaigns,” she explained. 5. Guest Verification Tools “When you’re handling direct bookings, tools like Superhog are game-changers,” Stacy said. These platforms help ensure guests are verified, protecting your business from chargebacks and disputes. Mindset Matters Beyond strategies, Stacy shared powerful mindset advice for hosts navigating the complexities of STRs. “The person holding you back from your next level is often yourself,” she noted. By investing in personal growth and confidence, you can unlock your full potential as a host and business owner. Take Your Direct Bookings to the Next Level Ready to implement these strategies? Don’t miss the full episode of Direct Booking Simplified for deeper insights and actionable advice from Stacy St. John. Looking to grow your direct booking business? Join the STR Sisterhood community or check out Stacy’s coaching programs to learn from one of the best in the industry. Visit Stacy’s website to connect and explore her resources. CraftedStays: Your Partner in Direct Booking Success At CraftedStays, we’re here to empower hosts like you to build professional, SEO-optimized direct booking websites without the hassle. From intuitive templates to advanced features that make managing bookings seamless, we’re committed to helping you thrive. Learn more about our platform and how it can support your direct booking journey. Book a demo today! Follow Stacey Here ⤵️ Transcription Stacey: I think the one piece of tactical advice I would say is utilize a third party tool that can help you verify your guests. As we know, if Airbnb takes a booking and someone pays Airbnb, Airbnb pays us out. If someone disputes a charge on their credit card to Airbnb, Airbnb is not clawing back the money from us. Stacey: They are eating that, right? When we have a direct booking situation, if someone disputes a charge on their credit card, it is coming out of our bank account. Right. So having a third party verification tool, I use super hog in my own business. That has been tremendously helpful, but I think whether you use super hog or someone else, make sure that you’ve got the right resources to be able to. Stacey: Dispute a charge back, but then also hopefully avoid them altogether. 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 Stacy, Stacy, welcome to the show.  Stacey: Thank you so much. Thanks for having me. I’m excited to be here.  Gil: I’m so excited to have you on here. I’ve heard your name from so many people. Gil: So many people referred me to you to have, have you on my show. So I’m really glad to finally have you here.  Stacey: Awesome. That’s great.  Gil: And  Stacey: thanks to all the people who referred me.  Gil: Yeah. And it was good to be on your show just, uh, just a few weeks back too. That was really fun to kind of walk your, your audience through kind of what we’re doing and. Gil: Kind of how we approach things. I appreciate you, uh, lending me your audience to, to spread our word.  Stacey: I think you’re doing amazing stuff. So it’s, it’s my pleasure.  Gil: I appreciate that. Well, I, your, your name is pretty well known in the industry. Um, but for those that haven’t come across the name, Stacy St. John, Who, who are you? Stacey: How much time do we have here? No. So I, uh, well, I, my name is Stacey St. John. I live in Cincinnati, Ohio. Um, most of