Get Paid For Your Pad | Airbnb Hosting | Vacation Rentals | STR Revenue Management

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In this episode, Jasper sits down with Troy Daily, founder of Elevated Rentals & Hospitality in Traverse City, Michigan. Troy went from managing a handful of short-term rentals with friends in 2017 to overseeing a growing portfolio of 70+ units, and he’s not slowing down anytime soon.

Troy shares what it actually takes to scale a short-term rental business without losing your mind (or your five-star reviews). From outsourcing operations and building a reliable team, to bringing housekeeping in-house and using revenue management to unlock growth—this is a behind-the-scenes look at a fast-growing STR business.

Whether you're running five properties or fifty, this episode is full of takeaways on entrepreneurship, property management, hospitality, and guest experience that will save you time, money, and stress.

00:00 – Intro to Elevated Homes and Hospitality

00:59 – Troy’s start in STRs (and the early chaos)

03:21 – Revenue management & growth strategies

05:55 – Scaling without sacrificing quality

07:35 – Entrepreneurial background & lessons from other ventures

10:26 – Hiring and managing a strong team

12:26 – Business acquisition strategies + SEO

14:31 – Hard lessons learned scaling fast

16:22 – Operational tips for newer STR hosts

17:41 – Why guest experience still wins

22:15 – Wrap-up & how to connect with Troy

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✨ Get the STR influencer resources: https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/influencer

In this episode, Jasper Ribbers sits down with Kaye Putnam to dive deep into influencer marketing—specifically, how it can be used to boost direct bookings and grow brand awareness for travel brands like Freewyld.

They talk candidly about what actually moves the needle when partnering with influencers—hint: it’s not follower count. Kaye shares how engagement rate, content quality, and clear expectations all play a role in successful campaigns.

You’ll hear real examples, tips for navigating influencer partnerships, and how to measure what’s working—whether you're tracking profile link clicks, testing giveaways, or trying to calculate the true impact of an influencer’s post.

If you’re in the travel industry, building a social media strategy, or just trying to figure out what “good” looks like in terms of marketing metrics, this one’s for you.

💡 Key Takeaways

• Influencer marketing can drive real results—especially when it’s tied to direct bookings.
• Engagement rate matters more than follower count.
• Giveaways can help boost reach and virality.
• Clear communication and written agreements set the stage for better collaborations.
• The content influencers create can be just as valuable as their audience.
• Metrics like profile link clicks tell a better story than coupon codes.
• Strong relationships lead to better long-term influencer partnerships.
• Make sure your influencers' audience actually matches your brand.
• Don’t rely solely on custom coupon codes for tracking ROI.
• Driving direct bookings builds stronger brand-customer connections.

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 — Intro: What is influencer marketing, really?

02:30 — Measuring influence: followers vs. engagement

06:44 — Real-world wins and key metrics

10:02 — How to choose the right influencers

14:08 — Why content quality matters more than audience size

18:17 — Finding + reaching out to potential partners

20:12 — What makes a good engagement rate?

22:52 — Setting expectations from the start

25:02 — What to track—and what to let go of

30:11 — Wrapping it all up + next steps

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Curious what your portfolio’s potential is? Apply for RPM at https://freewyldfoundry.com/rpm/.

If you’re looking to optimize your Airbnb listing, I’ve got something for you—a free Airbnb Optimization Checklist! You can grab it at freewyldfoundry.com/checklist to make sure your listing is fully optimized and ready to convert more bookings.

Got a question for me? Email me at [email protected], and I might feature it in a future episode. Thanks for listening—see you next time!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Curious what your portfolio’s potential is? Apply for RPM at https://freewyldfoundry.com/rpm/.

Hey there! Welcome back to Get Paid for Your Pad! Today, you’re joining me from Savannah, Georgia, where I’m visiting one of our revenue managers, Thomas. If you’ve never been, it’s a historic and charming city with amazing weather and incredibly friendly people. I’m even planning to go kayaking this weekend—which should be a blast!

In this episode, I’m answering your biggest questions about Airbnb’s Photo Tour feature, using pricing tools effectively, and managing last-minute pricing. There’s a lot of confusion around Airbnb’s new Photo Tour functionality, and you might be wondering if it’s really worth using. I’ll explain why it actually helps boost bookings and how to maintain control over your first five photos. I’ll also break down why pricing tools like PriceLabs are a must-have for short-term rental hosts—and how you can fine-tune the settings to make them work for your business. Lastly, if you’re spending too much time manually adjusting last-minute prices, I’ll show you a better, automated approach to make your life easier.

If you’re looking to optimize your Airbnb listing, I’ve got something for you—a free Airbnb Optimization Checklist! You can grab it at freewyldfoundry.com/checklist to make sure your listing is fully optimized and ready to convert more bookings.

Got a question for me? Email me at [email protected], and I might feature it in a future episode. Now, I’m off to explore more of Savannah and maybe try some Southern food. Thanks for listening—see you next time!

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Curious what your portfolio’s potential is? Apply for RPM at https://freewyldfoundry.com/rpm/.

In this podcast episode, Jasper Ribbers discusses the three biggest mistakes short-term rental operators make in revenue management. He emphasizes the importance of competitive pricing during the low season, avoiding overpricing in the high season, and setting prices for peak demand dates well in advance. The episode provides actionable insights and strategies to maximize revenue and occupancy rates for rental operators, along with a free resource announcement for further learning.

Takeaways

• Avoid waiting until the last minute to drop prices.
• Every booking in low season can lead to future revenue.
• Monitor market trends to set realistic pricing goals.
• Don't price too low during high season to avoid leaving money on the table.
• Set prices for peak demand dates well in advance.
• Use data analytics to inform pricing strategies.
• Keep your listings active to improve visibility on platforms like Airbnb.
• Consider the indirect value of bookings beyond immediate revenue.
• Utilize free resources and workshops to enhance revenue management skills.

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Curious what your portfolio’s potential is? Apply for RPM at https://freewyldfoundry.com/rpm/.

In this podcast episode, Jasper Ribbers welcomes back Derek Gisriel, a successful short-term rental entrepreneur who first appeared on the show in May 2023. Since then, Derek has made significant progress in his business, growing from one property to managing 26. He shares his journey, from starting in real estate with a W2 job and owning a solar company, to launching a property management business, Level Up, which now manages multiple properties.

Derek talks about the importance of guest experience, having a personal touch in hospitality, and how this has been key to his success. He emphasizes the importance of consistency, especially in content creation, and how he uses tools like a calendar to plan his week and content. Despite occasional setbacks, Derek's approach to content creation and business growth focuses on showing up, staying consistent, and sharing valuable knowledge.

The conversation also covers revenue management, with Derek explaining how using tools like PriceLabs to optimize pricing and implementing length-of-stay discounts has helped increase their revenue. He discusses the importance of guest reviews and how personalized touches can elevate the guest experience and secure five-star ratings.

Finally, Derek shares some insights on the value of joining a community, like the Legends X program, to get support from others in the industry. He stresses that the success they've achieved didn’t happen overnight but was built with consistent effort and learning from others.

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Curious what your portfolio’s potential is? Apply for RPM at https://freewyldfoundry.com/rpm/. 

In this episode of 'Get Paid for Your Pad', Jasper Ribbers discusses the importance of Airbnb categories and how hosts can request to be listed in specific categories to enhance visibility and performance. He emphasizes the growing gap between professional and non-professional inventory in the short-term rental market and the necessity for hosts to optimize their listings. The episode provides a step-by-step guide on how to request category changes, the criteria for being accepted into certain categories, and tips for improving overall listing quality. Jasper also shares valuable resources for hosts to enhance their Airbnb business.

Takeaways

You can request specific categories for your Airbnb listings.

The performance gap between professional and non-professional listings is widening.

Optimizing your Airbnb listing is crucial for success.

Being in multiple categories increases your visibility.

Request category changes if your listing is miscategorized.

Understanding category criteria can improve your chances of acceptance.

Details in your listing can significantly impact guest experience.

Bad reviews can severely affect your listing's performance.

Utilizing resources can help improve your Airbnb business.

Regularly updating your listing is essential for maintaining competitiveness.

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Curious what your portfolio’s potential is? Apply for RPM at https://freewyldfoundry.com/rpm/. 

In this episode of 'Get Paid for Your Pad', host Jasper Ribbers returns after a break to share updates on his personal life and the short-term rental market. He reflects on the past year, discussing trends in booking behavior, the importance of professionalism in hosting, and strategies for increasing revenue in a stagnant market. Ribbers emphasizes the need for hosts to adapt to changing market conditions and to utilize tools like Airbnb custom promotions to enhance visibility and bookings.

Takeaways

Jasper is back to podcasting after a break.

2024 showed little growth compared to 2023.

Booking windows are shortening due to economic uncertainty.

Travel trends are returning to traditional patterns.

Professionalism is crucial for success in short-term rentals.

The gap between professional and amateur hosts is widening.

Investing in amenities can enhance guest experience.

Hosts should be competitive during low seasons.

Airbnb custom promotions can help attract bookings.

More training resources will be available for hosts. 

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Curious what your portfolio’s potential is? Apply for RPM at https://freewyldfoundry.com/rpm/. 

In this episode, Jasper Ribbers and Tom Sharkey discuss the latest updates in their podcast journey, the introduction of new team members, and the intricacies of revenue management in the short-term rental industry. They share insights on the importance of daily focus in revenue management, the evolving market trends, and strategies for optimizing bookings during low seasons. The conversation emphasizes the significance of understanding booking windows, pacing, and utilizing data to make informed decisions in a competitive landscape.

Takeaways

• Jasper is committed to continuing the podcast for the foreseeable future.
• The team has expanded to manage over 600 listings.
• Revenue management requires daily focus and cannot be a side task.
• The short-term rental market is becoming increasingly competitive.
• Understanding booking windows is crucial for effective revenue management.
• Preparation for low seasons should start well in advance.
• Pacing helps gauge market demand and adjust strategies accordingly.
• Flexibility in minimum night stays can attract more bookings.
• Data-driven decisions are essential for optimizing revenue.
• The team is excited to serve clients and expand their services.

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Curious what your portfolio’s potential is? Apply for RPM at https://freewyldfoundry.com/rpm/. 

In this episode of 'Get Paid for Your Pad', Jasper Ribbers discusses the latest features from Hostly with Fred Bassili and David Jacoby. They delve into the importance of upselling in the current flat market, exploring various upsell strategies and the potential revenue they can generate. The conversation highlights the integration of AI in property management, the significance of early check-ins and late check-outs, and unique upsell ideas that can enhance guest experiences. The episode concludes with practical advice on implementing upselling strategies effectively.

Takeaways

Hostfully has introduced new features including Inbox AI for messaging.

AI can help save time in guest communication without fully automating responses.

Upselling is crucial in a flat market to increase revenue.

Many property managers plan to implement upsells but few actually do.

Early check-in and late check-out are popular upsell options.

Unique upsell ideas can significantly enhance guest experiences.

Revenue from upsells can be a substantial part of overall income.

It's important to vet local tour operators when offering experiences.

Technology can streamline the upselling process for property managers.

Start small with upselling strategies and expand as you learn.

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