Booked Solid Show - Short Term Rental Podcast

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...

In this episode of  Direct Bookings Simplified , Alex opens up about his journey from facing early challenges in real estate to building a thriving STR business, complete with seven properties, a coaching program, and innovative direct booking strategies. Discover how he uses guest videos, monthly inspections, and smart email marketing to create standout guest experiences and win loyal repeat book...

In a special episode of  Direct Booking Simplified , we sit down with Abby from Hospitable to explore how simplifying the guest experience can transform your short-term rental business . From guest vetting and payment innovations to building a niche that resonates with your ideal audience, Abby dives into innovative strategies and highlights powerful examples of how simplicity can drive success in...

In the latest episode of  Direct Bookings Simplified , we had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Tosin Obata, a former university professor turned successful short-term rental entrepreneur. Tosin shared his remarkable journey from academia to managing a thriving property portfolio of 30 units—and all the invaluable lessons he’s learned along the way. From turning a one-bedroom apartment into a laun...

The latest episode of  Direct Bookings Simplified  dives into a critical yet often misunderstood topic:  Search Engine Optimization (SEO) , or better yet defined as  "Serving Excellent Opportunities"  according to our special guest. SEO can unlock new opportunities by driving direct bookings and reducing reliance on OTAs, making it invaluable for short-term rental hosts. This week's special guest...

Are you a short-term rental host looking to grow your business and build stronger guest relationships? In this episode, Jeff Chisum, mortgage expert and successful STR operator, shares his invaluable insights on everything from securing financing for your vacation properties to creating a memorable guest experience that keeps people coming back year after year. Jeff's real-world strategies on targ...

In our latest podcast episode, we sit down with  Isaac French , founder of the iconic Live Oak Lake, to discuss how he built a unique hospitality experience that caught the attention of guests and influencers alike. From design tips to marketing strategies, Isaac shares actionable advice for anyone looking to turn their property into a must-book destination. Want to learn more from Isaac? Newslett...

In this episode of Direct Booking Simplified, we discuss Niche Marketing Strategies for Short-Term Rental Hosts  with marketing expert Nihal Salah. Together, we brainstorm how to elevate your property by targeting specific guest segments, from dog lovers, digital nomads, unique guest needs, and personalized experiences. Connect with Nihal here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nihalsalah/

Marketing expert Scott Quesnell shares his data-driven frameworks for supercharging your online presence and booking conversions. Let's discover Scott's strategies on how to leverage powerful tools like Google Analytics and SEM Rush to uncover insights about your customers, systematically test and optimize your marketing tactics, and build a flywheel of sustainable growth.  Whether it's fine-tunin...

"Making A Difference, One Stay at a Time!" In this episode of Direct Booking Simplified, we sit down with Debbie Todd, a Hospitable Host and a STR Impact Expert who's redefining success in the industry. Discover how Debbie transformed her family getaway into a thriving business that gives back to the community. From involving her kids in operations to donating 5% of each booking to charity, Debbie...

From having no real estate background, to scaling up and managing 22 properties in just two years. In this episode, we dive into the incredible and inspiring journey of Victor Solano, a short-term rental expert who built a thriving business from scratch. Victor shares how he took calculated risks, invested in the right education, and learned to build powerful, trust-based partnerships with propert...

In this episode, we discuss the dynamics of social media marketing with our special guest, Ben Wolff. Discover how he and his team's approach transforms the vacation rental industry by harnessing the power of influencers. Ben shares his strategies for identifying the right influencers, creating compelling content, and building authentic connections that resonate with travelers. Join us as we explo...

For this week's special episode of Direct Booking Simplified, we collaborate a joint podcast with  STR Investing, The Podcast Gil sits down with Taylor Jones, a seasoned STR investor and data analyst, as they equally share their experiences and strategies on how to stand out in a competitive market in the world of short-term rentals. Together, we discover how understanding your ideal guest can...

In this episode, we sit down with Tom Powers, the Market Manager of Guesty. Tom shares insights from Guesty's founding journey, emphasizing the company's commitment to innovation and deep industry expertise. We discuss the significant challenges facing the short-term rental sector, including organized opposition and regulatory pressures, while outlining actionable steps for operators to ad...

In our latest episode of Direct Booking Simplified, we discover a fascinating journey through the evolving landscape of short-term rentals with Rafa Loza. As we dive into Rafa's wealth of experience and industry insights, you'll uncover the latest trends and strategies that are shaping the rental market. Join us as Rafa and Gil share their stories and learnings on managing growth, building...

From a Spare Room to 13 Properties: Vee Venski shared his expertise and humble beginnings, offering actionable advice for both newcomers and seasoned hosts in the short-term rental industry. In this episode, we talk about the core strategies Vee discussed, providing a comprehensive guide to help hosts enhance short-term rentals, as navigating the short-term rental market requires a blend of strate...

In this episode we are joined by Leo Walton from Superhog, as we dive into the dynamic world of short-term rentals and uncover how it’s evolving. We discuss how hosts are transforming stays from basic lodging to personalized, unforgettable experiences, and how this shift mirrors a growing demand for tailored travel adventures where guests seek more than just a bed—rather immersion. Also, we explor...

In our latest podcast episode, we had an insightful conversation with Katie Wanzer, co-founder of Wisco Hosts and a co-owner of a boutique motel in Door County, to explore pivotal strategies for boosting direct bookings. Katie shares how she believes that a well-defined brand identity is crucial for driving success in direct bookings. Discover how establishing a clear and compelling brand can stre...

In the 23rd episode of Direct Booking Simplified, military veteran and superhost Jessica Fernandez shares her perspective on hosting. Instead of focusing on expanding her portfolio or managing numerous listings, Jessica zeroes in on providing an outstanding guest experience. She explains how her focus on personalizing and perfecting each stay not only ensures memorable visits but also turns regula...

Join us as we dive deep with Al and Elissa of Rather Be Properties. From 4 to 30+ properties in just a year, they share their journey of rapid growth while maintaining a focus on five-star hospitality. Learn about their innovative approaches to direct bookings, influencer partnerships, and balancing business scaling with family life. Discover how they're playing the long game in the short-term...

In this episode, let's join DJ Fornelli as he shares his unconventional path to success, including the risks he took, the mindset shifts he made, and the power of building the right team. Let's discover how his 10-key boutique hotel, Yara Palm Springs, achieved 65% direct booking rate through strategic branding and influencer partnerships. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just sta...

In this episode, we learn which tactics work for Dave to drive direct bookings. After trying many different tactics, Dave figured out how to reliably get a steady stream of direct bookings by using a simple tactic: calling the guest . He’s able to build relationships, understand the guest’s visit frequency, and secure the next stay should they come back to the area. Join us on this episode to dive...

We have the honor of interviewing Tracey Northcott from Tokyo Family Stays about how she delivers her guest experiences and how that translates to more direct bookings. Tracey walks us through how she thinks about the entire booking journey and how she can deliver the best guest experience beyond just a great place to stay. Her mindset has led to a sustainable book-direct business from repeat gues...

Join us as we chat with Chris Jeub, the Glamping Guy. Chris has built a portfolio of glamping sites and has slowly increased from 3% direct bookings to up to 50% direct bookings by leveraging simple tactics such as delivering a great guest experience, working on his SEO, running ads, and posting on Facebook groups. Chris walks us through his journey from relying on Airbnb for most of his revenues...

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. Want to connect with Alex, find her here: https://ww...