Brand & Market - Turning Airbnb Listings into Legacies

What does it take to create a truly special short-term rental? Maybe you want to create a boutique hotel or even a micro-resort. In today’s episode, I’m talking with property owner Ian Joseph about the development of his hospitality group and West Virginia stays. We also dive into his background in both commercial banking and real estate development, and how he has combined these interests with his love for hosting to create a unique personal brand.

Time-stamps:

Get to know Ian Joseph (1:37)

Investing in West Virginia (3:30)

See the value where others might not (7:48)

Overcoming doubt and managing risk (10:30)

Acquiring properties with a banking background (17:57)

Short-Term Rental Acquisition Checklist (28:22)

Building relationships with local communities (29:14)

Finding the land and developing a micro-resort (33:15)

From residential to commercial real estate (39:09)

Building a personal brand from a wide range of experience (43:20)

Be the best in your brand and market (47:03)

Mentioned in This Episode:

Short-Term Rental Acquisition Checklist: brandandmarket.myflodesk.com/str-acquisition-checklist

“The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield: a.co/d/a9eH8xs

Connect with Ian:

Instagram: instagram.com/ijoseph09

Email: [email protected]

Stay with Branch on Instagram: instagram.com/staywithbranch

The Billy Motel on Instagram: instagram.com/thebillymotel

Sign up for the Stay with Branch email list to receive $50 off your first stay in Berkeley Springs: staywithbranch.com

Connect with Ali:

Website: brandandmarket.co

Instagram: instagram.com/brandandmarket.co

Book a discovery call with Ali: brandandmarket.17hats.com/p#/scheduling

Wondering what tech to purchase for your short-term rental? In today’s episode, I’m sharing how three pieces of tech equipment have made huge differences for us in managing our properties. Listen in for my review on the Schlage Smart Locks, cameras from Google Home, and internet services by Starlink.

Time-stamps:

Schlage Smart Lock (2:15)

Google Home (5:28)

Lodgify (9:52)

Starlink (11:32)

Mentioned in This Episode:

Schlage Smart Lock: schlage.com

Google Home: home.google.com

Get 20% off your annual subscription of Lodgify: brandandmarket.co/lodgify

Short-Term Rental Acquisition Checklist: brandandmarket.myflodesk.com/str-acquisition-checklist

Connect with Ali:

Website: brandandmarket.co

Instagram: instagram.com/brandandmarket.co

Book a discovery call with Ali: brandandmarket.17hats.com/p#/scheduling

Are you looking for fresh advice for marketing your short-term rental in 2026? In today’s episode, I’m giving you a behind-the-scenes look at how I personally am marketing my properties based on up-to-date market research and knowledge. Listen in for my strategy to increase revenue, referrals, and overall bookings this year.

Time-stamps:

Analyzing current social media trends (2:58)

2026 influencer strategy (8:28)

Leveraging local partnerships (12:16)

Short-Term Rental Acquisition (15:43)

Additional affiliate income from within our rentals (16:35)

Taking advantages of services via The Host Co. (19:23)

Pulling guests to your direct booking site (21:50)

SEO vs. GEO (26:25)

Waitlist and email marketing strategy (29:44)

Mentioned in This Episode:

Short-Term Rental Acquisition Checklist: brandandmarket.myflodesk.com/str-acquisition-checklist

Connect with Ali:

Book a discovery call with Ali: brandandmarket.17hats.com/p#/scheduling

Website: brandandmarket.co

Instagram: instagram.com/brandandmarket.co

Is your rental’s branding impacting its success? In today’s episode, I’m giving you a behind-the-scenes look at the brand design of The Homestead at Cunningham Creek. This property is extra special to me, as it belongs to my in-laws. Listen in to hear about our choices regarding the brand theme, design, and the brand visuals for the property.

Time-stamps:

The story behind the name (2:13)

Creating themes through branding (7:55)

Understanding our ideal guest avatar (10:39)

What differentiates our rental from others nearby (14:44)

How the brand theme is reflected in the interior design (20:05)

Brand visuals and the intentional design decisions (22:45)

Incorporating brand visuals throughout your property (26:11)

Mentioned in This Episode:

The Homestead at Cunningham Creek on Airbnb: airbnb.com/rooms

The Homestead at Cunningham Creek on Instagram: instagram.com/homesteadatcc

The Homestead at Cunningham Creek Blog Post: brandandmarket.co/blog/short-term-rental-branding-case-study-homestead-cunningham-creek

Connect with Ali:

Book a discovery call with Ali: brandandmarket.17hats.com/p#/scheduling

Website: brandandmarket.co

Instagram: instagram.com/brandandmarket.co

Happy new year! 2025 was an incredible year of growth and upgrades for my short-term rental properties, as well as my business. In this episode, I’m taking a look back at the most impactful moments of my year and the lessons I’m taking into 2026.

Time-stamps:

My early 2025 rebrand (1:58)

Hiring a podcast producer and a virtual assistant (5:54)

Attending Level Up Your Listing (11:20)

Beginning to dream again (15:50)

Updates on The Commonwealth (17:12)

Differentiating myself as a co-host (23:02)

Honing in on my podcast with Soundboard Society (24:06)

Giving The Commonwealth a design upgrade (28:39)

Discovering Luna, our latest project (30:47)

Investing in Action Academy (34:13)

Looking ahead to 2026 (40:11)

Mentioned in This Episode:

Short-Term Rental Acquisition Checklist: brandandmarket.myflodesk.com/str-acquisition-checklist

Elysian on Instagram: instagram.com/stayatelysian

No Vacancy The Podcast with Natalie Palmer and guest Ali Haney: podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/169-this-is-the-one-thing-that-will-make-or-break

Join Soundboard Society with Gaffin Creative: gaffincreative.com/soundboard

The Action Academy: actionacademy.com

Connect with Ali:

Book a discovery call with Ali: brandandmarket.17hats.com/p#/scheduling

Website: brandandmarket.co

Instagram: instagram.com/brandandmarket.co

Are you wondering what’s possible for you as a short-term rental owner? In today’s episode, I’m talking with real estate investor and property manager Zac Willms. Zac shares his inspiring story from launching a highly-successful glamping resort in Canada to now managing multiple villas in Mexico. If you're ready to expand your short-term rental portfolio, get ready to be inspired by this episode!

Time-stamps:

Introducing Zac Willms (1:02)

Zac’s start with living in and renting a duplex (3:07)

A lucky start with zoning laws (4:56)

Developing a glamping resort (6:58)

What Grotto Getaway looks like today (10:53)

The acquisition process of such a unique property (15:35)

Transitioning the campsite into a luxury glamping resort (18:44)

Short-Term Rental Acquisition Checklist (21:53)

Strategies for boosting each unit (22:45)

The finances of glamping (24:19)

From Canada to Mexico (26:06)

Managing villas with Zuna Stays (29:19)

A typical day as a property manager (31:25)

Zac’s differing roles between Canada and Mexico (33:41)

Social media marketing strategy for growing your audience (36:23)

How to be the best in your brand and market (42:33)

Mentioned in This Episode:

10% off your stay in Tulum with code BACKTOZUNAPARADISE: zunastays.com

Short-Term Rental Acquisition Checklist: brandandmarket.myflodesk.com/str-acquisition-checklist

Connect with Zac:

Grotto Getaway: grottogetaway.com

Zuna Stays: zunastays.com

Instagram: instagram.com/zacwillms

Connect with Ali:

Website: brandandmarket.co

Instagram: instagram.com/brandandmarket.co

Are you curious about what it’s like to bring your rental visions to life? In today’s episode, I’m taking you through the process of closing on our newest rental property: Elysian. Plus, I’m diving into each step we’re currently taking to get the property’s first rental ready for guests.

Time-stamps:

The unexpected closing story (1:51)

Surprise Airbnb reservations (7:36)

Bringing the interior design plan to life (10:58)

Short-Term Rental Acquisition Checklist (20:18)

Realizing how quickly items go out of stock (21:10)

Handiwork during Thanksgiving week (23:11)

The long-term vision for the property (30:45)

Mentioned in This Episode:

Short-Term Rental Acquisition Checklist: brandandmarket.myflodesk.com/str-acquisition-checklist

Elysian on Instagram: instagram.com/stayatelysian

Episode 71 Elysian Airbnb Case Study [Part 2]: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-our-short-term-rental-elysian-airbnb-case-study

Episode 69 Elysian Airbnb Case Study [Part 1]: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/buying-for-short-term-rental-opportunities-elysian

ÖÖD Mirror Houses: instagram.com/oodhouses

Connect with Ali:

Website: brandandmarket.co

Instagram: instagram.com/brandandmarket.co

Interested in adding an additional unit to your short-term rental property? In today’s episode, I’m talking with Will Brooks, owner and operator of multiple accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Will breaks down his ADU strategy, from zoning laws and unique features to financing and returns on investment.

Time-stamps:

Will Brooks and understanding ADUs (1:19)

The best markets for ADUs (6:23)

Dabbling in the mid-term rental market (10:02)

Building an ADU on your personal property (12:48)

Zoning laws for ADUs (19:23)

Lodgify (23:12)

Upselling and benefits of the bigger property (24:29)

The unique features of one of Will’s properties (31:00)

The ROI on ADUs (34:45)

How to be the best in your brand and market (43:12)

Mentioned in This Episode:

Get 20% off your annual subscription of Lodgify: www.brandandmarket.co/lodgify

Connect with Will:

Website: shorttermraleigh.com

Connect with Ali:

Website: brandandmarket.co

Instagram: instagram.com/brandandmarket.co

Are you purchasing your next short-term rental property? In today’s episode, I’m talking through every step of being under contract for our next rental: Elysian, the dome house. I’m sharing what we prioritized in our contract negotiation, our process of hiring an interior designer, plus the new brand identity created just for this property.

Time-stamps:

Negotiating our offer and contract (1:51)

The due diligence period (3:05)

Hiring an interior designer (7:42)

Co-hosting Services (13:02)

Creating the brand for the property (14:21)

Starting a waitlist and initial marketing (21:31)

Setting up the business side (23:32)

Mentioned in This Episode:

Co-hosting Services: www.brandandmarket.co/cohosting

Elysian on Instagram: instagram.com/stayatelysian

Episode 69 Elysian Airbnb Case Study [Part 1]: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/buying-for-short-term-rental-opportunities-elysian

Color Palettes Blog Post:

Connect with Ali:

Website: brandandmarket.co

Instagram: instagram.com/brandandmarket.co

Are you taking the right legal steps for your Airbnb property? In today’s episode, I’m talking with real estate attorney and investor Katie Johnson. Katie shares her perspective on setting up your real estate portfolio, utilizing zoning ordinances to your advantage for short-term rentals, and how local communities are legally responding to the Airbnb market.

Time-stamps:

Meet Katie (0:47)

Katie’s short-term rental journey (2:24)

Following in a parent’s footsteps and niching down (4:10)

Katie’s real estate portfolio today (5:37)

Loving the experience of a gut rehab (7:23)

How to set your portfolio up legally (8:57)

Setting up properties across multiple states (14:43)

Common mistakes in the Airbnb rental business structure (16:27)

Co-hosting Services (19:23)

Ali’s zoning laws horror story (20:53)

How local communities are handling short-term rentals (29:41)

Using zoning ordinances to help you choose properties (33:55)

How a real estate attorney can help (35:21)

How to be the best in your brand and market (36:12)

Mentioned in This Episode:

Co-hosting Services: www.brandandmarket.co/cohosting

Katie Johnson Initial Consultation: calendly.com/katiejohnsonplc/15min

Checklist: katiejohnsonplc.myflodesk.com/strlegalchecklist

Connect with Katie:

Website: katiejohnsonplc.com

Instagram: instagram.com/katiethereattorney

Connect with Ali:

Website: brandandmarket.co

Instagram: instagram.com/brandandmarket.co