Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 725. https://www.hostfully.com/boostly/ This episode of the Boostly podcast features Sam Mistretta , CEO and founder of Go STR marketing, a service designed to help short-term rental hosts increase direct bookings through custom-branded email and text marketing. Sam discusses the importance of collecting guest contact information, marketing to past guests, and taking action with a proven partner. He outlines the benefits and workings of Go STR marketing,...

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 724. This episode of the Boostly podcast, Liam Carolan going behind the scenes with Dale Smith, CEO and founder of Host & Stay, a significant player in the UK's short-term rental and holiday home management industry. Originating from the north of England, Host & Stay now manages over 1000 properties across the UK, with ambitions to double that number in 2024. Dale shares the journey of Host & Stay from its inception, driven by personal...

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 723. This episode of the Boostly Podcast is part of the STR Collab miniseries, the hosts collaborate with founders and influential figures in the short-term rental (STR) industry. The goal is to foster monthly collaborations on Zoom, bringing together vendors, business allies, and internet friends to share updates and work insights. This episode features a special focus on Minoan, highlighting its unique business model of helping customers generate revenue...

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 722. This podcast features a roundtable discussion with leaders from the AI-assisted property management industry, including representatives from Host AI, Hello Hostie, Guest Guru, Journey, and Bestie AI. The conversation focuses on how AI technologies are being leveraged to transform the property management and hospitality sectors, offering advantages such as automation of repetitive tasks, enhancing guest and employee satisfaction, and predictions for the...

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 721. This episode features an interview with Enrico Schaefer, the founding attorney of Traverse Legal PLC, who specializes in representing hosts and management companies in legal disputes against Airbnb. Over the past four years, particularly during COVID-19, Schaefer has helped clients recover millions from Airbnb for wrongful refunds, suspensions, and listing takedowns. The discussion emphasizes the importance of collective action among hosts,...

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 720. On this episode of the Boostly podcast we sit down with Mike Michalowicz who has had a big influence on Mark and the company. We then dive into an in-depth discussion about Michalowicz's book, 'All In'. Mark talks about his anticipation and preparation for this special 'hat trick' appearance of Michalowicz on his podcast, aiming to ask novel questions specifically about the book. Michalowicz shares insightful details about his 'All In' approach,...

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 719. This episode of the Boostly podcast features a deep dive into Breezeway, a property operations and guest experience platform, with its CEO and founder, Jeremy. The platform, which focuses on helping short-term rental hosts improve the guest experience through optimal property preparation, maintenance, and communication, is discussed in detail. Jeremy shares insights into the genesis of Breezeway, its core functionalities including detailed task...

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 718. This episode of The Boosty Podcast features in-depth discussions on leveraging StayFi for improving direct bookings, email and text message marketing, and the benefits of StayFi's new homepage feature. It highlights how StayFi, initially a WIFI marketing company, has evolved to empower short-term rental operators in collecting guest data and facilitating direct bookings, thereby reducing reliance on third-party platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo. The...

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 717. In this episode of the Boostly Podcast, host Liam discusses Bid and Stay with its founder, Emma Johnson of BidnStay a new service that facilitates last-minute accommodation bookings by enabling hosts to 'auction off' their vacant spaces. Emma explains how hosts set a silent reserve price that they are willing to accept, and guests can secure a booking by beating this reserve. The podcast discusses increasing occupancy rates and promoting direct...

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 716. In 2024, the short-term rental industry faces the increasing problem of unfair regulations. David Krauss, CEO and co-founder of Rent Responsibly, discusses this issue and presents potential solutions. The discussion digs into how to stand against the legislation that threatens short-term rental businesses all over the world. David sheds light on Rent Responsibly, a platform designed to educate and empower hosts to respond to these regulatory...

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 715. In this episode of Boostly, Ron Curtis, founder of WavyStays, discusses his journey in the short-term rental business and how he manages 20 properties while working a full-time job. He details his strategy of co-hosting and the opportunities it offers for revenue generation. The episode further delves into the technical aspects of running such a business, with specific software recommendations and the role of data in decision-making. Finally, Ron...

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 714. Mark sits down with Laura Muse, a successful hospitable host based in Sheffield, about her journey in the hospitality industry. Laura shares her personal experiences from transitioning from property investor and developer to a luxury holiday let owner in the Peak District. She discusses her love for renovation and interior design, the joy of creating lasting memories for guests, and the challenges of managing staff. She also touches on the importance...

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 713. Mark and Maddy discuss how to maximize business success in 2024 by focusing on experiential travel and creating direct booking strategies. They describe how Mount, Maddy's company, enables businesses to provide a variety of experiences to travelers ensuring an increase in guest reviews and converting more guests into superfans. Mark shares his own experiences and strategies in the hospitality industry, including the importance of knowing your guest...

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 712. The Boostly podcast episode features Mahwussh Alam, the CEO of One Perfect Group, a company that manages hundreds of units in high-opportunity locations. Highlighting her journey from starting with one unit to managing many, Mahwussh talks about her strategies for scale, such as focusing on managing key properties, understanding investors' mindsets, and knowing when to say no. The episode also covers their utilization of technology and the role of...

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 711. In this episode of Boostly Bitesize, host Mark Simpson discusses how to effectively collect and use guest data for hospitality businesses. He explains how a simple Google form can be used to gather guests' emails, cell phone numbers, number of people in the party, and check-in dates right at the point of reservation, thus eliminating check-in frictions. He further illustrates how business owners can use these forms to conduct market research by asking...

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 710. In this episode of the Boothly Podcast, Mark sits down with Isaac French, founder of Live Oak Lake. French tells the story of his journey, starting from buying a book for 99 cents to selling his business for $7 million. French discusses his beginnings in Texas, his move to Idaho, and his return to Texas where he built a property with unique cabins. Despite being kicked off Airbnb, French's business flourished, grossing over a million dollars in its...

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 709. In this podcast episode, James Kinnersley joins Mark Simpson to discuss strategies for increasing direct bookings. With James' properties being largely marketed through Booking.com and Airbnb, they discuss optimizing these channels and collecting guest data. Exploring everything from property branding to guest communication, the conversation aims to provide useful insights for property owners to boost their business. They also discuss the potential...

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 708. This episode features a conversation with Sam Dundas, the co-founder of Besty AI, about the future potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in the short-term rental and hospitality industries. The discussion revolves around how AI can assist in managing repetitive tasks and day-to-day operations, alongside improving the efficiency of property management systems. The podcast also touches on the rapid growth of AI applications, the importance of...

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 707. In this episode of the Boostly Podcast, Liam sits down with Rose Tepka, CEO and founder of Your Family's Place and author on Hospitable Hosts. Rose shares the numerous developments in her business including media appearances, becoming a best-selling author, and her continued work in the short term rental industry. She discusses how she partners with influencers to market her properties, creates guest surveys to improve the guest experience, as well as...

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 706. In this episode of the Boostly podcast, Harro, the owner of a bed and breakfast establishment called The Hive at 52, discusses his hospitality career and his transition to running his own business. Having worked in hospitality for over 20 years and running his own B&B for 10 years, Harrow shares valuable insights on how to handle guest reviews, the importance of doing the basics right, and how sustainability is a defining feature of his business....

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 705. In this episode of the Boostly podcast, we welcome back Josh Goldstein. Having initially focused on short term rentals, Josh provides an update on his most recent ventures, which include starting a fund and making a pivot into boutique hotels. He discusses the benefits of boutique hotels, his plans for updates and renovations, and how he uses CloudBeds to optimize the property's management. Josh also offers advice on taking efficient action, the...

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 704. In this episode of the Boostly podcast, Liam sits down with Vanessa de Souza Lage, CEO of Sustonica, about eco-friendly strategies for vacation rentals. Vanessa shares how Sustonica provides a certification for sustainability for short-term rentals and discusses practical steps hosts can take to become more environmentally responsible. Topics covered include sourcing eco-friendly products, the importance of reducing energy consumption, and how hosts...

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 703. On this episode of the Boostly Podcast, Liam talks with special guest Jason Lopez, the Senior Director of Business Development at Jurny, an AI-powered property management software for short-term and vacation rentals. They discuss the use and impact of AI within the world of hospitality, looking at how Jurny was born out of a need for improved technology in property management. Jason highlights how AI quickens response times, increases efficiency, and...

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 702. This episode of the Boostly Podcast features James Varley, the founder of Holiday Cottage Handbook, a comprehensive resource that provides free educational content for short-term rental hosts. The conversation delves into Varley's background in media, how his transition from buy-to-let investment to short-term rentals led him to create his platform, and his mission to become the go-to place for the short-term rentals industry. Varley discusses the...