Discover how a retired couple turned their 14-property business into a direct booking powerhouse, defying the odds in their golden years. But the unexpected twist in their journey will leave you on the edge of your seat. Stay tuned to find out how they overcame a shocking setback and harnessed the power of technology to boost their business value. It's a story of resilience, innovation, and the surprising secret to unlocking direct booking success that you won't want to miss. The best business you've ever owned is the one you just sold for seven figures. And direct bookings, that data list increases the value of your business. That gives your business something to actually sell. - Michael Guildford In this episode, you will be able to: Maximize your property's revenue with proven direct booking strategies.Secure your financial future by learning effective passive income strategies for retirement.Enhance guest experience and streamline operations with the power of QR codes in hospitality.Build a valuable guest email list for direct marketing and personalized communication.Discover the crucial role of direct bookings in maximizing your property's profitability. My special guest is Michael Guildford Michael Guildford, an established figure in property management hailing from Brisbane, Australia, has delved into the realm of direct bookings with a unique approach. Managing a portfolio of 14 apartments in Brisbane's CBD, his journey reflects a quest for passive income in retirement. Michael's expertise lies in leveraging innovative strategies, such as QR codes and email collection, to drive direct bookings and augment the value of customer databases. His firsthand experiences and practical insights offer a valuable blueprint for property managers aiming to optimize their direct booking capabilities and elevate their business prospects. Utilizing QR codes in hospitality, such as EmailCollect, enhances the guest experience by providing easy access to Wi-Fi in exchange for contact details. QR codes streamline the guest data collection process, improving efficiency and enhancing guest satisfaction. By incorporating QR code technology, property managers can create a seamless guest experience and foster stronger guest relationships. Learn more about EmailCollect - https://emailcollect.com/ The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Email Collect 00:03:53 - The Importance of Direct Bookings 00:07:55 - Introducing Email Collect 00:11:37 - Leveraging Guest Data for Marketing 00:13:57 - The Entrepreneurial Spirit and Global Accessibility 00:14:35 - Building a Strong Business with Direct Bookings 00:15:20 - Impact of Negative Reviews 00:15:49 - Value of Direct Bookings Data 00:16:29 - Business Independence and Value 00:16:54 - Conclusion and Gratitude  FREE GUIDE: 10 Ways to Drive Guests to your Website instead of Airbnb: https://directbookingsuccess.com/10-ways-to-drive-guests-to-your-website-instead-of-airbnb/ Show notes are available at: https://directbookingsuccess.com/podcast/ Follow Jenn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directbookingsuccess Join Jenn’s free Facebook group – the Marketing Hub: a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/strmarketinghub"...