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Welcome to STR Booked, the podcast that unlocks the secrets of short-term rental success. Each week, we chat with vacation rental owners, managers, and industry experts. We cover everything from marketing strategies and direct booking tactics to brand-building and demystifying technologies. If you're ready to boost your short term vacation revenue and scale your business, you're in the right place!
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The true cost of poor onboarding in vacation rental businesses—and how to avoid it
48:44
48:44
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48:44
"The cost of poor onboarding is a lot more than you think" – Heather Bayer In this episode, Heather Bayer, co-founder of the Vacation Rental Business School and long-time industry leader, dives into the importance of hiring and onboarding for vacation rental businesses. Drawing on decades of experience, she explains how onboarding impacts everythin…
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The psychology of trust: How to win direct bookings with the right trust signals
43:56
43:56
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43:56
"Trust doesn't just happen; you build it, brick by brick." – Chris Maughan In this episode, Chris Maughan, CEO of I-PRAC, will show you how to build trust in your short-term rental business, explaining why trust is the cornerstone of securing direct bookings and customer loyalty. From spotting fraud to creating a business people rely on, Chris brea…
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The ultimate guide to choosing a payment processor that powers your STR growth
28:51
28:51
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28:51
"If you can automate payments and disbursements, that’s one less headache for you to worry about. It lets you focus on what you’re really good at—creating amazing guest experiences." — Chris Andrews, Senior Director of Global Partnerships at Yapstone. In this episode of STR Booked, Chris Andrews breaks down the complexities of payment processing fo…
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How to uncover upsell opportunities to boost your vacation rental revenue
45:04
45:04
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45:04
"I was down $5,000, but I had a problem to solve – and that’s how I built Enso Connect." In this episode of STR Booked, host Nihal Salah chats with Francois Gouelo, co-founder of Enso Connect, about how an unexpected rental disaster turned into a powerful business idea. Francois shares how his experience led him to reshape the guest experience and …
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How to get the most out of your PMS to unlock hidden revenue, maximise occupancy, and boost profits
40:15
40:15
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40:15
In this episode, Chris Baxter joins us to share his expertise on how self-caterers can streamline operations, boost occupancy, and maximise profits. With years of experience helping short-term rental owners overcome common challenges, Chris provides invaluable tips for those looking to improve efficiency and create memorable guest experiences. Key …
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Fully booked? Earn money from the guests you turn away
52:04
52:04
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52:04
In this episode of STR Book:ed, Nihal Salah chats with Deborah Labi about her creative journey, embracing ADHD, and her latest venture, Have You Got. Deborah shares how she has built multiple businesses by trusting her instincts and focusing on problem-solving in the short-term rental industry. With Have You Got, she aims to revolutionise guest ref…
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Stronger together: Why SCALE are building a community to fuel STR growth
53:30
53:30
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53:30
"We saw a gap in the short-term rental industry – too many events where you meet lots of people but leave with little value. So, we created Scale to change that." In this episode, you’ll meet Damian Sheridan and Gianpaolo Vairo, the brains behind Scale Rentals Show. If you’ve ever been to a short-term rental (STR) event and left feeling like you di…
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The power of passion in property management with Andy Newman
52:10
52:10
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52:10
In this episode of STR Booked, Nihal Salah chats with Andy Newman, the visionary behind Newman Hospitality. Andy shares his fascinating journey from a successful finance career to building a thriving property management business with over 150 properties across the U.S. We dive deep into his transition, the challenges he faced, and the lessons he le…
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How to grow your direct and repeat bookings using social media
54:20
54:20
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54:20
In this episode, Nihal Salah chats with Daniela Derin, owner of the Skol Apartments in Marbella, about leveraging social media for holiday lets. Daniela shares her journey from estate agency to managing 100 flats, emphasising the importance of understanding your ideal guest and using social media to connect with them throughout the year. She discus…
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SkyRun Park City's secret to 5* reviews: Fall in love with the small details
42:07
42:07
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42:07
In this episode, Nihal Salah chats with Michael LeClerc, founder of Skyrun Park City, a vacation rental business boasting an impressive 324 five-star reviews and a remarkable 97% owner retention rate! Michael unveils the strategies behind this extraordinary success, drawing from his background as a professional chef to explain how he's crafted a re…
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From busyness to business: The path to STR success
38:18
38:18
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38:18
In this episode of STR Book:ed, Nihal Salah chats with Jane Mack, a seasoned expert in the holiday let industry. Jane brings a wealth of experience as a business founder, published author, certified coach, and podcaster, offering valuable insights for property managers and short-term rental owners. Jane's journey is quite remarkable. After a succes…
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How to get started with direct bookings: Top tips and mistakes to avoid
30:10
30:10
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30:10
In this episode, Nihal Salah chats with direct booking expert - Jenn Boyles. This is a woman who's practically got hospitality running through her veins. From growing up as a hotel manager's daughter to becoming a short-term rental owner, Jenn's journey is as fascinating as it is inspiring. We'll dive into Jenn's story of transforming her own renta…
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Breaking free from OTAs: Your guide to holiday rental success
42:55
42:55
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42:55
In this episode, Nihal Salah chats with Lisa Roads, the Holiday Property Coach, about branding, direct booking, and trust in the short-term rental industry. Lisa shares her expertise as a business consultant and growth strategist, emphasising the importance of having a direct booking strategy and not relying solely on online travel agents (OTAs) li…
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The power of kindness: How smiles and automation doubled this STR owner's portfolio
42:46
42:46
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42:46
In this episode of STR Booked, host Nihal Salah interviews Robin P. Bass, founder of Premier Properties USVI. Robin shares her inspiring journey from New York City's hospitality industry to building a thriving short-term rental business in St. Croix. Key highlights include: 1. Robin's background in hospitality and fashion, and her decision to pivot…
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From zero to holiday let hero: How one STR owner built a 70% direct booking business (with no marketing experience!)
43:00
43:00
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43:00
In this episode of STR Booked, Nihal Salah chats with Maggie Mitchell, a short-term rental owner who's achieved remarkable success with her two properties on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. Maggie shares her journey from novice to expert, detailing how she built a thriving business with 70% direct bookings in less than four years, despite having no mar…
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