The Brand & Market Podcast - Turning Airbnb Listings into Legacies

Are you making the most of your 5-star reviews? Today I’m sharing a replay of episode 53, which is all about utilizing your short-term rental’s 5-star reviews throughout your marketing. Tune in for action steps beyond simply just posting the reviews to your Instagram story. This episode originally aired as episode 53 on July 23, 2025. Time-stamps: Why you need to ask for 5-star reviews (5:56) How...

You’ve got your colors, logo, and fonts, now what? In today’s episode, I’m diving deeper into branding and brand activations: the secret to bringing your brand experience to life. Plus, I’m sharing a number of real-life examples for short-term rentals, boutique hotels, and personal brands. Time-stamps: Wednesday Wins (0:50) Defining brand activations (2:09) Examples of brand activations (3:40) How...

When it comes to email marketing for your short-term rental, what makes it worth your while? In today’s episode, I’m taking a deeper look into StayFi, a WiFi marketing platform commonly used by short-term rental owners. I’m sharing whether or not I think StayFi is worth it, and what other email marketing platforms I’d consider as well. Time-stamps: Wednesday Wins (0:57) What is StayFi and how do r...

Cheers y’all! Today we are celebrating 100 episodes of the Brand & Market Podcast! I’m telling the story of how the podcast has evolved over time, the re-brand and coaching commitment that changed my entire trajectory, plus shouting out some of the amazing clients that I’ve had the privilege of working with because of the podcast. Time-stamps: Listener voicemails (0:42) A podcast just wasn’t f...

Have you considered using Manychat to generate leads for your short-term rental? In today’s episode, I’m sharing what Manychat is, plus the three steps I’d take to get started with using it for my properties. Time-stamps: I want to feature you on Brand & Market’s 100th episode! (0:48) Wednesday Wins (2:15) Using Manychat (5:01) My favorite feature in Manychat (6:50) Create a local guide with i...

Does your marketing strategy capture potential guests in its web? In today’s episode, I’m breaking down a short-term rental marketing plan using my “spider web” model. Plus, real-life examples to keep your guests in your web, before and after they book. Time-stamps: I want to feature you on Brand & Market’s 100th episode! (1:00) Wednesday Wins (3:26) What’s changed about marketing (5:45) The m...

Have you considered expanding your portfolio outside of short-term rentals? In today’s episode, I’m talking with capital raiser Yasha Wells about opportunities available for investors in industrial flex spaces. Plus, how to invest in these properties without having to do all the work typical of a short-term rental. Time-stamps: Meet Yasha Wells (1:47) The transition from realtor to capital raiser...

How do I analyze a listing? In today’s episode, I’m walking you through a step-by-step example of my process to determine whether a short-term rental is going to be profitable or not. I’m analyzing a current listing for a Gatlinburg property. Time-stamps: Wednesday Wins (2:52) The property I’m analyzing today (9:16) Researching the property on AirDNA (11:55) Accessing comparable properties (14:08)...

What does it take to bring our micro-resort vision to life? In today’s episode, I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes look into the next step for our Elysian property: adding another unit, Sol. Tune in to hear why the mirror house is perfect for our micro-resort, plus the potential challenges of getting it there. Time-stamps: Wednesday Wins (0:43) Background on the Elysian micro-resort and Luna (4:53) E...

Are you in the short-term rental business for real estate or hospitality? Maybe both? In today’s episode, I’m sharing how I use the property management system Lodgify to create a profitable short-term rental business while prioritizing guest experience. Time-stamps: Wednesday Wins (1:01) The early check-in story that inspired today’s episode (3:57) One unified inbox (10:23) 20% off your annual sub...

Happy birthday to my husband, Caleb! In this episode, we reflect on our year of investing in short-term rentals and our newest property, Luna. Plus, our future goals for our short-term rental business. Time-stamps: Perspective on our newest property, Luna (2:55) Thoughts on the interior and exterior design of Luna (21:24) Reaction to the branding and expansion of Elysian (30:39) Our short-term ren...

What if you could find your next rental property in just a few minutes? In today’s episode, returning guest Matt Sanderson tells us about the upgrade of his app, strIQ. Plus, how strIQ will help short-term rental owners and investors find and purchase their next properties. Time-stamps: Introducing strIQ and strIQ 2.0 (1:33) Using strIQ to compare your rental comps (4:25) The development of strIQ...

How much can your short-term rental business change in a year? I’m proof that things can change a LOT. In today’s episode, I’m recapping my experience at Level Up Your Listing 2026, plus my huge news… I’m a rising star! Time-stamps: What is Level Up Your Listing? (1:00) How LUYL 2025 changed my trajectory (4:28) Connections made at LUYL (6:47) Lodgify (26:29) Educational opportunities (27:57) Mind...

If I’m being honest, this has been a slow booking season. But I’m not going to panic. Listen in to today’s episode as I re-analyze my pricing strategy for my short-term rentals and see what I can learn from my price management tools. Time-stamps: Implementing a dynamic pricing strategy (2:05) Adjusting price settings in PriceLabs (6:07) Far-out and last-minute pricing (10:23) Lodgify (12:30) Learn...

Want an inside look at my newest rental project? In today’s episode, I’m sharing the details of a potential project that hits extremely close to home. Spoiler alert: I'm thinking about a boutique hotel for our next short-term rental! Plus, a look at the thought process and considerations we’re making before we even make an offer. Time-stamps: Understanding myself and my business through human desi...

Does your rental have “scroll-stopping” interior design? In today’s episode, I’m talking with Brianna of Brianna Michele Interiors. We’re diving into her work on my newest short-term rental property, Luna, plus taking a glimpse into her rental design process. Time-stamps: Introducing Brianna of Brianna Michele Interiors (1:33) Brianna’s initial reaction about designing Luna (5:28) Starting from sc...

Many short-term rental owners think that I’m referring to logos and colors when I say brand strategy. But in this episode, I’m sharing what it actually is. I’m going page by page through a recent client’s brand strategy document, showing you exactly what a detailed brand strategy includes and what it does for your rental. Time-stamps: Brand overview (1:37) Property tagline (3:15) Mission statement...

Are you confused on where to start with branding? In today’s episode, I’m diving into two common types of brands: the personal brand and the property brand. I’ll explain what defines each type, key differences to consider, and how the two can actually work together to support your goals as a short-term rental owner. Time-stamps: Defining a personal brand (3:25) Building a personal brand as a short...

Is it time to hire a brand designer? In today’s episode, I’m breaking down the importance of having a brand strategy and what hiring a brand designer like myself will do for your property. Plus, I’m sharing my exact timeline recommendation for hiring a brand and interior designer. Time-stamps: Understanding brand strategy (2:51) Brand design before interior design (4:50) Doing the market research...

What if your short-term rental could outperform the entire market it's in, before your first guest even checks in? In this episode, I sit down with Heather Martini and Emily King, of Data Led Designs, to talk about what it really takes to build a profitable short-term rental in today’s competitive landscape. Heather brings her business intelligence background and Airbnb Superhost experience, while...

Are you ready to launch your new short-term rental property? Not without a pre-launch waitlist! In today’s episode, I’m breaking down the strategy behind having a short-term rental waitlist before the property officially launches, and how doing so will drive up your bookings. Time-stamps: Stop waiting for it to be perfect (1:56) Understanding what a waitlist is and what it isn’t (5:45) Drive early...

Has your rental income been affected by Airbnb’s service fee update? In today’s episode, I’m sharing the impact that the recent change has had on short-term rental owners, including myself. I’m breaking down the real numbers, plus why right now is the time to implement a direct booking site in response. Time-stamps: Recent changes to Airbnb fees (1:51) How the fees are impacting my properties (5:5...

Do you have a social media plan for your short-term rental? In today’s episode, I’m diving into a few main action steps to take when planning your content. I’ll be chatting about how to pick the right platform, your posting cadence, and what posts will actually make a difference in your bookings. Time-stamps: Does your short-term rental have to be on social media? (1:14) Picking the right platform...

Is your property ready to book? In today’s episode, I’m taking you behind-the-scenes as we put the final touches on our newest property, Luna (the first property at the Elysian micro-resort). I’m diving into our last items on the to-do list and some unexpected challenges as we approach our opening date. Remember, use code STAY50 to receive $50 off your booking at Luna/Elysian when you book on our...

What does it take to create a truly special short-term rental? Maybe you want to create a boutique hotel or even a micro-resort. In today’s episode, I’m talking with property owner Ian Joseph about the development of his hospitality group and West Virginia stays. We also dive into his background in both commercial banking and real estate development, and how he has combined these interests with hi...