Branded & Booked

You've heard me say it before… You don't own your social media accounts, airbnb, or Vrbo. But you DO own your website and your email list. And thankfully there are ways to strategically capture your guests email addresses without bluntly asking for it.  In this episode, you'll learn re-engagement email campaign strategies for past guests, how to retarget guests to encourage email sign-ups, and my...

When Emily told me she gained 6,000 followers from ONE post… I was floored.   Not that virality is the goal, but more eyeballs on your content is hardly ever a bad thing. (Especially when you're creating content for a property!)   And I'm going to go out on a limb here and say this: you want more people seeing your content as well. Am I right?   In this episode, you'll learn how to effectively cre...

Real talk: if you're in the short-term rental industry, you're also in the hospitality industry (point blank.) And to be profitable, you need to prioritize guest experiences. This means going beyond just offering a place to stay. It's about creating memorable moments, ensuring seamless communication, maintaining cleanliness, and adding thoughtful touches that make guests feel special.  Your abilit...

Ready for some real talk around STR? It's easy to get caught up in the overly idealized and glamourized portrayal of the business but that's just not always the case. What this industry often looks like is dealing with difficult clients, maintenance issues, guest complaints...shall I go on? I love this industry and I care about YOU, which is exactly why I'm dealing it to you straight.  In this epi...

Real talk: there are so many factors at play when it comes to choosing profitable properties.    This is exactly why I brought Tamer Assaad and Matt Sanderson , founders of STRIQ , on the show to share their own personal insights and experiences when it comes to evaluating deals using data and cash on cash return.   So, pull up a chair because you're about to get an inside look into investment str...

They started their business during the pandemic and went ALL IN.   Sarah & Emily, better known as The KarWells , are best friends & business partners who have a mission to build the life of their dreams through short-term rental investments & educate others along the way.    Over the past 5 years, they've dabbled in all different avenues in this industry (design, arbitrage, invested, etc.) and hav...

Holy Buckets: It's been ONE whole year since we purchased our first STR property (the same month we had our son, nonetheless.) And I'm so grateful that we've been profitable throughout this journey, but that wasn't by happenstance. It took a lot of hard work and late nights in order to get the business to where it is today. And if it wasn't for the shared vision we (my husband and business partner...

What if there was a way for you to collect data while enhancing your guests' experience at your STR?  Well, thanks to Arthur Colker (the founder of StayFi ) you totally can… In this episode of Hosted By The Webers, you'll hear why I believe it's a marketing must to incorporate this feature into your short-term rental and how it can be a total game changer even if you manage one property. You'll al...

Let me preface by saying this: Yes, I know, the numbers are super important, but they just don't tell the whole story.    Think about it this way, If we only considered the numbers, we wouldn't be able to know if the STR would stand out in an increasingly saturated market, create a rave-worthy experience, or be a place guests can't wait to return to year after year.    In short: numbers alone won'...

Can I be real with you for a sec? If you scroll through STR platforms on social media, you'll most-likely notice that they're flooded with picture-perfect families, extravagant trips, and homes that look like they belong in a magazine.  While there's nothing wrong with showing the good parts of being a co-host, don't we have an obligation to be really (REALLY!) real with our audiences? Because the...

Let's be real, we all want to increase bookings and sales. But how do you do this when you feel completely maxed out on your marketing efforts?  Well, you take a step back and revisit the foundation (aka your brand and the way it makes people feel). In this episode, you'll learn the branding strategies that'll support your marketing efforts and ultimately... increase your bottom line. For more STR...

Real talk: social media marketing can be highly effective for your short-term rental for several reasons: visibility, engagement, connecting, etc.   But I know it can feel overwhelming when starting, especially when your to-do list is the length of a CVS receipt.   Trust me, as a STR owner myself, I totally get it.   In this episode, you'll learn how social media marketing can work for your short-...

It all started because I shared my vision ... A major brand component that helps you get to where you want to go. And in my case, led to relationships that connected me with my new partners for Cabins on the Cumberland . If you have a big vision (like us), finding partnerships can allow you to do things you probably wouldn't do otherwise. As for us, by leveraging each other's strengths and resourc...

Alright, cue the confetti, because I'm SO excited to introduce you to today's guest... Paige Hayes is an interior designer who has taken on a nomadic lifestyle with her family while managing her STR design business.  On this episode, Paige so graciously shares how she's able to travel across the US in a fifth wheel with her husband and two kiddos, as well as spending winters abroad. Click play to...

Before you jump into (re)designing your property, you'll want to listen to this episode... If you didn't already know this about me, my career started in the fashion industry. Curating pieces and just knowing what works well (and what doesn't) is something that actually comes pretty naturally to me. I mean, let's get real - design is fun, and it has a pretty good R.O.I So, I totally understand the...

Our co-hosting journey has been incredibly wild and filled with unexpected moments of good and... not so good. Like any business, there have been many many curves and LESSONS along the way... So, in this episode, I'm spillin' the tea on how we've gotten several clients since starting our business in May, the tech we use, and the hurdle Enjoy this episode and make sure to tag us when you listen to...

One thing to know when it comes to unique stays is that you probably won't be everyone's cup of tea.   But that's ok…   Because, with tons of options out there, people want a stay that has a unique touch…    In this episode, Zoey Berghoff (multi-six-figure superhost) and I chat about all things land hacking, profitability, and creating a unique rave-worthy stay.   Zoey also (so graciously) gives u...

The best way to increase your short-term rental (direct) bookings? … Build trust with your ideal guest. Ok, Steph, but how? By building a compelling and recognizable brand. Don't know where to start? I got you, friend. In this episode of HBTW, I'm diving into what branding looks like for a hosting company and properties and why it's essential. I'm also teaching you the core components of branding...

Let me tell you, friend… Your dreams and goals can become a reality if you just take inspired action. It doesn't matter how big or specific your dreams are; YOU are capable. In 2022 I had a very specific vision. (I share about it in this episode.) I had NO idea HOW it would happen, but I let go of the how and just did what I knew.  And today… This vision is a reality.  In this episode, I'm sharing...

2023 will always be a pivotal year at the Weber household.  Collin and I did the unimaginable and started a business together. We gave birth to our second son, Noah.  I pivoted the business that had earned nearly a million dollars. It's been bananas... And 2024 is already  off to a crazy start (big announcement to come!). In this episode, I'm sharing a little about what I've learned in 2023 and wh...

Believe me when I say…    Collin and I (Steph) never thought we would be running a company together.    Even though Collin has been the BEST supporter, he had no desire to be a part of the business… until we started our short-term rental journey.   Since starting this business and purchasing our new property, we've had several other couples reach out asking questions.    In this episode of HBTW, w...

2023 has been an insanely transformative year for my business…  I mean if you told me a year ago that I would be managing 13 short-term rental properties with my husband, I would have flipped.  And as glad that I am to be on this new journey, it meant closing a chapter that I worked so hard on. But here's the thing, as we evolve, so do our businesses. So, in this episode of Hosted By The Webers, I...

If you aren't sure where to get started with influencer marketing or UGC (User Generated Content) for your short-term rental, friend, this episode is for you.   Believe me when I say, there are several reasons why this could be SO beneficial in your content strategy…    But just to name a few 1.) Leveraging audiences where your ideal guest is hanging out, 2.) Saving you time and energy on content...

We've learned several lessons since starting our STR journey…   And to be honest, most of our clients have come from not-so-stellar previous experiences with management companies and we've seen firsthand what NOT to do.   But out of all of the lessons since starting this journey, one has been monumental for my clients…   Have ownership of your listing.   3 out of 4 of our co-hosting clients have b...

Do you need social media for your short-term rental?    Short answer, YES.    But this doesn't mean you need to have a separate account for every single short-term rental you have… (Wowza, that would be a lot of content!)   Personally, we've decided to create one account for Hosted By The Webers as an umbrella brand where we can market all of our short-term rentals together, and this is working so...