Claim OwnershipBooked Solid Show - Short Term Rental Podcast
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© Gil Chan
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Join host Gil Chan on 'Booked Solid,' the podcast dedicated to helping short-term rental operators and property managers maximize bookings and scale their businesses. Each week, gain actionable insights from industry experts, uncover proven strategies, and learn the secrets to achieving more nights booked. Elevate your rental business and stay ahead in the competitive market with 'Booked Solid.'
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“Most people never let a goal become an obsession. They have an idea, it becomes a want, and when the first plan doesn’t work, they abandon it instead of adjusting the plan.”Emanuele Pani, known as "E" in the short-term rental community, is the co-host of the STR Secrets Podcast and a coach specializing in co-hosting and boutique hotels. He shared how shifting his mindset allowed him to build a highly successful direct booking strategy. While many hosts rely on Airbnb and other OTAs, E emphasized that true financial freedom comes from owning your own booking channels. The key? Building long-term relationships and serving others first. His philosophy? Your mindset dictates your success, and achieving financial growth starts with internal transformation.Follow E Here ⤵️InstagramFacebookSpotify
Madeleine Raiford is the founder of MHM Luxury Properties, a boutique short-term rental company that has scaled to seven figures while maintaining high profitability and time freedom. She also runs a mastermind community at MRH Education, helping hosts start and optimize their rental businesses. Before diving into short-term rentals, she was a COO in the high-security identification industry. Her experience in branding, operations, and hospitality has shaped her unique approach to direct bookings.Madeleine shared even more strategies, from navigating local regulations to maximizing profitability. Don’t miss out this 51st episode special of Direct Booking Simplified, now rebranded to Booked Solid."Madeleine’s Elevate Your STR Workshop"If you’re looking to increase profitability in your short-term rental business, Madeleine is hosting a live workshop and training from March 3rd to 6th at 11:00 AM -12:00 PM EST via Zoom.The event is ticketed, with general admission including access to replays until the Sunday after, and VIP tickets granting 60 days of access to the recordings. Be ready to take your properties from surviving to thriving in your highly competitive market in just 4 days! Register Here: madeleineraifordholland.com/elevate Follow Madeleine Here ⤵️ Instagram LinkedIn Website
Hotels have spent decades perfecting the art of hospitality, systems, and guest experience. Short-term rentals? We're still figuring it out—and that's actually our most significant advantage.In this episode of the Booked Solid Show, Susan Barry joins Gil to bridge two worlds that are rapidly converging. With over a decade of experience opening hotels for Starwood, nearly 17 years running Hive Marketing, and hosting the award-winning Top Floor podcast, Susan brings a rare perspective on what STR operators can learn from hotels—and where we're actually ahead.From why hotels struggle to differentiate themselves (and what that means for you) to the single most important thing you can do to attract direct bookings, this conversation will change how you think about your rental business.Whether you manage two properties or twenty, Susan's insights on brand identity, messaging consistency, and standing for something will help you stop competing on price and start building a hospitality brand guests actively seek out.🔗 Connect with Susan BarryLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/susandbarryInstagram: @topfloorpodTop Floor Podcast: topfloorpodcast.comHive Marketing: hive-marketing.comDigital Guide: LinkedIn Content Made Easy
Make it till you make it—not fake it.That mindset carried Terri-Leigh Huleis from designing her first multimillion-dollar mountain property to building Found Home Co. into a powerhouse STR design studio, completing 64 projects annually. Her journey proves that scrappiness, customer obsession, and understanding your ideal guest can transform not just properties—but entire businesses.In this episode of the Booked Solid Show, Terri-Leigh Huleis from Found Home Co. reveals how ROI-driven, guest-targeted design transforms ordinary vacation rentals into unforgettable branded stays. From building a custom GPT for guest avatar research to creating boutique-hotel-level branding on Airbnb budgets, Terri-Leigh shares the systems she developed as she scaled from solo designer to leading a team of 15. You'll discover why knowing your ideal guest is the foundation of every design decision, how branded stays create the recognition that fuels direct bookings, and the mindset shift that turned burnout into sustainable growth.Connect with Terri-Leigh:🌐 Website: www.foundhomeco.com📸 Instagram: @foundhome_co💼 LinkedIn: Terri-Leigh Huleis
🎙️ From Wall Street to Private Chefs: How Siddhi Mittal Built the #1 Chef Marketplace and What It Means for Your STR"The universe has your back. No matter what you're doing, it'll just work out for the better."That's the philosophy that guided Siddhi Mittal through the rollercoaster of building Yhangry from scratch—and it's serving her well as she expands into the U.S. market with explosive growth numbers that make even Airbnb's recent services launch look modest.When 55% of your bookings come from a market you never intentionally targeted, you'd be crazy not to pay attention. That's exactly what happened to Siddhi Mittal, Co-Founder and CEO of Yhangry, when she discovered over half of her private chef bookings were happening at vacation rentals—not private homes.In this episode of the Booked Solid Show, Siddhi shares her unconventional journey from the Wall Street trading floor to building the UK's largest private chef marketplace. She explains why guest experiences are now the deciding factor for travelers—especially Gen Z—and reveals how property managers are earning $150- $200 per booking through a simple affiliate link. Whether you're managing 5 properties or 500, Siddhi's insights on positioning upsells at the top of your funnel (not after the booking) could completely reshape how you think about guest experience and revenue.🔗 Connect with Siddhi Mittal📧 Email: siddhi@yhangry.com💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/siddhimittal23📸 Instagram: @siddhimittal23🌐 Website: yhangry.com
Airbnb just changed everything with their new fee structure—and most hosts are sleepwalking into smaller profits.In this episode of Booked Solid, Sam Mistretta returns to share what he's learned after 18 months in the trenches helping hosts drive repeat bookings through text and email marketing. Sam built a system that grew his own direct booking revenue by 400%, and his company, Go STR Marketing, now helps hosts achieve an average 650% ROI on their guest retargeting campaigns.We break down why authentic, personal communication outperforms corporate branding, why coupon codes aren't the magic bullet you think they are, and the one rental agreement strategy that's still flying under Airbnb's radar. Whether you're a new host or managing dozens of properties, this conversation will shift how you think about guest relationships and building a direct booking business that compounds over time.🔗 Connect with Sam MistrettaWebsite: www.GoSTRmarketing.comInstagram: @samuelmistrpmSpecial offer for Booked Solid listeners: Sign up for an annual subscription and get a free 13th month with promo code CRAFTEDSTAYS at checkout.
From aerospace engineer to acquiring four boutique hotels in just 12 months—Harshad Lalan's journey proves that systems thinking and strategic boldness can transform your short-term rental business.In this episode of the Booked Solid podcast, Harshad shares how he and his wife Ishita scaled from zero properties to a thriving portfolio by combining her design brilliance with his analytical systems approach. He reveals how they jumped from less than 1% direct bookings last year to over 30% this year, his framework for using AI to streamline everything from listing creation to hotel underwriting, and why surrounding yourself with the right people accelerates growth faster than any spreadsheet analysis ever could.Whether you're just getting started or ready to scale aggressively, Harshad's honest take on overcoming "analysis paralysis" and building delegatable systems will give you a new perspective on what's possible.Connect with Harshad:Instagram: @harshad.lalanCompany: 5 Seasons HomestaysIshita Interiors: @ishita.interiors
What if the secret to better bookings wasn't flashier photos or bigger marketing budgets—but simply finding the right words?In this episode, we sit down with Genevieve White, a travel copywriter and coach based in Scotland's remote Shetland Islands. Genevieve helps vacation rental hosts and tourism businesses move beyond bland, AI-generated content to create messaging that actually connects with guests.You'll discover why copywriting isn't about grammar perfection or clever wordplay—it's about understanding who you're writing for and having the confidence to tell your story authentically. Genevieve shares her proven frameworks for identifying your ideal guest, developing your unique brand voice, and transforming everyday moments (like feeding sheep with apples) into compelling stories that inspire bookings.Whether you're struggling with a blank page or feeling like your website sounds too generic, this conversation will give you practical tools to write copy that sounds like you—not a travel brochure. If you've ever thought "I'm just not a good writer," Genevieve's approach will change your mind.🎧 Connect with Genevieve WhiteReady to transform how you write about your vacation rental? Genevieve offers both done-for-you copywriting services and coaching to help you develop the skills yourself.Join Campion Club: Genevieve's twice-weekly email list shares copywriting insights wrapped in stories from her life and work. It's her number one priority for building community with travel professionals who want to write better copy. Sign up at campioncopy.comGrab Her Book: Boldly Go is the definitive copywriting guide for travel and tourism professionals who want to move beyond generic language toward copy that genuinely connects.Follow Genevieve:LinkedInInstagram
"Your website is everything. It's your marketing. It's your digital front door."Frank Bosi from Hostfully knows what separates hosts who struggle with direct bookings from those who thrive. In this episode of Booked Solid, Frank shares the small, intentional steps that build sustainable direct booking revenue—without burning out. From his luxury hotel background at Ritz Carlton and Four Seasons to leading partnerships at one of the industry's most customer-obsessed property management platforms, Frank breaks down exactly how to build trust, create seamless guest experiences, and finally take control of your booking channels. If you're tired of feeling stuck on OTAs or wondering why your website isn't converting, this conversation will change how you think about your direct booking strategy.🤝 Connect with Frank BosiWant to learn more about how Hostfully can transform your vacation rental operations? Frank and his team are ready to help you build sustainable direct booking revenue.Book a Demo: Schedule time with FrankLinkedIn: Connect with Frank BosiHostfully Profile: Learn more about Frank's workSpecial Offer for Booked Solid Listeners: Use code SOLID to receive $500 off your Hostfully onboarding fee.
"We know we can't be there to get guests what they need, so we're constantly thinking—what do they need? What will they think they need, and how can we have it there before they know they need it?"In this episode of Booked Solid, Moira Sedgwick shares how years of working with luxury hotel chains and the James Beard Awards shaped her approach to short-term rentals. You'll discover why thinking like a boutique hotel operator—not just a host—can transform your guest experience and market positioning. Moira walks through her framework for designing spaces that feel like a "wealthy auntie's home," how to audit your property through a hospitality lens, and why the details guests notice most are often the ones you overlook. Whether you're launching your first property or scaling a portfolio, this conversation reveals what it takes to stand out in saturated markets.🔗 Connect with Moira SedgwickWant to learn more about Moira's approach to boutique hospitality and design? Follow her work and reach out:Instagram: @achalet.collectiveWebsite: achaletcollective.comEmail: hello@achaletcollective.com
"Now operators are no longer just spending 3% of their business for lead gen from Airbnb. They're now spending 15.5%."Airbnb's latest fee structure changes everything—but are you ready to take control? Orlie Benjamin, founder of Lasoh and former marketing leader, breaks down why now is the moment for vacation rental operators to build their own direct booking infrastructure. In this episode, you'll discover why owning your guest relationships is no longer optional, how to think about your marketing budget differently, and the critical first steps to reducing platform dependence. Whether you're just starting your direct booking journey or ready to scale your existing strategy, this conversation reveals the marketing mindset shift that separates operators who survive from those who thrive.Connect With Orlie 🔗Website: lasoh.ioLinkedIn: Orlie BenjaminInstagram: @orlie.benjaminLasoh LinkedIn: Company PageLasoh Instagram: @lasoh.ioLasoh Facebook: Facebook PageLasoh Facebook Group: CommunityYouTube: Lasoh ChannelOrlie is genuinely open to connecting with operators at any stage of their direct booking journey. Book a free demo on the Lasoh website—even if the platform isn't the right fit for you right now, she'll help you figure out your next step and connect you with resources that can help.
"The goal is to automate the annoying so you can focus on the amazing."In this episode, Gil sits down with Sean McGregor, founder of NoCodeSTR.com, to explore how vacation rental hosts can reclaim their time without sacrificing guest experience. Sean has hosted over 5,000 groups on Airbnb while maintaining a 4.98★ rating since 2018—all while traveling through 40+ countries with his family.What's his secret? A powerful combination of no-code automation tools and AI that handle the repetitive tasks most hosts dread. From guest communication to review management, Sean shares exactly how he maintains a 100% five-star rating even during a 3.5-week road trip through the Balkans.If you've ever felt chained to your phone answering the same guest questions or wondered how to scale without burning out, this conversation will show you a better way. Sean breaks down the tools, mindset, and systems that let hosts run professional operations from anywhere in the world.🔗 Connect with Sean McGregorReady to automate the annoying parts of your vacation rental business? Sean offers a free 5-day course at NoCodeSTR.com that walks you through building your first automations step by step.Follow Sean's journey and learn more:Website: NoCodeSTR.comYouTube: @NoCodeSTRLinkedIn: Sean McGregor
"As long as you're providing value, hopefully your marketing will be mostly perceived generously and people will want to receive it."What if the key to competing with major OTAs wasn't just about building a better website—but capturing data from every single guest who stays at your property? Arthur Colker, Founder & CEO of StayFi, discovered this truth while helping a New Orleans property manager escape 99% OTA dependency. In this episode, he shares how a WiFi-based data capture solution evolved into a full guest marketing platform powering direct bookings across vacation rentals, boutique hotels, and hospitality brands. Arthur reveals why guest data ownership is the biggest missed opportunity in short-term rentals, how diversifying channels matters more than eliminating OTAs entirely, and the groundbreaking StayFinder meta-search tool launching soon that will let travelers compare direct booking prices against major platforms. Whether you're managing 2 properties or 200, Arthur's insights on guest data strategy and the evolving hospitality tech landscape will reshape how you think about building an independent brand.🌐 Connect with Arthur ColkerLinkedIn: Arthur ColkerCompany: StayFiStayFinder: Launching soon—the direct booking meta-search tool that lets travelers compare prices directly with property managers
In this episode, Jessica Gillingham, CEO of Abode Worldwide and author of "Tech-Enabled Hospitality," challenges the notion that automation and personalization can't coexist. As a strategic advisor to transformative technology companies across the global hospitality sector and host of the Pillow Talk Sessions podcast, Jessica brings a unique perspective on building category leaders.From revealing why 90% of hosts only use 30-40% of their PMS capabilities to explaining how Netflix-style personalization could revolutionize guest experiences, Jessica shares insights from interviewing over 30 industry leaders. Whether you're managing one property or a hundred, you'll discover why the future of hospitality isn't about choosing between technology and human connection—it's about using one to amplify the other.🔗 Connect with JessicaBook: Tech-Enabled HospitalityLinkedIn: Jessica GillinghamCompany: Abode WorldwidePodcast: Pillow Talk SessionsFree Resource: Abode Worldwide Short-Term Rental Index 2026 (available at abodeworldwide.com)
Building a high-performing short-term rental isn't about throwing money at renovations and hoping for results. It's about strategic design choices that create a destination guests actively seek out—not just settle for.In this episode, Mark Lumpkin breaks down his proven framework for transforming underperforming properties into revenue powerhouses. From identifying the right foundation before you buy, to niching down with precision, to leveraging photography that tells an irresistible story—Mark shares the exact steps his team at STR Cribs uses to help operators double their revenue.You'll learn how to analyze your competition without copying them, why most properties fail to differentiate themselves, and the small intentional touches that convert browsers into bookers. Whether you're acquiring your first property or refreshing an existing portfolio, this conversation will shift how you think about design, marketing, and guest experience.🔗 Connect with Mark LumpkinCompany: STR CribsLinkedIn: Mark Lumpkin on LinkedInInstagram: @strcribsYouTube: STR Cribs YouTube Channel
"The way that people choose travel, they consider bookings. It has culturally shifted from even 10 years ago, five years ago, particularly among Gen Z and millennials. They are experience first, location second." - Annie SloanThe hospitality landscape has fundamentally changed. Today's travelers aren't just booking a place to stay—they're curating entire experiences before they even choose their destination. Annie Sloan, Co-Founder and CEO of The Host Co, joins us to reveal how direct booking amenities are becoming the secret weapon for property managers who want to stand out in an increasingly competitive market.In this episode, you'll discover why the traditional approach of competing solely on location and price is no longer sufficient, and how forward-thinking hosts are building entire brands around the experiences they can provide. From mobile tattoo artists at Coachella properties to barrel saunas delivered to remote cabins, Annie shares real examples of hosts who've transformed their businesses by thinking beyond accommodation.🔗 Connect with Annie SloanLearn more about The Host Co and follow Annie's insights:Website: www.thehost.coLinkedIn: Annie Sloan on LinkedIn
"Stop making Airbnb more money. Do not ever send someone another Airbnb link. You are the problem. Owning your customer is the most important part of any successful business strategy."This raw admission from Nikkei Rosenberg, owner of Staylah Rentals with over 100 properties under management, captures exactly what's broken—and what's possible—in our industry. While most hosts chase occupancy rates and revenue per available room, Nikkei has built her empire on something far more valuable: unshakeable brand standards that turn first-time guests into repeat customers.In this episode, Nikkei reveals how she scaled from managing individual properties to commanding a portfolio across multiple Southeast markets, all while maintaining the kind of consistency that makes guests choose her brand over browsing endless Airbnb listings. Her approach isn't just about better hospitality—it's about creating a direct booking engine powered by trust.🌟 Connect with NikkeiInstagramStaylah.com
"Digital media is not going away. When business owners are shying away from doing something uncomfortable, putting their business out on social media, you have to meet the world where they're at."What would you do if your social media following could generate 71% direct bookings on just one property? Brittany Magsig, better known as Mountain Mama on TikTok, turned this dream into reality by authentically sharing her love for the Smoky Mountains and building genuine connections with over half a million followers.From conducting virtual therapy sessions as a school social worker to managing a thriving vacation rental through social media marketing strategies, Brittany's journey demonstrates how authentic content creation can drive direct bookings without expensive marketing campaigns or complex systems.Connect with Brittany:TikTok: @mountainmamascabinsInstagram: @mountainmamascabinsFacebook: Mountain Mama CabinsWebsite: mamacabins.com
"There's so much incremental bookings our industry could be getting if we just did a better job of managing rates throughout the season. More than anything, drive additional revenue over and above new amenities, new photos—it's just do a better job of how you're setting rates." The short-term rental landscape has undergone dramatic shifts since 2020, creating both challenges and opportunities for independent hosts building direct booking businesses. From mobile bookings now representing 58% of Airbnb's traffic to supply growth slowing to just 4% in 2025, understanding these data-driven trends isn't just helpful—it's essential for staying competitive.In this comprehensive discussion, we explore the critical insights every host needs to navigate today's market, optimize their direct booking strategy, and establish sustainable revenue streams that are not entirely dependent on OTA algorithms.🔗 Connect with Jamie LaneTwitter: @Jamie_LaneLinkedIn: Jamie LanePodcast: STR Data LabYouTube: Jamie's Hosting Journey
"The core foundation should be direct bookings, but you also need OTA presence. I think the best way is all three legs of that stool."Building a hospitality business that generates 95% direct bookings sounds impossible—especially in a town with just 87 residents. But Blake Neitzke, a West Point graduate and former Special Forces officer, proved it's not only possible but sustainable. In this episode of Booked Solid, Blake shares the direct booking strategies that transformed a distressed 7-room boutique hotel into a 15-key destination that books solid year-round, often 18 months in advance.What makes Blake's approach unique isn't just his impressive conversion rates—it's his balanced perspective on OTA Management while maintaining independence. His story provides a blueprint for operators seeking to establish enduring hospitality brands without compromising growth or guest reach.Connect with Blake:Instagram: @farmsteadroundtopEmail: farmsteadroundtop@gmail.com
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