Are you hiding behind your logo, leaving potential bookings on the table? In the world of short-term rentals, personal connection is the secret ingredient that can set you apart from the competition. This episode of the Direct Booking Success podcast explores why showing up matters and how to craft your story to resonate with ideal guests.

As your host, I share my own journey of discovery - how a simple Instagram story introducing myself led to an overwhelming response, increased bookings, and repeat guests. It's time to step out from behind the curtain and let your personality shine.

“Your story, your face, your authentic self. They’re your secret weapons for building trust and driving bookings.” - Jenn Boyles

Remember, it's about progress, not perfection. Your authentic self is your greatest asset in building connections and driving bookings.

Are you ready to step into the spotlight and transform your short-term rental business? Tune in to learn how showing up can lead to direct booking success.

The key moments on this episode are:

00:00:00 The Importance of Personal Connection in Short-Term Rentals

00:00:55 Why Showing Up Matters in Short-Term Rental Marketing

00:03:30 Crafting Your Story to Connect with Ideal Guests

00:05:15 Practical Steps to Increase Your Visibility as a Host

00:07:30 The Benefits of Showing Up and Taking Action

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Show notes are available at: https://directbookingsuccess.com/podcast/

BLACK FRIDAY DEALS (NOVEMBER 25 TO NOVEMBER 29)

This Black Friday, we’re offering 5 exclusive deals designed to supercharge your direct booking strategy, streamline your marketing, and attract more guests!

From creating 3 months of content in 90 minutes to optimizing your website and social media profiles, each deal is tailored to help you level up your business in 2025.

Don’t miss out – these limited-time offers are available for 24 hours only! Check out the full catalogue and grab these game-changing deals now at https://get.directbookingsuccess.com/blackfriday

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Work with Jenn to maintain consistency in your marketing and boost your direct bookings without spending so much money on it: https://directbookingsuccess.com/apply/

The ULTIMATE all-in-one marketing platform for short term rental is finally here! Check it out: https://bookdirectpro.com/

FREE GUIDE: 10 Ways to Drive Guests to your Website instead of Airbnb: https://directbookingsuccess.com/10-ways-to-drive-guests-to-your-website-instead-of-airbnb/

Follow Jenn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directbookingsuccess

Join Jenn’s free Facebook group – the Marketing Hub:

Are you struggling to fill your short-term rental calendar? The secret to more bookings might not be what you think. In this episode, we explore why understanding your ideal guest is the key to transforming your marketing, increasing conversion rates, and creating seamless stays.

Join me as I chat with Gil Chan, a short-term rental host and founder of Crafted Stays, a hospitality tech company. Gil shares his journey from tech executive to passionate host, and how his experiences led him to create a game-changing platform for direct bookings.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to:

• Identify your ideal guest avatar using review analysis
• Tailor your marketing efforts to resonate with your target audience
• Design your property and amenities with your ideal guest in mind
• Create a website that converts visitors into bookings

“The more that we knew about our guests, the better that we actually did.” - Gil Chan

About Gil Chan

Gil Chan is a short-term rental host with several properties in the Great Smoky Mountains and Branson market. He owns and manages these properties with his wife. He’s a father of two young kids. He was born and raised in Silicon Valley (California). He has been in technology for 15 years and has been part of 6 other startups before starting his own hospitality tech company, CraftedStays. Prior to CraftedStays, Gil was working in eCommerce and working closely with Shopify. He realized that in the eCommerce industry if you had an idea and wanted to sell directly to customers, you had platforms like Shopify to help you launch your business; however, in the short-term industry, you’re limited to the PMS standard sites or had to hire an agency to build your custom site. Gil is set out on a mission to enable all short-term rental hosts to be successful in direct bookings.

Connect with Gil and Crafted Stays:

Website: https://craftedstays.co

Instagram: https://instagram.com/craftedstays

*GET AN EXCLUSIVE $35 OFF MONTHLY FOR THE 12-MONTHS IN CRAFTED STAYS ONLY FOR DBS PODCAST LISTENERS*

SIGN UP THROUGH THIS LINK: https://app.craftedstays.com/getstarted/dbs

Whether you're just starting out or looking to increase your direct bookings, this episode provides valuable insights to help your short-term rental business thrive. Don't miss out on these strategies to connect with your ideal guests and boost your bookings.

The key moments on this episode are:

00:00:00 The Secret to More Bookings: Understanding Your Ideal Guest

00:00:57 From Tech to Short-Term Rentals: Gil Chan's Journey

00:03:55 The Shift to Direct Bookings: Taking Control of Your Business

00:05:31 Building a Direct Booking Website: Challenges and Opportunities

00:07:31 Crafted Stays: Creating the Shopify for Short-Term Rentals

00:09:54 The Importance of Understanding Your Ideal Guest

00:13:30 Tailoring Marketing to Your Ideal Guest

00:18:29 Beyond Traffic: Optimizing Your Website for Conversions

00:21:18 Crafted Stays: A Purpose-Built Platform for Short-Term Rentals

00:24:46 Continuous Improvement and Special Offer

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Show notes are available at: https://directbookingsuccess.com/podcast/

Work with Jenn to maintain consistency in your marketing and boost your direct bookings without spending so much money...

Are you feeling overshadowed by the giants of the vacation rental industry? You're not alone. Many property managers believe they can't compete with Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo. But here's the truth: you can outshine them by adopting their best marketing tactics.

In this episode, we're joined by Uvika Wahi from Rental Scale-Up to uncover powerful insights on leveraging the advertising strategies of these industry leaders to boost your direct bookings.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to:

• Understand how Airbnb, Booking.com, and VRBO are spending their marketing budgets and why.
• Learn how to craft compelling narratives that resonate with your ideal guests, just like the industry giants do.
• Discover techniques to create marketing messages that speak to your guests’ desires and fears.
• Uncover strategies to use guest feedback as a powerful marketing tool, inspired by Airbnb’s “Guest Favourite” Label.
• Get actionable tips on how to apply these high-level strategies without breaking the bank.

“What you think is the strength of your property may not be the thing that your guests care about the most. So this is about highlighting what your guests care about and using that to attract future guests.” - Uvika Wahi

About Uvika Wahi

Uvika is the editor at Rental Scale-Up, a leading source of short-term rental news and insights. She analyzes industry trends, contextualizes them with the help of a network of short-term rental operators, and advocates for sustainability within the short-term rental industry and beyond.

Connect with Uvika and Rental Scale-Up

Uvika’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/uwahi/

Rental Scale-Up’s Website: https://www.rentalscaleup.com/

Get a weekly dose of STR marketing learnings through Rental Scale-Up’s newsletter; it’s a must read every week! Subscribe: https://www.rentalscaleup.com/newsletter/

Other Resources Uvika Mentioned in the Podcast

Check out these two properties with amazing storytelling strategies:

Skol Apartments: https://www.skolapartmentsmarbella.com/

Casal dei Fichi: https://www.casaldeifichi.com/

Whether you're just starting out or looking to elevate your direct booking strategy, this episode provides valuable insights to help your short-term rental business thrive in a competitive landscape.

Ready to level up your marketing game? Tune in to learn how to apply big brand tactics on a small business budget and watch your direct bookings soar.

The key moments on this episode are:

00:00:00 Competing with Vacation Rental Giants: Leveraging Their Marketing Tactics

00:01:04 Meet Uvika Wahi: Insights from Rental Scale Up

00:03:51 Analyzing Big Brand Marketing Strategies

00:06:00 Television vs. Digital Advertising in Vacation Rentals

00:08:59 Emotional Storytelling in Vacation Rental Marketing

00:15:16 Developing a Unique Brand Identity

00:21:50 Leveraging Guest Reviews for Marketing

00:26:34 Key Takeaways and Closing Thoughts

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Show notes are available at:...