Thanks For Visiting

Latest Episodes:

312. Hosting Hotline: Tips for Strategizing Special Moments & Gifts in Your Vacation Rental Dec 05, 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.

Sarah asks:

I'm wondering about the extras that you do for guests, the stuff that really wows them. Is there a rule for how much money you spend on this? How do you decide when to do something special? How do you organize it? All of the things.

(00:01:38) How Do You Make Decisions About Wow-Factors?

(00:02:24) Collect Data & Know Your Numbers

(00:04:44) Reusable Amenity Ideas for That Special Moment

(00:05:22) Keep It All Organized With Asana

(00:06:41) Don’t Forget: A Forgot-Something Basket

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!
Welcome Basket 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!

311. Pet-Friendly or Not? Weighing the Many Benefits of a Pet-Friendly STR Nov 30, 2023

Show notes

Don’t forget Fido for today’s special pet-themed episode of Thanks For Visiting as we unpack the immense power of the pet-friendly designation on Airbnb, recommended processes and platforms to smooth out your animal operations, and preview our brand new Pet-Friendly Essentials Checklist: breezeway.io/pet-checklist.

That’s right, we’ve created the most comprehensive pet checklist that we could so that you can download it and use it to set up your rental to be pet friendly. In this episode, we spotlight Breezeway as our partner in data collection on this project – sharing a few eye-opening figures on how welcoming pets into your properties can impact your bottom line.

We also touch on recommended cleaning supplies, offer up some ideas on homey pet-themed amenities, and do a deep dive on what your tech stack might look like when it’s all said and done. Make 2024 the year you check that box, invite furry family members into your homes, and watch as your booking and profitability metrics get a case of the zoomies.

(01:29) #STRShareSunday: @cedarglengetaway

(04:45) Breezeway Shares the Data on Pet-Friendly Rentals

(08:19) Preview to Pet-Friendly Essentials Checklist

(17:55) Recommended Cleaning Supplies & Communicating Pet Rules

Resources:

Pet-Friendly Essentials Checklist: breezeway.io/pet-checklist
Visit thanksforvisiting.com/workshop to watch our Hosting Business Mastery Method workshop!
Airbnb Essentials Checklist: hostchecklist.com
#STRShareSunday: @cedarglengetaway

Thanks for Visiting is produced by Crate Media.

Mentioned in this episode:

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.

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.

Vacation Ventures 004. Becoming Unreasonably Hospitable with Charlie Eich (Success Unlocked Season 1) Nov 29, 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.

Micheal chats with his friend and business partner, Charlie Eich, a restaurant owner and hospitality guru out of Chattanooga, Tennessee. They met four years ago as Mike sat down to eat in one of six restaurants he’s owned over the years.

In this episode, they chat about crossover qualities in what it takes to be successful in both the food service industry and the vacation rental industry – telling the legendary tale of Cheeburger Cheeburger, exchanging tips for top-shelf customer service and experience building, and looking ahead at their shared future in the pizza business.

(00:02:29) Charlie Eich’s Background in Hospitality

(00:05:41) Goodbye, Cheeburger Cheeburger – Hello, River Drifters

(00:13:10) Becoming Unreasonably Hospitable

(00:25:22) Importance of People Skills & Managing Personalities

(00:40:39) Going the Extra Mile for Guests

Resources:

Visit thanksforvisiting.com/workshop to watch our Hosting Business Mastery Method workshop!
Airbnb Essentials Checklist: hostchecklist.com
Instagram: @river.drifters
River Drifters: riverdrifterschatt.com
Read: Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara
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!

310. Hosting Hotline: Setting, Tracking & Reaching STR Goals for 2024 Nov 28, 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.

Megan asks:

My question relates to goals for next year. I'm working with my business partner to begin setting goals for our rental property, but we've never really done that before. What advice do you have on where to start or what should we be looking at to begin?

(00:01:22) How Should I Formulate 2024 Goals for My SRT?

(00:01:56) Making Your Goals Meeting a Top Priority

(00:02:35) Focus on P&L: Where Are You Winning?

(00:04:20) Balancing Big Dreams With Realism

(00:06:09) How To Track Success Over Time

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!

309. Guest Favorite vs. Super Host: Unpacking Airbnb’s Latest Platform Update Nov 23, 2023

Show notes

Today, we unpack Airbnb’s 2023 winter platform update, featuring: Guest Favorites, revamped reviews, a New Listings tab, enhanced pricing and payouts, expanded co-hosting support, smart lock integration, and much more.

Plus, we touch on what it all means for the future for hosts, co-hosts, guests, and the short-term rental industry as a whole. What do you think of the updates? We’d love to hear from you by email at hi@thanksforvisiting.me.

(01:29) #STRShareSunday: @thepineconehouse

(03:37) What’s New to Airbnb in Winter 2023?

(09:32) Improvements & Additions for Hosts

(14:15) Consolidation of Communication: One-Stop Shop?

(20:00) Changes to the Airbnb Earnings Dashboard

Resources:

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

Thanks for Visiting is produced by Crate Media.

Mentioned in this episode:

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.

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.

Co-Hosting Confidential 003. Sarah Karakaian Dishes on Optimizing Your Short-Term Rental Operations (Success Unlocked Season 1) Nov 22, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, Amy turns the tables on our very own Sarah Karakaian to talk about her co-hosting business, Stay Awhile Hosting Co. – how she scaled up, why she decided to scale back down, and how she operates her various properties, physical and digital, in ways that speak directly to her mission and core values.

We get a detailed look behind the scenes at Stay Awhile Hosting Co., how many people are on her team and what their roles are, how she interacts with those roles, and a hyperspeed masterclass on fine-tuned operations – from stocking supplies to her favorite apps and online tools.

(00:02:38) How Sarah Got Started With Co-Hosting

(00:08:08) Splitting Time Between Hosting & Content Creation

(00:14:14) Behind the Curtain at Stay Awhile Hosting Co.

(00:25:49) Tips for Tightening Up Your Systems

(00:28:49) Partnering With Like-Minded Owners

(00:35:17) Sarah’s Biggest Challenges & Best Advice

Resources:

Visit thanksforvisiting.com/workshop to watch our Hosting Business Mastery Method workshop!
Airbnb Essentials Checklist: hostchecklist.com
Stay Awhile Hosting Co.: stayawhilehostingco.com
Linkedin: Sarah Karakaian
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!

308. Hosting Hotline: What Supplies Do Your Guests Need Most? Nov 21, 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.

Russell asks:

We just purchased our first property and we're wondering about stocking the kitchen. What supplies do rentals really need, in your experience? Is there anything that you've added to the property that maybe you didn't think of at first?

(01:21) A Question From Russell About Supplies

(01:48) Recommendations for Stocking the Kitchen

(02:47) Official Airbnb Essentials Checklist

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!

307. Airbnbust: Is It All Over? Secrets to Sustained Rental Success with Marilynn Taylor Nov 16, 2023

Show notes

Today’s expert guest is Marilynn Taylor. Marilynn feels like an old friend but we met this year, as she flew all the way from California to grace that stage at TFVcon to educate our audience on building sustainable, heart-centered hospitality businesses.

She’s been a short-term rental host since before 2004 (yes, that's pre-Airbnb), is a fellow HGTV alum, and now, as an Airbnb ambassador, dedicates her time and energy to helping hosts like you reach your potential in the space.

We hear all about how she went from dancer and makeup artist to STR OG, get her informed POV on how online booking has changed over the years, learn how to build your own security blanket with direct booking, and determine once and for all, the fate of Airbnbust.

(00:03:30) #STRShareSunday: @theblakshak

(00:07:25) Marilynn Taylor’s Background in Hosting

(00:16:59) Online Bookings: Then vs. Now

(00:19:27) How Marilynn Got Kicked Removed From Airbnb

(00:23:26) Working Without the Security Blanket of Airbnb

(00:29:27) What To Watch for Dealing With Potential Guests

(00:32:23) Why to Stage Vintage Furniture in Your Listings

(00:41:12) Tips for Selling Your Vacation Rental Property

(00:47:22) Airbnbust: Is It All Over?

Resources:

Visit thanksforvisiting.com/workshop to watch our Hosting Business Mastery Method workshop!
Airbnb Essentials Checklist: hostchecklist.com
Instagram: @marilynntaylor
Website: marilynntaylor.com
#STRShareSunday: @theblakshak

Thanks for Visiting is produced by Crate Media.

Mentioned in this episode:

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.

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

Systems Shakedown 003. Best Practices for Hosting Wedding Groups in Your Short-Term Rental (Success Unlocked Season 1) Nov 15, 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.

Stacey Rase, known as Miss Stacey by her guests, operates The Properties of Sleepy Lagoon in Covington, Louisiana. She specializes in full-on wedding experiences, from photoshoots to showers, engagements to 70-person receptions.

Kylan Pimley’s hosting business, Go Gorge Getaways, is also heavily involved in the wedding industry, keyed in on hosting guests attending a major wedding venue in the area. Both women have sprawling spaces, hosting unique and memorable events in two corners of the country.

Wendy weaves the conversation in such a way that we get valuable tips from both ends of the spectrum, covering when to break up an overzealous party, how to effectively communicate house rules, what wedding-specific items they keep in their listings, and so much more.

(02:08) Meeting Kylan Pimley & Stacey Rase

(05:20) Getting Into the Wedding Group Business

(11:10) Getting Your Property Ready to Host a Wedding Party

(12:44) Concierge Services: Yes or No?

(16:42) When To Break Up a Party

(26:37) Partnerships & Marketing Yourself

(33:23) Would You Do It All Again?

(38:47) Effectively Communicating With Guests

Resources:

Visit thanksforvisiting.com/workshop to watch our Hosting Business Mastery Method workshop!
Airbnb Essentials Checklist: hostchecklist.com
Go George Getaways: @gogorgegetaways
Sleepy Lagoon: @sleepylagoonla
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!

306. Hosting Hotline: 3 Experts to Help You Launch Your First International STR Listing Nov 14, 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 Morris (not that one) asks:

My wife, Jocelyn, and I bought a villa on the Costa Brava in Spain. We have a dream of turning it into a short-term rental, but there are a lot of new issues that come with being an international host, no doubt. I'm hoping you'll consider addressing this topic in a future episode with some sort of expert that knows a lot more than us.

(01:33) A Question From Zach in Philadelphia About Hosting in Spain

(02:58) 3 Past Episodes Featuring International Hosting Experts

(07:38) Planning for the Future & Building a Team Culture

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: