Get Paid For Your Pad | Airbnb Hosting | Vacation Rentals | STR Revenue Management

Latest Episodes:

Building STR Sites That Convert: The Direct Booking Formula Nov 21, 2025

Show notes

👉 Get a Free Revenue Review → https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/report

Find out how much money your portfolio is leaving on the table. Risk-free.

What does a high-performing direct-booking setup look like when you’re tired of relying on OTAs and a weak booking engine?

In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Kaye Putnam (Head of Marketing at Freewyld) interviews Eli Pritykin, founder of Hudson Creative Studio and creator of HomeRunner, to dive into why most short-term rental operators are stuck building on “rented land” and how to reclaim control with a website that converts.

They discuss the shift from listing-manager mindset to e-commerce mindset, reveal the three key elements of a website that drives direct bookings, and explore how structured data and AI search are changing discovery for properties.

You’ll discover:

• Why many booking engines fall short and trap you on someone else’s platform

• How trust and user experience matter in the first 2–4 seconds of your site visit

• What it means to build your brand as a “curated box of chocolates” so guests choose you instinctively

• How friction in your booking flow silently destroys revenue

• Why WordPress and HomeRunner offer real ownership, flexibility and scalability for direct bookings

• How schema, structured data and emerging AI engines (AEO/GEO) will impact hosting in the near future

💡 Topics Covered:

• Direct booking strategy for short-term rentals

• Trust psychology in user experience and conversion

• Brand building vs commodity operations in STR

• Booking flow optimization and UX design

• Data strategy, schema markup and AI search in hospitality

• WordPress websites vs PMS-built solutions

🔗 Relevant Links:

Learn more about Hudson Creative Studio → https://www.hudsoncreativestudio.com

Explore HomeRunner → https://www.homerunner.io

Follow Kaye Putnam → https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayeputnam/

Keywords:

direct bookings, short-term rentals, STR website, branding, user experience, trust signals, conversion optimization, booking engine, WordPress, HomeRunner, structured data, schema, AI search, AEO, GEO

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Airbnb's New Cancellation Rules: What Every Host Needs to Know (October 2024 Update) Nov 17, 2025

Show notes

🔥 Get Your Free Revenue Management Report: https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/report

In this Rev Up Monday episode, Jasper dives deep into one of the most overlooked aspects of revenue management: cancellation policies. Learn why your strict cancellation policy might be costing you thousands in lost bookings and discover the optimal policy for your specific market and property type.

Key Topics Covered:

The Hidden Cost of Strict Policies

Why strict cancellation policies discourage early bookings
How policies impact your booking window and revenue
The psychology behind guest booking decisions (44% of guests prioritize free cancellation)

Breaking Down Every Airbnb Policy

Super Strict 30/60 (avoid)
Firm: 30-day cancellation window
Limited: 14-day cancellation window (NEW)
Moderate: 5-day cancellation window
Flexible: 24-hour cancellation window

Market-Specific Strategies

Short booking window markets (like Miami): Go flexible
Seasonal markets (ski/beach): Consider firm for peak season
Stable mid-tier cities: Moderate or limited works best
Large homes vs. small units: Different policies for different property sizes

Advanced Tactics

Using flexible policies to recover from bad reviews
Temporary policy changes to boost momentum
The "last man standing" strategy for 100% occupancy markets
Balancing protection vs. booking velocity

Action Items:

Check your current cancellation policy immediately
Review your market's booking window patterns
Consider loosening your policy if bookings are slow
Test different policies for different property sizes

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Inside Freewyld: Building a Winning STR and Hospitality Culture Nov 14, 2025

Show notes

🔥 Get Your Free Revenue Management Report: https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/report

In this episode, Kaye and Eric celebrate Freewyld Foundry's first profitable quarter and reveal their unique approach to sharing success with their team. They discuss the three options for handling company profits and explain why they chose a profit-sharing bonus plan that incentivizes excellence while fostering a culture of ownership.

Key Topics Covered:

The Profit Milestone

Achieving the first profitable quarter after years of reinvestment
The difference between revenue and actual profit
Why most entrepreneurs never see profit despite high revenue

Three Options for Profit

Reinvesting back into the business
Owners taking dividends
Sharing with the team (the path Freewyld chose)

The Bonus Plan Structure

Based on tenure, performance KPIs, and seniority level
Designed to attract and retain top revenue management talent
Future vision: allowing team members to invest bonuses into Freewyld real estate projects

Building Culture Through Rituals

Starting every meeting with professional and personal wins
Implementing "unreasonable hospitality" for B2B clients
Creating company-specific language (like "MIFA" - Make It F***ing Awesome)

Communication & Leadership

Leading without ego in challenging conversations
Approaching problems as "us versus the problem"
Over-communicating appreciation and celebrating client wins

Notable Quotes:

"We never really understand what profit is. We see top line revenue and we invest it, constantly keep growing the business."
"By bringing the team members into the profit pool, it gives them a sense of ownership to what we're doing."
"Culture is made up of rituals, emotional highlights, and how you communicate to each other."

Connect with the Hosts:

LinkedIn: Eric D. Moeller
Follow Freewyld Foundry for more revenue management insights

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FIFA World Cup 2026: How STR Hosts Can Win (Action Plan) Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

Want our team to run your pricing through World Cup ’26? Get a free revenue audit: https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/report The 2026 FIFA World Cup (June 11–July 19, 2026) will send up to 6 million visitors across host cities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. If you operate in or near a host market, a smart strategy could turn June/July into a year’s worth of revenue.

What we cover

Key dates that move the market (including the group-stage draw on December 5, 2025)
Host cities to watch (Vancouver, Seattle, SF Bay Area, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Miami, Toronto, Boston, Philadelphia, New York/New Jersey, plus Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey)
Why fan zones and downtown corridors matter as much as stadiums
Pricing philosophy when comps are thin (bias high, protect inventory, monitor pacing)
Travel spillover to nearby destinations (Grand Canyon, Vegas, national parks, regional drives)
Cultural touches that convert (e.g., bikes + orange swag for Dutch supporters)
How to monitor market signals daily without losing your mind

Action steps

Raise your June–July 2026 base rates now (2–10× your norm, depending on proximity + property quality).
Block or minimum-stay protect high-demand nights until after the draw.
Calendar alert: December 5, 2025 — release of group-stage draw → expect a booking rush within hours.
Map your micro-locations: stadium, downtown, fan zones (municipal announcements), transit, watch-party districts.
Daily scan post-draw: track competitor pricing, pick-ups, and event calendars; adjust pacing thresholds.
Differentiate listings for specific fan bases (amenities, décor accents, transit guides, supporter-area tips).
Widen your net: push content/SEO for “near [host city]” itineraries; capture spillover demand.

Links & resources

Match info & schedule: fifa.com
Free revenue audit (for $1M+ portfolios / ~15+ listings): freewyldfoundry.com/report

Work with us

Want our team to run your pricing through World Cup ’26? Apply for a free revenue audit: freewyldfoundry.com/report

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Leadership in STR: Building A-Player Teams That Scale Nov 07, 2025

Show notes

👉 Get a Free Revenue Review → https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/report

Find out how much money your portfolio is leaving on the table. Risk-free.

What does real leadership look like when your STR company is growing faster than you can keep up?

In this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Eric Moeller (CEO of Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry) and Kaye Putnam (Head of Marketing at Freewyld) take you behind the scenes of what it takes to lead, scale, and sustain a high-growth short-term rental business, without losing your sanity or your team.

They share how to evolve from attack mode to strategic leadership, how to build a strong culture of A-player talent, and what it really means to lead with humility and curiosity in a remote-first hospitality company.

You’ll discover:

• Why “pressure is a privilege” for fast-growing STR leaders

• How to stop micromanaging and start empowering your team

• The real difference between managing and leading

• How to identify and elevate A-players in your organization

• What it takes to build culture inside a remote STR team

• How to have hard conversations without ego or conflict

Eric and Kaye also unpack the leadership shift from control to clarity, the role of overcommunication in scaling, and why defining culture early is the key to sustainable growth in hospitality.

💡 Topics Covered:

• Leadership in the short-term rental and hospitality industry

• Building culture and alignment in remote STR teams

• Servant leadership and the “humble and hungry” mindset

• From operator to strategic CEO in STR growth

• Leading through pressure, uncertainty, and rapid scaling

🔗 Relevant Links:

Learn more about Freewyld Foundry → https://www.freewyldfoundry.com

Follow Eric Moeller → https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericmoeller/

Follow Kaye Putnam → https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayeputnam/

Follow Freewyld → https://www.linkedin.com/company/freewyldfoundry

Keywords:

leadership, Airbnb, short-term rentals, team culture, property management, hospitality, Freewyld, Freewyld Foundry, STR growth, scaling teams, servant leadership, conscious leadership, leadership mindset, vacation rentals, hospitality business, Airbnb host, remote leadership

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3 Proven Strategies to Dominate Airbnb’s Low Season Nov 03, 2025

Show notes

👉 Get a Free Revenue Review → https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/report

Find out how much money your portfolio is leaving on the table. Risk-free.

What if you could finally make your low season perform like a pro’s high season?

In this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Jasper Ribbers (Co-Founder of Freewyld Foundry) shares the exact Low Season Strategy they use across 43 short-term rental portfolios to stay ahead of the market, protect visibility, and keep occupancy strong when everyone else slows down.

The low season doesn’t have to drain your revenue. Jasper reveals how pacing, smart pricing, and proactive planning can help you maintain momentum on OTAs and build long-term growth even in your toughest months.

You’ll discover:

• Why low season performance determines your summer revenue potential

• How to track your Market Penetration Index (MPI) and stay ahead of the curve

• The right way to lower prices without hurting your high season ADR

• How to use seasonal pricing profiles instead of slashing base rates

• Why long-stay discounts can boost occupancy and visibility simultaneously

Jasper also explains why reacting late destroys algorithm traction, how to keep cleaners and maintenance teams busy during off months, and why momentum is the real currency of revenue management.

💡 Topics Covered:

• Pacing and MPI explained for low season success

• Seasonal pricing profiles in Pricelabs, Wheelhouse, and Beyond

• Length-of-stay discounts and snowbird opportunities

• Maintaining OTA visibility and momentum year-round

• Why low season planning starts months in advance

🔗 Relevant Links:

Join the Foundry community → https://www.freewyldfoundry.com

Get your Free Revenue Report → https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/report

Follow Jasper Ribbers → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasperribbers

Keywords:

Airbnb, low season strategy, short-term rentals, Freewyld Foundry, revenue management, pacing, MPI, occupancy strategy, pricing optimization, property management, Airbnb growth, seasonal pricing, vacation rentals, host strategy, STR performance, Get Paid for Your Pad

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A New STR Law Cut Our Max Occupancy by 40% (Freewyld Update) Oct 31, 2025

Show notes

👉 Get a Free Revenue Review → https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/report

Find out how much money your portfolio is leaving on the table. Risk-free.

What happens when your local government suddenly changes short-term rental laws, cutting your guest capacity from 17 to 10 overnight?

In this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Eric Moeller (CEO of Freewyld) and Kaye Putnam (Brand Strategist at Freewyld) share how Riverside County’s new short-term rental regulation forced a complete rethink of their operations, strategy, and brand growth plan.

You’ll discover:

• How a new Riverside occupancy cap instantly changed Freewyld’s business model

• The exact mindset shift that turned frustration into expansion

• Why regulation can be the best catalyst for brand and design innovation

• How Eric plans to rezone Freewyld’s Idyllwild cabins into a full hotel project

• The critical role of mentors, architects, and community when scaling STRs

• How to stay profitable and compliant amid fast-changing STR laws

Eric and Kaye also unpack what this means for the broader short-term rental industry, and why hosts must adapt their operations, brand story, and pricing models to survive the new wave of local regulation.

💡 Topics Covered:

• Riverside County’s new STR occupancy law

• How to pivot when guest capacity drops

• The difference between reaction and resilience in hospitality

• Turning regulation into opportunity through brand strength

• The future of STR zoning, compliance, and hospitality growth

🔗 Relevant Links:

Learn more about Freewyld Foundry → https://www.freewyldfoundry.com

Follow Eric Moeller → https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericmoeller/

Follow Freewyld → https://www.linkedin.com/company/freewyldfoundry

Keywords:

Riverside County, short-term rental law, STR regulation, occupancy cap, Airbnb, vacation rentals, Freewyld, Freewyld Foundry, short-term rental growth, hospitality brand, real estate development, zoning, hotel conversion, regulation strategy, Airbnb host, property management, STR pivot, compliance, hospitality innovation

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Airbnb’s 15.5% Fee Change: What Hosts Must Do Now Oct 27, 2025

Show notes

👉 Get a Free Revenue Review → https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/report

Find out how much money your portfolio is leaving on the table. Risk-free.

What happens when Airbnb quietly shifts 12.5% of your revenue overnight?

In this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Jasper Ribbers (Head of Revenue Management at Freewyld) and Miles Chew (Revenue Manager at Freewyld Foundry) break down Airbnb’s new 15.5% host fee, explain what it means for your payouts, and show you how to fix your pricing strategy before your margins vanish.

You’ll discover:

• The exact markup you need to stay revenue-neutral

• How to adjust cleaning, pet, and resort fees to avoid losses

• Why small miscalculations in PMS markups can quietly drain six figures

• How this update affects management splits and owner payouts

• The hidden ripple effect on guest pricing, demand, and taxes

Jasper and Miles also explain why Airbnb made this move, what it means for hosts globally, and how to keep your pricing consistent across OTA channels without sacrificing rate parity.

💡 Topics Covered:

• Airbnb’s 15.5% host fee breakdown

• How to calculate the right markup using Freewyld’s tool

• PMS limitations, rounding errors, and pricing precision

• Adjusting management and cleaning fees to stay profitable

• How to communicate these changes transparently to owners and guests

🔗 Relevant Links:

Learn more about Freewyld Foundry → https://www.freewyldfoundry.com

Follow Jasper Ribbers → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasperribbers/

Follow Freewyld → https://www.linkedin.com/company/freewyldfoundry

Keywords:

Airbnb, Airbnb host, Airbnb fees, Airbnb update, short-term rentals, vacation rentals, revenue management, pricing strategy, property management, Freewyld, Freewyld Foundry, STR growth, Airbnb pricing, Airbnb markup, hospitality industry, profit optimization

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

$4.15M in Missed Airbnb Revenue: Lessons From VRMA Vegas Oct 24, 2025

Show notes

👉 Get a Free Revenue Review → https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/report

Find out how much money your portfolio is leaving on the table. Risk-free.

In this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Kaye Putnam (Head of Marketing at Freewyld) sits down with Eric Moeller (CEO of Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry) and Jasper Ribbers (Head of Revenue Management) to break down what they discovered at VRMA Las Vegas 2025, including how they uncovered millions in missed profit during live Turbo Rev Revs.

They reveal the surprising truth about pricing tools, why “set it and forget it” automation is quietly costing operators six figures a year, and how hands-on revenue strategy still beats AI every time.

You’ll discover:

How Freewyld’s 15-minute Turbo Rev Revs exposed $4.15M in missed revenue
The most common mistakes even experienced hosts make with pricing tools
Jasper’s simple KPI framework to track and improve performance daily
Why AI is trending everywhere but still not delivering real revenue impact
The critical difference between cheap management and high-impact strategy
How social content and brand storytelling are becoming essential to STR growth

Eric, Jasper, and Kaye also share the biggest takeaways from leading a packed Skills Lab at VRMA, the shift from “old-school vacation rentals” to modern STR operations, and why operators who review every single booking are the ones who win.

💡 Topics Covered:

Real-world proof of hidden revenue inside STR portfolios
The gap between automation and true optimization
How to evaluate if your pricing process is leaving money behind
Why AI tools aren’t enough without expert human oversight
Content, community, and data as growth pillars for 2025

🔗 Relevant Links:

Apply for a Free Revenue Report → https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/report

Follow Eric Moeller → https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericdmoeller/

Follow Kaye Putnam → https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayeputnam/

Follow Jasper Ribbers → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasperribbers/

Keywords:

short-term rentals, Airbnb revenue, hidden revenue, VRMA, revenue management, pricing strategy, Turbo Rev Revs, STR growth, dynamic pricing, Freewyld, Freewyld Foundry, hospitality leadership, property management, Airbnb optimization, AI in hospitality

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Airbnb 2026: How Pro Hosts Will Dominate the Game Oct 17, 2025

Show notes

👉 Get a Free Revenue Review → https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/report

Find out how much money your portfolio is leaving on the table. Risk-free.

What if you could sit inside Airbnb HQ and hear Brian Chesky reveal the company’s next big move?

In this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Eric Moeller (CEO of Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry) and Kaye Putnam (Head of Marketing at Freewyld) share everything they learned at Airbnb’s invite-only Host Summit, where top operators got a first look at the future of hospitality.

Airbnb is officially entering a new era. The platform is doubling down on Pro Hosts, design-driven listings, and hospitality experiences that build trust. Eric breaks down what that means for you, why quality will now determine visibility and success, and how hosts can evolve from managing listings to leading true hospitality brands.

You’ll discover:

• What Airbnb’s “Pro Host” initiative really means for scaling operators

• How quality, trust, and design impact ranking and bookings

• The merchandising secrets that make listings convert faster

• What Gen Z and Latino travelers expect from modern hosts

• How global events like FIFA 2026 will shape future travel demand

Eric and Kaye also share how Airbnb is investing in tools, reps, and education to help Pro Hosts operate at a higher level, and why “heads in beds” is no longer enough to stand out.

💡 Topics Covered:

• Airbnb’s shift from listings to full hospitality experiences

• How to build trust through storytelling and brand presence

• Why “relentless hospitality” separates 4.6 hosts from 4.9+

• How to design listings that inspire emotion and connection

🔗 Relevant Links:

Learn more about Freewyld → https://www.freewyld.co

Join the Foundry community → https://www.freewyldfoundry.com

Follow Eric Moeller → https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericdmoeller/

Follow Kaye Putnam → https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayeputnam/

Keywords:

Airbnb, Pro Host, short-term rental, hospitality, Freewyld, Freewyld Foundry, Airbnb host, quality hosting, Airbnb design, Brian Chesky, property management, STR growth, Airbnb 2025, travel trends, experiential travel

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.