Get Paid For Your Pad | Airbnb Hosting | Vacation Rentals | STR Revenue Management

“2020 is going to be the year of the professional host, regardless if you’re running one unit or if you’re somebody that’s trying to hit a hundred or a thousand units. All of it, the standards need to be world-class at this point. We have to truly treat even one unit as a real business.”Eric Moeller is the creator of Cohost Mastery and the cofounder STR Legends Live. Today, Eric and I sit down to discuss our top takeaways from STR Legends Cartagena, describing the trend toward professionalism in the industry and the challenges around operations that all hosts share regardless of size.Eric and I weigh in on how to approach your STR as a business, sharing Simon Lehmann’s challenge to define your values and align your messaging accordingly. Listen in for insight on how big brands are likely to impact the future of the STR industry and learn how YOU can benefit from the culture of sharing among the STR Legends community!Topics CoveredThe Hosting at Scale Video SeriesFour episodes, each feature one operatorExplore what makes them legend in spaceEric’s top takeaways from STR Legends CartagenaShift to professionalismOperations + people = greatest challengeThe evolution of operating in the STR space‘List it and forget it’Listing optimizationApproach from business perspectiveHow to stand out as a host as competition growsDetermine USP (i.e.: standards, theme, etc.)Design messaging to attract ideal clientSimon Lehmann’s STR Legends Cartagena challengeDescribe your business in one sentenceWho are you and what are your values?The culture of sharing at STR Legends CartagenaAuthentic connection among communityValue openness, integrity and supportWhat we learned about the future of the STR spaceLarger companies buy out midsize operatorsMust understand profitability to thriveEfficiencies of scale offer competitive advantageWhy vacation rental hosting is a hyperlocal businessKnowledge of area important in hospitalityOpportunity for small hosts (personal connection)Connect with EricCohost MasteryAirbnb Mastery SummitEric on LinkedInResourcesSTR LegendsGPFYP on YouTubeSTR Legends on InstagramY CombinatorSimon Lehmann on GPFYP EP308Carmen CartagenaTraction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino WickmanWho by Geoff Smart and Randy StreetSonderLyricVacasaEmail jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comTo subscribe to the podcast, please use the links belowClick Here to Subscribe via iTunesClick here to Subscribe via Stitcher (Android users)If you like the show, please consider leaving the show a review in iTunesor Stitcher. A couple minutes of your time can help the show immensely! Thanks! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“2020 is going to be the year of the professional host, regardless if you’re running one unit or if you’re somebody that’s trying to hit a hundred or a thousand units. All of it, the standards need to be world-class at this point. We have to truly treat even one unit as a real business.”Eric Moeller is the creator of Cohost Mastery and the cofounder STR Legends Live. Today, Eric and I sit down to discuss our top takeaways from STR Legends Cartagena, describing the trend toward professionalism in the industry and the challenges around operations that all hosts share regardless of size.Eric and I weigh in on how to approach your STR as a business, sharing Simon Lehmann’s challenge to define your values and align your messaging accordingly. Listen in for insight on how big brands are likely to impact the future of the STR industry and learn how YOU can benefit from the culture of sharing among the STR Legends community!Topics CoveredThe Hosting at Scale Video SeriesFour episodes, each feature one operatorExplore what makes them legend in spaceEric’s top takeaways from STR Legends CartagenaShift to professionalismOperations + people = greatest challengeThe evolution of operating in the STR space‘List it and forget it’Listing optimizationApproach from business perspectiveHow to stand out as a host as competition growsDetermine USP (i.e.: standards, theme, etc.)Design messaging to attract ideal clientSimon Lehmann’s STR Legends Cartagena challengeDescribe your business in one sentenceWho are you and what are your values?The culture of sharing at STR Legends CartagenaAuthentic connection among communityValue openness, integrity and supportWhat we learned about the future of the STR spaceLarger companies buy out midsize operatorsMust understand profitability to thriveEfficiencies of scale offer competitive advantageWhy vacation rental hosting is a hyperlocal businessKnowledge of area important in hospitalityOpportunity for small hosts (personal connection)Connect with EricCohost MasteryAirbnb Mastery SummitEric on LinkedInResourcesSTR LegendsGPFYP on YouTubeSTR Legends on InstagramY CombinatorSimon Lehmann on GPFYP EP308Carmen CartagenaTraction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino WickmanWho by Geoff Smart and Randy StreetSonderLyricVacasaEmail jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comTo subscribe to the podcast, please use the links belowClick Here to Subscribe via iTunesClick here to Subscribe via Stitcher (Android users)If you like the show, please consider leaving the show a review in iTunesor Stitcher. A couple minutes of your time can help the show immensely! Thanks! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Standing out in crowded STR markets can be difficult. With new rental properties cropping up in desirable locations every day, developing a brand for your STR business is key to long-term success in a short-term market. Branding is one of the best ways to beat out competition.Airbnb Superhost, model, and musician Sharon Middendorf founded GO-Cottage, an STR business in Lake Placid, New York. Long before Airbnb existed, Sharon bought, renovated, and restored two 1920s bungalows on the same piece of property. Over the course of 17 years she’s successfully marketed her short-term rentals as modern-style, California-esque lodging for adventure seekers. Sharon’s property has been featured in Country Living, Domino, and on HGTV’s Small Space, Big Living.On this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Sharon describes the importance of branding and how it can give rental owners the control they crave in a market dominated by listing platforms. Sharon explains how diversifying her rentals and capitalizing on their uniqueness helped her stand out amongst more than 700 STR listings in a small village. Listen in for Sharon’s insight on how Airbnb Plus has affected her listing and whether she would recommend the program to other property owners.Topics CoveredSharon’s STR storyLoved vacationing in Lake PlacidTook 4-5 years to find the right property to purchaseRenovated two bungalows on propertyStarted booking short-term renters in 2003Why Sharon focuses on brandingDifferentiates her rental from all the restBranding lasts longer than an STR platform like AirbnbHow Sharon developed a brandBuilt website and began tracking it using Google AnalyticsStarted creating on-brand content for social media like Facebook and InstagramHow Sharon marketed her listing before AirbnbUsed local listing sites and craigslistRelied on word-of-mouthWhy Sharon releases a quarterly newsletterHelps her stay in touch with former guestsReleasing a newsletter quarterly avoids overwhelming subscribersWhat Sharon includes in her newsletterLocal upcoming eventsInformation on availability and costHow Sharon got national exposure for her propertyNetworking and reaching out to media organizationsKnowing someone at Country Living helped her listing get featuredSharon’s insight on creating a brandName the property to give it an identityHire outside help if neededSharon’s take on Airbnb PlusGood experience working with professional photographerMeeting Airbnb Plus requirements can take time and effortAirbnb Plus doesn’t necessarily enable you to raise ratesLess control over Airbnb Plus listingConnect with SharonGO-CottageEmail: info@go-cottage.comGO-Cottage InstagramGO-Cottage FacebookGO-Cottage YouTubeGO-Cottage on AirbnbResourcesAirbnb IPOAirbnb PlusFairbnbSTR Profit AcademySTR Legends MastermindGet Paid for Your Pad: How to Maximize Profit from Your Airbnb Listing by Jasper Ribbers and Huzefa KapadiaSTR Legends MastermindEmail jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comTo subscribe to the podcast, please use the links belowClick Here to Subscribe via iTunesClick here to Subscribe via Stitcher (Android users)If you like the show, please consider leaving the show a review in iTunesor Stitcher. A couple minutes of your time can help the show immensely! Thanks! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s never fun to think about worst case scenarios. But for Airbnb hosts, it’s important to have an idea of what you might do should the worst happen. And there are few things worse that having a natural disaster hit your STR.Peter Counsell is the Superhost behind Clyde River Cottage, a STR in Nelligen, New South Wales, with its own private jetty on the river. Peter also coaches new hosts on getting started in the STR business and optimizing their listings, and he builds personal websites for hosts looking to expand their reach beyond the Airbnb platform.On this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Peter joins me to share his difficult experience during the devastating bushfires in Southeast Australia. He explains how the fires are affecting his business, what Airbnb is doing to help hosts in his position, and how the disaster is likely to impact tourism in the area. Listen in for Peter’s insight on how he might use his STR property during the recovery process and learn what to do should a natural disaster hit your STR business.Topics CoveredThe devastating bushfires in Southeast Australia1M acres in six weeks (two full states)Caused by extreme drought + lightning strikePeter’s harrowing experience with the firesEvacuated three times before leaving area entirelyHighway closed, followed fire engine to UlladullaHow the fires are affecting Peter’s STR businessCancellations as fires got worse, no new bookingsSmoke and highway closings make travel difficultAirbnb’s process for helping hosts in the firesTeam in place to contact guests for Aussie hostsNo cancellation penalty for guests or hostPeter’s advice for hosts in natural disastersWaive fee for cancellation (return 100% of deposit)Request that Airbnb waive fees for guestsHow the fires will impact tourism in the areaKnown for beaches, nature and wildlife1B animals killed + bushwalks burnedPeter’s insight on the long recovery processCharge realistic prices, allow one-night staysStay in touch with potential guestsWhat Peter might do until the area has recoveredMay be good time for upgrades to spaceOffer STR for recovery workers to stayWhat we can do to support PeterTravel to SE Australia (quite safe, still much to do)Use his website building or coaching servicesPeter’s best tips for aspiring Airbnb hostsRead Get Paid for Your Pad, listen to podcastModel STR on your WHY + ideal guest avatarWork to get good reviews right awayConnect with PeterClyde River CottageClyde River Cottage on AirbnbResourcesPeter on GPFYP EP129Airbnb Open HomesDivi Themes SoftwareGet Paid for Your Pad: How to Maximize Profit from Your Airbnb Listing by Jasper Ribbers and Huzefa KapadiaSTR Legends MastermindEmail jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comTo subscribe to the podcast, please use the links belowClick Here to Subscribe via iTunesClick here to Subscribe via Stitcher (Android users)If you like the show, please consider leaving the show a review in iTunesor Stitcher. A couple minutes of your time can help the show immensely! Thanks! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Airbnb Superhost Rebecca Cramer lives by the philosophy that it’s better to regret something that you’ve tried than to regret something that you didn’t try at all. And that attitude has served her well, inspiring Rebecca to invest in short-term rental (STR) properties in highly competitive markets and absolutely crush it—proving that big risk, when done right, can reap big rewards.Rebecca is the founder of Mad Men Vacation Rentals, a STR business with listings in Maryland and Florida. She invests in vacation spots she and her family love, creating the Mad Men Beach House listing in Ocean City, MD, and the Mad Men Magic Kingdom House near Disney World. Rebecca started hosting on Airbnb in January of 2018 and has quickly proven that newcomers can be successful in crowded STR markets.On this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Rebecca is back to discuss her decision to invest in competitive locations like Maryland and Florida. She walks us through the process of finding, buying and renovating STR properties, explaining what she did to research profit potential and why her listings surpassed expectations. Listen in for Rebecca’s insight on furnishing your STR (without breaking the bank) and learn her top strategy for getting more bookings in the off-season!Topics CoveredRebecca’s STR portfolioStart with Ocean City vacation home in 2018Added Disney World property last yearDeep Creek Lake location will go live in 2020How Rebecca found the Ocean City propertyDiscovered neighborhood on vacation thereOutdated house on Zillow (9 months on market)How Rebecca researched STR profit potential in Ocean CityLook at similar listings in neighborhood on AirbnbTalk to realtor, friends with vacation homes thereWhy Rebecca’s listing surpassed profit projectionsRenovations, updated furnishings and amenitiesHigh level of customer serviceWhat Rebecca did to command a higher price for her listingOffer kayaks, pool and tennis courtsMade property dog friendlyHow well the Ocean City property performedCovers mortgage, updates and cleaning feesProvide down payment for next investmentWhy Rebecca chose to invest in FloridaOpen to risk, confident in ability to recreate successFamily loves Disney + can escape there themselvesHow Rebecca furnished her listings for lessSold furniture that came with propertiesUtilized Craigslist, Facebook MarketplaceWilling to paint/refinish distressed piecesRebecca’s strategy for getting more listings in the off-seasonList property twice (e.g.: 3BD/2BA AND 1BR/1BA)Fill booking gaps with solo travelers + small groupsConnect with RebeccaMad Men Vacation RentalsMad Men on InstagramMad Men on FacebookMad Men Beach HouseMad Men Magic KingdomResourcesRebecca on GPFYP EP309AirDNASTR Profit AcademySTR Legends MastermindEmail jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comTo subscribe to the podcast, please use the links belowClick Here to Subscribe via iTunesClick here to Subscribe via Stitcher (Android users)If you like the show, please consider leaving the show a review in iTunesor Stitcher. A couple minutes of your time can help the show immensely! Thanks! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What’s the most important part of a short-term rental (STR) listing? Most hosts focus on the space itself, making it a point to have beautiful photographs that make the property look as attractive as possible. But it’s just as important to communicate who YOU are through the Airbnb listing, creating a very positive first impression so that guests feel comfortable booking with you. But what does that look like?Rebecca Cramer is the Superhost behind Mad Men Vacation Rentals, a small STR business with listings in Ocean City, Maryland, and Kissimmee, Florida. Her third property in Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, is scheduled to go live in the summer of 2020. Rebecca started hosting on Airbnb in January of 2018 and quickly realized how much she loved helping guests make memories in the very places she and her family love. The success of her Mad Men Beach House and Mad Men Magic Kingdom prove that newcomers can still make it in a competitive STR market.On this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Rebecca joins me to discuss her Airbnb origin story, explaining how renting the family’s beach house to afford the mortgage quickly turned into a small business. She describes how she creates a unique experience for families at her Madmen Magic Kingdom property near Disney World and offers insight around staging your space for photos and managing units remotely. Listen in for Rebecca’s top four strategies for earning exceptional reviews and learn how to build a trusting relationship with guests through your listing on Airbnb.Topics CoveredHow Rebecca got into AirbnbDream of having beach house in Ocean City, MarylandRent on Airbnb to afford mortgage, turn into businessWhat prepared Rebecca to be a good hostFamily goes big on hospitality at gatherings + holidaysWork in retail, as nurse (make people feel cared for)How Rebecca builds a relationship through her listingsHumor and enthusiasm in captions, descriptionProfile picture = family photoHow Rebecca creates an experience at Madmen Magic KingdomThemed rooms (princess castle, Pirates of the Caribbean)Pool with inflatables + unique game roomCostumes for kids to play dress-upRebecca’s tips for staging units for photosHelp guests envision themselves in spaceDetails like glass of wine on patio tableWhat sets Rebecca apart as a hostQuality photos AND very positive reviewsGo above and beyond to show you careHow Rebecca earns exceptional reviewsGuidebook with info about house and areaCommunicate desire to give best possible experienceAutomated message re: 5-star experienceRespond right away when guests reach outRebecca’s insight on managing units remotelyConnect with handyman and cleaners willing to helpPut together good team of people you trustHow to be successful as a newcomer in a competitive marketLeverage heart and passionDon’t need degree, just need to really careConnect with RebeccaMad Men Vacation RentalsMad Men on InstagramMad Men on FacebookResourcesHostfullySTR Profit AcademySTR Legends MastermindEmail jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comTo subscribe to the podcast, please use the links belowClick Here to Subscribe via iTunesClick here to Subscribe via Stitcher (Android users)If you like the show, please consider leaving the show a review in iTunesor Stitcher. A couple minutes of your time can help the show immensely! Thanks! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Though home-sharing and hospitality is nothing new—we’ve been sharing our spaces since Prehistoric times—the industry has evolved a great deal in the last decade. And the short-term rental (STR) space will continue to grow and change in the years to come. So, what current trends are likely to continue in 2020? And how can we grow as hosts to stay competitive in the decade to come?Simon Lehmann is the CEO and cofounder of AJL Consulting, a boutique firm with a focus in the private accommodation and STR industry. Prior to AJL, Simon served on the boards of HomeAway, Travelwindow and Inntopia, and spent eight years at the helm of Interhome, where he oversaw a total of 32K STR units in 29 countries. A globally recognized thought leader in the vacation rental and online travel space, Simon has delivered keynotes at VRMA International, the World Tourism Forum and the Vacation Rental World Summit.On this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Simon joins me to discuss how Airbnb has (and hasn’t) changed the STR space, describing the platform’s major achievements in the last 10 years. He shares the trends around professionally managed inventory and predicts whether Airbnb will realize its ambition to become the world’s OTA superbrand. Listen in for Simon’s insight on growing your own property management business and learn how to meet changing guest expectations for STR in 2020 and beyond!Topics CoveredHow Airbnb changed the STR spaceCreated new vertical in existing industryAccelerate supply growth exponentiallyAirbnb’s major achievements in the last 10 yearsEstablished incredible marketplaceCreated many entrepreneurs + businessesMade tourism available to new generationSimon’s top prediction for the STR space in 2020Supply will become more professionally managedWhat aspiring PPMs should consider in growing a businessTake on quality inventory in good locationMaximize availability + bookabilitySimon’s advice on scaling up a PPM businessBring on staff, limit self to tasks that add valueBe selective in onboarding new propertiesHow guest expectations are changing in the STR spaceMore ‘hotel guests’ with higher standardsImprove quality to remain competitiveHow small property managers can stand outSpend 2 to 3 days in each property yourselfLittle things make big difference (e.g.: personal note)The potential for Airbnb to go public in 2020All signs point to YESStrategic acquisitionsWhat’s behind Airbnb’s ambition to expand beyond STRPressure from current investorsLeverage customer base to sell additional thingsConnect with SimonAJL ConsultingSimon on LinkedInResourcesVacation Rental World SummitAirbnb’s Acquisition of HotelTonightSTR Legends MastermindEmail jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comSponsorHostfullyTo subscribe to the podcast, please use the links belowClick Here to Subscribe via iTunesClick here to Subscribe via Stitcher (Android users)If you like the show, please consider leaving the show a review in iTunesor Stitcher. A couple minutes of your time can help the show immensely! Thanks! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More than 500 million people have stayed in an Airbnb since its inception in 2008. And a mind-boggling 350 people check into an Airbnb every minute. So, what makes the short-term rental (STR) platform so successful? And what do the best hosts do to deliver an exceptional experience that makes every guest feel welcome?Joseph Michelli is the New York Times bestselling author of several books about world-class customer experience providers, including the Ritz-Carlton, Starbucks and Zappos. A sought-after keynote speaker and business consultant, Joseph has been recognized as one of the Top 10 thought leaders in the realm of customer service by Global Gurus, and his most recent title is The Airbnb Way: 5 Leadership Lessons for Igniting Growth Through Loyalty, Community, and Belonging.On this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Joseph joins me to explain what prompted him to write The Airbnb Way and discuss the book’s major themes around how the sharing economy has changed the hospitality industry. He walks us through the five sections of The Airbnb Way, describing how Airbnb hosts deliver belonging and what we can do to cultivate trust with our guests. Listen in for Joseph’s insight on how Airbnb promotes the idea of enlightened hospitality, fosters a sense of community, and empowers its hosts to improve their lives!Topics CoveredWhat prompted Joseph to write The Airbnb WayWork with Ritz-Carlton on book in 2008Saw changes in how travelers experience hotelsThe major themes of The Airbnb WayHow Airbnb came to be, what makes it greatWhat Airbnb and hosts do to drive belongingHow Joseph thinks about BELONGINGCreate safe physical + emotional environmentOffer sense of what it’s like to live in cityThe concept of enlightened HOSPITALITYChip Conley brought mindset to AirbnbAnticipate needs, create personal connectionJoseph’s insight around cultivating TRUSTDemonstrate genuine care for guestLive up to claims made in listingHow Airbnb EMPOWERS its hostsLeverage asset to unlock what’s importantProvide housing security, power to travelHow Airbnb fosters a sense of COMMUNITYSupports communication among hostsActivate to protect rights of home sharersThe values Airbnb guests and hosts have in commonGlobal citizensPositive view of peopleConnect with JosephThe Airbnb WayResourcesThe Airbnb Way: 5 Leadership Lessons for Igniting Growth through Loyalty, Community, and Belonging by Joseph MichelliChip Conley on GPFYP EP024Peak: How Great Companies Get Their Mojo from Maslow by Chip ConleyGet Paid for Your Pad: How to Maximize Profit from Your Airbnb Listing by Jasper Ribbers and Huzefa KapadiaNews Story on Airbnb Halloween ShootingSTR Legends MastermindSTR Profit AcademyEmail jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comSponsorHostfullyTo subscribe to the podcast, please use the links belowClick Here to Subscribe via iTunesClick here to Subscribe via Stitcher (Android users)If you like the show, please consider leaving the show a review in iTunesor Stitcher. A couple minutes of your time can help the show immensely! Thanks! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You’ve probably heard of the mother-in-law apartment, a small suite on the same lot as a single-family home, where an in-law (or other family member) can live while maintaining their own privacy and independence. But what if you want to list an in-law property on Airbnb? Is it wise to list two units on the same lot as short-term rentals (STR)? Or is there a better way?Kyle Stanley is an avid real estate investor and experienced STR host. He is also the host of the Fearless Flipping Podcast, a show dedicated to helping listeners learn to flip houses and earn passive income with real estate. After buying a property with a secondary unit onsite, Kyle created the mother-in-law model to earn money on Airbnb and provide a unique opportunity for his long-term tenants.On this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Kyle joins me to explain how he came up with the mother-in-law model, discussing how it can be a win-win-win for long-term tenants, Airbnb guests and property owners alike. He describes how to find willing onsite managers for mother-in-law units and the challenges of relying on an individual rather than a business. Listen in for Kyle’s insight around the current real estate market and learn whether the mother-in-law strategy makes sense for your STR business!Topics CoveredHow Kyle got into the STR spaceUnexpected expenses with first house in ScottsdaleFriend introduced to idea of renting room on AirbnbHow Kyle expanded his STR businessMoved back to California for dad’s health in 2016Airbnb guests generally in town for business or familyDiscovered income potential of renting whole houseIncreased portfolio to five listings in FresnoHow Kyle came upon the mother-in-law modelNervous about listing two houses on one lot on AirbnbIdea to make one long-term rental with reduced rentServe as onsite manager/cleaner of Airbnb propertyThe advantages of Kyle’s mother-in-law strategyWin-win-win for tenant, STR guest and ownerIncreased profits from $1500 to $2500/monthFinding a tenant who is willing to serve as onsite managerStay-at-home moms + individuals looking for low rentConsider fair wage laws, track time and offer bonusesHow guests respond to having an onsite managerMake clear on listing to attract right peopleGuests inclined to break rules unlikely to bookThe challenges of using the mother-in-law strategyRelying on person vs. businessBackup plan in place for emergencies, tripsKyle’s tips for replicating the mother-in-law modelChoose onsite managers you trust 100%Ensure that model makes financial senseKyle’s insight around the current real estate marketLikely 12-18 months away from downturnAll-in on special terms and arbitrage modelHow to approach a property manager about AirbnbUse FORM sales formula to make friends firstExplain how differ from other tenants (pros + realities)One of every nine will say YESKyle’s best advice for GPFYP listenersAccess likeminded people and informationDo research to expand mindseConnect with KyleFearless FlippingSponsorHostfully 2019 ReportTo subscribe to the podcast, please use the links belowClick Here to Subscribe via iTunesClick here to Subscribe via Stitcher (Android users)If you like the show, please consider leaving the show a review in iTunesor Stitcher. A couple minutes of your time can help the show immensely! Thanks! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Between HomeAway and Airbnb, there are 3,155 cabins in Pigeon Forge, a popular Tennessee tourist destination near Dollywood. To book up, you have to STAND OUT. But how? How do you create a pattern interrupt among all the rustic spaces decked out with plaid comforters and bear figurines? One strategy is to theme your space, surprising potential guests with something they’ve never seen before.Jeff MacIntyre is an Emmy-winning television producer, long-time real estate investor and creator of Theme My Space, a platform designed to help short-term rental (STR) hosts transform their vacation rental into a unique experience guests will love—and share on social media. Jeff is also the only Airbnb host in Pigeon Forge with a pirate-themed cabin, complete with wall-mounted cannons and a figurehead from the bow of an old ship!On this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Jeff joins me to explain how learning about the Pigeon Forge market drew him to the STR space. He discusses why he chose the pirate theme for one of his cabins, sharing where he got his aargh-infused artifacts and how he incorporates pirate slang in his listing. Listen in for Jeff’s insight on branding your Airbnb and learn the top five benefits of theming a STR space.Topics CoveredHow Jeff got into the STR spaceLearned about Pigeon Forge through Rhonda BlueBig profit potential in hot family travel marketJeff’s first STR property in Pidgeon ForgeTraditional cabin positioned as honeymoon spotReturns blow away long-term rental propertiesWhy Jeff chose the pirate theme for his second STRPopular pirate-themed shows for touristsAargh-infused cabin to stand out in marketWhy Jeff is a fan of smaller 1BR + 2BR propertiesFewer problems with guestsEasier to test out theming theoryWhere Jeff got his pirate-themed artifactsSwap meets, eBay, Craigslist and FacebookScroll Pinterest for ideas re: fabrics for bedroomJeff’s insight around branding your STRCreate sharable custom experienceSee yourself as dealer of DELIGHTJeff’s familiarity with pirate slangLearned for Tipsy Captain YouTube channelInclude in listing captions, cabin manualThe other benefits of theming your STR spaceIncrease attention and bookingsOpportunities for local partnershipsTargeted marketing (e.g.: Facebook ads)Work with social media influencersEarn more by selling merchandiseJeff’s advice for promoting a themed listing#PirateRidge decals by photo-worthy décorSelfie basket + frame with cabin nameConnect with JeffTheme My SpacePirate Ridge on AirbnbAlpine Dreams on AirbnbResourcesBiggerPocketsRhonda BlueDollywoodRealtor.comeBayCraigslistPinterestTo subscribe to the podcast, please use the links belowClick Here to Subscribe via iTunesClick here to Subscribe via Stitcher (Android users)If you like the show, please consider leaving the show a review in iTunesor Stitcher. A couple minutes of your time can help the show immensely! Thanks! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.