

Get Paid For Your Pad | Airbnb Hosting | Vacation Rentals | STR Revenue Management
Freewyld Foundry
Get Paid For Your Pad is the go-to podcast for Airbnb hosts, short-term rental operators, and vacation rental entrepreneurs who want to scale smarter, earn more, and stay ahead of industry shifts.Hosted by Jasper Ribbers, Eric Moeller, and Kaye Putnam from Freewyld Foundry, this podcast delivers actionable tips on Airbnb pricing strategies, revenue management, direct bookings, listing optimization, and guest experience. You'll hear from real hosts, property managers, and industry pros who share behind-the-scenes insights, lessons learned, and the systems they use to grow profitable STR businesses.Whether you're managing one property or one hundred, you'll walk away with practical strategies to increase occupancy, boost profits, and build a sustainable short-term rental brand.Tune in weekly to learn how to thrive in today’s competitive Airbnb market, and get paid what you’re worth.Freewyld Foundry offers revenue and pricing management (RPM) services to the top 1% of STR hosts. Learn more and request a free Revenue Report: https://www.freewyldfoundry.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 3, 2025 • 23min
3 Proven Strategies to Dominate Airbnb’s Low Season
👉 Get a Free Revenue Review → https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/reportFind out how much money your portfolio is leaving on the table. Risk-free.What if you could finally make your low season perform like a pro’s high season?In this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Jasper Ribbers (Co-Founder of Freewyld Foundry) shares the exact Low Season Strategy they use across 43 short-term rental portfolios to stay ahead of the market, protect visibility, and keep occupancy strong when everyone else slows down.The low season doesn’t have to drain your revenue. Jasper reveals how pacing, smart pricing, and proactive planning can help you maintain momentum on OTAs and build long-term growth even in your toughest months.You’ll discover:• Why low season performance determines your summer revenue potential• How to track your Market Penetration Index (MPI) and stay ahead of the curve• The right way to lower prices without hurting your high season ADR• How to use seasonal pricing profiles instead of slashing base rates• Why long-stay discounts can boost occupancy and visibility simultaneouslyJasper also explains why reacting late destroys algorithm traction, how to keep cleaners and maintenance teams busy during off months, and why momentum is the real currency of revenue management.💡 Topics Covered:• Pacing and MPI explained for low season success• Seasonal pricing profiles in Pricelabs, Wheelhouse, and Beyond• Length-of-stay discounts and snowbird opportunities• Maintaining OTA visibility and momentum year-round• Why low season planning starts months in advance🔗 Relevant Links:Join the Foundry community → https://www.freewyldfoundry.comGet your Free Revenue Report → https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/reportFollow Jasper Ribbers → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasperribbersKeywords:Airbnb, low season strategy, short-term rentals, Freewyld Foundry, revenue management, pacing, MPI, occupancy strategy, pricing optimization, property management, Airbnb growth, seasonal pricing, vacation rentals, host strategy, STR performance, Get Paid for Your Pad Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 31, 2025 • 37min
A New STR Law Cut Our Max Occupancy by 40% (Freewyld Update)
👉 Get a Free Revenue Review → https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/reportFind out how much money your portfolio is leaving on the table. Risk-free.What happens when your local government suddenly changes short-term rental laws, cutting your guest capacity from 17 to 10 overnight?In this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Eric Moeller (CEO of Freewyld) and Kaye Putnam (Brand Strategist at Freewyld) share how Riverside County’s new short-term rental regulation forced a complete rethink of their operations, strategy, and brand growth plan.You’ll discover:• How a new Riverside occupancy cap instantly changed Freewyld’s business model• The exact mindset shift that turned frustration into expansion• Why regulation can be the best catalyst for brand and design innovation• How Eric plans to rezone Freewyld’s Idyllwild cabins into a full hotel project• The critical role of mentors, architects, and community when scaling STRs• How to stay profitable and compliant amid fast-changing STR lawsEric and Kaye also unpack what this means for the broader short-term rental industry, and why hosts must adapt their operations, brand story, and pricing models to survive the new wave of local regulation.💡 Topics Covered:• Riverside County’s new STR occupancy law• How to pivot when guest capacity drops• The difference between reaction and resilience in hospitality• Turning regulation into opportunity through brand strength• The future of STR zoning, compliance, and hospitality growth🔗 Relevant Links:Learn more about Freewyld Foundry → https://www.freewyldfoundry.comFollow Eric Moeller → https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericmoeller/Follow Freewyld → https://www.linkedin.com/company/freewyldfoundryKeywords:Riverside County, short-term rental law, STR regulation, occupancy cap, Airbnb, vacation rentals, Freewyld, Freewyld Foundry, short-term rental growth, hospitality brand, real estate development, zoning, hotel conversion, regulation strategy, Airbnb host, property management, STR pivot, compliance, hospitality innovation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 27, 2025 • 24min
Airbnb’s 15.5% Fee Change: What Hosts Must Do Now
👉 Get a Free Revenue Review → https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/reportFind out how much money your portfolio is leaving on the table. Risk-free.What happens when Airbnb quietly shifts 12.5% of your revenue overnight?In this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Jasper Ribbers (Head of Revenue Management at Freewyld) and Miles Chew (Revenue Manager at Freewyld Foundry) break down Airbnb’s new 15.5% host fee, explain what it means for your payouts, and show you how to fix your pricing strategy before your margins vanish.You’ll discover:• The exact markup you need to stay revenue-neutral• How to adjust cleaning, pet, and resort fees to avoid losses• Why small miscalculations in PMS markups can quietly drain six figures• How this update affects management splits and owner payouts• The hidden ripple effect on guest pricing, demand, and taxesJasper and Miles also explain why Airbnb made this move, what it means for hosts globally, and how to keep your pricing consistent across OTA channels without sacrificing rate parity.💡 Topics Covered:• Airbnb’s 15.5% host fee breakdown• How to calculate the right markup using Freewyld’s tool• PMS limitations, rounding errors, and pricing precision• Adjusting management and cleaning fees to stay profitable• How to communicate these changes transparently to owners and guests🔗 Relevant Links:Learn more about Freewyld Foundry → https://www.freewyldfoundry.comFollow Jasper Ribbers → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasperribbers/Follow Freewyld → https://www.linkedin.com/company/freewyldfoundryKeywords:Airbnb, Airbnb host, Airbnb fees, Airbnb update, short-term rentals, vacation rentals, revenue management, pricing strategy, property management, Freewyld, Freewyld Foundry, STR growth, Airbnb pricing, Airbnb markup, hospitality industry, profit optimization Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 24, 2025 • 36min
$4.15M in Missed Airbnb Revenue: Lessons From VRMA Vegas
👉 Get a Free Revenue Review → https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/reportFind out how much money your portfolio is leaving on the table. Risk-free.In this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Kaye Putnam (Head of Marketing at Freewyld) sits down with Eric Moeller (CEO of Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry) and Jasper Ribbers (Head of Revenue Management) to break down what they discovered at VRMA Las Vegas 2025, including how they uncovered millions in missed profit during live Turbo Rev Revs.They reveal the surprising truth about pricing tools, why “set it and forget it” automation is quietly costing operators six figures a year, and how hands-on revenue strategy still beats AI every time.You’ll discover:How Freewyld’s 15-minute Turbo Rev Revs exposed $4.15M in missed revenueThe most common mistakes even experienced hosts make with pricing toolsJasper’s simple KPI framework to track and improve performance dailyWhy AI is trending everywhere but still not delivering real revenue impactThe critical difference between cheap management and high-impact strategyHow social content and brand storytelling are becoming essential to STR growthEric, Jasper, and Kaye also share the biggest takeaways from leading a packed Skills Lab at VRMA, the shift from “old-school vacation rentals” to modern STR operations, and why operators who review every single booking are the ones who win.💡 Topics Covered:Real-world proof of hidden revenue inside STR portfoliosThe gap between automation and true optimizationHow to evaluate if your pricing process is leaving money behindWhy AI tools aren’t enough without expert human oversightContent, community, and data as growth pillars for 2025🔗 Relevant Links:Apply for a Free Revenue Report → https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/reportFollow Eric Moeller → https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericdmoeller/Follow Kaye Putnam → https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayeputnam/Follow Jasper Ribbers → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasperribbers/Keywords:short-term rentals, Airbnb revenue, hidden revenue, VRMA, revenue management, pricing strategy, Turbo Rev Revs, STR growth, dynamic pricing, Freewyld, Freewyld Foundry, hospitality leadership, property management, Airbnb optimization, AI in hospitality Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 17, 2025 • 40min
Airbnb 2026: How Pro Hosts Will Dominate the Game
👉 Get a Free Revenue Review → https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/reportFind out how much money your portfolio is leaving on the table. Risk-free.What if you could sit inside Airbnb HQ and hear Brian Chesky reveal the company’s next big move?In this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Eric Moeller (CEO of Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry) and Kaye Putnam (Head of Marketing at Freewyld) share everything they learned at Airbnb’s invite-only Host Summit, where top operators got a first look at the future of hospitality.Airbnb is officially entering a new era. The platform is doubling down on Pro Hosts, design-driven listings, and hospitality experiences that build trust. Eric breaks down what that means for you, why quality will now determine visibility and success, and how hosts can evolve from managing listings to leading true hospitality brands.You’ll discover:• What Airbnb’s “Pro Host” initiative really means for scaling operators• How quality, trust, and design impact ranking and bookings• The merchandising secrets that make listings convert faster• What Gen Z and Latino travelers expect from modern hosts• How global events like FIFA 2026 will shape future travel demandEric and Kaye also share how Airbnb is investing in tools, reps, and education to help Pro Hosts operate at a higher level, and why “heads in beds” is no longer enough to stand out.💡 Topics Covered:• Airbnb’s shift from listings to full hospitality experiences• How to build trust through storytelling and brand presence• Why “relentless hospitality” separates 4.6 hosts from 4.9+• How to design listings that inspire emotion and connection🔗 Relevant Links:Learn more about Freewyld → https://www.freewyld.coJoin the Foundry community → https://www.freewyldfoundry.comFollow Eric Moeller → https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericdmoeller/Follow Kaye Putnam → https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayeputnam/Keywords:Airbnb, Pro Host, short-term rental, hospitality, Freewyld, Freewyld Foundry, Airbnb host, quality hosting, Airbnb design, Brian Chesky, property management, STR growth, Airbnb 2025, travel trends, experiential travel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 13, 2025 • 20min
Why Pet-Friendly Airbnbs Make More Money Than You Think
👉 Get a Free Revenue Review → https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/reportFind out how much money your portfolio is leaving on the table. Risk-free.What if the key to higher revenue, better reviews, and happier guests… had four paws?In this World Animal Day special of Get Paid for Your Pad, Jasper Ribbers (CEO and Co-Founder of Freewyld) sits down with his furry co-host Elvis, a five-year-old Pomeranian and self-proclaimed Airbnb expert. Together, they reveal why being pet-friendly isn’t just good hospitality, it’s smart business.Forget the idea that pets create problems. The truth? They create profits. Pet-friendly listings not only attract more bookings, but also earn better reviews, build guest loyalty, and perform better in competitive markets.You’ll discover:Why pet-friendly listings outperform standard Airbnbs in occupancy and review scoresThe psychology of pet owners and how it impacts guest behaviorHow to set fair pet fees and cleaning policies that actually workWhy drive-to markets benefit most from accepting petsSafety and design tips to make your space pet-ready without extra hassleJasper also shares his personal experience traveling with Elvis and the surprising data on how pets can increase your average booking lead time, reduce risk of parties, and boost your marketing reach through user-generated content.💡 Topics Covered: Pet-friendly Airbnb strategy Pricing and cleaning fee structure Host-to-guest relationship building Marketing to pet owners and families Revenue growth through niche positioning🔗 Relevant Links: Apply for a Free Revenue Report → https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/report Follow Jasper Ribbers → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasperribbers/ Learn more about Freewyld Foundry → https://www.freewyldfoundry.comKeywords: pet-friendly Airbnb, short-term rental, STR revenue, Airbnb strategy, pet-friendly hosting, revenue management, hospitality, Freewyld, Freewyld Foundry, Jasper Ribbers, vacation rental marketing, dynamic pricing, STR optimization Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 10, 2025 • 36min
Smart STR Finance Tips for Growing Airbnb Hosts
👉 Get a Free Revenue Review → https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/reportFind out how much money your portfolio is leaving on the table. Risk-free.What separates a scalable short-term rental operator from one stuck in spreadsheets?In this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Jasper Ribbers sits down with Jonathan Sukhia, CEO and co-founder of Topkey, to reveal how leading hosts automate their STR finances, close their books faster, and recover thousands in missed owner charges.Forget the myth that bookkeeping is just about compliance. The truth? Financial clarity is a growth weapon. Operators who scale beyond 20, 50, or 100 units all have one thing in common: they systemize money movement before it breaks their business.You’ll discover:Why most STR hosts lose money without realizing itThe hidden financial blind spots killing profitabilityHow automation can cut bookkeeping time from weeks to daysThe difference between outsourcing vs. systemizing your financesReal examples of operators scaling faster with transparent accountingJonathan and Jasper also unpack how Topkey integrates PMS, QuickBooks, and banking tools into one dashboard, why trust accounting is simpler than you think, and how financial visibility empowers hosts to make smarter, faster decisions.💡 Topics Covered:The true cost of manual expense trackingHow to identify and recover unbilled owner chargesBuilding scalable financial workflows for STR companiesWhy automation is reshaping hospitality finance🔗 Relevant Links:Explore Topkey → https://www.topkey.ioFollow Jonathan Sukhia → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathansukhiaFollow Jasper Ribbers → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasperribbersKeywords:short-term rental, STR finances, Airbnb hosts, property management, expense tracking, bookkeeping automation, trust accounting, Topkey, Jasper Ribbers, financial operations, vacation rental software, scaling STR businesses Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 6, 2025 • 39min
Pricing Tools Don’t Think: Human Strategy Wins in STRs
👉 Apply for a Free Revenue Review: If you’re running $1M+ in annual STR bookings, you could be leaving serious money on the table. Apply here → https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/get-startedPricing tools are powerful, but they don’t think for you.In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Eric Moeller and Kaye Putnam unpack where pricing tools stop, and where true revenue management begins for professional STR operators.You’ll hear why:Occupancy is misleading and MPI is the real metricPacing and booking windows reveal demand signals most hosts missFlexible minimum night stays can actually increase long bookingsStrict cancellation policies often hurt visibility and conversionPricing tools can’t replace human strategy and market insightMentioned in the episode:Freewyld Foundry (Revenue & Pricing Management service)VRMA Pricing Power Skills Lab & Turbo Revenue ReportsAirbnb pricing strategies, comp sets, and pacing tools📍 Subscribe to Get Paid For Your Pad and explore more resources at FreewyldFoundry.com.🎯 Keywords: Airbnb pricing, STR revenue management, pacing, MPI, booking windows, minimum nights, occupancy vs profitability, vacation rental strategy, Airbnb conversion, property management. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 3, 2025 • 30min
Revenue Management Secrets of the Top 1% STR Hosts
👉 Get a Free Revenue Review → https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/reportFind out how much money your portfolio is leaving on the table. Risk-free.What separates a million-dollar Airbnb host from everyone else?In this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Kaye Putnam (Head of Marketing at Freewyld) sits down with Eric Moeller (CEO of Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry) to reveal the real mindset, systems, and revenue strategies behind top-performing STR operators.Forget the myth that a pricing tool alone can maximize your income. The truth? Automation is not optimization. The hosts that break the $1M+ mark know when to step out of the weeds, release control, and lean on experts.You’ll discover:Why ego quietly kills STR growth (and how to fix it)The common revenue blind spots in $1M+ portfoliosWhy “set it and forget it” pricing is leaving six figures behindHow growth-minded CEOs scale from 15 units to 100+Real proof points: Troy’s jump from $1M to $4M, and Sheboygan Vacation Rentals’ 30% lift without adding propertiesEric and Kaye also share why top CEOs value peace of mind as much as profit, and how to tell if you’re acting like a hectic host or a strategic leader.💡 Topics Covered:Invisible revenue opportunities most operators missHow to recognize when you’ve become the bottleneckPractical steps to delegate pricing and reclaim your timeWhy automation isn’t enough without daily, expert oversight🔗 Relevant Links:Apply for a Free Revenue Report → https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/reportFollow Eric Moeller → https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericdmoeller/Follow Kaye Putnam → https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayeputnam/Keywords:short-term rental, Airbnb revenue, dynamic pricing, revenue management, STR growth, hospitality leadership, Freewyld, Freewyld Foundry, property management, scaling Airbnb Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 29, 2025 • 26min
Rev Up: Why Booking.com Belongs in Your Channel Mix (Now)
Get your free Revenue Report (hand-done by our team) → https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/get-startedAirbnb-only is a risk. In this episode, we break down why Booking.com has become a must-have revenue channel for professional STR operators—and how to set it up so discounts work for you (not against you). We cover ratings (1–10 vs Airbnb’s binary), merchant payments, Genius/mobile promos, rate plans, markups, and how to keep owners calm when parity isn’t perfect.What you’ll learnWhy Booking.com’s 1–10 rating system cushions revenue impact from the occasional meh reviewHow the merchant model solves the old chargeback headacheThe Genius program: why hitting 3 reviews fast matters and how to unlock the badge-driven conversion liftMobile-only rates, preferred program, and visible promos that act like hotel-grade conversion boostersThe truth about price parity (and why a 15–25% Booking.com markup is a sane default)Onboarding playbook: the first 30–60 days to momentum without nuking your other channelsListing optimization: how to use the Property Page Score to hit 100% and earn visibilityQuick hits / TakeawaysAirbnb’s binary review culture can tank a listing with a few 4⭐ reviews; BDC’s 1–10 keeps you alive and converting.Use Genius + 10% mobile early to win visibility; once unlocked, apply a markup so discounts don’t undercut your floor.Expect imperfect parity—that’s normal on BDC. The game is markup + visible, conversion-driving discounts.Get to three reviews fast (follow up with guests; incentives ok) → unlock Genius → watch conversion rise.Treat BDC like a hotel channel: rate plans, visible offers, and merchandising matter more than on Airbnb.Links & resources👉 Free Revenue Report (for $1M+ STR portfolios): https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/get-startedVRMA Las Vegas — catch our 90-minute Pricing Power workshop & come say hi at booth #1118 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


