As we wrap up an incredible year of growth and learning in the short-term rental industry, it's time to reflect on the valuable insights that have shaped our success. In this special episode of the Direct Booking Success Podcast, I'm sharing my favourite moments from 2024 - a year filled with practical strategies, inspiring stories, and expert advice.

From reaching listeners in 38 countries to recording over 23 hours of content, this podcast has become more than just a source of information. It's a thriving community of property managers and hosts passionate about growing direct bookings and building sustainable businesses.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Inside-out hospitality: Learn how treating your team will genuine care translates to exceptional guest experiences
• Filling calendar gaps: Actionable strategies to boost bookings during slow periods without resorting to discounts
• The power of video reviews: How authentic guest testimonials can significantly increase your conversion rates
• Strategic consistency: Why blindly following the “just be consistent” mantra might be holding you back
• Optimizing your direct booking website: Essential tips for creating a seamless, mobile-responsive booking process

Discover how Lauren's approach to prioritizing employee well-being naturally translates into exceptional guest experiences. Learn about her creative marketing strategies that make her properties stand out in the competitive Smoky Mountains market.

Listen to Episode 106 - The Truth About Airbnb Income, Hint… It’s Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEHQ0UTrCYo&t=2s

Learn more about Lauren and Auntie Belham’s Cabin Rentals:

Website: https://www.auntiebelhams.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auntiebelhamscabinrentals/

"Your past guests are your biggest fans—remind them why they loved staying with you."

Explore effective strategies to fill booking gaps without resorting to discounts or desperate measures. Find out why email marketing remains a powerful tool for reconnecting with past guests and driving repeat bookings.

Listen to Episode 115 - Reviving Your Marketing After a Busy STR Season: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTTMNVE2gKY

"A simple phone video from a happy guest can increase your bookings by 25%—it’s that powerful."

Gain insights from industry veteran Damian Sheridan on reducing OTA reliance and leveraging video reviews to boost conversions. Learn how authentic guest testimonials can significantly impact your booking rates.

Listen to Episode 94 - Why You Should Stop Chasing 5-Star Reviews and Do This Instead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ngfx2O6DOk&t=7s

Learn more about Damian

Book Direct Show: https://bookdirect.show

SCALE Rentals: https://scalerentals.show

"Being consistent isn’t enough if your efforts miss the mark—align your strategy with your goals."

Challenge the common advice of "just be consistent" and discover why strategic consistency is key to driving results. Understand how to focus on quality over quantity in your marketing efforts.

Listen to Episode 107 - Why Consistency in your Marketing Isn’t Enough for Direct Bookings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxFKqYRyUM8

"If you’re not testing your booking process on all devices, you’re leaving

Are you ready to turn your Instagram followers into paying guests? In this episode, we explore how to harness the power of Instagram to drive direct bookings for your vacation rental property.

Join me as I chat with Katie Besant, founder of the Holiday Hive and social media expert with years of experience in the tourism industry. Katie shares her insider knowledge on creating content that not only catches the eye but also converts scrollers into bookers.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to:

• Discover the three types of content you need to post for maximum impact
• Learn why Instagram Stories are your secret weapon for conversions
• Uncover the truth about hashtags and how to use them effectively in 2025
• Find out how to optimize your profile to attract your idea guests

“Instagram is the new business card nowadays. If I’m out and about, people don’t ask my business card, they ask my Instagram.” - Katie Bessant

About Katie Bessant

Katie Bessant, owner of The Holiday Hive, is a social media expert dedicated to helping holiday cottage owners and tourism businesses elevate their digital presence and generate more bookings. Growing up in South Devon, Katie has been immersed in the tourism industry her entire life, from working in her family’s B&B to becoming a successful Airbnb superhost. With experience spanning roles like waitressing, cleaning holiday lets, and leading marketing for one of the UK’s largest holiday letting agencies, Katie combines her deep industry knowledge with her passion for social media to empower property owners to stand out online and thrive.

Connect with Katie and The Holiday Hive

Website: https://theholidayhive.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theholidayhiveofficial/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theholidayhive/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HolidayHive

Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@theholidayhiveofficial

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-bessant/

Stop letting potential guests slip through your fingers. Tune in now and learn how to make Instagram work for your vacation rental business!

The key moments on this episode are:

00:00:00 Instagram: A Booking Powerhouse for Vacation Rentals

00:00:56 Meet Katie Besant: Social Media Expert for Holiday Rentals

00:04:44 Instagram's Power for Direct Bookings

00:06:40 Types of Instagram Content for Booking Success

00:13:48 Balancing Instagram Content and Posting Frequency

00:16:03 Hashtags and Instagram Trends

00:20:17 Effective Use of Call-to-Actions (CTAs)

00:22:34 Getting Started with Instagram for Direct Bookings

00:24:54 Instagram Course for Holiday Cottage Owners

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

Simplify your STR Marketing this 2025! Join the DBS AI Content Sprint Workshop!

In this live, hands-on workshop, I will guide you through creating a 3-month content calendar targeted to your ideal...

Are you prepared for the future of the vacation rental industry?

In this episode, I sit down with Caitlin Cassady, VP of Marketing at Beyond, to explore the evolving landscape of short-term rentals and how data-driven insights can propel your business forward.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to:

• Discover why thinking beyond “short-term rentals” and embracing the broader “stays industry” is crucial for success
• Learn how to use real-time search data to make informed decisions about pricing, marketing, and amenities
• Understand the impact of events like concerts and major sports competitions on booking patterns

“Don't just rely on historical pacing data. That is not going to help your direct booking website really start to shine and really start to be as impactful as it probably could be.” - Caitlin Cassady

About Caitlin Cassady

Caitlin Cassady is the VP of Marketing at Beyond, where she spearheads the company's marketing strategy and cross-functional initiatives, transforming data into compelling narratives that deliver measurable business results. With 15 years of experience as a communications and content marketing leader in enterprise tech, Caitlin brings a wealth of expertise to the table. She’s also an avid reader, a recovering journalist, and a self-proclaimed mac & cheese connoisseur.

Connect with Caitlin and Beyond:

Caitlin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlincassady/

Website: https://www.beyondpricing.com/

Whether you're new to data analytics or looking to refine your approach, this episode offers valuable insights to help your vacation rental business thrive in the evolving stays industry.

The key moments on this episode are:

00:00:00 The Future of Travel: Trends Reshaping the Vacation Rental Industry

00:00:51 Meet Caitlin Cassidy: VP of Marketing at Beyond

00:02:51 The Evolving Short-Term Rental Market: Data-Driven Insights

00:07:07 Leveraging Data for Direct Bookings

00:13:13 Beyond Pricing: Data-Driven Strategies Beyond Just Pricing

00:15:50 Event-Based Pricing Strategies: The Taylor Swift Effect

00:23:21 Leveraging Data for Amenity Offerings

00:26:09 Data Democratization: Leveling the Playing Field for Small Property Managers

00:27:30 Key Advice for Growing Direct Bookings

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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 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

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