Branded & Booked

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...

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'...