Claim OwnershipBranded & Booked
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© The Weber Co
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Are you ready to stand out in the crowded world of short-term rentals and boutique hotels? Branded & Booked is the podcast for ambitious hosts and property owners who want to create rave-worthy brands and stay consistently booked. Hosted by Steph Weber, an expert in branding and marketing for STRs, this podcast is packed with actionable advice, inspiring stories, and behind-the-scenes insights to help you elevate your property and attract your best guests. Tune in every week to learn how to market your property, create a guest experience they’ll rave about, and build a hospitality business.
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Welcome to the very first episode of Branded & Booked! In case you’re new here: I’m your host Steph Weber, branding and marketing expert helping short-term rental and boutique hotel owners create unforgettable guest experiences. In this episode, you’ll hear what’s in store for Branded & Booked—from actionable branding and marketing strategies to stories that will inspire you to elevate your property and keep it consistently booked. Whether you’re a seasoned host or just starting out, this is your go-to podcast for standing out in a crowded market and turning your short-term rental into a brand guests can’t wait to book. Hit play and get ready to create rave-worthy experiences! Thank you for being part of this journey. Enjoy this FIRST episode of 2025, and make sure to tag me when you listen so we can connect! Steph on Instagram: @theweberco and @hostedbythewebers And don’t forget: Join our Free Community: >>HERE.
As the year comes to a close, I’m reflecting on 2024—the good, the hard, and everything in between. This year, I can truly say I've leaned into messy, uncomfortablt action and just let things flow. It wasn’t perfect (far from it!), but through the chaos, I gained something monumental: a level of freedom I’ve never felt before. In this episode, I’m sharing what it really looked like to step into this freedom, how I learned to operate my business in alignment with my life, and what it means to me to be a more present mom while still serving my audience in the best way possible. I’ve also grown even deeper into my role as your trusted go-to for branding and marketing in the short-term rental world, and I’m so grateful for the connections we’ve built here on the podcast. And while we’re wrapping up the year, I’m also looking ahead—because something BIG is coming next year. We’re making an exciting pivot with the podcast, and I can’t wait to share more soon. Thank you for being part of this journey. Enjoy this final episode of 2024, and make sure to tag me when you listen so we can connect one more time before the new year! Steph on Instagram: @theweberco and @hostedbythewebers And don’t forget: Join our Free Community: >>HERE.
In this episode, I’m diving into my biggest STR predictions for 2025 and sharing practical ways to apply them to your business right now. You’ll learn about the 3 C’s of marketing and why they’re more important than ever in building trust, engaging your audience, and driving results. And finally, I’ll explain how reducing your reliance on third-party platforms can increase profits, deepen customer relationships, and set you up for long-term success. Enjoy the episode, and don’t forget to tag me when you listen so we can connect! Steph on Instagram: @theweberco and @hostedbythewebers And don’t forget: Join our Free Community: >>HERE.
In this episode, I sit down with Ryan Rominger, the owner of Intrigue Property Management. Ryan shares his journey from California to Indianapolis and explains why the City of Indy has become such an attractive market for real estate investors. With over 400 properties under management, he breaks down the benefits of long-term rental investments and the stability they offer, especially in comparison to pricier markets like California. Ryan also gives an honest look at the challenges of property management, from managing tenant expectations to dealing with legal issues. And the best part? Ryan’s super creative approach to social media has played a big role in his success. His “Why Indianapolis is Cooler” video series has helped him build strong local connections, attract clients, and create partnerships with Indianapolis businesses. Enjoy this episode, and make sure to tag us when you listen so we can connect! Steph on Instagram: @theweberco and @hostedbythewebers Ryan on Instagram: @Realtor.Ryan And don’t forget: Join our Free Community: >>HERE. Intrigue Property Management Website
Building wealth with real estate often starts with a small idea and grows into something much bigger. Harshad and Ishita’s journey began with renting out their basement, which led to renting out a room in their home—and before they knew it, they were covering their mortgage with rental income. But when it comes to short-term rentals, it’s about more than just a place to stay—it’s about creating unforgettable experiences. That’s why I’m so excited to have Harshad and Ishita on the show. These two entrepreneurs are shaking things up in the short-term rental space by putting design and guest experience at the forefront. In today’s episode, we're diving into their incredible journey, how they rapidly scaled their portfolio, and their approach to creating spaces that guests rave about. Plus, we’ll talk about their experience navigating Hurricane Helene and what’s next for their business. Tune in for a conversation that shows how thoughtful design and a guest-first mentality can transform a rental property into a thriving business. Enjoy this episode, and make sure to tag us when you listen at @hostedbythewebers, @Ishita.interiors, @Harshad.interiors, and so we can connect. Join my Facebook Group: >>HERE.
If you’re a host wanting to gain control over your bookings, this episode is a must! Gil Chan, founder of Crafted Stays, shares how he helps hosts build high-converting direct booking sites in minutes—without all the tech headaches.. After his own struggles with WordPress, Gil designed Crafted Stays to be user-friendly, with awesome templates that integrate directly with PMS tools (like Hospitable and Reshostaway). Click play to learn how you can create a direct booking site that performs well in search engines, so you can reduce dependency on OTAs! Listen in, and we'd love for you to tag us @hostedbythewebers and @craftedstays. Join our Free Community: >>HERE.
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: branding is more than the visuals. It’s the story you tell. It’s the way you make people feel. It’s what people say about you when you’re not in the room. That is exactly why, in this episode, I dive deep into the branding process for Cabins on the Cumberland, sharing how we crafted a compelling brand strategy that resonates with our (Ideal Client) Avatar. Join me as I unpack the essential elements that make up a strong brand, and end with an action step that you can take immediately. Enjoy this episode, and make sure to tag us when you listen to @hostedbythewebers and @theweberco so we can connect. Join our Free Community: >>HERE.
If you love having an inside look at what successful short-term rental hosts are doing to remain profitable during markets like this, you’re in luck. Hanan Kim is about to spill the tea on how she successfully transitioned from short-term rental owner to boutique hotel operator and the many, MANY lessons she learned along the way. Because here's the truth: you can have the best property in the world, but without a solid strategy and understanding of the market, you're just hoping for the best. In this episode, you’ll learn how Hanan identifies the right properties, leverages her travel experiences, and grows her hospitality business. Enjoy this episode, and make sure to tag us when you listen to @hostedbythewebers and @hanankiminvests so we can connect! Join our Free Community: >>HERE.
In this episode, I'm giving it ALL away—our exact marketing strategy that boosted our direct bookings by 15% in just two months. Because here's the truth: you can try all the marketing tactics in the world, but without a solid strategy, you're just throwing spaghetti at the wall. I’ll walk you through the step-by-step approach we used to drive more direct bookings without relying on third-party platforms. Enjoy this episode, and make sure to tag us when you listen to @hostedbythewebers and @theweberco so we can connect. Join our Free Community: >>HERE.
I don’t know about you, but getting my properties rented out as soon as possible is a top priority. (We became hosts to make a profit, am I right?) In this episode, I’m joined by Kim Fitzpatrick, an expert in short-term rental (STR) setups who’s going to break down exactly how you can get your Airbnb up and running in just 7 days. Trust me when I say, this episode will help you ensure your property is guest-ready and profitable much quicker. Enjoy this episode, and make sure to tag us when you listen to @hostedbythewebers and @theweberco so we can connect. Join our Free Community: >>HERE. Check out STRSource website: >>HERE.
Influencer Marketing is a $21 billion industry… As a past Fashion, Beauty, and Travel Influencer I’ve seen really great partnerships that’ve made both parties a lot of money and I've also witnessed deals that fell flat because they lacked alignment or clear goals. So, trust me when I say this: When done correctly, influencer marketing works. So, let’s talk about it. In this episode, you’ll hear practical tips on maintaining an active social media presence and leveraging influencer partnerships to boost brand visibility and ultimately… your bookings. Enjoy this episode, and make sure to tag us when you listen to @hostedbythewebers and @theweberco so we can connect. Join our Facebook Group: >> HERE.
Being a business owner of multiple six-figure companies has been…well, challenging (to say the least). And while I've had several mindset shifts and breakthrough moments from both mentors and personal experiences, there’s ONE in particular that has guided me through countless pivots. Let me tell you, it has been the biggest game-changer in how I approach every challenge and opportunity. Curious? Click play now to hear as I share this shift and how it can transform your entrepreneurial journey too. Enjoy this episode, and make sure to tag us when you listen to @hostedbythewebers and @theweberco so we can connect. Join our Facebook Group: >> HERE.
When done right, influencer marketing works. (I mean haven’t you bought something from an ad on TikTok shop or IG stories?) This is exactly why I was so excited to bring on Jordan Kahana, CEO and founder of Stayamo, a platform connecting short-term rental owners with content creators and influencers. In this episode, you’ll learn what type of analytics and proof to ask a content creator for, tips for driving engagement and bookings through social media, and what to expect from influencer partnerships. Enjoy this episode, and make sure to tag us when you listen to @hostedbythewebers and @theweberco so we can connect. Join our Facebook Group: >>HERE. Check out Stayamo’s website: >>HERE.
You’ve heard me say it before… You don’t own your social media accounts, airbnb, or Vrbo. But you DO own your website and your email list. And thankfully there are ways to strategically capture your guests email addresses without bluntly asking for it. In this episode, you’ll learn re-engagement email campaign strategies for past guests, how to retarget guests to encourage email sign-ups, and my recommendations to maintain guest relationships. Connect with us on Instagram at @hostedbythewebers. For STR branding and marketing LIVE trainings, join my free Facebook Group >>HERE. Listen to the episode with StayFi Founder, Arthur Colker >>HERE.
When Emily told me she gained 6,000 followers from ONE post… I was floored. Not that virality is the goal, but more eyeballs on your content is hardly ever a bad thing. (Especially when you’re creating content for a property!) And I’m going to go out on a limb here and say this: you want more people seeing your content as well. Am I right? In this episode, you’ll learn how to effectively create content, the impact of storytelling, and how to attract potential guests to your properties. I hope it serves you well. Connect with Emily on Instagram at @emilylethgo. Connect with us on Instagram at @hostedbythewebers. For STR branding and marketing LIVE trainings, join my free Facebook Group >>HERE.
Real talk: if you’re in the short-term rental industry, you’re also in the hospitality industry (point blank.) And to be profitable, you need to prioritize guest experiences. This means going beyond just offering a place to stay. It’s about creating memorable moments, ensuring seamless communication, maintaining cleanliness, and adding thoughtful touches that make guests feel special. Your ability to deliver on these fronts will set you apart from the competition and keep your rental booked and busy. The bottom line is we must keep hospitality at the forefront and when resolving guest issues. When we fail to make a guest feel heard and appreciated, we make them feel shame and uneasy. This episode was inspired by Will Guiarda’s new book, Unreasonable Hospitality. (I highly recommend you checking it out!) For STR branding and marketing LIVE trainings, join my free Facebook Group >>HERE.
Ready for some real talk around STR? It's easy to get caught up in the overly idealized and glamourized portrayal of the business but that's just not always the case. What this industry often looks like is dealing with difficult clients, maintenance issues, guest complaints...shall I go on? I love this industry and I care about YOU, which is exactly why I'm dealing it to you straight. In this episode, I'm sharing some of the very real and candid stories we've experienced and the lessons we've learned along the way. For STR branding and marketing LIVE trainings, join my free Facebook Group >>HERE.
Real talk: there are so many factors at play when it comes to choosing profitable properties. This is exactly why I brought Tamer Assaad and Matt Sanderson, founders of STRIQ, on the show to share their own personal insights and experiences when it comes to evaluating deals using data and cash on cash return. So, pull up a chair because you’re about to get an inside look into investment strategies, what to look for in properties for high revenue potential, and how to streamline property analysis and decision-making. Make sure to follow Tamer Assaad, Matt Sanderson, and STRIQ on Instagram after this episode and for STR branding and marketing LIVE trainings, join my free Facebook Group >>HERE.
They started their business during the pandemic and went ALL IN. Sarah & Emily, better known as The KarWells, are best friends & business partners who have a mission to build the life of their dreams through short-term rental investments & educate others along the way. Over the past 5 years, they’ve dabbled in all different avenues in this industry (design, arbitrage, invested, etc.) and have made plenty of mistakes that they want to help others avoid. Their desire for community has been the key driver behind their social media presence & they continue to prioritize that as an emphasis of their business. They are two small-town girls who didn't have a blueprint of how to build a business and are determined to show others that if they can build their dream life, they can too. In this episode, you’ll learn the mistakes they wish they knew sooner and ways to get into the short-term rental industry without purchasing. For STR branding and marketing LIVE trainings, join my free Facebook Group >>HERE.
Holy Buckets: It’s been ONE whole year since we purchased our first STR property (the same month we had our son, nonetheless.) And I’m so grateful that we’ve been profitable throughout this journey, but that wasn’t by happenstance. It took a lot of hard work and late nights in order to get the business to where it is today. And if it wasn’t for the shared vision we (my husband and business partner) have for our children, it would’ve been much more challenging. So, in this episode I’m pulling back the curtain and taking you behind-the-scenes into the business of owning a short-term rental. I’m even breaking down the numbers from the initial investments down to repairing appliances. (Got your favorite pen handy?) And if there’s one thing I hope you get from this episode, it's this: Don’t underestimate how much you can change your life in just one year. Enjoy this episode; for more STR branding and marketing live training, join my Facebook Group >>HERE.
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