Are you struggling to fill your short-term rental calendar? The secret to more bookings might not be what you think. In this episode, we explore why understanding your ideal guest is the key to transforming your marketing, increasing conversion rates, and creating seamless stays. Join me as I chat with Gil Chan, a short-term rental host and founder of Crafted Stays, a hospitality tech company. Gil shares his journey from tech executive to passionate host, and how his experiences led him to create a game-changing platform for direct bookings. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Identify your ideal guest avatar using review analysisTailor your marketing efforts to resonate with your target audienceDesign your property and amenities with your ideal guest in mindCreate a website that converts visitors into bookings “The more that we knew about our guests, the better that we actually did.” - Gil Chan About Gil Chan Gil Chan is a short-term rental host with several properties in the Great Smoky Mountains and Branson market.   He owns and manages these properties with his wife. He’s a father of two young kids. He was born and raised in Silicon Valley (California). He has been in technology for 15 years and has been part of 6 other startups before starting his own hospitality tech company, CraftedStays. Prior to CraftedStays, Gil was working in eCommerce and working closely with Shopify. He realized that in the eCommerce industry if you had an idea and wanted to sell directly to customers, you had platforms like Shopify to help you launch your business; however, in the short-term industry, you’re limited to the PMS standard sites or had to hire an agency to build your custom site. Gil is set out on a mission to enable all short-term rental hosts to be successful in direct bookings.  Connect with Gil and Crafted Stays: Website: https://craftedstays.co Instagram: https://instagram.com/craftedstays *GET AN EXCLUSIVE $35 OFF MONTHLY FOR THE 12-MONTHS IN CRAFTED STAYS ONLY FOR DBS PODCAST LISTENERS* SIGN UP THROUGH THIS LINK: https://app.craftedstays.com/getstarted/dbs Whether you're just starting out or looking to increase your direct bookings, this episode provides valuable insights to help your short-term rental business thrive. Don't miss out on these strategies to connect with your ideal guests and boost your bookings. The key moments on this episode are: 00:00:00 The Secret to More Bookings: Understanding Your Ideal Guest 00:00:57 From Tech to Short-Term Rentals: Gil Chan's Journey 00:03:55 The Shift to Direct Bookings: Taking Control of Your Business 00:05:31 Building a Direct Booking Website: Challenges and Opportunities 00:07:31 Crafted Stays: Creating the Shopify for Short-Term Rentals 00:09:54 The Importance of Understanding Your Ideal Guest 00:13:30 Tailoring Marketing to Your Ideal Guest 00:18:29 Beyond Traffic: Optimizing Your Website for Conversions 00:21:18 Crafted Stays: A Purpose-Built Platform for Short-Term Rentals 00:24:46 Continuous Improvement and Special Offer —------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Show notes are available at: https://directbookingsuccess.com/podcast/ Work with Jenn to maintain consistency in your marketing and boost your direct bookings without spending so much money...