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In this episode of the Holiday Cottage Handbook Podcast, storytelling expert Neely Khan shares her journey and insights into creating meaningful guest experiences. From crafting compelling narratives to social media, email marketing, and leveraging AI tools, this episode is packed with actionable advice for property managers looking to stand out in a competitive market.

2:06 Neely’s journey in the hospitality industry
5:55 Why is storytelling so important in the short-term rentals world?
8:31 The most effective types of storytelling
13:15 How to incorporate guest experiences into storytelling
17:13 Where should property managers start with their marketing?
19:48 Neely’s thoughts on AI tools
22:38 Memorable stories in the STR space
26:36 The biggest mistake property managers are making
31:30 Favourite brand: Tara Home Consulting
33:29 Individual shout-out: Christine Smith
35:42 What you should do today to tell your own story

Register for Your Air Success (free event for STR hosts and property managers) in London on Friday 4 April: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/yourairsuccess

Neely Khan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neelykhan/ 

Mentions:

Christine Smith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/csmithphilosophy/

Tara Home Consulting: https://tarahome.consulting/

Sponsors:

HCH Financial Services: https://www.hchfs.com/

Your AirHost: https://www.yourairhost.co.uk/

Book a free 15-minute consultation with Zeal Tax to discuss capital allowances: https://calendly.com/hch-zeal

Key Data: https://www.keydatadashboard.com/products/prodata?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=holiday_cottage_handbook

Holiday Cottage Handbook:

Holiday Cottage Handbook: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/

James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/

Free downloads:

The Ultimate Guide to Short-Term Rentals: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/e-book

Guest Communication 101 for Direct Bookings: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/hospitable

Direct Booking Checklist: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/hospitable

How to Navigate London's 90-Day Short-Term Rentals Limit: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/your-airhost

Enjoy the show? Please subscribe, rate, and review!

Contact the show: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/contact

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In this episode of HCH Bitesize, sponsored by Hostfully, we’re joined by Sam Brownlow, Sales Director at Host & Stay, one of the UK’s leading property management companies. Sam breaks down five key reasons why short-term rental owners should consider using a professional property management company.

Whether you're a new host or a seasoned property owner, this episode is packed with valuable insights to help you elevate your rental business.

1:46: Reason 1: marketing exposure 
8:36 Reason 2: saves time
14:31 Reason 3: cleaning, maintenance, and compliance
21:33 Reason 4: account management and support
26:11 Reason 5: revenue optimisation and forecasting
30:44 Get in touch with Host & Stay: https://hostandstay.co.uk/host/?utm_source=holidaycottagehandbook&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=HOST&utm_content=20240618logo

Are you looking to streamline your operations and amaze your guests? Look no further than Hostfully! Try their top-rated property management software and award-winning digital guidebooks today (your first guidebook is free!). Join the thousands of satisfied property managers who trust Hostfully to grow their business: https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1

Holiday Cottage Handbook: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/

Hostfully: https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1

James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/  

Sam Brownlow: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-brownlow-b8105b83/ 

Host & Stay: https://hostandstay.co.uk/host/?utm_source=holidaycottagehandbook&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=HOST&utm_content=20240618logo

Got a comment or interested in being a guest on the show? Get in touch: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/contact

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share! Your support helps us bring more industry experts like Sam to the show.  

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In this episode of the HCH Mortgage Podcast, host James Varley chats with Samantha Turmaine from HCH Financial Services about all things mortgages. From preparing for remortgaging to insights into the 2025 mortgage market, this episode is packed with practical advice for homeowners and investors alike.  

Whether you’re a holiday let owner, a homeowner considering equity release, or an investor looking to scale, this episode has something for you.  

Subscribe for more expert advice on mortgages, short-term rentals, and property investment.

2:30 How to prepare for remortgaging
3:52 Speak to a broker!
4:31 When to start and what lenders want to know
6:28 Common pitfalls when people are remortgaging
7:58 Holiday let owners who aren’t earning what they’d expect
9:19 The options available to homeowners who want to release equity
10:19 The options available to investors who want to scale
11:27 HCH Financial Services covers all your mortgage needs
11:57 What to expect from the mortgage market in 2025

Links:

HCH Financial Services: https://www.hchfs.com/
Call: 0333 1234 536
Email: [email protected]
Samantha Turmaine: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-turmaine-mlibf-cemap-cerer-97a1b298/

Get your free ticket for Your Air Success on Friday 4 April in London: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/yourairsuccess

James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/

Holiday Cottage Handbook: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/

Free downloads:

The Ultimate Guide to Short-Term Rentals: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/e-book

Guest Communication 101 for Direct Bookings: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/hospitable

How to Navigate London's 90-Day Short-Term Rentals Limit: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/your-airhost

Contact the show: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/contact

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In this episode of the Holiday Cottage Handbook Podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome Cody Candee, Founder and CEO of Bounce, the innovative luggage storage company helping short-term rental hosts and property managers offer more value to guests.

Cody shares the Bounce journey, how they’re revolutionising travel, and the incredible opportunities for hosts to partner with Bounce and boost their earnings.

2:23 The story of Bounce
3:13 Serving the short-term rentals industry
4:55 Become a Bounce partner and earn commission
5:47 The advantages of collaborating with Bounce
6:52 The extra revenue hosts can expect to earn with Bounce
7:36 What if your rentals are not in a big city?
8:19 Where is the luggage stored?
8:50 The future for Bounce (and the travel industry)
11:42 Why will AI make things cheaper?
13:49 The ‘physical cloud’ and luggage shipping
14:35 How Bounce is utilising AI
15:58 The long-term vision for Bounce
19:36 Advice for budding entrepreneurs
22:55 Favourite brands: Airbnb and Guesty
24:12 Individual shout-out: Paul Stevens
24:59 No. 1 lesson learned: obsess over distribution  

Whether you're looking to improve guest satisfaction or add a new revenue stream to your short-term rental business, this episode is packed with valuable insights you can’t miss!  

James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/

Holiday Cottage Handbook: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/

Register for Your Air Success (free event in London) on Friday 4 July: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/yourairsuccess

Free downloads:

The Ultimate Guide to Short-Term Rentals: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/e-book

Guest Communication 101 for Direct Bookings: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/hospitable

How to Navigate London's 90-Day Short-Term Rentals Limit: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/your-airhost

This episode:

Cody Candee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/codycandee/

Bounce: https://bounce.com/

Mentions:

Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/

Guesty: https://www.guesty.com/start/?utm_source=holidaycottagehandbook&utm_medium=sponsored&utm_campaign=holidaycottagehandbook&r=HCH50

Paul Stevens: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-stevens-b75621146/

Sponsors:

HCH Financial Services: https://www.hchfs.com/

Hosthub: https://www.hosthub.com/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=HCH

Booklee: https://www.bookl.ee/

Smiling House: https://smilinghouse.ch/

Subscribe and listen now to gain actionable tips for your short-term rental business.

Contact the show: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/contact

#Bounce #ShortTermRentals #LuggageStorage #HCHPodcast #AirbnbHosts #VacationRentals #HolidayCottageHandbook

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Welcome to HCH Bitesize, the podcast series brought to you by Holiday Cottage Handbook and Hostfully!

In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to have Genevieve White, from Campion Comms & Coaching, sharing her top five copywriting tips designed to help vacation rental hosts and property managers elevate their listings, attract more bookings, and enhance the guest experience.  

Whether you’re a new host or a seasoned pro, these actionable tips will help you stand out on platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo, and increase your direct bookings!  

What you’ll learn in this episode:

1:43: Tip 1: write with your ideal guest in mind
4:31: Tip 2: build your brand
7:06: Tip 3: take time over your headlines
10:01: Tip 4: focus on benefits, not features
11:51: Tip 5: keep it clear and easy to read
13:51: AI
14:52: Where to find Genevieve online

Why you should listen:

Good copy is the key to turning lookers into bookers! Learn how to communicate your property’s value in a way that resonates with your target audience and compels them to book. Genevieve shares real-life examples and proven techniques that you can implement right away.  

Are you looking to streamline your operations and amaze your guests? Look no further than Hostfully! Try their top-rated property management software and award-winning digital guidebooks today (your first guidebook is free!). Join the thousands of satisfied property managers who trust Hostfully to grow their business: https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1

Holiday Cottage Handbook: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/

Hostfully: https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1

James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/

Genevieve White: https://www.linkedin.com/in/copywritingfortourism/

Got a comment or interested in being a guest on the show? Get in touch: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/contact

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share! Your support helps us bring more industry experts like Genevieve to the show.  

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In this episode of the Holiday Cottage Handbook Podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome Robin Craigen, Founder and CEO of Moving Mountains, a premier luxury vacation rental company.

Robin shares his journey of scaling a successful high-end rental business and reveals the secrets behind creating exceptional guest experiences that drive loyalty and revenue.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

2:19: Robin’s journey in the hospitality industry
6:18: The joy of working with people on holiday
7:28: The story behind Moving Mountains
9:39: The original vision and how it has evolved
12:29: 20 years of organic growth and its impact
16:06: How to deliver a great guest experience while scaling
19:17: Why employees must understand and live the company vision
22:36: Building employee engagement for long-term success
25:34: Lessons all hosts can learn from the luxury rental sector
28:00: Emerging trends in the short-term rental industry
32:15: Challenges and opportunities in 2025
36:20: Advice for new property managers starting out
38:14: What’s next for Moving Mountains?
42:29: Robin’s favourite brand: Breezeway
4343:: Individual shout-out: Simon Lehmann
45:11: No. 1 lesson learned: every challenge is an opportunity

Links:
 
James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/

Holiday Cottage Handbook: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/

Free events:

Your Air Success: Friday 4 April at Six Park Place, London

Register for your free ticket: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/yourairsuccess

Free downloads:

The Ultimate Guide to Short-Term Rentals: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/e-book

Guest Communication 101 for Direct Bookings: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/hospitable

How to Navigate London's 90-Day Short-Term Rentals Limit: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/your-airhost

Madison Rifkin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madison-rifkin-23037712a/
Mount: https://rentmount.com/

Mentions:

Breezeway: https://www.breezeway.io/

Simon Lehmann: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/

Sponsors:

HCH Financial Services: https://www.hchfs.com/

Hosthub: https://www.hosthub.com/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=HCH

Booklee: https://www.bookl.ee/

Smiling House: https://smilinghouse.ch/

Enjoy the show? Please subscribe, rate, and review!

Contact the show: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/contact

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In this episode of HCH Bitesize, Margot Schmorak, CEO and Co-Founder of Hostfully, shares her expert insights on how short-term rental hosts can enhance guest communication to improve their ratings and overall guest experience.

0:00: Episode starts
1:38: Use a digital guidebook
2:36: Experience the guest journey yourself
4:27: Leverage AI tools to streamline communication and provide instant responses
5:57: Know your typical guests and personalise the experience
7:48: Back to basics – ask for the five-star review
10:15: Try a digital guidebook from Hostfully – the first one's free! Find out more: https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1

Are you looking to streamline your operations and amaze your guests? Look no further than Hostfully! Try their top-rated property management software and award-winning digital guidebooks today. Join the thousands of satisfied property managers who trust Hostfully to grow their business: https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1

Holiday Cottage Handbook: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/

Hostfully: https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1

James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/

Margot Schmorak: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mschmorak/

Hostfully: https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1

Got a comment or interested in being a guest on the show? Get in touch: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/contact

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In this episode of the Holiday Cottage Handbook Podcast, we welcome Cristiana Carpini, Founder and CEO of Tara Home Consulting, to share her expertise on building and scaling successful short-term rental businesses.

Cristiana provides invaluable insights into marketing, legislation, scaling strategies, and what it takes to achieve success in today’s dynamic property management landscape.

2:58: Cristiana’s journey in the STR industry
5:54: The clients Tara Home Consulting works with and the challenges they solve
8:13: Marketing and branding for short-term rentals
9:55: Key industry trends, including regulation and legislation
11:29: Common mistakes property managers make and how to avoid them
13:19: How to scale a property management business effectively
15:03: Cristiana’s advice to new entrepreneurs: don’t do it on your own
16:43: What an exit looks like and how to prepare for it
19:49: The importance of having a clear end goal in business
21:13: Cristiana’s predictions and expectations for 2025
24:47: Cristiana’s favourite brand: BOOM
25:34: Individual shout-out to Neely Khan
26:34: No. 1 lesson learned: never take anything for granted

Links: 

James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/

Holiday Cottage Handbook: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/

Cristiana Carpini: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristiana-carpini-40b65413/

Tara Home Consulting: https://tarahome.consulting/

Mentions:

BOOM: https://www.boomnow.com/

Neely Khan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neelykhan/

Sponsors:

HCH Financial Services: https://www.hchfs.com/

Hosthub: https://www.hosthub.com/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=HCH

Booklee: https://www.bookl.ee/

Smiling House: https://smilinghouse.ch/

Free event:

Your Air Success, Six Park Place, London, Friday 4 April
Register for your free ticket (places are limited): https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/yourairsuccess

Free downloads:

The Ultimate Guide to Short-Term Rentals: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/e-book

Guest Communication 101 for Direct Bookings: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/hospitable

How to Navigate London's 90-Day Short-Term Rentals Limit: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/your-airhost

Enjoy the show? Please subscribe, rate, and review!

Contact the show: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/contact

Send us a text

Are you a short-term rental host or property manager looking for innovative ways to boost your revenue and enhance guest satisfaction?

In this episode of HCH Bitesize, sponsored by Hostfully, Siddhi Mittal, Co-Founder of yhangry, shares how offering private chef services can transform your business.  
Whether you manage a cozy cottage or luxury villa, Siddhi reveals why this upselling opportunity is a game-changer for your rental business.  

1:44 Deliver a six-star experience
2:12 Gain a competitive advantage
2:53: Leverage user-generated content
5:06 Boost customer retention
6:12 Increase your rental yield
7:09 Understand the earning potential  
7:42 The story behind yhangry
9:26 Perfect for any rental size
10:15 Ideal for special occasions

Don’t miss this episode if you want to:

- Elevate your guest experience
- Stand out in a competitive market  
- Tap into new revenue streams for 2025

👉 Listen now and take your rental business to the next level!

Holiday Cottage Handbook: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/

Hostfully: https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1

James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/

Siddhi Mittal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/siddhimittal23/

yhangry: https://yhangry.com/

Got a comment or interested in being a guest on the show? Contact us: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/contact

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In this episode of the Holiday Cottage Handbook Podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome Annie Munro Sloan, Founder and CEO of The Host Co., to share her expert insights on the art of upselling in short-term rentals. From Silicon Valley inspirations to actionable tips, Annie covers everything hosts and property managers need to know about boosting revenue and enhancing guest experiences.  

Tune in to gain practical advice and discover why upselling is more than just an extra income—it’s a way to delight guests and grow your business. Don’t miss this exciting episode packed with insights from one of the industry’s brightest leaders!

2:55: A Silicon Valley eye-roll(!) 
7:00: How The Host Co. empowers hosts and property managers  
9:29: Onboarding takes just two minutes – yes, really!  
12:25: Unlocking the potential of upselling  
15:56: The must-have upsells every host should offer  
18:06: Connect with The Host Co.: @thehostcompany on Instagram  
19:00: Annie’s top tips for hosts and property managers  
20:09: Trends to watch, including the rise of direct bookings  
21:53: Brian Chesky’s vision and what’s next for Airbnb  
23:23: Social media strategies every host should know  
27:42: Annie’s favourite brand: StayFi  
29:32: Shout-outs to Margot Schmorak and Paul Hall  
30:20: No. 1 lesson learned: you’re not 'nickel and diming' guests  

Links: 

James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/

Holiday Cottage Handbook: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/

Free event:

Your Air Success on Friday 4 April, London
Register for your free ticket: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/yourairsuccess

Free downloads:

The Ultimate Guide to Short-Term Rentals: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/e-book

Guest Communication 101 for Direct Bookings: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/hospitable

How to Navigate London's 90-Day Short-Term Rentals Limit: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/your-airhost

Annie Munro Sloan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anniesloan/

The Host Co.: https://www.thehost.co/

Mentions:

StayFi: https://stayfi.com/

Margot Schmorak: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mschmorak/

Paul Hall: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hallpaul/

Sponsors:

HCH Financial Services: https://www.hchfs.com/

Hosthub: https://www.hosthub.com/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=HCH

Booklee: https://www.bookl.ee/

Smiling House: https://smilinghouse.ch/

Subscribe now to the Holiday Cottage Handbook Podcast for more tips, trends, and expert advice!