How We Mastered Direct Bookings for Short-Term Rentals in 2024

Direct Booking Success Podcast

As we wrap up an incredible year of growth and learning in the short-term rental industry, it's time to reflect on the valuable insights that have shaped our success. In this special episode of the Direct Booking Success Podcast, I'm sharing my favourite moments from 2024 - a year filled with practical strategies, inspiring stories, and expert advice.

From reaching listeners in 38 countries to recording over 23 hours of content, this podcast has become more than just a source of information. It's a thriving community of property managers and hosts passionate about growing direct bookings and building sustainable businesses.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Inside-out hospitality: Learn how treating your team will genuine care translates to exceptional guest experiences
• Filling calendar gaps: Actionable strategies to boost bookings during slow periods without resorting to discounts
• The power of video reviews: How authentic guest testimonials can significantly increase your conversion rates
• Strategic consistency: Why blindly following the “just be consistent” mantra might be holding you back
• Optimizing your direct booking website: Essential tips for creating a seamless, mobile-responsive booking process

Highlights from 2024

Inside-Out Hospitality with Lauren Madewell

"Inside-out hospitality is all about taking care of your own people first, so they care for others naturally."

Discover how Lauren's approach to prioritizing employee well-being naturally translates into exceptional guest experiences. Learn about her creative marketing strategies that make her properties stand out in the competitive Smoky Mountains market.

Listen to Episode 106 - The Truth About Airbnb Income, Hint… It’s Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEHQ0UTrCYo&t=2s

Learn more about Lauren and Auntie Belham’s Cabin Rentals:

Website: https://www.auntiebelhams.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auntiebelhamscabinrentals/

Reviving Your Marketing After Peak Season

"Your past guests are your biggest fans—remind them why they loved staying with you."

Explore effective strategies to fill booking gaps without resorting to discounts or desperate measures. Find out why email marketing remains a powerful tool for reconnecting with past guests and driving repeat bookings.

Listen to Episode 115 - Reviving Your Marketing After a Busy STR Season: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTTMNVE2gKY

Building Community with Damian Sheridan

"A simple phone video from a happy guest can increase your bookings by 25%—it’s that powerful."

Gain insights from industry veteran Damian Sheridan on reducing OTA reliance and leveraging video reviews to boost conversions. Learn how authentic guest testimonials can significantly impact your booking rates.

Listen to Episode 94 - Why You Should Stop Chasing 5-Star Reviews and Do This Instead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ngfx2O6DOk&t=7s

Learn more about Damian

Book Direct Show: https://bookdirect.show

SCALE Rentals: https://scalerentals.show

The Truth About Consistency in Marketing

"Being consistent isn’t enough if your efforts miss the mark—align your strategy with your goals."

Challenge the common advice of "just be consistent" and discover why strategic consistency is key to driving results. Understand how to focus on quality over quantity in your marketing efforts.

Listen to Episode 107 - Why Consistency in your Marketing Isn’t Enough for Direct Bookings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxFKqYRyUM8

Optimizing Your Direct Booking Website with Bart Sobies

"If you’re not testing your booking process on all devices, you’re leaving money on the table."

Get actionable tips from Bart Sobies on refining your website's first impressions, streamlining the booking process, and enhancing guest communication through email strategies.

Listen to Episode 85 - 365 Days to Direct Booking Success: Essential Website Tips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8uSzsmVv54&t=1s

Connect with Bart:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibooked.online/

As we look ahead to 2025, let's take these lessons and turn them into action. Success with direct bookings isn't about doing more work - it's about doing the right work with purpose and strategy.

Ready to elevate your direct booking game? Join me in the next episode as we explore strategies to get ahead in 2025 and secure more direct bookings for your short-term rental business.

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Show notes are available at: https://directbookingsuccess.com/podcast/

Simplify your STR Marketing in 2025! Join the DBS AI Content Sprint Workshop!

In this live, hands-on workshop, I will guide you through creating 3 months of content targeted to your ideal guest.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

✨ How to use AI to craft engaging, personalized content.

✨ A proven strategy to save time while driving direct bookings.

✨ Step-by-step guidance to simplify your marketing efforts for 2025.

📅 Date: January 9, 2025

You will leave with a full written guide, lifetime access to the training video, and a strategy you can replicate anytime.

Save your seat and start 2025 with a clear, actionable plan to grow your bookings and profits with 3 months of booking-driving content.

👉 https://mydbs.live/sprint

Use discount code: DBSPODCAST40 to join the workshop for only $29

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Work with Jenn to maintain consistency in your marketing and boost your direct bookings without spending so much money on it: https://directbookingsuccess.com/apply/

The ULTIMATE all-in-one marketing platform for short term rental is finally here! Check it out: https://bookdirectpro.com/

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/

Follow Jenn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directbookingsuccess

Join Jenn’s free Facebook group – the Marketing Hub: https://www.facebook.com/groups/strmarketinghub