

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

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.

Sep 26, 2025 • 31min
STR Branding Battle: Human Face vs. Company Logo
The hosts dive into the branding battle between using a personal host photo versus a company logo for Airbnb listings. They highlight how personal photos can foster trust and connection, boosting conversions for individual operators. In contrast, a strong brand identity can scale effectively and create a cohesive guest experience. Discussing real-world examples, they illustrate the importance of alignment between branding choices and operational excellence. Tune in for insights on making strategic brand decisions that resonate with guests!

Sep 22, 2025 • 24min
Airbnb Custom Promotions: Boost Revenue Without Lowering Prices
👉 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-startedAre you using Airbnb’s built-in merchandising tools to actually increase your revenue, or are your discounts invisible to guests?In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Jasper Ribbers uncovers the hidden power of OTA merchandising on Airbnb. He explains why most operators apply discounts incorrectly, how visible offers like strike-through pricing and banners boost both conversions and ranking, and the practical steps to set up promotions that work. Drawing from his team’s experience managing 38+ portfolios, Jasper reveals the frameworks that help Airbnb hosts win more bookings without sacrificing profitability.In this episode you will learn:Why visible discounts drive more conversions than silent price dropsHow Airbnb merchandising impacts both bookings and search visibilityThe right way to use early bird, last-minute, and custom promotionsWe also talk about:When to apply length-of-stay discounts for higher occupancyThe risks of following Airbnb account manager advice blindlyWhy custom promotions can sometimes show a discount without lowering your priceKeywords: Airbnb discounts, OTA merchandising, Airbnb revenue management, short-term rentals, pricing strategy, booking conversions, Freewyld, custom promotions, STR growth, Airbnb visibility Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 19, 2025 • 35min
Staycation Case Study: Is Paying for TV Exposure Worth It for 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-startedIs it really worth paying to be featured on a TV show if you want to grow your STR business?In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Eric Moeller, Co-Founder of Freewyld, and Kaye Putnam, Head of Marketing at Freewyld, share their full experience of getting featured on the Emmy-awarded TV show Staycation. They explain why they invested, what happened behind the scenes, and the results they saw in direct bookings, brand awareness, and content creation.In this episode you will learn:How Freewyld got featured on Staycation and what it costThe impact on website traffic, direct bookings, and STR brand authorityWhy social proof and video content can be more powerful than reachWe also talk about:Using podcasts, PR, and influencer collabs to grow your STR businessHow backlinks and SEO drive direct booking growthThe future of SEO in a world of AI and ChatGPTKeywords: STR, Staycation, direct bookings, Freewyld, short-term rental marketing, social proof, content marketing, influencer marketing, Airbnb growth, OPA strategy, SEO for STR Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 15, 2025 • 23min
Airbnb Hosts Beware: One Bad Review Can Cost $10K
👉 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-startedWhat happens when traditional STR deals no longer pencil out, Airbnb’s review system becomes harsher, and local governments push restrictive ordinances?In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Jasper Ribbers sits down with Garrett Ham, founder and CEO of Weekender Management, to reveal how he’s navigating one of the toughest markets for short-term rentals in years.Garrett shares how he has acquired 10+ properties in the past year using creative financing strategies while fighting a legal battle before the Arkansas Supreme Court over restrictive Fayetteville ordinances. He also opens up about the risks of Airbnb’s stricter review system, where even a single four-star review can slash visibility and cost hosts thousands in lost bookings.💡 Takeaways:Why traditional STR acquisitions rarely work in 2025How to use seller financing and other creative deal structuresWhy knowing your bottom line is key to negotiationsHow regulations could reshape property rights in Arkansas and beyondWhat stricter Airbnb reviews mean for revenue and visibilityWhether you manage 5 units or 50, this episode gives you actionable strategies to acquire properties, protect your listings, and grow smarter in a challenging market.🔗 Relevant Links:Weekender Management → weekendermanagement.comFreewyld Foundry → freewyldfoundry.com📌 Keywords: short-term rentals, Airbnb investing, creative financing, property management, STR regulations, 5-star reviews, Freewyld, Weekender Management Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 12, 2025 • 28min
How to Drive 3X More Direct Bookings With Creators and Micro-Influencers
👉 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-startedIn this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Kaye Putnam (Head of Marketing at Freewyld) interviews Madi Rifkin, founder of Mount, about how she created the Content Army, a community of creators that is reshaping how hospitality brands, property managers, and tourism destinations collaborate with influencers.Madi shares how she went from being frustrated with traditional influencer partnerships (expensive, inauthentic, hard to track) to building a system that now has 10,000+ applicants and dozens of active creators producing organic, aligned, and highly effective content for travel “hidden gems.”In this episode you’ll learn:What the Content Army is and how it actually worksWhy “wannabe influencers” may be your strongest marketing alliesHow to organize creator retreats that multiply content and generate FOMOThe most important lessons in matching brands with creatorsStrategies for measuring real impact on direct bookings and trafficCommon mistakes when working with influencers (and how to avoid them)We also talk about:How a viral TikTok with 1M+ views launched the projectPartnerships with property managers and tourism boards in Jackson Hole and ArubaWhy the future of hospitality marketing blends content, experiences, and community🎯 Keywords:short-term rental, influencer marketing, content strategy, direct bookings, hidden gems, tourism marketing, Content Army, property managers, hospitality growth, organic social media Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 8, 2025 • 27min
Stop Guessing, Start Pacing: Smarter Airbnb Pricing Strategies
👉 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-startedIn this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Jasper Ribbers (Head of Revenue Management at Freewyld Foundry) dives deep into one of the most misunderstood yet powerful concepts in STR revenue management: pacing.Hosts constantly ask:Why do short-term rentals slash prices last minute while hotels and airlines often raise theirs?What KPIs actually matter when tracking pacing?When should you pace behind, with, or ahead of the market?Using real-world examples, from Ibiza flights to Taylor Swift concerts, Jasper explains why STR operators can’t afford to blindly follow hotel or airline pricing models. He breaks down the Market Penetration Index (MPI) as the go-to KPI for forward occupancy, reveals how pickup trends should guide your pricing decisions, and shares exactly when it pays to undercut the market versus hold firm.You’ll learn:The key differences between airline/hotel inventory and STR inventoryWhy most operators panic and drop rates too quicklyHow MPI uncovers whether you’re pacing behind, in line, or aheadScenarios where “last man standing” pricing can win bigWhy seasonality and booking windows must shape your pricing targetsIf you’ve ever struggled with last-minute discounts, inconsistent occupancy, or uncertainty about whether you’re pacing correctly, this episode gives you a practical roadmap to approach revenue management with confidence.Takeaways:Treat pacing as a leading indicator of revenue performance, not an afterthoughtUse MPI + pickup together for smarter pricing decisionsSometimes pacing behind the market is the winning moveAvailability settings and timing can make or break your portfolio’s revenueKeywords:short-term rental, Airbnb pricing, pacing strategy, revenue management, occupancy rate, dynamic pricing, MPI, Freewyld, STR success, booking optimization Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.