Heads In Beds Show

In this episode, Conrad and Paul revisit the five-step Google Analytics booking funnel through a 2026 lens to explore what's changed, where AI-referred traffic actually enters the customer journey, how it behaves compared to traditional traffic sources, what today's analytics can (and can't) tell us, and a lot MORE!

Enjoy!

⭐️ Links & Show Notes

• Paul Manzey 
• Conrad O'Connell
• Conrad's Book: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing
• Conrad's Course: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing 101

🔗 Connect With BuildUp Bookings

• Website
• Book A Call With Us

🚀 About BuildUp Bookings

BuildUp Bookings is a team of creative, problem solvers made to drive you more traffic, direct bookings and results for your accommodations brand. Reach out to us for help on search, social and email marketing for your vacation rental brand.

In this episode, Conrad and Paul unpack the current state of AI in travel marketing, separating the headlines from reality. They discuss where AI is actually influencing the guest journey, why trust still matters, how travelers are really using AI today, and why vacation rental managers shouldn't lose sight of the marketing fundamentals that continue to drive bookings.

Enjoy!

⭐️ Links & Show Notes

• Paul Manzey 
• Conrad O'Connell
• Conrad's Book: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing
• Conrad's Course: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing 101

🔗 Connect With BuildUp Bookings

• Website
• Book A Call With Us

🚀 About BuildUp Bookings

BuildUp Bookings is a team of creative, problem solvers made to drive you more traffic, direct bookings and results for your accommodations brand. Reach out to us for help on search, social and email marketing for your vacation rental brand.

In this episode, Conrad and Paul discuss why most vacation rental managers overlook outbound marketing, how to reconnect with past guests and inquiries, and the best ways to use calls, texts, emails, and automation to increase bookings.

Enjoy!

⭐️ Links & Show Notes

• Paul Manzey 
• Conrad O'Connell
• Conrad's Book: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing
• Conrad's Course: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing 101

🔗 Connect With BuildUp Bookings

• Website
• Book A Call With Us

🚀 About BuildUp Bookings

BuildUp Bookings is a team of creative, problem solvers made to drive you more traffic, direct bookings and results for your accommodations brand. Reach out to us for help on search, social and email marketing for your vacation rental brand.

In this episode, Conrad and Paul discuss why most vacation rental managers overlook outbound marketing, how to reconnect with past guests and inquiries, and the best ways to use calls, texts, emails, and automation to increase bookings.

Enjoy!

⭐️ Links & Show Notes

• Paul Manzey 
• Conrad O'Connell
• Conrad's Book: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing
• Conrad's Course: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing 101

🔗 Connect With BuildUp Bookings

• Website
• Book A Call With Us

🚀 About BuildUp Bookings

BuildUp Bookings is a team of creative, problem solvers made to drive you more traffic, direct bookings and results for your accommodations brand. Reach out to us for help on search, social and email marketing for your vacation rental brand.

In this episode, Conrad and Paul discuss Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky's bold perspective on AI, why traditional chatbots fall short, why Airbnb isn't rushing into AI, and what the future of travel planning might actually look like.

Enjoy!

⭐️ Links & Show Notes

• Paul Manzey 
• Conrad O'Connell
• Conrad's Book: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing
• Conrad's Course: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing 101

🔗 Connect With BuildUp Bookings

• Website
• Book A Call With Us

🚀 About BuildUp Bookings

BuildUp Bookings is a team of creative, problem solvers made to drive you more traffic, direct bookings and results for your accommodations brand. Reach out to us for help on search, social and email marketing for your vacation rental brand.

In this episode Conrad and Paul dive into the ACTUAL costs of being OTA-focused and compare that to your direct booking marketing costs and expenses. They get real...

Enjoy!

⭐️ Links & Show Notes

• Paul Manzey 
• Conrad O'Connell
• Conrad's Book: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing
• Conrad's Course: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing 101

🔗 Connect With BuildUp Bookings

• Website
• Book A Call With Us

🚀 About BuildUp Bookings

BuildUp Bookings is a team of creative, problem solvers made to drive you more traffic, direct bookings and results for your accommodations brand. Reach out to us for help on search, social and email marketing for your vacation rental brand.

In this episode Conrad and Paul dive into some things that AI cannot do (yet) and explain how and when to use your AI tooling to get better marketing results.

Enjoy!

⭐️ Links & Show Notes

• Paul Manzey 
• Conrad O'Connell
• Conrad's Book: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing
• Conrad's Course: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing 101

🔗 Connect With BuildUp Bookings

• Website
• Book A Call With Us

🚀 About BuildUp Bookings

BuildUp Bookings is a team of creative, problem solvers made to drive you more traffic, direct bookings and results for your accommodations brand. Reach out to us for help on search, social and email marketing for your vacation rental brand.

In this episode Conrad and Paul give a mid-year update on the show, marketing news and notes and trends impacting the year so far 2026. 

Enjoy!

⭐️ Links & Show Notes

• Paul Manzey 
• Conrad O'Connell
• Conrad's Book: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing
• Conrad's Course: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing 101

🔗 Connect With BuildUp Bookings

• Website
• Book A Call With Us

🚀 About BuildUp Bookings

BuildUp Bookings is a team of creative, problem solvers made to drive you more traffic, direct bookings and results for your accommodations brand. Reach out to us for help on search, social and email marketing for your vacation rental brand.

In this episode Conrad and Paul break down when to panic when looking at your Google Analytics data.

Enjoy!

⭐️ Links & Show Notes

• Paul Manzey 
• Conrad O'Connell
• Conrad's Book: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing
• Conrad's Course: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing 101

🔗 Connect With BuildUp Bookings

• Website
• Book A Call With Us

🚀 About BuildUp Bookings

BuildUp Bookings is a team of creative, problem solvers made to drive you more traffic, direct bookings and results for your accommodations brand. Reach out to us for help on search, social and email marketing for your vacation rental brand.

In this episode Conrad and Paul break down the 2026 Google Marketing Live show and put the "Vacation Rental" slant on it: how will these changes impact your business going forward? 

Enjoy!

⭐️ Links & Show Notes

• Paul Manzey 
• Conrad O'Connell
• Conrad's Book: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing
• Conrad's Course: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing 101
• Google Marketing Live 2026

🔗 Connect With BuildUp Bookings

• Website
• Book A Call With Us

🚀 About BuildUp Bookings

BuildUp Bookings is a team of creative, problem solvers made to drive you more traffic, direct bookings and results for your accommodations brand. Reach out to us for help on search, social and email marketing for your vacation rental brand.