Thanks For Visiting

Latest Episodes:

Systems Shakedown 005. Unlock More 5-Star Reviews Through Proactive Hospitality (Success Unlocked Season 1) Dec 27, 2023

Show notes

Welcome back to Success Unlocked, where our hosting business master membership coaches discuss operations, social media, unique builds, co-hosting strategies, and much more. This week’s episode is Systems Shakedown, hosted by Wendy Doris.

Wendy is joined by co-hosting champions, Colleen Prochaska and Amy Corbett, of Stay Awhile Hosting Co. and All Belong Co., respectively. Both women bring a wealth of knowledge and hospitality experience to this roundtable-style conversation on best practices, mistakes to avoid, and of course, systems to implement as you smooth it all out.

(00:02:13) (Re)Introducing Colleen & Amy

(00:03:46) Easy Tips to Boost Guest Satisfaction

(00:15:29) The Power of a Phone Call

(00:27:14) Knowing When to Make a Change

(00:32:14) Prioritize the Check-In Experience

(00:38:48) Converting 4-Star Reviews to 5-Star Reviews

Resources:

Visit thanksforvisiting.com/workshop to watch our Hosting Business Mastery Method workshop!
Airbnb Essentials Checklist: hostchecklist.com
Websites: mostess.host, stayawhilehostingco.com, allbelong.co
Instagram: @mostess.host, @stayawhilehostingco, @allbelong.co

Thanks for Visiting is produced by Crate Media.

Mentioned in this episode:

Make More Money This Year | Join our LIVE Workshop!

Host Checklist | Grab our Airbnb Essentials Checklist and make stocking your Airbnb a breeze – we've got all your hosting needs covered!

318. Hosting Hotline: How Early (or Late) Should You Share Your Rental’s Address? Dec 26, 2023

Show notes

Welcome back to the Hosting Hotline! This is an Ask Me Anything where each week we’ll answer your questions on Airbnb, STRs, real estate, and everything in between.

Katrina asks:

What’s your opinion on giving out the address of the house to guests? Recently, I've been having guests contact me through VRBO, asking for the address in advance of their stay. Some of these guests are asking for that information so they can check it out before they book, months ahead.

In other cases, they're booking, paying the initial deposit, and then asking for the physical address about two months before they're even going to be staying there.

I personally am a little uncomfortable giving out my address that early on. I'd like to get your thoughts. What are best practices right now?

(00:01:31) How Early (or Late) Should You Share Your Rental’s Address?

(00:02:55) Recent Rumblings of Questionable Bookings on VRBO

(00:04:23) Honor Your Own Comfort Level with Standardization

(00:06:02) Sarah Recommends Appropriate Timing for Sharing Your Address

Thanks to everyone who submitted questions. To hear your voice on the show and send a question to Sarah and Annette, submit your burning hosting questions at: hostinghotline.com.

Resources:

Visit thanksforvisiting.com/workshop to watch our Hosting Business Mastery Method workshop!
Airbnb Essentials Checklist: hostchecklist.com

Thanks for Visiting is produced by Crate Media.

Mentioned in this episode:

Quiz | Take our quiz to reveal your hosting personality style!

Make More Money This Year | Join our LIVE Workshop!

317. Free Org Chart Download: Follow These Steps to Structure Your STR Business Dec 21, 2023

Show notes

Sarah and Annette drop in for a holiday season solo to reinforce the importance of establishing a well-organized structure to run your short-term rental business, from branding, SEO, and social/print/email marketing to bookings, guest management, maintenance, housekeeping, inspections, and so much more.

Get a pro rundown on what roles and responsibilities to prioritize in three main areas of your business: Marketing/Sales, Operations, and Admin/Finance. And don’t miss Sarah’s recommendation for which order to follow when hiring for these positions, at the end of the episode.

To follow along, listeners are invited to download our FREE org chart template: thanksforvisiting.com/org-chart.

(00:01:22) #STRShareSunday: @blissfulburrow

(00:04:20) Why You Should Organize Your STR Business

(00:08:32) Empower Your Sales & Marketing Department

(00:14:15) Short-Term Rental Operations Department

(00:22:17) What Makes a Good Finance & Admin Department?

(00:27:10) Sarah & Annette Recommend a Short-Term Rental Org Chart

Resources:

Visit thanksforvisiting.com/workshop to watch our Hosting Business Mastery Method workshop!
Airbnb Essentials Checklist: hostchecklist.com
Download our org chart: thanksforvisiting.com/org-chart
#STRShareSunday: @blissfulburrow

Thanks for Visiting is produced by Crate Media.

Mentioned in this episode:

Breezeway | Go to breezeway.io/tfv to claim your free implementation when you start a Breezeway account.

Make More Money This Year | Join our LIVE Workshop!

Hostfully | Go to https://www.hostfully.com/tfv and use TFV100 to get $500 off your subscription.

Relay | Go to https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=ThanksForVisiting for your FREE business banking account.

Vacation Ventures 005. Pro Tips for Scouting STR Land Purchases (Success Unlocked Season 1) Dec 20, 2023

Show notes

Welcome back to Success Unlocked, where our hosting business master membership coaches discuss operations, social media, unique builds, co-hosting strategies, and so much more. This week’s episode is Vacation Ventures, hosted by Michael Hicks.

In this episode, Mike helps Annette work through her recent experience scouting two 100+ acre properties for potential STR development. From septic to signing – there are hundreds of things to keep your eye on in this process, and Mike’s just the guy to help us put a method to the madness.

His vast building experience proves valuable in aligning early priorities with the city, county, and zoning commission; explaining how to make the math work; and avoiding beginner’s mistakes like overlooking natural water features, alarming nosy neighbors, and caving on your own preferred timetable for due diligence.

(00:02:55) Existing Structures & Utilities: Bonus or Burden?

(00:09:41) First Steps & Important Early Priorities

(00:16:10) Common Roadblocks & Beginner Mistakes

(00:24:05) Dollars & Sense: The Math Behind it All

(00:31:32) Revisiting Annette’s Research & Next Steps

Resources:

Visit thanksforvisiting.com/workshop to watch our Hosting Business Mastery Method workshop!
Airbnb Essentials Checklist: hostchecklist.com
Instagram: @findyourrepurpose
TikTok: @findyourrepurpose
Instagram: @wanderchatt
Website: wanderchatt.com

Thanks for Visiting is produced by Crate Media.

Mentioned in this episode:

Host Checklist | Grab our Airbnb Essentials Checklist and make stocking your Airbnb a breeze – we've got all your hosting needs covered!

Make More Money This Year | Join our LIVE Workshop!

316. Hosting Hotline: Using StayFi To Build Your Email List & Invite STR Guests Back Dec 19, 2023

Show notes

Welcome back to the Hosting Hotline! This is an Ask Me Anything where each week we’ll answer your questions on Airbnb, STRs, real estate, and everything in between.

Zach asks:

I was wondering how you guys are collecting data, specifically emails from your guests that are staying in your Airbnbs? And then, what kinds of things are you doing to follow up with them to invite them back?

(00:01:50) How Do You Collect Email Addresses & Invite Guests Back?

(00:02:17) Arthur Colker, StayFi Founder & CEO

(00:04:10) Tips for Effectively Following Up With STR Guests

(00:07:24) Sarah & Annette Recommend StayFi

Thanks to everyone who submitted questions. To hear your voice on the show and send a question to Sarah and Annette, submit your burning hosting questions at: hostinghotline.com.

Resources:

Visit thanksforvisiting.com/workshop to watch our Hosting Business Mastery Method workshop!
Airbnb Essentials Checklist: hostchecklist.com
Visit stayfi.com/tfv to get 3 free months of StayFi and try it out for yourself!

Thanks for Visiting is produced by Crate Media.

Mentioned in this episode:

Quiz | Take our quiz to reveal your hosting personality style!

Make More Money This Year | Join our LIVE Workshop!

315. Diversify Your STR Business Through Direct Bookings with Mark Simpson of Boostly Dec 14, 2023

Show notes

Today’s expert guest, Mark Simpson, helps hosts get the tools, tactics, training – and most importantly – the confidence to boost their direct bookings. After working in hospitality for many years, he founded Boostly in 2016 in the UK and his mission there is to empower people to own their own bookings.

Mark’s the poster child for direct booking, so in today's episode, we talk all about diversifying your process and leaning into the direct model – covering who direct booking most benefits, how to power through painful growth, and his new documentary!

For the past year, Mark followed and coached two STR hosts, one in the US and one in the UK. They both navigate unique scenarios, painting an informative picture of what it takes to effectively scale in this industry. Don’t miss its premiere on December 26th on YouTube.

(00:01:02) Update on Mark Simpson’s Mission

(00:07:57) Effective Ways to Communicate With Guests

(00:21:28) Sharing the Hosting Experience on YouTube

(00:29:09) Navigating the Ups & Downs of Direct Booking

(00:33:30) Airbnb’s Winter Update vs. Direct Bookings

Resources:

Visit thanksforvisiting.com/workshop to watch our Hosting Business Mastery Method workshop!
Airbnb Essentials Checklist: hostchecklist.com
#STRShareSunday: @domehausholidays
Podcast: The Boostly Podcast

Thanks for Visiting is produced by Crate Media.

Mentioned in this episode:

Make More Money This Year | Join our LIVE Workshop!

Breezeway | Go to breezeway.io/tfv to claim your free implementation when you start a Breezeway account.

Hostfully | Go to https://www.hostfully.com/tfv and use TFV100 to get $500 off your subscription.

Relay | Go to https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=ThanksForVisiting for your FREE business banking account.

Co-Hosting Confidential 004. Tips for Sensible Vacation Rental Scaling with Be Still Getaways (Success Unlocked Season 1) Dec 13, 2023

Show notes

Amy is joined by Jamie Stark Inlow, owner and operator of Be Still Getaways, a boutique management and design company located in the Shenandoah Valley in the Central Virginia area. Beginning her career in higher education, Jaimie has translated her hospitality-focused approach to work and relationships into a quickly expanding business, managing a dedicated team of 60+.

With concrete plans to double her doors in 2024, Jamie is a great resource for operations design and team building – sharing valuable takeaway advice for hiring from within and onboarding partners (and properties) that fit your long term vision.

(00:02:20) Meeting Jaimie: Getting Her Start in Hosting

(00:12:23) Tips for Vetting Potential Partnerships & Properties

(00:21:59) Building & Managing a Team of 60+

(00:39:04) Getting Started with Vacation Rental Co-Hosting

(00:47:23) What’s Next for Be Still Getaways?

Resources:

Visit thanksforvisiting.com/workshop to watch our Hosting Business Mastery Method workshop!
Airbnb Essentials Checklist: hostchecklist.com
Website: bestillgetaways.com
Instagram: @bestillgetaways
Website: allbelong.co
Instagram: @allbelong.co
Tik Tok: @allbelongco
Facebook: allbelong.co

Thanks for Visiting is produced by Crate Media.

Mentioned in this episode:

Make More Money This Year | Join our LIVE Workshop!

Host Checklist | Grab our Airbnb Essentials Checklist and make stocking your Airbnb a breeze – we've got all your hosting needs covered!

314. Hosting Hotline: Should You Decorate Your Vacation Rental for the Holidays? Dec 12, 2023

Show notes

Welcome back to the Hosting Hotline! This is an Ask Me Anything where each week we’ll answer your questions on Airbnb, STRs, real estate, and everything in between.

Nick asks:

I really get into the holiday season and I wonder… Do you think there's any value in decorating for the holidays for guests? Are there any pieces that I'm missing as far as our cleaners or anything like that in terms of cost vs. reward?

(00:01:52) Cost vs. Reward on Holiday Decorations?

(00:02:30) Communicate With Cleaning Team About New Decor

(00:03:05) Look for Tasteful, Non-Denominational Pieces

(00:05:36) Positive Experiences & Good Examples

(00:06:44) Making Decor Choices Repeatable & Replaceable

Thanks to everyone who submitted questions. To hear your voice on the show and send a question to Sarah and Annette, submit your burning hosting questions at: hostinghotline.com.

Resources:

Visit thanksforvisiting.com/workshop to watch our Hosting Business Mastery Method workshop!
Airbnb Essentials Checklist: hostchecklist.com

Thanks for Visiting is produced by Crate Media.

Mentioned in this episode:

Make More Money This Year | Join our LIVE Workshop!

Quiz | Take our quiz to reveal your hosting personality style!

313. BRRRR Method 101: Tips for Success in Long-Term Rentals with Jessie Lang Dec 07, 2023

Show notes

Today’s expert guest is Jessie Lang, a buy-and-hold investor with over 70 (!) rentals in Columbus Ohio – most of which she’s acquired since 2021. She has used the BRRRR method to acquire her portfolio with little to none of her own money left in the deals. Now, she’s committed to teaching others how to do the same – and we get a great outline of it today.

Jessie walks us through the BRRRR Method, sharing the real-life math on an active project she’s working on right now to illustrate exactly how it works and why it’s been so successful for her. Of course, we also compare and contrast how this method applies to STRs, where it works and where you might need to tweak your approach.

We also go over her process for qualifying residents, because if you are even considering mid-term rentals (let alone long-term), you need to understand that you are no longer hosting guests. You are hosting residents, and specific laws kick into place that you might not be used to.

(00:01:44) #STRShareSunday: @lakearrowheadmanor

(00:05:37) Jessie Lang’s Path to 70 Rentals

(00:10:42) BRRRR Method 101

(00:16:34) Success Tips & Common Beginner Mistakes

(00:27:18) BRRRR-bnb: Does it Work for STRs?

(00:29:34) Effective Resident Communication Practices

(00:35:34) How to Qualify Potential Renters

(00:48:27) Jessie’s Long Term Plan for the Future

Resources:

Visit thanksforvisiting.com/workshop to watch our Hosting Business Mastery Method workshop!
Airbnb Essentials Checklist: hostchecklist.com
Unlocked Guide: Unlocked Guide
#STRShareSunday: @lakearrowheadmanor

Thanks for Visiting is produced by Crate Media.

Mentioned in this episode:

Breezeway | Go to breezeway.io/tfv to claim your free implementation when you start a Breezeway account.

Make More Money This Year | Join our LIVE Workshop!

Relay | Go to https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=ThanksForVisiting for your FREE business banking account.

Hostfully | Go to https://www.hostfully.com/tfv and use TFV100 to get $500 off your subscription.

Systems Shakedown 004. How to Hack the Airbnb Algorithm with Effective Copy & Photography (Success Unlocked Season 1) Dec 06, 2023

Show notes

Wendy welcomes our very own Sarah Karakaian to go deep on what makes effective copy and photography in vacation rental listings. They share the latest wisdom on hero images, aspect ratios, collages, and so much more – before delving into the power of the pen, and how to write bookings-boosting description copy.

Wrapping up, they share their most important lessons learned from testing and tweaking their listings while singing the praises of constant experimentation, data-fueled insights, and keeping a sharp eye on the competition.

(00:03:14) Quick Tips for Optimizing Photography

(00:18:29) Writing Effective Copy to Describe Your Listing

(00:25:26) Seeking Outside Opinions & Checking for Updates

(00:31:07) Tips for Testing & Experimentation

Resources:

Visit thanksforvisiting.com/workshop to watch our Hosting Business Mastery Method workshop!
Airbnb Essentials Checklist: hostchecklist.com
Website: mostess.host
Instagram: @mostess.host

Thanks for Visiting is produced by Crate Media.

Mentioned in this episode:

Host Checklist | Grab our Airbnb Essentials Checklist and make stocking your Airbnb a breeze – we've got all your hosting needs covered!

Make More Money This Year | Join our LIVE Workshop!

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