The Boostly Podcast - podcast cover

The Boostly Podcast

Mark Simpsonboostly.co.uk
Ready to reclaim control of your bookings and break free from the unpredictability of OTAs like Airbnb? Craving the stability of building your business on your terms? Dive into the Boostly Podcast, where Mark Simpson and Liam Carolan unveil the secrets to unlocking a flood of direct bookings. With a rich mix of insights, Mark and Liam equip you with the tools and strategies needed to secure your independence in the hospitality industry. Liam Carolan shines in the "Behind The Host" mini-series, offering a peek into the journeys of successful hosts. Mark Simpson, the driving force behind the Boostly Podcast, shares actionable advice and the latest trends to help you stay ahead. Join us for a journey over 700 episodes deep – all designed to empower you with knowledge and tactics for boosting your bookings. Catch our engaging video content on the Boostly YouTube channel at boostly.co.uk/youtube. Your path to direct booking mastery starts here!
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Episodes

Integrating Can Monkey for Seamless STR Maintenance

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 726. https://www.hostfully.com/boostly/ This episode of the Boostly podcast features a collaboration with STR Collab, focusing on the virtual gathering of experts from the short-term rental industry. Hosted by Maddie from Mount and guest speaker Alex from Can Monkey, the webinar delves into waste management solutions tailored for hosts managing one to 20 properties. Discussions highlight the importance of seamless trash handling for enhancing guest experiences ...

May 13, 202432 min

AutoPilot Profits: Harnessing Hands-Off Marketing for Customer Retention

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 725. https://www.hostfully.com/boostly/ This episode of the Boostly podcast features Sam Mistretta , CEO and founder of Go STR marketing, a service designed to help short-term rental hosts increase direct bookings through custom-branded email and text marketing. Sam discusses the importance of collecting guest contact information, marketing to past guests, and taking action with a proven partner. He outlines the benefits and workings of Go STR marketing, sharin...

May 06, 202426 min

Service Management Solutions: Boosting Productivity and Profits

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 724. This episode of the Boostly podcast, Liam Carolan going behind the scenes with Dale Smith, CEO and founder of Host & Stay, a significant player in the UK's short-term rental and holiday home management industry. Originating from the north of England, Host & Stay now manages over 1000 properties across the UK, with ambitions to double that number in 2024. Dale shares the journey of Host & Stay from its inception, driven by personal investments i...

Apr 29, 202435 min

STR Collab: Latest Updates & Furnishing for Success with Minoan

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 723. This episode of the Boostly Podcast is part of the STR Collab miniseries, the hosts collaborate with founders and influential figures in the short-term rental (STR) industry. The goal is to foster monthly collaborations on Zoom, bringing together vendors, business allies, and internet friends to share updates and work insights. This episode features a special focus on Minoan, highlighting its unique business model of helping customers generate revenue thro...

Apr 22, 202439 min

AI Roundtable: How AI Assistants are Transforming Hospitality

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 722. This podcast features a roundtable discussion with leaders from the AI-assisted property management industry, including representatives from Host AI, Hello Hostie, Guest Guru, Journey, and Bestie AI. The conversation focuses on how AI technologies are being leveraged to transform the property management and hospitality sectors, offering advantages such as automation of repetitive tasks, enhancing guest and employee satisfaction, and predictions for the fut...

Apr 15, 20241 hr 6 min

Behind the Curtain: The Man Airbnb Wishes to Keep Hidden

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 721. This episode features an interview with Enrico Schaefer, the founding attorney of Traverse Legal PLC, who specializes in representing hosts and management companies in legal disputes against Airbnb. Over the past four years, particularly during COVID-19, Schaefer has helped clients recover millions from Airbnb for wrongful refunds, suspensions, and listing takedowns. The discussion emphasizes the importance of collective action among hosts, illustrating ho...

Apr 08, 202441 min

Thinking Like Mike Michalowicz: A Deep Dive into Success as we go ALL-IN

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 720. On this episode of the Boostly podcast we sit down with Mike Michalowicz who has had a big influence on Mark and the company. We then dive into an in-depth discussion about Michalowicz's book, 'All In'. Mark talks about his anticipation and preparation for this special 'hat trick' appearance of Michalowicz on his podcast, aiming to ask novel questions specifically about the book. Michalowicz shares insightful details about his 'All In' approach, including ...

Apr 01, 202423 min

The Future of Guest Services: Software Innovations for a Professional Touch

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 719. This episode of the Boostly podcast features a deep dive into Breezeway, a property operations and guest experience platform, with its CEO and founder, Jeremy. The platform, which focuses on helping short-term rental hosts improve the guest experience through optimal property preparation, maintenance, and communication, is discussed in detail. Jeremy shares insights into the genesis of Breezeway, its core functionalities including detailed task management,...

Mar 25, 202430 min

STR Collab: The Cornerstone for Rental Entrepreneurs

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 718. This episode of The Boosty Podcast features in-depth discussions on leveraging StayFi for improving direct bookings, email and text message marketing, and the benefits of StayFi's new homepage feature. It highlights how StayFi, initially a WIFI marketing company, has evolved to empower short-term rental operators in collecting guest data and facilitating direct bookings, thereby reducing reliance on third-party platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo. The podcast c...

Mar 18, 202455 min

Filling Calendar Gaps with a Unique Auction Style Service

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 717. In this episode of the Boostly Podcast, host Liam discusses Bid and Stay with its founder, Emma Johnson of BidnStay a new service that facilitates last-minute accommodation bookings by enabling hosts to 'auction off' their vacant spaces. Emma explains how hosts set a silent reserve price that they are willing to accept, and guests can secure a booking by beating this reserve. The podcast discusses increasing occupancy rates and promoting direct booking by ...

Mar 11, 202420 min

How to Combat Unfair Regulations in 2024 with Rent Responsibly

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 716. In 2024, the short-term rental industry faces the increasing problem of unfair regulations. David Krauss, CEO and co-founder of Rent Responsibly, discusses this issue and presents potential solutions. The discussion digs into how to stand against the legislation that threatens short-term rental businesses all over the world. David sheds light on Rent Responsibly, a platform designed to educate and empower hosts to respond to these regulatory challenges. He...

Mar 04, 202429 min

Using A Property Managemet Consultant To Grow Your STR Business

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 715. In this episode of Boostly, Ron Curtis, founder of WavyStays, discusses his journey in the short-term rental business and how he manages 20 properties while working a full-time job. He details his strategy of co-hosting and the opportunities it offers for revenue generation. The episode further delves into the technical aspects of running such a business, with specific software recommendations and the role of data in decision-making. Finally, Ron emphasize...

Feb 26, 202427 min

Expert Tips From Hospitable Host: Laura Muse

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 714. Mark sits down with Laura Muse, a successful hospitable host based in Sheffield, about her journey in the hospitality industry. Laura shares her personal experiences from transitioning from property investor and developer to a luxury holiday let owner in the Peak District. She discusses her love for renovation and interior design, the joy of creating lasting memories for guests, and the challenges of managing staff. She also touches on the importance of in...

Feb 23, 202413 min

Book Direct Blueprint: Creating a Direct Booking Strategy

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 713. Mark and Maddy discuss how to maximize business success in 2024 by focusing on experiential travel and creating direct booking strategies. They describe how Mount, Maddy's company, enables businesses to provide a variety of experiences to travelers ensuring an increase in guest reviews and converting more guests into superfans. Mark shares his own experiences and strategies in the hospitality industry, including the importance of knowing your guest avatar,...

Feb 21, 202439 min

Understanding the Mindset of Growing a Large STR Company

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 712. The Boostly podcast episode features Mahwussh Alam, the CEO of One Perfect Group, a company that manages hundreds of units in high-opportunity locations. Highlighting her journey from starting with one unit to managing many, Mahwussh talks about her strategies for scale, such as focusing on managing key properties, understanding investors' mindsets, and knowing when to say no. The episode also covers their utilization of technology and the role of honesty ...

Feb 19, 202431 min

Boostly Bitesize: Creating and Utilizing Google Forms

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 711. In this episode of Boostly Bitesize, host Mark Simpson discusses how to effectively collect and use guest data for hospitality businesses. He explains how a simple Google form can be used to gather guests' emails, cell phone numbers, number of people in the party, and check-in dates right at the point of reservation, thus eliminating check-in frictions. He further illustrates how business owners can use these forms to conduct market research by asking ques...

Feb 16, 20249 min

How This Host Achieved a $7 Million Business Exit: Unveiling the Mystery

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 710 In this episode of the Boostly Podcast, Mark sits down with Isaac French, founder of Live Oak Lake. French tells the story of his journey, starting from buying a book for 99 cents to selling his business for $7 million. French discusses his beginnings in Texas, his move to Idaho, and his return to Texas where he built a property with unique cabins. Despite being kicked off Airbnb, French's business flourished, grossing over a million dollars in its first ye...

Feb 14, 202428 min

Real-Time Marketing Review from Mark Simpson to a New Hospitality Owner

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 709 In this podcast episode, James Kinnersley joins Mark Simpson to discuss strategies for increasing direct bookings. With James' properties being largely marketed through Booking.com and Airbnb, they discuss optimizing these channels and collecting guest data. Exploring everything from property branding to guest communication, the conversation aims to provide useful insights for property owners to boost their business. They also discuss the potential expansio...

Feb 12, 202443 min

Integrating AI With Your PMS to Improve Guest Communication

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 708 This episode features a conversation with Sam Dundas, the co-founder of Besty AI, about the future potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in the short-term rental and hospitality industries. The discussion revolves around how AI can assist in managing repetitive tasks and day-to-day operations, alongside improving the efficiency of property management systems. The podcast also touches on the rapid growth of AI applications, the importance of transparency...

Feb 09, 202432 min

Boosting Your Brand: Tips from a Multi-Million Vacation Rental Business Owner

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 707 In this episode of the Boostly Podcast, Liam sits down with Rose Tepka, CEO and founder of Your Family's Place and author on Hospitable Hosts. Rose shares the numerous developments in her business including media appearances, becoming a best-selling author, and her continued work in the short term rental industry. She discusses how she partners with influencers to market her properties, creates guest surveys to improve the guest experience, as well as her s...

Feb 07, 202435 min

Navigating the Shift from a 900 Room Hotel to a Charming B&B

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 706 In this episode of the Boostly podcast, Harro, the owner of a bed and breakfast establishment called The Hive at 52, discusses his hospitality career and his transition to running his own business. Having worked in hospitality for over 20 years and running his own B&B for 10 years, Harrow shares valuable insights on how to handle guest reviews, the importance of doing the basics right, and how sustainability is a defining feature of his business. He rev...

Feb 05, 202433 min

The Journey from Long-Term Rentals to Owning a Hotel

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 705 In this episode of the Boostly podcast, we welcome back Josh Goldstein. Having initially focused on short term rentals, Josh provides an update on his most recent ventures, which include starting a fund and making a pivot into boutique hotels. He discusses the benefits of boutique hotels, his plans for updates and renovations, and how he uses CloudBeds to optimize the property's management. Josh also offers advice on taking efficient action, the significanc...

Feb 02, 202427 min

How to Be More Eco-friendly Whilst Increasing Profits

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 704 In this episode of the Boostly podcast, Liam sits down with Vanessa de Souza Lage, CEO of Sustonica, about eco-friendly strategies for vacation rentals. Vanessa shares how Sustonica provides a certification for sustainability for short-term rentals and discusses practical steps hosts can take to become more environmentally responsible. Topics covered include sourcing eco-friendly products, the importance of reducing energy consumption, and how hosts can com...

Jan 31, 202430 min

Tech Solutions: Efficiently Handling 350 Units Across Six Markets

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 703 On this episode of the Boostly Podcast, Liam talks with special guest Jason Lopez, the Senior Director of Business Development at Jurny, an AI-powered property management software for short-term and vacation rentals. They discuss the use and impact of AI within the world of hospitality, looking at how Jurny was born out of a need for improved technology in property management. Jason highlights how AI quickens response times, increases efficiency, and can as...

Jan 29, 202422 min

Valuable, Free Education For Rental Hosts!

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 702 This episode of the Boostly Podcast features James Varley, the founder of Holiday Cottage Handbook, a comprehensive resource that provides free educational content for short-term rental hosts. The conversation delves into Varley's background in media, how his transition from buy-to-let investment to short-term rentals led him to create his platform, and his mission to become the go-to place for the short-term rentals industry. Varley discusses the importanc...

Jan 26, 202436 min

How to Utilise AI to Improve ANY Business

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 701. In this episode, Liam sits down with Dara Ledjevardian discuss the rise of AI and the benefits of using a system such as Delphi in the hospitality space. The Delphi system, which captures how you think, what you know, and your expertise, can prove to be an invaluable tool for hosts to better manage their operations and respond to guest inquiries. Dara touches on the concept of 'digital cloning,' enabling you to scale your accessibility and knowledge to an ...

Jan 24, 202423 min

Using a Book Direct Marketplace to Drive Direct Bookings

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 700. Bradley den Dolk, founder of GetAwayGoGo, joins the Boostly Podcast to share his perspective on the powerful potential of last-minute booking platforms and entrepreneurial strategies. He describes the conception and growth of GetAwayGoGo and the advantage it provides for both hosts and guests, with its combination of professional property trust, book-direct prices and a comprehensive platform for finding deals. Bradley lends insights on keeping business pa...

Jan 22, 202435 min

Actionable Steps You Can Take to be More Successful in Hospitality

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 699. In this episode of the Boostly podcast, Liam Rubiolo is joined by James from BNB Uni and Sydney Dreams. James shares his business journey starting from Sweden, where he managed a handful of properties, to the transition to Sydney, Australia where he manages 23 properties. He explains about various business models he has used, such as rental arbitrage and management deals. He highlights the importance of strategic property optimization and dynamic pricing t...

Jan 19, 202433 min

How You Can incorporate AI Into Your Hospitality Business

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 698 In this episode of the Boostly Podcast, Clive, the founder of Hello Hosty, joined the conversation to discuss the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the hospitality industry. Clive explained how the AI concierge, Alina, can interact with guests, alleviating the need for hosts to be available 24/7 and improving guests' experience. The product is designed for simplicity and ease of use and can gather all necessary information from various booking pl...

Jan 17, 202426 min

Success Leaves Clues: Tips from a Property Investor

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 697 In the Boostly podcast, Laura Muse from Muse Escapes shares her insights into the hospitality industry and her journey from equine nutritionist to successful short term rental host. The podcast delves into how Laura has navigated changes in technology stacks, investment strategies, understanding different client avatars, and the importance of diversifying income streams. Laura also discusses the success of her business, in part due to creating meaningful co...

Jan 15, 202446 min
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