Welcome to this week’s podcast with Alex Husner, former CMO of Condo-World, CEO of Directly Alex, and podcast host of Alex & Annie. Alex shows us how large property management companies invest in marketing and tactics smaller property managers can deploy to build their brands. She breaks down the components within her marketing flywheel. Summary and Topic Highlights In our latest podcast episode, we had the pleasure of hosting Alex Husner, a seasoned podcast host and marketing expert with over a decade of experience in the property management sector. Alex joined us to dissect the crucial elements that contribute to successfully securing direct bookings in today’s competitive market. Building a Strong Brand Foundation Alex emphasized that building a brand is not just important; it’s essential for hosts aiming to expand their inventory or manage multiple properties effectively. This begins with clearly defining your unique selling points, core message, identifying target personas, and crafting effective communication strategies. Harnessing the Power of Content Strategy A robust content strategy is pivotal not only for SEO but also for establishing authority within your market niche. Alex recommended focusing on creating compelling travel guides, highlighting local points of interest, and producing destination-specific content to attract and engage potential guests. Leveraging Email Marketing Effectively Despite the rise of new marketing channels, Alex reaffirmed that email marketing remains a potent tool for hosts. She advised hosts to collect guest emails, segment their lists based on preferences and behaviors, and craft targeted campaigns aligned with booking seasons and local events. Making PPC Work for You Even smaller hosts can benefit from PPC advertising by targeting niche keywords related to their properties or unique amenities. Alex stressed the importance of strategic keyword selection and continuous optimization to maximize ROI on PPC campaigns. Harnessing User-Generated Content Alex highlighted the value of user-generated content (UGC) as a powerful marketing asset. Encouraging guests to share their experiences through photos and testimonials can significantly enhance credibility and attract new bookings. Optimizing Tech Stack and Guest Communication Regularly auditing your tech tools and guest communication flow is crucial. Alex advised hosts to streamline operations and enhance the guest experience by testing the booking process from a guest’s perspective and identifying areas for improvement. Embracing Continuous Learning and Networking Staying abreast of industry trends through podcasts, conferences, and networking events is essential for growth. Alex encouraged hosts to remain open to learning from peers and industry experts to adapt and innovate continually. Streamlining Operations and Enhancing Efficiency Consolidating tech tools wherever possible can streamline operations and potentially reduce costs. Alex recommended evaluating current tools to ensure they align with business goals and enhance overall efficiency. Personalizing Guest Experiences Lastly, Alex emphasized the importance of personalized and timely guest communication. Creating positive guest experiences through personalized interactions can foster loyalty and increase repeat bookings. Conclusion: Embrace Innovation and Adaptability In closing, Alex advised hosts to embrace innovation, immerse themselves in learning resources, and be willing to adapt based on new insights. She encouraged hosts to take calculated risks, explore new strategies, and remain proactive in refining their approach to indirect bookings. Stay tuned for more insights and expert advice on optimizing your property management marketing strategies. Subscribe to our podcast for the latest episodes and updates on mastering indirect bookings in the ever-evolving hospitality landscape. Remember, success lies in continuous learning, strategic adaptation, and leveraging the right tools and strategies to stand out in your market. Follow Alex on instagram @alexohusner Interested in joining happy guests? Click on the “Happy Guest” image below, for Alex’s referral link for our podcast guests. Transcription Alex: If you’re building this, that you want it to be a company that you either are, you own the inventory and you want to be owning more inventory, or you want to be managing additional properties for somebody else. You really need to be looking at this in the perspective of you’re building a brand. If you’re trying to manage, um, or own more properties and rent them, you have to be building a brand early on and, you know, taking a deep dive into what do you want it to be known for? Alex: I mean, what’s going to be the differentiator in your market? What is the core message? What are the personas that you’re trying to attract and how do you talk to them differently and what tactics that you’re going to use to talk to them? Gil: Hey folks, welcome back to direct booking simplified. We break down the strategies and tactics to win a direct bookings on today’s show. We have Alex Husner. She’s a podcast host herself and has over a decade experience of working with big property management companies on nailing the marketing today. Gil: She’s going to break down the foundational pieces. to win indirect bookings. So let’s bring her in here. Alex, welcome to the show.  Alex: Thank you so much for having me. It’s great to be on the other side of the mic for once.  Yeah. Yeah. It’s, it’s really good to meet you. I know you, you normally work with much larger hosts and property management teams, but it’s, uh, it’s good to have you on the show and really show us kind of the other side of how professionals do it. Alex: I’m excited to dive into it and, and, uh, just have a great conversation. Love talking about everything, direct booking. So this will be fun.  Yeah. So it’s kind of kick us off, Alex. Do you mind giving folks a brief introduction to yourself?  Alex: Sure. So, um, as Gil said, my name is Alex Husner. I’m based in Myrtle beach, South Carolina. Alex: Uh, I’ve been in vacation rentals Since 2008, and for 13 years worked with a company called condo world here in the north, Brittle Beach market as their chief marketing officer. Um, and really got to see in the, in that third time, 13 year timeline, a company that was, was doing well,

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

On this episode, we have Tara Bergstrom. She’s a short-term host in multiple markets and has leveraged social media and a 5-star experience to gain more direct bookings. Podcast Summary In this podcast episode, the key takeaway is to approach new endeavors with confidence, even amidst uncertainty. Emphasizing an open mindset and belief in one’s ability to adapt and learn proves pivotal. Furthermore, the importance of prioritizing guest satisfaction is highlighted, stressing the significance of small gestures that enhance the overall experience. From providing essential amenities to setting clear expectations, attention to detail is paramount in fostering positive guest interactions. Moreover, leveraging social media emerges as a potent tool for driving direct bookings. By dedicating resources to content creation and engagement across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, hosts can effectively reach potential guests. Additionally, the episode underscores the value of direct bookings in reducing anxiety, despite the complexities associated with integrating messaging systems. Lastly, maintaining high standards through proactive measures, such as incentivizing cleaning crews and conducting regular inspections, ensures continued success in the hospitality industry. Essential Highlights The overarching advice by Tara is to have confidence you can figure it out, provide a thoughtful guest experience, leverage social media strategically, and don’t be afraid to pursue direct bookings even while also using platforms like Airbnb. An open, guest-focused mindset is key. Follow Tara on instagram @tarambergstrom Transcription I’d say confidence, um, and not the cocky confidence where you’re like, I know everything. I think the confidence that I can do this, because once you finally take that leap and you do do it and you figure things out along the way, cause I mean, I have no idea what I was doing. I still don’t know what I was doing. I still don’t know what I’m doing. That’s how I feel at least, but I’m confident that I can figure it out and typically I usually do. So I think having, I’m That mindset of being open and being confident that you can do it is huge. And that’s, what’s going to help you succeed.  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, we have Tara Burstorm. She’s a short term rental host in a market that I’m very familiar with, the Smoky Mountains, and is going to walk us through how she leverages social media to get more direct bookings. So let’s bring her in. Hey Tara. Hi. Welcome to the show. Thanks for having me. I’m really excited to be here. I’m, I’m very excited to have you here. Uh, you are one of the few guests that is not only a guest of mine. You could even consider yourself a competitor since you’re in the same market that I am.  I haven’t had many, uh, smokies folks in there, even though I know a lot of smoky hosts as well too. Yeah. Yeah. How, how are your cabins doing right now? It depends on what cabin you’re talking about here, because, uh, I have two small ones, um, that like killed it April, May,  and then I have a bigger one that was just, it was sleepy for April, May. Um, but I did some work on the back end ahead of time and I was able to get most of that booked for the summer. So, um, it’s kind of flip flopping. So yeah. What’s your, what’s your booking window look like on both the smaller one and your bigger one? So the smaller ones are usually around like six weeks out. I try to have those.  Yeah. Um, the bigger one, more like eight to 12. I try just, I think bigger groups playing ahead of time, you know? Yeah. But these days I’m seeing more and more last minute bookings, like Memorial Day just booked last night. So for the big one, actually all of them, I think, uh, two small one and big one books last night. And then I had a booking today for Memorial day weekend. I’m finding the same thing. So I have a similar portfolio as you do. I have one bigger, one, one four bedroom, um, I guess I, I actually consider it more of a medium, like all bedrooms out there. So I would say large, then I have a medium size, um, four bedroom and now on last year, we had a booking window of like 45, 60 days. And now we’re probably looking at 20 something days, which gets me a little bit scared. Um, because then like, that’s in the cusp of where I start to decrease my price and try to aim for that occupancy. So like, I’m learning. Right now the open dates I have is much lower than what I charged last year for the same period. Um, but then my one bedroom is doing extremely well. Like I’m completely like, I think may we were 97 percent occupancy. We had like one or two days free. Um, yeah. And April, we did really well too. June coming up, we’re doing really well. And then it starts to teeter off like towards like, Mid mid after like 4th of July. They’re like, there’s like very little bookings. And I’m already starting to work on September, August, late August now, because I feel like it’s going to be like April, May this year. So I’m like trying, trying to get those booked up slowly, but surely. What are some of the things that you optimize for? Is it mainly like revenue management, like on the pricing side, or are you doing other things as well too? Um, mainly revenue management. Yeah. Yeah. I feel like with Airbnb or mainly the OTAs, that’s like the one lever you really can pull. Like there’s not much you can do. You can do something like the flip your pictures around, update your content. But I find

On this episode, we have Stephanie Figueros. She’s a short term rental operator, a public speaker, founder of Bravo VA, and the host of the STR Nation Facebook group and conference. She walks us through her entrepreneurial journey from being a nurse to having multiple starting multiple businesses. She also shares some simple tactics she uses to win direct bookings. Podcast Summary Stephanie’s career trajectory reflects a remarkable evolution from nursing to real estate investment, entrepreneurship, and remote workforce management. Her journey began with a shift from nursing to real estate, driven by a desire for greater autonomy and fulfillment. Inspired by YouTube videos, she ventured into short-term rentals, ultimately establishing her own real estate portfolio across multiple states. Recently, she transitioned to working as a full-time real estate agent specializing in short-term rentals, demonstrating her commitment to this niche market. In addition to her real estate ventures, Stephanie founded Bravo Virtual Assistance, a Philippines-based agency providing virtual assistants tailored for the real estate and short-term rental sectors. She emphasizes the importance of coaching both VAs and clients on effective leadership, focusing on providing context for tasks rather than just instructions. Through her agency, Stephanie aims to empower VAs as integral team members, fostering their growth and autonomy over time. Stephanie’s approach to leadership and team-building offers valuable insights for remote workforce management. By prioritizing compatibility between clients and VAs and emphasizing empowerment, she creates a dynamic environment where VAs can thrive. Her story highlights the potential for combining diverse experiences to create innovative business models, suggesting avenues for further exploration, such as writing or podcasting, to share her expertise with a wider audience. Essential Highlights Stephanie has had a fascinating career journey going from being a nurse to becoming a real estate investor, short-term rental host, entrepreneur, real estate agent focused on short-term rentals, and founder of a virtual assistant (VA) agency called Bravo Virtual Assistance. Here are a few key points: Stephanie seems to have leveraged her diverse experiences to carve out a unique niche combining short-term rentals, real estate, and remote workforce management. STR Nation ( Use code STEPHANIE ) Follow Steph on instagram @stephaniefigueros Transcription  Like, the truth is that, um, your team member, whoever they are, whether it’s in person, virtual, they’re only going to take 80 percent off of your plate, realistically. They’ll never take 100 percent because there’s still that 20 percent that requires you to actually manage and, you know, be a supportive role. And that’s kind of how it progresses. In the beginning, you are the teacher, you are the trainer, you are the manager. And eventually when they get a little bit more autonomy and confidence and you’re empowering them, you’re becoming more of like a support for them, but they’re the ones that have to be responsible for a certain task. Otherwise, if something doesn’t go well, uh, they’re the ones having to kind of fix it, not you.  So that’s just like, kind of like the progress and then it makes them better because, um, That pride in your work type of thing that you want your team members to have separate from you.  Folks, welcome back to direct booking simplified. We break down the tactics and strategies to win in direct bookings. Today we have Stephanie for girls. She’s a STR host herself. She’s a real estate agent. She has an eight VA agency to help hosts scale their portfolio. And she’s this public speaker. On today’s podcast, she’ll walk through her entire journey of how she got to where she is today and some tips on how to do in more direct bookings. So let’s bring her in. Hey Steph, welcome to the show.  Thanks for having me, Miguel.  Yeah, it’s really good. It’s really good to have you on the show. I, we’d spent so many phone conversations more recently. I was like, ah, it’s really good to have you on.   Thanks for Nick. I’m happy to be here. Like I love everything that you’re doing. So I’m really, really excited. Oh  my God. And I’m, I bet you it was hard to, to even find time from, from, from your busy day, given like all the things that you’re swimming in right now.  Ah, yes. But anything for you, Gail. So,   well, why don’t we start off with a kind of an intro on kind of who you are and all the things that Stephanie does.  Sure. So, um, I’m a former registered nurse. It’s actually something I don’t talk about that often anymore. Um, but turned into real estate investor, um, short term rental host, um, entrepreneur now, um, short term rental agent, uh, business owner, and  I’m also public speaker, so, um, I have properties in California, Texas, Tennessee, and Florida, primarily in the short term rental space. And, um, I, it’s been, it’s been a very, very awesome. Crazy nonlinear road to get to where we are now. So  I can’t imagine a linear road for that type of, you have a portfolio of a life.   No kidding. And it’s crazy. Cause we’re, we’re doing a lot of, um, changes actually in our portfolio, uh, me and my partners. So it’s like, there’s a lot of new and exciting things to come. Oh my gosh. Yeah. I forgot that you, you actually, you were a nurse not that long ago. It feels like maybe, maybe less than five years, right?  Yeah. Yeah. Um, it’s, uh, I’m technically still licensed. I actually just renewed my license in December, but I don’t practice anymore, but I’m going to keep it pretty much forever just, just because I did that. So, um, truly this is like a second career for me and everything I’ve ever learned about life and business is, gets translated through nursing first in my brain, then to real estate and business. So  that’s interesting. What was it?  Tell me the kind of origin story. How did you get started

On this episode, we have Candice from Boho A-frame. She’s a short-term rental host with a unique a-frame along the California coast. She walks through how she’s grown her social media following and why, even though she has 95% occupancy before direct bookings, she still invests heavily in marketing her own bookings. Podcast Summary In our conversation with Candice, we delved into the intricacies of working with influencers, cultivating a robust social media presence, and fostering direct bookings. A crucial point emphasized was the importance of thorough vetting when selecting influencers. Beyond just follower count, it’s imperative to scrutinize factors like engagement rates, follower demographics, and their track record in driving bookings for other hosts. Furthermore, we explored the diverse array of platforms available for property marketing, spanning Instagram, Pinterest, and even Facebook groups. The key lies in understanding the guest’s journey and strategically positioning oneself where they are most likely to discover the property. Leveraging opportunities such as getting reposted by travel accounts, networking locally, and investing in high-quality visuals emerged as effective strategies for organic audience growth. Direct bookings emerged as a cornerstone of sustainable hosting, offering independence from OTA reliance. Establishing a personalized website and booking engine is essential for this endeavor. However, beyond the transactional aspect, our discussion underscored the significance of delivering exceptional guest experiences. From thoughtful amenities to curated local recommendations, going the extra mile is pivotal in fostering guest loyalty. Finally, the conversation highlighted the value of experimentation and continual learning, urging hosts to remain open-minded and receptive to evolving marketing tactics within the dynamic landscape of hospitality. Essential Highlights Here are a few key takeaways from the podcast episode with Candice about working with influencers, growing a social media following, and pursuing direct bookings: The main takeaway is to take a multi-pronged approach to marketing, carefully vet influencer partnerships for ROI, and prioritize direct bookings while delivering an exceptional guest experience. An open, learning mindset is key. Follow Candice on instagram @boho_aframe Transcription Another thing I do to vet influencers is I always go to their page and I look at the posts they’ve shared and I see who they’ve worked with and I go to that person’s  social media page or it’s a hotel. I’ll find who the email, whatever.  I’ll be like, hi, I’m looking at working with this person. Would you mind letting me know what your experience was working with them? Did it bring you bookings? I specifically asked, did it bring you because  so often the answer is.  Um, not really bookings. We did get more views and we did, um, get a lot of followers from it, but we didn’t really get very many bookings. And so for me, if I’m paying an influencer trading, whatever you guys have come to an agreement on, if I’m paying them, say, I don’t know, a thousand dollars to work with them and I don’t get a single booking from that, what did I gain? You know? So it’s like, cool. Okay. I got followers, but that doesn’t make me money. At the end of the day, followers don’t make me money. Bookings make me money.  Back  to direct booking simplified. We break down the tactics and strategies to win in direct bookings. On today’s show, we have Candice from Boho A Frame. She has an A Frame cabin in Big Sur, California, not a place that you’ll typically find an A Frame, but she has done extremely well. She’s built up a social following and has locked in really high occupancy rates. On today’s show, she’ll break down how she’s built her social media following using different platforms, how she works with influencers and why direct booking is so important to her. So let’s bring her in. Hey, Candice.  Hello.   Welcome. Welcome to the show.  Thank you for having me.  Yeah, it was good. It was good to meet you. I think I found you because I think Either I followed you or you followed me, uh, and I started to see all the content that you were producing. I was like, I need to have this person on the show.  Nice.  Before we get too deep into it. Do you mind giving folks a idea of kind of who you are?  Yeah. I’m Candice. I run a short term rental on the central coast of California. Um, I have a background in science. I got my bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and I worked in emergency medicine for quite a while and got injured in that realm and it like diverted me and I got to start hosting, which was like my passion. I loved traveling to a bunch of, Vacation rentals. My husband and I would try and do like three countries a year back then. We don’t anymore with kids, but, uh,  but yeah, so it was like, I didn’t like choose this path, but I ended up here and I really like it. And it, it was a cool transition to something that I was passionate about in my personal life. And now I get to facilitate guest having experiences like the ones that I used to enjoy when I traveled. So that’s been fun.  Nice. And you have one of the, my favorite structures in of all, which is like the a frame, um,  my wife and I, we, we want to, we go to Tahoe every so often, every so, every so often, maybe like every one out of 20 houses, it’s an a frame with. It’s not very common over there. I  have to send you a few Tahoe rentals that I love that are,  yep. Oh my God. I would love to stay. I would love to stay at more a frames. Um,  um, actually what, like, what is it like? To own a short term rental in California.   Yeah, I mean, it’s got its pros and cons. I’m sure like any place, uh, the area I’m located is definitely,

On this episode we have Zoey Berghoff. She’s most known for creating unique stays. She started her portfolio with a yurt and is now working on a 1950’s cabin restoration. She walks us through her journey and learnings on how to approach unique stays and new land development. She also touches on how she’s built a community of folks who want to book directly. Podcast Summary Zoey’s discussion on unique stays and portfolio building was truly captivating, emphasizing several essential points. She highlighted the significance of embracing opportunities and facing the unknown with courage, as her unexpected venture into short-term rentals demonstrated. Zoey emphasized the need for adaptability in entrepreneurship, showcasing how being open to unexpected paths can lead to success. Moreover, Zoey stressed the importance of transparency in sharing the journey of property management, including its challenges and triumphs. By showcasing the real journey, flaws and all, property owners can foster a sense of community and intrigue among potential guests, ultimately enhancing the appeal of their unique accommodations. Zoey also underscored the significance of safeguarding one’s interests through thorough rental agreements and careful screening processes for direct bookings, especially when bypassing intermediary platforms. Furthermore, Zoey emphasized the value of prioritizing quality over quantity when it comes to property management. By focusing on creating memorable guest experiences that inspire positive word-of-mouth, property owners can cultivate a loyal clientele base. Zoey also advised considering long-term strategies, such as potentially selling the unique stay portfolio as a business in the future. Lastly, she encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs not to wait for perfect conditions to begin their journey, assuring that with proper balance, building a business alongside family life is achievable, even amidst imperfections. Zoey’s passion for this niche market was evident throughout the discussion, offering inspiration for continued success in creating distinctive and inviting accommodations. Essential Highlights A few key takeaways on Zoey’s fascinating discussion on unique stays and building portfolios Follow Zoey on instagram @zoeyberghoff Transcription I think having the mindset of like don’t be afraid of the unknown I think when you step into the unknown and you’re not sure what’s next that’s when like all of the opportunities really come forward because you’re not so dead on this one thing has to happen    welcome back to direct booking simplified where we break down the tactics and strategies to win direct bookings on today’s show we have Zoey Berghoff she has a portfolio of unique properties that she’s built herself she’s done everything from land development to new builds and now she’s working in a cabin on today’s show she’ll break down how she’s grown her portfolio of unique stays and how she thinks about direct bookings by growing your network and your community so let’s bring her in Hey Zoey   Hello thank you for having me  yes I’m so excited let’s get into it  awesome yeah we um really dive into unique stays with our own portfolio and those who we help build their own portfolio so I’m here to chat all the things unique stays  yes um so we started actually five years ago with our short term rental journey um we actually started by accident I like to say our first property was a yurt and you know we were in the middle of a pandemic we weren’t sure how it was going to go and it just blew us out of the water with what it was performing in the first month or two and from there that actually pivoted our whole entire strategy  so we  six months later turned a long term rental into a short term rental and that property was making 25 000 a year and in the first year it made about 120 000 and that was like  this is crazy like there’s something there’s more to unpack here so that really um like I said pivoted everything in terms of our goals our long term vision for short term rentals and real estate um and our most recent project in the last 12 months has been renovating a 19th century Forties historic log cabin that was built to out of Aspen and relocated in the twenties slash forties we don’t really have a precise timeframe on that um so everything we’ve done has been builds custom builds glamping and extreme renovations so we like to pick all the hard routes first I guess  Yeah so it was actually raw land that my husband had found and really wanted to build in the mar building and renovating i  to purchase than buying t which for a lot of areas But given where we are  t we’re around he found ra  Build on it so the first thing that went up was the yurt and that is like a 800 square foot dome um we put it on a deck and it’s only rented in the summer it’s only seasonal it can be winterized but I will not host people in the winter on it I just think it’s like negative reviews time and time again if I were to do that um so that was the first project and that was about 40 000 in terms of an investment um and in the first Six months of hosting and made 30 000 so we almost made our entire investment back in the first six months if we went a whole year I’m sure we would have made about 40 but we only do six months or so um and then on that same land um phase two was the single family home that was also built on the property so we’re huge in unique stays but also land tacking which is multiple streams of income on one property um maximizing your revenue and only having You know one set of expenses maybe  nope  it was spilled so the land was literally dirt it was raw land that we purchased so we brought all utilities into the property so well septic

On this week’s episode we have Janice Pollard. She comes from 20 years of marketing and advertising background and she stresses the importance of good design and branding to get more direct bookings. She walks through how she works with her clients, data that she’s gathered on expectations about guests and how this isn’t just a fundamental of direct bookings but overall guest experience. Podcast Summary In the world of short-term rental businesses, understanding the underlying motivation – the “why” – and knowing your ideal guest avatar are paramount. This comprehension serves as the compass for decisions spanning branding, design, amenities, messaging, and beyond. Utilizing the “5 W’s” framework – who, what, when, where, why, and how – helps hosts align their offerings with guest expectations. Additionally, relying on data and insights rather than subjective opinions is emphasized, enabling informed choices based on factors like competitor analysis, market trends, and guest preferences. Starting small and building incrementally is advocated as a prudent approach when embarking on new ventures within the short-term rental sphere. Cultivating a supportive community aids in both learning and accountability. Transitioning towards direct bookings is highlighted as advantageous, affording hosts greater control over the guest experience and access to invaluable first-party data not provided by Online Travel Agencies (OTAs). Furthermore, attention to detail in areas such as color psychology and branding can subtly influence consumer decisions, underscoring the importance of thoughtful curation in these elements. Finally, the discussion touches upon the benefits of having a dedicated booking website, which allows for enhanced optimization for conversion and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) compared to generic website builder tools. The dialogue encapsulates a wealth of practical insights, spanning from leveraging data for informed decision-making to refining brand positioning and enhancing guest experiences. Janice’s expertise in marketing and advertising enriches the conversation, offering valuable perspectives on strategy and execution within the short-term rental industry. Essential Highlights Here are a few key takeaways from the conversation: The episode covered a lot of useful ground in terms of utilizing data, defining your brand positioning, designing a great guest experience, and strategically moving toward more direct bookings over time. Janice brought an insightful perspective from her background in marketing/advertising. Follow Janice on instagram @marshmallowhill Transcription The avatar is important but I feel like it really  comes down to who they are, meaning their family type or their are they a couple  or do they have kids and if so  what are the ages of the kids? After that, you don’t really need to know all the psychographics and the demographics. They don’t really know need to know how much they make. There’s that whole marketing side. What really matters is what are their expectations   hey folks, welcome back to direct booking simplified, where we break down the tactics and strategies to win in direct bookings. Today we have Janice Pollard. She spent 20 years in marketing and advertising and is now a short term rental designer. Today we’re going to walk through how she designed spaces with our clients to drive more direct  So let’s bring her in. Hey Janice. Hi Gil, how are you?  I’m good. I’m good. I’m feeling really good now. I was terrible. Over the weekend. I feel like I’ve gotten sick three times in the last, in the last two weeks. Yeah. I don’t know what it was. I actually, I do know what it is. It is kids. It’s young kids. Yeah. Oh gosh. That’s awful. When you’re, you know, you have so much to do as entrepreneur and you have to keep moving forward. Oh gosh. So you’re, you’re on the, on the up and up now.  I am on the up and up and up. Um, you may, I may go on mute every so often to, to, to, to get out a good cough. Um, but I feel  10 times better than I did like last Sunday, this past Sunday. Gosh, that’s a long one too. Usually I’m sick for about three days, but.   It’s, it’s less so the sickness was like only like two days, but like. It’s that lingering cough that I just can’t get rid of. Yeah.  Oh,  yeah.  Well, you’re forgiven. If you have to cough, go cough. We’ll be, we’ll be here.  Yeah.   Thank you. I appreciate that.  So how you been?   I’m doing great. I’m, uh, in Michigan and the spring has sprung. So people are coming out of the woodwork and it’s just, there’s this feeling in the air that Summer is around the corner and I don’t know if you are in touch with pro football, but the NFL draft is downtown Detroit. So that was very exciting. We watched it last night. Um, and  whole city, there’s I think 275, 000 people downtown in. Wow. It was really awesome. So,  yeah, it’s just, we’re hitting this like really awesome time of year that, you know, when you live in a winter state where there is like legitimately storm, snow, ice, it makes it all the much more worth it when you see buds coming out and birds singing and it’s just really lovely. You’re coming out of hiding now.  Yeah. Yeah.  This, this is, um, this is a period of time where we’re many of the, our properties are coming out of our low seasonality side of things. Um, so like I’m really looking forward to, um, the summer months, but like, gosh, it’s been the occupancy has been a lot, it’s been a little bit slower this year. Um, but yeah, I’m, I’m looking for things to pick up. So I look forward to that.  Well, you have what remind me the two in Gatlinburg and one in Branson. Yeah.  Yeah, that’s right. Okay. Yeah. And so those are like super family friendly like no one’s traveling right now Like folks are enjoying their local town. They’re trying to get their graduation all those things So I think Memorial Day is when like our

On this episode we have Mark Mancini. He’s the host of VRBO Outstanding youtube channel and has several courses that helps hosts become amazing hosts. He shares his knowledge of hosting for 13 years and how he’s able to fill up the majority of his calendar with direct booking by leveraging your niche and marketing your site. Podcast Summary Mark emphasizes the pivotal role of technology and strategic marketing in optimizing rental property management. He advises implementing a Property Management System (PMS) like OwnerRez from the outset to automate tasks and enhance efficiency as your rental business expands. Integrating such systems streamlines operations and facilitates scalability, laying a robust foundation for growth. Another crucial aspect highlighted by Mark is the branding of rental properties. Instead of opting for generic names, he advocates for crafting unique, brandable identities that can be leveraged for Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and marketing purposes. This branding strategy enhances visibility and distinguishes properties in a competitive market, bolstering their appeal to potential guests. Moreover, Mark underscores the importance of targeting specific guest niches and tailoring amenities and marketing efforts accordingly. By identifying and catering to niche markets such as anglers or luxury travelers, property owners can optimize guest satisfaction and attract lucrative bookings. Offering unique amenities and experiences further sets properties apart, positioning them as desirable destinations. Additionally, Mark suggests staying ahead of emerging trends, such as the rising popularity of electric vehicles, by installing amenities like EV chargers to gain a competitive edge. Overall, his advice underscores the fusion of technology-driven efficiency, targeted marketing, and niche specialization as key strategies for success in the rental property industry. Essential Highlights Here are a few key points from Mark’s podcast episode: The main thrust is leveraging technology and targeted marketing to drive direct bookings, while specializing your property’s offerings to attract your ideal, lucrative guest niche. Follow Mark on instagram YouTube and VRBO Transcription You want to exploit your niche, right? With some homes like for instance, if you’re on the waterway, you might have a home that’s specific to anglers, right? So you have a boat dock, maybe you have a fish cleaning station, you’ve got water electric, they could plug their boat into and wash their boat off, right? And you want to go and gravitate and market towards that market. 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, we have Mark Mancini. He’s a host of the VRBO Outstanding YouTube channel. He has several courses of his own and has been a host for 13 years. Today he’s going to walk us through some of the tactics that he uses to win direct bookings. So let’s bring him in. Hey, Mark, welcome to the show. Hi Gil. Thanks for having me. It’s it’s good to see you I’ve been following your your YouTube channel for for a little while now even in my early days before I got my my first acquisition There so what’s what’s new with you now? So right now we I have a little sabbatical. This weekend, I’m going back down to one of my rentals. We have a wedding this weekend. I’m flying down, flying back, and then I get a date of myself and then we’re driving down to spend two weeks down on the keys at our vacation rental, so we’re using it for recreational purposes at the end of the month. That’s awesome. That’s awesome. Before we get too deep, do you, do you want to give a, a listener’s a sense of who you are and what you do? My name is Mark Mancini. I’ve been in vacation rentals for over 13 years now. Entering my 13th year, I started off in the Myrtle beach area. I’ve since transitioned to the Florida Keys. Cause that’s where we plan to retire to. And I want to be somewhat close to where my vacation rentals are. Got a deep business background in it. Mostly I had a, an it company in Atlanta that I had for 15 years. I sold to publicly traded company. And one of the key things I learned, Gil you can’t run a company and grow it. And sell it to a NASDAQ traded company, unless you’ve got software that controls and runs your business. And that was something I did early on. And so when it came to vacation rentals, I did the exact same thing. Yeah. So how did that influence your, your vacation rentals? So you have to have. Some kind of unified tool. You don’t want to have disjointed pieces of information where you’re, you’re manually docu signing an RA, you’re manually doing security deposits, and you’re manually updating listings on different channels in all different places. You know, you want to have everything really ideally in one place. So if you update your pictures, if you need to change your calendar anything you do update your RA, you’re doing it, everything in one place. And it goes to every different aspect. And that’s what we did when I was a managed services provider. We had one piece of software that. I could remote into clients machines. I could push out the updates to antivirus. I could push out Windows updates defragment their computer, do a ticket right in one panel of the screen. And that’s what you know, a property management system allows you to do. And that’s why it’s so important when you do direct bookings. Got it. Got it. So you’re, you’re, you’re big on, on, on having a PMS. Early on in, in your, in your hosting journey. Yeah. I always tell people the best time to get a PNN PMS is when you want to start your business. I started with one property with my PMS. I’ve expanded now to two. Don’t really see a need to go anymore. Only because the two properties I have are