The Brand & Market Podcast - Turning Airbnb Listings into Legacies

Is your Airbnb property rated 5 stars? In today’s episode, I’m sharing the importance of 5-star reviews for your short-term rental, and why they’re not just important on the rental sites. I’m diving into how to ask for 5-star reviews and what to do once the reviews start pouring in. Time-stamps: Why you need to ask for 5-star reviews (1:30) How to ask for a 5-star review (5:53) Cohosting Services...

Are you an entrepreneur wondering if you should put time and effort into Google Ads? In today’s episode, I’m talking with SEO and Google Ads expert Glenneth Reed. Glenneth shares her reasoning on whether or not Google Ads are worth it for entrepreneurs, plus how to make the most of your time and budget if you do decide to invest. Time-stamps: Meet Glenneth Reed (1:03) Being a certified expert in G...

Are you scared to fail? In today’s episode, I’m getting real with you and unpacking my business failures. Plus, I’m sharing some insight gained from my recent experience at the Sand In My Boots music festival, where acts shared their own stories from before they found success. Time-stamps: Sand In My Boots Music Festival (2:57) “This is the song that changed my life” (4:53) The photography subscri...

What if you could optimize your rental property with just the push of a button? In today’s episode, I’m talking with Matt Sanderson, co-founder of strIQ. We’re diving into how strIQ can help you acquire and optimize your rentals, plus Matt’s own experience with becoming a short-term rental owner and investor. Time-stamps: Meet Matt Sanderson (3:06) An overview of Matt’s rentals (6:02) Reasons to b...

What do you do when your dream property faces 18 zoning restrictions? You pivot. In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of our Kentucky property—originally intended to be a luxury wedding venue and now a thriving short-term rental on the Bourbon Trail. From unexpected zoning drama to interior design choices that tell a brand story, this one’s a ride. I share the real estate misadventures th...

Want to rank higher on Google without drowning in jargon? This week’s episode is for you. I sat down with Eden from Maven Made Copy—an expert in SEO and blog content strategy—to break down exactly how small businesses, especially those in real estate and short-term rentals, can boost their visibility online. We dive into why search engine optimization matters, what makes a keyword worth chasing, a...

What was it like to become a short-term rental host? In today’s episode, I’m sharing my personal story of converting our former home into a long-term rental and eventually an Airbnb. I’m sharing the horrible conditions of the property after a long-term rental, plus how to successful convert your home into an Airbnb. Time-stamps: Our history in the North Carolina house (1:21) Leaving North Carolina...

Are you confident in your sales process? In today’s episode, I’m chatting with my new sales coach, Gwen Tinsley. We’re diving into each step of the sales conversation, plus how to focus on serving over selling. Time-stamps: Meet Gwen Tinsley of Grit and Tenacity (1:36) What holds you back from selling confidently (7:46) Learning to sell based on service value (13:25) The complete sales process (16...

Let’s talk truth about social media and short-term rentals: is Instagram a brilliant brand builder or just more busy work? In this episode, I unpack the truth behind airbnb social media marketing and how to evaluate whether building a social presence is worth it for your Airbnb property, based on your long-term goals. I share personal lessons from managing “The Commonwealth,” our own rental-turned...

Want an inside look at bringing a business to life? In today’s episode, I’m chatting with my clients Lori Webb and Emily Albers about our experience launching their brand new wellness studio, Health House. They share the journey behind the business, plus what it has been like to bring the vision to life through digital marketing. Time-stamps: Lori’s health battle of the last few years (1:06) Emily...

What business lessons can you learn from Morgan Wallen? In today’s episode, Ali shares some thoughts on one of her all-time favorite music artists and what marketing strategies you can take from his career. Time-stamps: My personal connection to Morgan Wallen’s music (1:10) A little background on Morgan Wallen (10:52) Releasing an immense amount of music in a short time (12:11) Power Hour (16:20)...

What does the systems side of your short-term rental business look like? In today’s episode, I’m interviewing online business manager Kassie Layne all about the systems behind a successful rental. She’s sharing key tips for guest communication before, during, and after the stay, plus steps to take on the back-end to manage your rentals smoothly . Time-stamps: How your systems save time and increas...

Are you curious about what it’s like to own short-term and Airbnb rentals with your partner? In today’s episode, Ali chats with her husband Caleb about their best Airbnb renter stories, short-term rental experiences, and Caleb’s upcoming birthday plans. Time-stamps: Caleb’s favorite birthday memories (1:36) What Caleb says Ali does for work (4:06) What really is Ali’s name? (5:48) Does Caleb liste...

Do you know the value of interior design for your short-term rental? In today’s episode, Ali chats with designer Morgan Wise of Morgan Kay Interiors. Morgan shares her advice for rental owners who are looking to make the best impression of their space, balance functionality and aesthetic, and keep up with design trends while on a budget. Time-stamps: Introducing Morgan Wise (1:10) The virtual inte...

What can you learn about marketing from Post Malone? In today’s episode, Ali shares about Post, one of her favorite music artists, and his transition into the country music genre. Plus, she shares how his recent release strategy exemplifies some top marketing hacks for entrepreneurs. Time-stamps: Background on Post Malone (1:05) Releasing three singles pre-release of the album Power Hour Call (9:0...

How crucial is brand photography when it comes to the success of your business? In today’s episode, Ali chats with owner of Pilates Barre Lex, Hannah Merideth. Hannah shares the power of brand photography and the impact it has had on establishing her business. Time-stamps: Meet Hannah and hear the story behind Pilates Bar Lex (1:47) Investing in branding photography as part of start-up costs (9:51...

Do you know your unique value proposition (UVP)? In this episode, Ali discusses one of the most commonly overlooked parts of brand strategy! Time-stamps: Defining UVP (1:23) UVPs for realtors (2:37) Why I don’t ask my clients for their UVP (3:30) UVP examples from my clients (5:07) Brand Strategy Framework (8:17) Finding your own UVP (11:25) Mentioned in This Episode: Brand Strategy Framework: bra...

Have you ever considered influencer marketing as a way to promote your rental? In today’s episode, Ali chats with content creator Kelly Cain about how short-term rental owners can make the most of influencer partnerships and airbnb social media marketing. Kelly is a Raleigh-based content creator and marketing strategist passionate about helping small businesses grow through engaging digital storyt...

Curious about Ali’s business perspective? In this episode, she discusses her recent experience at the Level Up Your Listing Summit, plus her takeaways and perspective shifts. She also shares her hopes for 2025 and beyond. Time-stamps: Embodying confidence and being bold (4:53) Success is a poor teacher (18:37) Power Hour (26:34) It’s not just about the numbers (27:29) The surprise book find (32:58...

Ready to level up your brand? In this episode, Ali chats with brand designer Kristina Bleiler of Gem Creative about her best advice for branding as a DIYer. Time-stamps: Get to know Kristina (1:30) Taking the leap into entrepreneurship (3:04) Finding the hidden gems in your brand (4:53) DIYing your creative direction (7:48) Building a brand as a short-term rental (10:04) Keeping yourself inspired...

How can you make the most out of AI technology as a realtor? In today’s episode, Ali shares how to use AI like your very own personal marketing assistant. She shares a few suggestions on strategies for using AI plus which specific questions to ask in order to get the best results. Time-stamps: ChatGPT and Gemini (2:34) Using AI as your marketing assistant (3:46) Working with AI to create content (...

Is your brand connecting with your ideal client? In today’s episode, Ali talks with Victoria, owner of BrandWell Designs, about building your strongest brand. Listen in as we discuss niching down, maintaining a client-focused sales process, and how Brandwell's tailored systems and personal touch have set them apart in a crowded market. Victoria is the founder and CEO of BrandWell Designs and The B...

Ready to level up your email marketing strategy? In today’s episode, I’m sharing why I love Flodesk as an email marketing platform and some of my top tips for realtors and short-term rental owners looking to up their email marketing game. Time-stamps: Is email marketing dead? (1:30) A personal Flodesk story (3:06) Professional designs and customization (4:32) Paying the same rate as your email lis...

Want an inside look at a power hour with Ali? In this episode, Ali sits down with realtor Georgia Donovan to take an in-depth look at her brand and marketing. Time-stamps: Get to know Georgia (1:39) Transitions in brokerage (3:13) Rebranding Brand & Market (4:32) The most common mistakes that realtors make (10:26) Defining your ideal client (16:37) Creating a logo without a strategy (18:42) Ge...

What if your brand was your romantic partner? In this episode, Ali hosts The Newlywed Game and is diving in to see how connected you are with your brand. Let’s see how well you really know the heart of your business! Time-stamps: The newlywed game (1:12) Getting back to the basics (2:13) Brand values and identity (5:14) Examining your client experience (8:42) The future goals of your brand (11:11)...