Jo Lewis from Alexander House Scotland joins Sarah Orchard to discuss the intricacies of expanding a short-term rental business, highlighting the importance of diversification in enhancing revenue streams.

With Jo's successful transition from a luxury large group holiday house to offering glamping and wedding services, Jo shares her journey of creating unique guest experiences that cater to different audiences.

She emphasises the symbiotic relationship between her various offerings, where guests often transition from one type of accommodation to another, driven by word-of-mouth referrals and repeat visits.

Jo also candidly shares her insights on managing weddings, detailing the challenges and rewards of this venture, and the necessity of being genuinely invested in the couples’ experiences.

The episode wraps up with Jo sharing practical marketing tips and the valuable lessons she's learned on her journey in the short-term rental hospitality industry.

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Key Takeaways:

• Expanding your short-term rental hospitality business can be beneficial if you understand your market well.
• Building relationships with guests leads to repeat bookings and positive word-of-mouth marketing.
• Careful planning and attention to detail are crucial for successfully managing wedding events. Make sure you are ready for this type of guest!
• Utilising automation tools can streamline communication with potential wedding clients effectively.
• Diverse offerings in accommodations can attract different customer segments and increase overall bookings.
• Understanding the unique customer journey for weddings is vital to providing excellent service.

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Explore Alexander House Scotland

Website

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The 2 dedicated websites for glamping and weddings:

Enchanted Glamping

Thistle Weddings

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Connect with Sarah:

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Are you ready to take more direct bookings?

Take Sarah's FREE quiz here to find out how ready you are with your marketing to ditch the likes of Airbnb! Put your business to the test...

In this frank and open episode, your Get Fully Booked host Sarah Orchard reflects on her own long journey of establishing The Hudnalls Hideout, a luxury treehouse short-term rental, while navigating the challenges that arise from being both a business owner and a host.

Sarah provides valuable insights on the importance of choosing a location that resonates with personal values and lifestyle aspirations. She emphasises that hospitality is not just a 9-5 job but a commitment that requires genuine passion for people and a high level of service, as guests can often have high expectations and demands.

She further explores practical steps towards achieving a sustainable work-life balance, including the significance of outsourcing tasks like cleaning and laundry, to free up time for marketing and personal relaxation, thereby enhancing overall business profitability and personal satisfaction.

Tune in for practical do's and don'ts that can help you achieve the lifestyle you've always dreamed of while successfully managing a short-term rental hospitality business.

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Key Takeaways:

• Establish a clear boundary between work and personal life to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
• Choose a business location that you love to avoid resentment over time.
• Outsource operational tasks like cleaning and laundry so you can focus on revenue-generating activities like marketing and growing your business.
• Being in hospitality requires a genuine love for people and strong social skills.
• Setting up a successful hospitality business is a full-time commitment, not really a side hustle.
• Regular meetings with your life partner can help maintain clarity and structure in your business and avoid issues with balance.

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Connect with Sarah:

Website

Instagram

LinkedIn

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Are you ready to take more direct bookings?

Take Sarah's FREE quiz here to find out how ready you are with your marketing to ditch the likes of Airbnb! Put your business to the test...

Are you ready to transform your one-time guests into loyal repeat visitors?

In this solo episode of Get Fully Booked with Sarah Orchard dives into effective marketing strategies that will help you achieve just that, all without spending a penny.

Sarah emphasises the importance of creating unforgettable experiences and maintaining connections after guests leave. By utilising personalised touches, attentive service, and thoughtful post-stay follow-ups, hosts can significantly increase the likelihood of return visits. Tune in to discover actionable marketing tips that can turn your guests into your ultimate fan club, boosting your direct bookings and enhancing your bottom line.

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Key Takeaways:

• Retaining existing guests is significantly cheaper than acquiring new ones, costing up to 10 times less.
• Creating memorable experiences for guests through personal touches can lead to repeat bookings.
• Follow-up with guests after their stay to ask for feedback and encourage future visits with icnentives.
• Offering exclusive perks like free upgrades or early check-ins can enhance guest loyalty.
• Regular email marketing serves as a gentle reminder for past guests to return.
• Utilise social media effectively to engage with guests and share their positive experiences.

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Connect with Sarah:

Website

Instagram

LinkedIn

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Are you ready to take more direct bookings?

Take Sarah's FREE quiz here to find out how ready you are with your marketing to ditch the likes of Airbnb! Put your business to the test...

In this week's episode, your host Sarah Orchard is joined by a guest, Nina Jervis-Green from Host Unusual, a unique directory that showcases extraordinary holiday accommodations around the globe. We chat about the key differences between online advertising/directory sites and online travel agents like Airbnb. There are distinct differences between a paid listing site Vs the commission-based online agents - we explore the pros and cons.

Nina shares insights about how Host Unusual not only promotes unique stays but also tells the compelling stories behind each property, creating a deeper connection with your potential guests.

This engaging conversation highlights the importance of originality in marketing and how property owners can leverage their unique stories or history to stand out in a crowded market.

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Key Takeaways:

• Understanding the major differences between directory sites and online agents like Airbnb is crucial for property owners.
• Host Unusual emphasises storytelling in listings to connect with potential guests and enhance their experience.
• Many guests prefer unique accommodations, moving away from traditional hotel stays to memorable experiences.
• Property owners should leverage marketing strategies to maximise their visibility on listing sites.
• Direct bookings can significantly increase profit margins compared to commission-based online agents.
• Engaging with your audience through social media and unique offerings can set your property apart.

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Find out more about Host Unusual

Website

Follow us on Instagram

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Connect with Sarah:

Website

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LinkedIn

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Are you ready to take more direct bookings?

Take Sarah's FREE quiz here to find out how ready you are with your marketing to ditch the likes of Airbnb! Put your business to the test...

Ready to transform your website into a powerful marketing machine? In this episode of Get Fully Booked, Sarah Orchard dives deep into the essential strategies you need to grow your direct bookings and reduce reliance on online agents. She emphasises that your website should not merely be an online brochure but a dynamic tool that converts visitors into guests. From creating a strong first impression with engaging visuals to building trust through testimonials and clear calls to action, Sarah shares actionable tips that can significantly enhance your short-term rental website's effectiveness. Whether it's optimising for mobile or crafting compelling narratives about the guest experience, this episode is packed with insights to help elevate your online presence and maximise your profits.

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Key Takeaways:

• Your website should be designed to convert visitors into direct bookings effectively.
• Building trust with potential guests is essential for encouraging direct bookings.
• Strong calls to action throughout your website can significantly improve booking rates.
• Creating an emotional experience story on your website can attract more guests.
• Mobile friendliness is crucial, as over 60% of guests browse for accommodation options on their phones.
• Gathering email subscribers from website visitors can help maintain ongoing guest engagement.

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Connect with Sarah:

Website

Instagram

LinkedIn

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Are you ready to take more direct bookings?

Take Sarah's FREE quiz here to find out how ready you are with your marketing to ditch the likes of Airbnb! Put your business to the test...

Join Sarah Orchard as she dives into a frank and open conversation with Emma Warren, a self professed glamping industry pioneer and owner behind Dimpsy Glamping. Dimpsey Glamping is celebrating nearly a decade and Emma shares her journey from a memorable birthday getaway to creating luxurious glamping experiences, that prioritise guest comfort and unique offerings. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding customer expectations, especially in a post-COVID hospitality world where guests demand more from their stays.

Emma emphasises the value of word-of-mouth marketing and building a strong brand identity, while also addressing the challenges of expanding a glamping site and maintaining occupancy levels. Tune in to discover key insights into growth marketing strategies and the evolving landscape of guest experiences in the glamping industry.

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Key Takeaways:

• Emma Warren emphasises the importance of understanding your target customer when starting a glamping business.
• Building a strong brand that reflects your values can significantly enhance guest experiences.
• Direct bookings provide more profit compared to relying solely on online booking agents like Airbnb.
• Maintaining a good relationship with previous guests can lead to repeat bookings over time.
• The glamping industry has evolved, and guest expectations are now more aligned with luxury accommodation offerings.
• Patience and adaptability are essential in managing fluctuations in booking patterns post-COVID.

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Take a closer look at Dimpsey Glamping:

Visit the website

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Emma's celebrity guest - Baroness Bamford

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Connect with Sarah:

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Are you ready to take more direct bookings?

Take Sarah's FREE quiz here to find out how ready you are with your marketing to ditch the likes of Airbnb! Put your business to the test...

Are you ready to take control of your vacation rental business and grow your direct bookings? This episode of Get Fully Booked with Sarah Orchard delves into the 3 key benefits of prioritising direct bookings over relying on online travel agents like Airbnb.

Sarah stresses the importance of maintaining control over your brand, pricing, and guest relationships, which often gets lost when using third-party booking platforms. She outlines three key advantages: regaining control of your marketing, maximising your brand visibility, and ultimately increasing your profitability. With insightful tips and sharing personal experiences, Sarah encourages listeners to embrace direct bookings as a way to enhance their business success and keep more profit in their pockets.

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Key Takeaways:

• Taking direct bookings gives you control over your business, pricing, and guest relationships.
• Using online travel agents, like Airbnb, can hinder your brand visibility and marketing efforts.
• Maximising direct bookings can save you a significant amount of commission fees over time. With 100% direct bookings, Sarah has saved over £65,000 (USD $85,000) in just 3 years!
• Direct bookings allow you to build lasting relationships with your guests, enhancing loyalty and repeat stays.
• Learning basic marketing skills can empower property owners to effectively drive direct bookings.
• It's essential to assess the long-term impact of using online booking agents on your business's profitability.

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Are you ready to escape the control of the OTAs?

Take my Direct Booking Roadmap Quiz

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Connect with Sarah:

Website

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LinkedIn

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Are you ready to take more direct bookings?

Take Sarah's FREE quiz here to find out how ready you are with your marketing to ditch the likes of Airbnb! Put your business to the test...

Are you struggling to connect with your ideal guests and boost your direct bookings? This podcast episode dives deep into the essential elements of effective marketing messaging for short-term rental and glamping business owners.

Your host, Sarah Orchard, looks at the importance of narrowing your focus to speak directly to your ideal guest, addressing their pain points, needs, and desires. She also highlights the common mistake of making marketing all about your business rather than the guest and the experience they seek

By understanding your audience and crafting targeted messaging, you can significantly improve your marketing outcomes and attract more direct bookings. Tune in to discover actionable strategies that can transform your approach to marketing and enhance your direct bookings.

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Key Takeaways:

• Focus on your ideal guest to create marketing messages that resonate deeply.
• Understand and address customer pain points to improve your marketing success.
• Avoid speaking to everyone; narrow your target audience for better results and less wasted time and money.
• Communicate from the guest's perspective to highlight their needs and desires.
• Define your brand voice clearly to craft compelling and consistent marketing messages that get better results!

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Connect with Sarah:

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LinkedIn

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Are you ready to take more direct bookings?

Take Sarah's FREE quiz here to find out how ready you are with your marketing to ditch the likes of Airbnb! Put your business to the test...

Welcome to another episode of the Get Fully Booked podcast, where Sarah Orchard speaks with fellow host, Kyra Fingleton from Glamping under the Stars Ireland.

In this light-hearted episode, they dive into the unique challenge of catering to two very different ideal guest types—families and hen parties—at Kyra's glamping site in Ireland. Kyra shares her personal insights on how to effectively market to these distinct and extremely different audiences while maintaining a harmonious atmosphere at the site. With a focus on creating a communal experience that appeals to both families and hen parties, Kyra emphasizes the importance of keeping these groups separate to ensure a positive guest experience. Additionally, they discuss the significance of effective marketing strategies, including social media engagement and SEO, in attracting direct bookings and minimising reliance on online agents.

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Key Takeaways:

• Kyra Fingleton successfully caters to two distinct guest types, families and hen parties, at Glamping under the Stars Ireland.
• Maintaining a clear separation between different guest groups is crucial for a harmonious guest experience.
• Utilising social media platforms effectively helps target specific audiences for better levels of direct bookings.
• Direct bookings are preferred, with Kyra currently achieving nearly 100% through her own website.
• SEO and targeted content strategies are essential in attracting both families and hen parties.
• Word of mouth remains a powerful marketing tool, driving repeat business and referrals.

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Find out more about Glamping Under the Stars Ireland

Visit website

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Facebook

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Connect with Sarah:

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Are you ready to take more direct bookings?

Take Sarah's FREE quiz here to find out how ready you are with your marketing to ditch the likes of Airbnb! Put your business to the test...

Are you struggling to grow your direct bookings and feeling completely lost in the marketing maze?

Sarah Orchard emphasises the importance of having a clear marketing strategy as the essential link between your business goals and your marketing activities. Without a defined strategy, many business owners find themselves engaging in random marketing efforts that fail to yield the desired direct booking results.

In this episode, Sarah breaks down the difference between a marketing strategy and a marketing action plan, providing insights on how to align your marketing efforts with your overall business objectives.

She also shares valuable statistics highlighting the common lack of planning among small to medium-sized businesses, urging listeners to take proactive steps towards creating a more structured approach to their marketing.

Tune in to discover practical tips and a simplified framework that can help you effectively attract and convert your ideal guests.

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Key Takeaways:

• Having a clear marketing strategy is essential for achieving your business goals effectively.
• A goal without a plan is just a wish, emphasising the need for a marketing plan.
• Understanding your ideal guests is vital to successfully attract and convert them.
• Aligning all 3 elements of your business plan, marketing strategy and marketing action plan is crucial for effective action.
• Marketing should create a bridge between what you offer and those who need it.
• Creating a marketing action plan involves knowing what marketing will work best to reach your ideal guests.

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Connect with Sarah:

Website

Instagram

LinkedIn

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Are you ready to take more direct bookings?

Take Sarah's FREE quiz here to find out how ready you are with your marketing to ditch the likes of Airbnb! Put your business to the test...