The Vacation Rental Manager's Podcast with Sarah and T

Be prepared to be Amazed!   In this episode of your favorite podcast our two intrepid hosts unveil what A.I. can do for you.   Spoiler alert, it can do a lot!   Meaghan Moylan is using A.I. more and better than most in the vacation rental business and she is the guest on today's episode.  Meaghan shares her tips and tricks about how to use AI to help you save time and make more revenue. Thank you to KeyData for sponsoring this gem! Find all of Sarah and T's content at www.sarahandt.com You can also follow this podcast on Instagram or Linked In Special thanks to our podcast Partners:Intercoastal Net Designs www.icoastalnet.comKeyData www.keydatadashboard.comSojo www.getsojo.com

In this week's episode Sarah and T interview their friend Tim Rosolio, Vice President of Partner Success at Expedia Group (yeah, that makes him the boss at VRBO in our eyes).  Sarah and T get into it with Tim about bookings being down, wonky search results, the Vacation Rental Home of the Year, and why VRBO upset the entire country of Canada with a recent ad.   Lots of great information revealed in this episode!Find all of Sarah and T's content at www.sarahandt.com You can also follow this podcast on Instagram or Linked In Special thanks to our podcast Partners:Intercoastal Net Designs www.icoastalnet.comKeyData www.keydatadashboard.comSojo www.getsojo.com

This episode brings you the one and only John DiJulius.   He has a new book and our hosts have an advanced copy of this revolutionary release.   Get ready to write as John covers The Great Resignation, What really motivates employees, How to properly onboard a new employee, Radical interviewing techniques, and how to keep all stars for life.   You will learn a lot and earn a lot by listening to this episode.Find all of Sarah and T's content at www.sarahandt.com You can also follow this podcast on Instagram or Linked In Special thanks to our podcast Partners:Intercoastal Net Designs www.icoastalnet.comKeyData www.keydatadashboard.comSojo www.getsojo.com

Melanie Brown is the top analyst of data from the Vacation Rental industry, and today The Vacation Rental Manager's Podcast with Sarah and gets to hear what's up!  Melanie gives us key trends in the vacation rental industry in Q-1 and what that means for vacation rental managers for the rest of the year.    Get a pen and paper ready to take notes on this informative episode.Find all of Sarah and T's content at www.sarahandt.com You can also follow this podcast on Instagram or Linked In Special thanks to our podcast Partners:Intercoastal Net Designs www.icoastalnet.comKeyData www.keydatadashboard.comSojo www.getsojo.com

This week Sarah and T reprise an episode from 5 years ago that is just as relevant today as it was when it first aired.   Carl Shepherd,  one of the co-founders of HomeAway (now Vrbo), was interviewed by Sarah and Tim in the fall of 2019.   The interview was wide ranging and filled with predictions about the future which have all come true.   Many consider this the best episode in the history of the program.   Sit back and listen to one of the true visionaries in the industry give a great rundown on the history and future of vacation rentals. Find all of Sarah and T's content at www.sarahandt.com You can also follow this podcast on Instagram or Linked In Special thanks to our podcast Partners:Intercoastal Net Designs www.icoastalnet.comKeyData www.keydatadashboard.comSojo www.getsojo.com

In this episode Sarah and Tim cover all you need to know to set up a proper budget for your vacation rental company.   This episode is a must listen for any company owner that is not currently using a budget, or the company owner that wants to improve their current process.   Two of the true experts on this subject give all of their secrets of this critically important component of running a successful business!Find all of Sarah and T's content at www.sarahandt.com You can also follow this podcast on Instagram or Linked In Special thanks to our podcast Partners:Intercoastal Net Designs www.icoastalnet.comKeyData www.keydatadashboard.comSojo www.getsojo.com

In this episode Sarah and T interview one of the customer service giants.   A world renowned motivational speaker and author of 8 books Shep Hyken is the guest on this week's episode.Learn the true meaning of the word Fine.   Learn the 5 steps of how to get better at customer service.  And, learn why the worst trained staff person on your team is the standard you set on customer service.   Get a pen and paper ready because this episode is chock full of takeaways for you and your business.Find all of Sarah and T's content at www.sarahandt.com You can also follow this podcast on Instagram or Linked In Special thanks to our podcast Partners:Intercoastal Net Designs www.icoastalnet.comKeyData www.keydatadashboard.comSojo www.getsojo.com

Logistics, the mere mention of the word brings fear to some vacation rental managers.   Scheduling cleans, inspections, maintenance, getting the property ready for the next guest and providing all of the arrival amenities is no joke in the vacation rental business.  In this episode Sarah and T talk to Max Farley of Sojo about how to improve logistics for your firm.   Lots of great ideas and takeaways are in store.  In Not So Hot off The Press But Definitely Happening Sarah and T reveal the top 3 shows of 2023.Find all of Sarah and T's content at www.sarahandt.com You can also follow this podcast on Instagram or Linked In Special thanks to our podcast Partners:Intercoastal Net Designs www.icoastalnet.comKeyData www.keydatadashboard.comSojo www.getsojo.com

Your Christmas present from Sarah and T is an episode that gives all of the takeaways from the recent Vacation Rental Women's Summit & the DARM (Data and Revenue Management) conference that was held in Nashville, TN in early December.  Sarah was there with a microphone in hand to get all of the best takeaways from the conference attendees.   In the news segment, Sarah gets a big surprise at the conference.Find all of Sarah and T's content at www.sarahandt.com You can also follow this podcast on Instagram or Linked In Special thanks to our podcast Partners:Intercoastal Net Designs www.icoastalnet.comKeyData www.keydatadashboard.comSojo www.getsojo.com

In this week's episode we have a familiar name - DiJulius.   This time it is Cal DiJulius who is John DiJulius' son and an expert on the motivations of Millennials and Gen Z workers and why it is important to understand those motivations.   This is a fascinating look at what our employees are thinking and what motivates them.   A great conversation with a well informed guest.Find all of Sarah and T's content at www.sarahandt.com You can also follow this podcast on Instagram or Linked In Special thanks to our podcast Partners:Intercoastal Net Designs www.icoastalnet.comKeyData www.keydatadashboard.comSojo www.getsojo.com

Sarah and T are back with another great content episode.  This week our two hosts interview Matt Durrette of Cozi Vacation Rentals in Texas. Matt has adopted the EOS platform to run his business and he shares all of his secrets with us on today's episode.  In addition find out how Matt has leveraged his brother in Honduras to help his business.   This one is a can't miss episode.Find all of Sarah and T's content at www.sarahandt.com You can also follow this podcast on Instagram or Linked In Special thanks to our podcast Partners:Intercoastal Net Designs www.icoastalnet.comKeyData www.keydatadashboard.comSojo www.getsojo.com

In this episode Sarah and T take on the topic of e-mail blasts.  Are you doing them?  Are you doing them effectively?    How do you know?  14 specific points are covered in how you can crush your next effort and know exactly how well you did.1) Build up your email list & segment - all previous guests list, potential guests, by season, by type of property, etc. - Every single email you get should be added to a list and segmented.  I recently stayed in a VR with a company. After we booked, they kept sending us promotional emails. Made me wonder if we had a booking! Make sure your upcoming guests aren't sent an email that you are now offering 40% off! - Booking Anniversary to previous guests on their booking date from last year- Type of properties, size of properties, season they visited only?2) Consistent (so you're there when it's time to book) - top of mind. Only way to pull this off is to make your emails interesting/professonal3) Frequency of sending - at least once a month, ideally once a week (TIM & SARAH DISAGREE)4) Not Always a Sales Email - way too many VR emails are like this "20% off for next week!" - think about your own perspective when you get an eblast.5) Types of eblasts - introduce a new property (attracts Lookie Loo's), newsletter format - new restaurants/activities in the area, Resort developments (new gondola), groups of properites/themes, Snow alerts, local partners (make sure you show them they were included), booking anniversary, ...others, TIM? 6) Professional looking, template so recognizable (idea - personalize by showing a person from your team at bottom), highlight properties at bottom, social links, videos, other examplesPaul Hanak from ICND says open rates don't matter! Listen to his reasoning mid-podcast. 7) Call to Action - we always had "book direct & save" at bottom of every single email. 8) Lots of links! Link logo and photos too9) Always include all owners on your emails10) Tracking code to conversion! Follow by email monthly - this is the WHOLE POINT. Don't send an email without tracking conversion. 11) A/B testing - most platforms easily allow you to test everything from subject lines to send times - utilize it!12) Stop gathering emails from "contests" just to have a bigger list. We've tested it! They signed up to win a contest, not to engage with your brand. Open rates are poor, so you wind up paying for all these extra emails without any payoff. Quality over quantity. 13)  Subject Lines are the name of this game. Without a good subject line that captures attention and creates curiosity, that email won't even be opened.  Need some inspiration? Just google "Good email subject lines" and ask ole chatGPT.14) Check and recheck for spelling/grammar errors - everything speaks! (sarah example of "piece") Find all of Sarah and T's content at www.sarahandt.com You can also follow this podcast on Instagram or Linked In Special thanks to our podcast Partners:Intercoastal Net Designs www.icoastalnet.comKeyData www.keydatadashboard.comSojo www.getsojo.com

Again this year Sarah and T have come through with their signature episode.   The VRMA Conference takeaways has become an annual must listen to podcast.  This year Sarah and Tim talk to more than 30 participants at the conference held in Orlando about what was hot, and what was not at VRMA.   Some of our special guests include: Paul FaringhamNorman Lee Sherry Thompson Mary Beth Miles Clayton Kagi Yael Lederman Lauren Smith Miles Chew Lino MaldinadoMatt V from Cleveland ReasearchKayla Reed Tyann MarcinkAl FurloneBrian OlsonMelaine BrownTiffany MossValerie GangasBeverly SerralJonathan WicksBrian HarrisHeather BayerAnd our Pullover Partners: Daniel from Key DataBrandon and Vanessa from ICNDMax Farley from Sojo Find all of Sarah and T's content at www.sarahandt.com You can also follow this podcast on Instagram or Linked In Special thanks to our podcast Partners:Intercoastal Net Designs www.icoastalnet.comKeyData www.keydatadashboard.comSojo www.getsojo.com

We've waited 159 episodes to have the wizard of content marketing on the Vacation Rental Manager's Podcast.   David Angotti is on today's episode dropping knowledge about everything you thought you knew, but the secret is you probably don't.   The master is in the house.In the news segment Sarah and T (and David) talk about the upcoming VRMA International Conference and how to get the most out of your time there.Find all of Sarah and T's content at www.sarahandt.com You can also follow this podcast on Instagram or Linked In Special thanks to our podcast Partners:Intercoastal Net Designs www.icoastalnet.comKeyData www.keydatadashboard.comSojo www.getsojo.com

In this episode our two fearless rental managers talk about the subject of bed bugs.  Don't pretend you don't think about this or haven't had this happen to you.   What do you do when you get them?  How do you handle them?  Will I catch them just thinking about the subject?   The answer to these and many more questions will be revealed in this episode.  In the News segment Tim talks about the wildly successful ExploreFest 23 conference that VRBO and Expedia Group just hosted in Las Vegas.  Another can't miss episode with lots of takeaways to help your business!  Detailed show notes below:  Bed Bug education - all from the great Durk Johnson who explains it better than anyone.  - First, a fun fact - we are seeing a rise in bed bugs the past 10-15 years because DDT is outlawed. That's a good thing, but DDT used to kill bed bugs and they were going down in numbers of outbreaks.   FACTS about BB's - size of a tick- nocturnal- attracted to our CO2 we breathe- they can live for 365 days without food! - They like to live in wooden footboards, headboards, wall (check baseboard)- Often the way to find them is to check for poop and blood stains on mattress or mattress pad. How are they transported? they are hitchhikers- luggage (in other words guests bring them.  Guests don’t want to believe it, but it is true!  It is not a commentary on the cleanliness of a rental property)- clothes (eggs are sticky) HOW TO IDENTIFY: Teach your housekeepers to do the following BEFORE start cleaning every single time not just when reported: - Take flat sheet off & look at fitted sheet (look for long line of blood spots) - Then get down to the mattress - BTW, you need to have tight fitting mattress pad b/c they will live in the folds if loose. Yes, ALL beds should have mattress pads and even better, full encasements. - Blacklights will show them up or flashlight on phone - looking for poop & blood stains & exoskeletons! - then check box spring (between cover & spring) - check under the nightstand- check behind the bed This training also goes to your maintenance staff, inspections team, and of course you need at least one manager who can verify before you get to treatment because the treatment is EXPENSIVE.  HOW TO TREAT- Pest control. - With Heat thru entire house- generator, wires thru house - 120 degrees - Sprinklers need to be covered so they don't go off. (there are also bed bug sniffing dogs?)   Yes, there is.  And How to Treat Your Laundry you bring out of the property AFTER treatment complete:  -Bagging up all of the impacted linen in an airtight bag, keeping those items separated from your normal laundry, and the process of laundering those items, then getting the appropriate items back to the property after sanitization – bedspreads, mattress pads, etc.).  - Trash the pillows- Consider trashing the mattress if there is a sizable infestation. 2) Have a Process Documented and Explained to all before it ever happens (this should also be part of new hire training!) - So, Tim is perfect as we all know, so he actually has a flow chart for this. I'm talking decision points - diamond shape - YES/NO and path to take like those choose your own adventure books.  TIMFind all of Sarah and T's content at www.sarahandt.com You can also follow this podcast on Instagram or Linked In Special thanks to our podcast Partners:Intercoastal Net Designs www.icoastalnet.comKeyData www.keydatadashboard.comSojo www.getsojo.com

Have you been feeling a bit disconnected with your property owners?   Concerned about what feedback you may get if you ask them how you are doing?  Well, fear not fellow Vacation Rental Management Professional.  In this week's episode Sarah and T take you through three fail safe ways to re-connect and energize your relationship with your property owners.   Find all of Sarah and T's content at www.sarahandt.com You can also follow this podcast on Instagram or Linked In Special thanks to our podcast Partners:Intercoastal Net Designs www.icoastalnet.comKeyData www.keydatadashboard.comSojo www.getsojo.com

A few episodes go (I've Had It!), more than one vacation rental company owner said they have "had it" with being threatened by guests with bad reviews if they don't give a refund, an increase in chargebacks and fraudulent transactions (aka. stolen credit cards).  In this episode,  Sarah and Tim welcome 3 experts on to talk about how to tackle these frustrating events. This fresh perspective gives tips on new ways you may want to consider accepting funds, how to effectively approach chargebacks and win, as well as how to deal with those quasi hostage taking guests who seem to make a profession out of saying something was wrong at the end of their stay. Many thanks to Terry Whyte, Chris Savino, and Matt Gurley for joining us and sharing proven tactics against these shady actors. Find all of Sarah and T's content at www.sarahandt.com You can also follow this podcast on Instagram or Linked In Special thanks to our podcast Partners:Intercoastal Net Designs www.icoastalnet.comKeyData www.keydatadashboard.comSojo www.getsojo.com

This is a master class in getting direct bookings and not relying on On Line Travel Agencies (Vrbo & Airbnb) to get your bookings.  Listen carefully to up your game on getting direct bookings to your website from two of the true experts in the business.Find all of Sarah and T's content at www.sarahandt.com You can also follow this podcast on Instagram or Linked In Special thanks to our podcast Partners:Intercoastal Net Designs www.icoastalnet.comKeyData www.keydatadashboard.comSojo www.getsojo.com

In this episode The professional vacation rental manager's podcast with Sarah and T has fun with our listeners by letting them sound off on what they have had it with.   Taking the lead from a popular podcast we let our professional vacation rental manager friends give it some thought and record what they "have had it with."  Quasi Hostage Taking Crisis with Reviews, Software frustrations, Scammers, rude owners, rude guests, rude guests that write bad reviews, Owners not respecting boundaries, 3rd party websites, bad customer service are among the subjects covered by 13 of our avid listeners.  Get ready for some VRM therapy in this episode.Find all of Sarah and T's content at www.sarahandt.com You can also follow this podcast on Instagram or Linked In Special thanks to our podcast Partners:Intercoastal Net Designs www.icoastalnet.comKeyData www.keydatadashboard.comSojo www.getsojo.com

Vacation Rental Decor topics are a favorite for Sarah and T.  Today our hosts have a true V.R. Decor expert on the show to discuss the BIG 3 things (The Decor Trinity) to think about when you consider decorating a property.   Cara Shimizu bring of great content and takeaways in this episode.  In the Not So Hot Off The Press, But Definitely Happening segment Sarah and T talk about Expedia Groups new rollout of a loyalty program that could have a huge impact on Vacation Rental Managers.Find all of Sarah and T's content at www.sarahandt.com You can also follow this podcast on Instagram or Linked In Special thanks to our podcast Partners:Intercoastal Net Designs www.icoastalnet.comKeyData www.keydatadashboard.comSojo www.getsojo.com