

Booked Solid Show - Short Term Rental Podcast
Gil Chan
Join host Gil Chan on 'Booked Solid,' the podcast dedicated to helping short-term rental operators and property managers maximize bookings and scale their businesses. Each week, gain actionable insights from industry experts, uncover proven strategies, and learn the secrets to achieving more nights booked. Elevate your rental business and stay ahead in the competitive market with 'Booked Solid.'
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 28, 2024 • 46min
EP25 - Navigating the Future of Short-Term Rentals: Trust, Personalization, and Direct Bookings with Leo Walton from Superhog
In this episode we are joined by Leo Walton from Superhog, as we dive into the dynamic world of short-term rentals and uncover how it’s evolving. We discuss how hosts are transforming stays from basic lodging to personalized, unforgettable experiences, and how this shift mirrors a growing demand for tailored travel adventures where guests seek more than just a bed—rather immersion.
Also, we explore the anticipated rise in direct bookings over the next 5-10 years, and how hosts can leverage this trend through compelling brand and story for their properties.
Follow Leo on Instagram:
@superhog_leo
@superhogofficial

Aug 21, 2024 • 58min
EP24 - How Branding Strategies Can Drive Direct Bookings and Business Success with Katie Wanzer
In our latest podcast episode, we had an insightful conversation with Katie Wanzer, co-founder of Wisco Hosts and a co-owner of a boutique motel in Door County, to explore pivotal strategies for boosting direct bookings.
Katie shares how she believes that a well-defined brand identity is crucial for driving success in direct bookings. Discover how establishing a clear and compelling brand can streamline your marketing efforts and content creation, ensuring that every aspect of your strategy aligns seamlessly with your brand’s vision.
Tune in to learn from Katie's branding expertise and transform your approach to direct bookings
Follow Katie on Instagram:
@katetheinnkeeper & @wiscohosts

Aug 14, 2024 • 59min
EP23 - Transforming regular bookings into Repeat Bookings with Jessica Fernandez
In the 23rd episode of Direct Booking Simplified, military veteran and superhost Jessica Fernandez shares her perspective on hosting. Instead of focusing on expanding her portfolio or managing numerous listings, Jessica zeroes in on providing an outstanding guest experience. She explains how her focus on personalizing and perfecting each stay not only ensures memorable visits but also turns regular bookings into repeat ones. Join us as Jessica shares how her dedication to exceptional service and personalized touches helps her build lasting guest relationships and drive repeat bookings.
Follow Jessica on Instagram: @jess.fern1 & @restriction.retreat

Aug 7, 2024 • 44min
EP22 - Scaling with Heart: Crafting a Five-Star STR Experience with Al & Elissa of Rather Be Properties
Join us as we dive deep with Al and Elissa of Rather Be Properties. From 4 to 30+ properties in just a year, they share their journey of rapid growth while maintaining a focus on five-star hospitality. Learn about their innovative approaches to direct bookings, influencer partnerships, and balancing business scaling with family life. Discover how they're playing the long game in the short-term rental space, one 'rather be' experience at a time.
Follow Rather Be Properties on Instagram @rather.be.properties

Aug 1, 2024 • 54min
EP21 - How a boutique hotel got 65% direct bookings in a year by leveraging influencers with DJ Fornelli
In this episode, let's join DJ Fornelli as he shares his unconventional path to success, including the risks he took, the mindset shifts he made, and the power of building the right team. Let's discover how his 10-key boutique hotel, Yara Palm Springs, achieved 65% direct booking rate through strategic branding and influencer partnerships. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting out, DJ's insights on perseverance, personal growth, and work-life balance will inspire you to reach new heights as a host and entrepreneur.
Follow DJ on Instagram - @davidjfornelli & @yarapalmsprings

Jul 24, 2024 • 36min
EP20 - Converting one-time bookings into repeat guests with a mid-stay call with Dave Goodfellow
In this episode, we learn which tactics work for Dave to drive direct bookings. After trying many different tactics, Dave figured out how to reliably get a steady stream of direct bookings by using a simple tactic: calling the guest.
He’s able to build relationships, understand the guest’s visit frequency, and secure the next stay should they come back to the area.
Join us on this episode to dive deep into how Dave grew his portfolio and how he’s able to win in direct bookings.
Follow Dave on Instagram:
@nokistays
@davegoodfellowofficial

Jul 17, 2024 • 55min
EP19 - Mapping out the guest journey with Tracey Northcott
We have the honor of interviewing Tracey Northcott from Tokyo Family Stays about how she delivers her guest experiences and how that translates to more direct bookings. Tracey walks us through how she thinks about the entire booking journey and how she can deliver the best guest experience beyond just a great place to stay. Her mindset has led to a sustainable book-direct business from repeat guests and strong word of mouth.
Connect with Tracey through:
Power hour with Tracey/Listing Audit
Vision statement worksheet

Jul 12, 2024 • 57min
EP18 - Building to 50% direct bookings with Chris Jeub
Join us as we chat with Chris Jeub, the Glamping Guy. Chris has built a portfolio of glamping sites and has slowly increased from 3% direct bookings to up to 50% direct bookings by leveraging simple tactics such as delivering a great guest experience, working on his SEO, running ads, and posting on Facebook groups. Chris walks us through his journey from relying on Airbnb for most of his revenues to sustaining a healthy business with direct bookings.
You can connect with Chris by visiting his website:
https://glampingguy.com/

Jul 3, 2024 • 59min
EP17 - The strategies and tactics used by large scale property management companies with Alex Husner
Welcome to this week's podcast with Alex Husner, former CMO of Condo-World, CEO of Directly Alex, and podcast host of Alex & Annie. Alex shows us how large property management companies invest in marketing and tactics smaller property managers can deploy to build their brands. She breaks down the components within her marketing flywheel.
Want to connect with Alex, find her here:
https://www.instagram.com/alexohusner/
https://www.alexandanniepodcast.com/
https://directlyalex.com/
Interested in joining happy guests? Here's Alex's referral link for our podcast guests.
https://www.happyguestreferrals.com/simplified

Jun 26, 2024 • 56min
EP16 - Getting your MBA in management with Michael Chang
On this episode, we get to do a collaborative interview with Michael Chang from STR Like the Best. In this two-way interview, Michael Chang leads us through his mindset of making short-term-rental investing approachable to anyone that's committed. We talk through his technology stack that he uses to manage his rentals, and areas where he's upgrading to improve his direct booking rate.


