EP173: Short Stay Rental Pioneer Shares Insights from Two Decades of Hosting Experience

Branding is an aspect of the short-term rental game that many hosts overlook. And when you’re first getting started, you may not know what sets your listing apart from others in the area. But once you’ve had a few guests, it is possible to use their feedback to identify the most attractive aspects of your property and strategically incorporate that information into your listing. Today’s guest reveals how he got clear on his brand -- and a host of other lessons he learned in his 20-year career in the vacation rental space!

Jack Pope got into hosting to supplement his income as a teacher. He converted an extra space in his home on the Sunshine Coast of western Canada into a suite, but zoning didn’t allow for long-term rentals. So Jack got connected with a group of vacation rental entrepreneurs, eventually becoming president of the largest B&B association in western Canada.

An early adopter of technology in the short-term rental space, Jack made use of online platforms as they became available. Airbnb has become a valuable tool in his business, and 70% of his bookings now come from the site. He has been a Superhost for seven consecutive quarters, and today he shares his extensive hospitality expertise with the Get Paid for Your Pad audience, explaining how he marketed Coracle Cove in the days before online booking, how he achieves a crazy-high return rate on guest reviews, and how he has automated guest communication. Listen in for his advice around providing a seamless check-in and branding your listing to attract the right guests!

Topics Covered

How hosting was different 20 years ago
•Most bookings done by phone
•Only 20% of bookings made online
•Local portal generated most referrals
•Brochures, self-promotion as marketing tools

How Jack marketed Coracle Cove early on
•Connected with travel writer, spread in Vancouver Sun
•Hosted writer from Lonely Planet

The platforms Jack utilizes to promote his vacation rental
•His own website
•FlipKey
•HomeAway
•Local Sunshine Coast Tourism site

How Jack achieves a 91% return rate on guest reviews
•Promise to write positive review for guest at checkout
•Send thank you message through Airbnb soon after checkout
•Review guest immediately after email received

How Jack used guest reviews to brand his listing
•Categorized guest comments in TripAdvisor reviews
•Modified listing title based on unique aspects
•Pulled quotes to use as photo captions

The four automated messages Jack schedules through Aviva IQ
•Confirmation and welcome with short video (10 min after booking)
•Detailed directions and link to blog (week prior to arrival)
•Link to video and blog (morning of arrival)
•Thank you and review request (soon after checkout)

The importance of specific, accurate directions
•Positive reviews are essential
•Seamless check-in vital part guest experience

Jack and Jasper’s advice around delivering a seamless check-in
•Follow directions yourself to confirm clarity
•Film yourself en route to Airbnb
•Provide pictures of entry door, etc.
•Set up meeting place if property is difficult to find
•Stay in contact with guests through messaging platform

Connect with Jack
Coracle Cove Website
Jack’s Airbnb Listing

Resources
FlipKey
HomeAway
TripAdvisor
Aviva IQ
Hostfully Partnership
Hostfully Host Program

Connect with Jasper
Email: jasper@getpaidforyourpad.com
Twitter: @GetPaidForUrPad
Instagram: @GetPaidForYourPad
Facebook: www.facebook.com/getpaidforyourpad

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