Thanks For Visiting

Latest Episodes:

516. Hosting Hotline: Airbnb Promotions: Visibility Tool or Discount Trap? Nov 18, 2025

Show notes

When should you actually use Airbnb promotions—and are they really just discounts in disguise?

In this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and Annette clear up the confusion around Airbnb’s promotion tools and explain how to use them strategically to boost visibility, not slash profits.

They cover:

How Airbnb really calculates your “discount” (hint: it’s not off your nightly rate)
Why promotions should be treated as a visibility lever, not a crutch
When to activate a promo to surface higher in search
The key data you must track—booking window, market demand, and median rates
Why a 5–10% promotion can sometimes outperform a massive markdown

If you’ve ever wondered whether Airbnb promotions actually work, this episode will teach you how to use them to your advantage without undercutting your value.

Resources mentioned:

Airbnb Help Article

Lodgify — Create your direct booking website and connect your Airbnb listings (use code TFE20 for 20% off annual or biannual plans)

Mentioned in this episode:

Make More Money This Year | Join our LIVE Workshop!

Lodgify | Use code TFV20

515. How to Copy Our Guest Marketing Emails (and Actually Hit Send) Nov 13, 2025

Show notes

If you’ve been collecting guest emails for years but never actually sent one—this episode is for you.

Sarah and Annette are walking you through five repeatable guest email ideas to help you stay connected with past guests, strengthen loyalty, and drive more direct bookings—all without sounding pushy or salesy.

From newsletters to new-amenity announcements, you’ll learn how to keep your property top of mind and build a marketing system that runs year-round.

You’ll Learn:

Why your email list is one of your most valuable business assets
How to reintroduce yourself and your property with every email
The five guest email types you can send over and over again
How to use these ideas across social media and your website for extra mileage
Why consistent communication builds trust (and more repeat stays)

Resources mentioned:

Lodgify: Build a direct booking website with no tech stress — use code TFE20 for 20% off annual or biannual plans

Mentioned in this episode:

Avalara | Book a demo to save $100

Make More Money This Year | Join our LIVE Workshop!

Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you!

514. Hosting Hotline: What to Do When Airbnb Suspends Your Listing (and Won’t Tell You Why) Nov 11, 2025

Show notes

This Hosting Hotline question comes from Renee, a Superhost in Tucson, Arizona, who found herself in an incredibly frustrating situation: after purchasing a new property, Airbnb deactivated the listing—citing “violations” she couldn’t see and refusing to explain why.

In this episode, Sarah and Annette unpack what to do if this ever happens to you. They’ll walk through practical next steps for appealing the decision, plus the smart moves every host should make before a problem like this arises.

Here’s what they cover:

How to navigate Airbnb’s opaque appeal process (and what might actually move the needle)
Why violations often follow the property address—not the owner
How AI and private feedback now influence listing reviews behind the scenes
Why diversifying beyond Airbnb is no longer optional
Steps to build your direct booking presence and safeguard your income

If you’ve ever wondered how much control Airbnb really has over your business, this episode is your wake-up call.

Mentioned in this episode:

Lodgify | Use code TFV20

Make More Money This Year | Join our LIVE Workshop!

513. Why Per-Guest Fees Are Killing Your Conversion Rate Nov 06, 2025

Show notes

Think charging extra per guest is helping you make more money? Think again.

In this episode, Sarah and Annette reveal how per-guest pricing could actually be hurting your short-term rental business—and why it’s one of the most common (and costly) settings hosts overlook.

They’ll break down:

Why Airbnb’s new “all-in” pricing model makes per-guest fees confusing and expensive for guests
How hidden fees tank your conversion rate without you realizing it
A smarter alternative that keeps your pricing clear and competitive
How to create “parent” and “child” listings that attract different guest groups—without friction

If you’ve been wondering why your bookings have slowed down lately, this episode might reveal the small tweak that makes a big difference.

Mentioned in this episode:

Lodgify: Use code TFE20 for 20% off annual or biannual plans

Mentioned in this episode:

Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you!

Avalara | Book a demo to save $100

Make More Money This Year | Join our LIVE Workshop!

512. Hosting Hotline: Are You Charging Enough? Pricing Strategies Every Host Should Know Nov 04, 2025

Show notes

If your guests keep telling you your place is too cheap, this episode is for you.

This week on the Hosting Hotline, Sarah is joined by COO and revenue management expert Colleen Prochaska to unpack one of the trickiest parts of hosting—pricing your short-term rental.

They break down:

How to know if your property is truly “doing well” (spoiler: five-star reviews don’t pay the bills)
The difference between feeling successful and being profitable
How to use dynamic pricing tools like PriceLabs the right way
Why pricing is never “set it and forget it,” and how to make data-driven tweaks that keep you ahead of the market

Whether you’re new to hosting or a seasoned pro, this conversation will help you rethink your pricing strategy so you can stop leaving money on the table and start running your property like a real business.

Tune in to learn how to confidently charge what your space is worth.

Resources mentioned:

PriceLabs – Dynamic pricing software that automatically adjusts your rates based on real-time demand.

Mentioned in this episode:

Lodgify | Use code TFV20

Make More Money This Year | Join our LIVE Workshop!

511. Inside a 10,000-Square-Foot STR: Lessons from Andrew Llewellyn Oct 30, 2025

Show notes

What does it take to turn a 10,000-square-foot building into a thriving short-term rental that can host up to 42 guests? For Andrew Llewellyn, the answer included grit, rejection, and relentless problem-solving.

In this episode, Sarah and Annette sit down with Andrew to hear how he went from running ice cream shops and a food truck to becoming a real estate developer along Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail. Andrew shares how he convinced a bank to back his vision (after 40 rejections), why he leans on parent-child listings to maximize occupancy, and the systems his team uses to pull off back-to-back turnovers for massive groups.

You’ll learn:

How Andrew pivoted from muffins to multi-unit rentals during COVID.
Why defining your ideal guest avatar matters for large group stays.
How to set up parent-child listings that increase revenue and flexibility.
What it takes to build cleaning systems that can handle 42-guest turnovers.
Why direct bookings and SEO fuel long-term sustainability.
Andrew’s hard-won advice for dealing with city regulations and securing financing.

This conversation is packed with inspiration and actionable strategies—whether you host a one-bedroom cottage or are dreaming about your own large-scale project.

Resources:

PriceLabs – Dynamic pricing software that automatically adjusts your rates based on real-time demand.

SuperStay STR – Andrew’s direct booking site for large group stays in Louisville, Kentucky.

Mentioned in this episode:

Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you!

Make More Money This Year | Join our LIVE Workshop!

510. Hosting Hotline: Should You Use a Company Logo on Airbnb? Oct 28, 2025

Show notes

Should you use your company logo instead of your photo on Airbnb? It’s a question that comes up often—and in this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah is joined by a special guest: Thanks for Visiting’s Chief Operations Officer, Colleen Prochaska.

With Annette out on a well-deserved vacation, Sarah and Colleen team up to tackle Samantha’s question about whether Airbnb hosts can (and should) use their company name and logo as their profile picture.

They cover:

What Airbnb’s terms and conditions actually say about using a company logo
Why some hosts choose logos over personal photos—and the real issue of discrimination behind it
How guests perceive management companies vs. individual hosts
Why your profile photo still matters for guest trust and conversion
What you can do to encourage guests to book directly after their stay

Whether you’re managing multiple properties or just getting started, this episode explains why your Airbnb profile is about more than compliance—it’s about connection.

Resources mentioned:

Airbnb Terms of Service: Review Airbnb’s official profile photo policies to ensure compliance.

Mentioned in this episode:

Make More Money This Year | Join our LIVE Workshop!

Lodgify | Use code TFV20

509. Stop Leaving Money on the Table: Mastering Far Out Premium Pricing Oct 23, 2025

Show notes

Are you bragging about being the first to get booked for a big event or next year’s vacation season? If so, you might be losing money without even realizing it.

In this episode, Sarah and Annette break down Far Out Premium Pricing—their favorite feature in dynamic pricing software (like PriceLabs) that has saved them from missed revenue and tough conversations with guests.

You’ll learn:

What “far out” pricing actually means (and how it differs across markets).
Why getting booked first isn’t always a win.
How to set far out premiums to protect your calendar and maximize revenue.
Real-life examples of how premium pricing strategies have generated thousands of extra dollars.
Why pairing premium pricing with premium hospitality is the ultimate formula for success.

Whether you’re new to dynamic pricing or just need a mindset shift around your calendar, this episode will help you think like a revenue manager and keep your profits strong.

Resources:

PriceLabs – Our go-to dynamic pricing software with powerful features like far out premiums. Try it FREE for 30 days!

Mentioned in this episode:

Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you!

Make More Money This Year | Join our LIVE Workshop!

508. Hosting Hotline: What Should You Do If Your New Listing Isn’t Getting Bookings? Oct 21, 2025

Show notes

In this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and Annette take on a question from a new host who’s been live on Airbnb for a month without a single booking. Frustrated, they’re wondering if the problem is market saturation, high guest fees, or simply the fact that the neighbor’s house has a pool.

If you’ve ever launched a property and heard crickets, you’re not alone. Sarah and Annette walk through the mindset shift and tactical steps every host needs when bookings aren’t rolling in:

Stop blaming what you can’t control. Saturation, guest fees, and neighbor amenities aren’t the full story. Hosts need to focus on the levers they can control.
Audit your listing presentation. Are your photos professional, clear, and guest-focused? Is your description highlighting unique value? Is your calendar even open and bookable?
Identify true comps. The house with a pool isn’t a fair comparison if you don’t have one. Focus on properties with similar size, amenities, and guest profiles.
Read your analytics. Airbnb’s insights show where guests drop off, whether you’re showing up in search, and what your conversion rate looks like. Data removes guesswork.
Adopt an owner’s mindset. Hosting isn’t passive income — it’s active business ownership. Treat your listing like a product that needs to be tested, tweaked, and improved.

At the heart of this episode is a challenge to hosts: take extreme ownership. If your listing isn’t getting booked, don’t wait for Airbnb’s algorithm to save you. The hosts who succeed are the ones who audit their listing, study their competition, and make data-driven changes until they get results.

Resources mentioned:

YouTube Video: The Secret Airbnb Setting That Improves Listings by 300% – Deep dive into Airbnb settings that can boost visibility and conversions.

Mentioned in this episode:

Lodgify | Use code TFV20

Make More Money This Year | Join our LIVE Workshop!

507. How to Capture Event-Driven Demand with PriceLabs Oct 16, 2025

Show notes

Local events are one of the biggest missed opportunities for hosts. Whether it’s a football game, a concert, or a citywide convention, event-driven demand can skyrocket your revenue—if you know how to capture it.

In this episode, Sarah and Annette share their system for spotting demand spikes and making the most of them with the help of dynamic pricing software like PriceLabs. From annual football schedules to hidden “sleeper events” like comedy shows and board game conventions, they’ll show you how to combine human insight with smart tech to boost your earnings.

You’ll learn:

Why event-driven demand creates pricing power for STR hosts.
How to map out annual and quarterly event calendars.
The difference between obvious citywide events and “sleeper hits.”
How to layer local knowledge on top of dynamic pricing software.
Why you should never “set it and forget it” with your rates.

Don’t give away nights at your property when demand is at its highest. With the right strategy, you’ll be prepared to capture every opportunity—big and small.

Resources:

PriceLabs – Dynamic pricing software that automatically adjusts your rates based on real-time demand. In May 2025, PriceLabs users earned an average of $222 more on event dates.

Mentioned in this episode:

Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you!

Make More Money This Year | Join our LIVE Workshop!

StayFi | Go to www.stayfi.com and enter TFV to get 50% off your first three months.

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