Branded & Booked

If you're still doing everything yourself in your short-term rental business, this episode is the sign you need to stop. I sat down with Marisa Grover—a systems + operations expert for STR owners—and we're diving deep into the exact ways you can streamline, delegate, and actually get your time back. Whether you're overwhelmed with guest communication, hiring cleaners, or just tired of being in you...

In this episode of Branded and Booked, I'm pulling back the curtain on our biggest project to date—Cabins on the Cumberland. I've been getting two questions over and over again: 1️⃣ "What would you do differently?" 2️⃣ "Would you ever do this again?" Spoiler alert: Yes, I would. But there are definitely things I'd change next time. I'm walking you through: The origin story of how this nine-acre ri...

Why Influencer Marketing Still Works—But Only If You Do It Right Influencer marketing isn't dead—it's just misunderstood. In this episode, you'll get the 411 on what's working (and what's not) when it comes to influencer strategy for boutique hotels, short-term rentals, and hospitality brands. You'll also hear behind-the-scenes stories from recent campaigns (including one that turned a $0 stay int...

This week on Branded and Booked , I'm sharing how Cabins on the Cumberland (our micro-resort) brought in 50% direct bookings in May—and the exact strategy behind it. Even while the property is still under construction, we created a marketing plan powered by storytelling, strategy, and a whole lot of intention. In this episode, you'll learn: Why content is just one part of a bigger marketing pictur...

Airbnb's latest updates aren't just platform tweaks—they're a strategic move to keep hosts (and their guests) locked into Airbnb. From limiting outside links in communication to discouraging direct bookings, these changes could seriously impact how you grow YOUR business, build guest relationships, and maintain control over your brand. In this episode, I'm breaking down what the changes mean, why...

In today's episode of Branded & Booked, I'm handing the mic to three incredible short-term rental business owners who went through my last round of STR Marketing Bootcamp—April, Cathleen, and Jess. Each of them has a different business model, different challenges, and different results, and you'll hear firsthand how this 12-week live coaching program helped them build a powerful brand and marketin...

Be honest: Have you ever said "Oh, I own an Airbnb," when asked what you do? Now imagine the difference between that and saying something like "I run a short-term destination for young couples." . The difference? Branding. In this episode, we dive into what makes an Airbnb (or any business) go from just another option to a must-experience destination. Because let's be real—every industry is satura...

Some short-term rentals offer a place to stay, but some create an unforgettable experience… The Asheville Affair offers a trip guests will never forget. In this episode, we're taking you behind the scenes of how we designed, branded, and launched a short-term rental built for bachelor and bachelorette groups—and how you can apply these strategies to make your own rental stand out. You'll learn: ✔️...

Are you relying on your amenities to book your short-term rental?  Saying "We have a hot tub" or "We have a sauna" is fine—but it won't set you apart in a crowded market. (Trust me, there's a better way!) In this episode, we're talking about how to move beyond a basic amenities list and: ✔️ Create a branded guest experience that makes your rental unforgettable ✔️ Sell the story of your stay so gue...

If you own a short-term rental (STR), you've probably wondered: Do I need an Instagram account for my property? Is social media even worth it? In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly how to approach social media marketing for your STR—without wasting time or energy. Here's what I cover: Why choosing one platform first is key (and which one to start with) The surprising reason email marketing is...

Branding. Marketing. Direct bookings. If you've ever wanted to rely less on platforms like Airbnb or VRBO and take full control of your short-term rental business, this episode is for you. We're diving into practical, no-fluff strategies to help you stand out, attract more direct bookings, and create a guest experience that leaves people raving (and returning). From branding tips that position you...

Whether it's seasonal, economical, or due to shifts in the market, slow seasons will happen. But this doesn't have to mean slashing your prices to get bookings... In this episode, we're talking about practical, no-fluff strategies to bring in guests, even when business feels quiet. From smart marketing moves to creative ways to reconnect with past clients, I'll show you how to attract more custome...

Welcome to the very first episode of Branded & Booked! In case you're new here: I'm your host Steph Weber, branding and marketing expert helping short-term rental and boutique hotel owners create unforgettable guest experiences. In this episode, you'll hear what's in store for Branded & Booked—from actionable branding and marketing strategies to stories that will inspire you to elevate your proper...

As the year comes to a close, I'm reflecting on 2024—the good, the hard, and everything in between. This year, I can truly say I've leaned into messy, uncomfortablt action and just let things flow. It wasn't perfect (far from it!), but through the chaos, I gained something monumental: a level of freedom I've never felt before. In this episode, I'm sharing what it really looked like to step into th...

In this episode, I'm diving into my biggest STR predictions for 2025 and sharing practical ways to apply them to your business right now. You'll learn about the 3 C's of marketing and why they're more important than ever in building trust, engaging your audience, and driving results. And finally, I'll explain how reducing your reliance on third-party platforms can increase profits, deepen customer...

In this episode, I sit down with Ryan Rominger, the owner of Intrigue Property Management.  Ryan shares his journey from California to Indianapolis and explains why the City of Indy has become such an attractive market for real estate investors.  With over 400 properties under management, he breaks down the benefits of long-term rental investments and the stability they offer, especially in compar...

Building wealth with real estate often starts with a small idea and grows into something much bigger. Harshad and Ishita's journey began with renting out their basement, which led to renting out a room in their home—and before they knew it, they were covering their mortgage with rental income. But when it comes to short-term rentals, it's about more than just a place to stay—it's about creating un...

If you're a host wanting to gain control over your bookings, this episode is a must! Gil Chan , founder of Crafted Stays , shares how he helps hosts build high-converting direct booking sites in minutes—without all the tech headaches..  After his own struggles with WordPress, Gil designed Crafted Stays to be user-friendly, with awesome templates that integrate directly with PMS tools (like Hospita...

I've said it once and I'll say it again: branding is more than the visuals. It's the story you tell. It's the way you make people feel. It's what people say about you when you're not in the room. That is exactly why, in this episode, I dive deep into the branding process for Cabins on the Cumberland , sharing how we crafted a compelling brand strategy that resonates with our (Ideal Client) Avatar....

If you love having an inside look at what successful short-term rental hosts are doing to remain profitable during markets like this, you're in luck. Hanan Kim is about to spill the tea on how she successfully transitioned from short-term rental owner to boutique hotel operator and the many, MANY lessons she learned along the way. Because here's the truth: you can have the best property in the wor...

In this episode, I'm giving it ALL away—our exact marketing strategy that boosted our direct bookings by 15% in just two months. Because here's the truth: you can try all the marketing tactics in the world, but without a solid strategy, you're just throwing spaghetti at the wall. I'll walk you through the step-by-step approach we used to drive more direct bookings without relying on third-party pl...

I don't know about you, but getting my properties rented out as soon as possible is a top priority. (We became hosts to make a profit, am I right?) In this episode, I'm joined by Kim Fitzpatrick, an expert in short-term rental (STR) setups who's going to break down exactly how you can get your Airbnb up and running in just 7 days.  Trust me when I say, this episode will help you ensure your proper...

Influencer Marketing is a $21 billion industry…   As a past Fashion, Beauty, and Travel Influencer I've seen really great partnerships that've made both parties a lot of money and I've also witnessed deals that fell flat because they lacked alignment or clear goals.   So, trust me when I say this: When done correctly, influencer marketing works.    So, let's talk about it. In this episode, you'll...

Being a business owner of multiple six-figure companies has been…well, challenging (to say the least). And while I've had several mindset shifts and breakthrough moments from both mentors and personal experiences, there's ONE in particular that has guided me through countless pivots. Let me tell you, it has been the biggest game-changer in how I approach every challenge and opportunity. Curious? C...

When done right, influencer marketing works. (I mean haven't you bought something from an ad on TikTok shop or IG stories?)  This is exactly why I was so excited to bring on Jordan Kahana, CEO and founder of Stayamo , a platform connecting short-term rental owners with content creators and influencers.  In this episode, you'll learn what type of analytics and proof to ask a content creator for, ti...