Meet Arthur Colker, the founder of StayFi,a marketing platform for short-term rental hosts and operators.

Arthur and I explore the evolution of marketing in the vacation rental industry. Since StayFi's inception back in 2018, Arthur has observed a dramatic shift in how hospitality entrepreneurs and property managers approach marketing, especially as reliance on OTAs like Airbnb has become less sustainable.

Arthur and I discuss

• The rise of direct booking strategies and the importance of diversifying demand channels.
• Creative ways property managers are generating ancillary revenue, from upsells to unique guest experiences.
• How StayFi is empowering short-term rental operators to build email marketing campaigns that capture guest data and drive direct bookings with minimal effort.
• The role of social media versus SEO and other marketing channels in 2024.
• And so much more

Whether you're a vacation rental host with one property or a property manager with a large portfolio, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you future-proof your business.

This episode is brought to you by StayFi. StayFi makes it easy to collect data from and market to every single person staying in your short-term rental. StayFi lets you create a custom branded WiFi splash page similar to what you might experience when logging onto the WiFi network at your favorite coffee shop.

This means you can collect the name, email address, and phone number from every guest staying with you, not just the one who booked…because who doesn’t need to use the WiFi.

The best part is that once you have their information, you can use StayFi’s email and text marketing tools to keep in touch and make sure they become a guest for life.

Head on over to StayFi.com and be sure to use the code “BTS” at checkout for 50% off your first 3 months.

Want to book a consulting brainstorm with Zach?

Send him an email directly at zach@staywatch.ai or complete this payment link and get immediate access to his schedule where you can book some time with him!

About the Show

Behind the Stays is brought to you by StayWatch — the internet's best resource for deals on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. You can subscribe, for free, at www.staywatch.ai

Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, Co-founder of StayWatch, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee or on LinkedIn.

Meet Austin Phippen, a hospitality entrepreneur balancing the demands of multiple ventures in the heart of Chama, New Mexico. Austin and his wife Karlee are redefining what it means to build a rural hospitality empire, managing everything from a boutique motel to an event venue and even vacation rentals. Tune in as Austin shares his journey from construction to hospitality, how his family’s legacy property sparked a wedding venue business, and the surprising lessons he’s learned about running a motel in one of the most remote, yet scenic, areas of the country.

Discover how Austin transformed a family cabin into a top wedding destination, navigated the complexities of managing a motel, and how seasonal challenges shape his business strategy. If you’re curious about what it takes to run multiple hospitality ventures in a small town or how to grow a business with little initial experience, this episode is packed with insights for you.

Austin and I also discuss the power of organic growth, the balance between low-touch and high-touch hospitality, and why Austin believes hands-on interaction is key to guest satisfaction. This is a must-listen for anyone interested in rural tourism, family-run hospitality businesses, or those dreaming of building their own legacy in the industry.

Learn more about Chama Trails

This episode is brought to you by our friends at Hostfully. Upselling sounds great in theory, but how do you actually do it? How do you know what to offer, and how do you make it seamless for your guests?

Well, that’s where Hostfully’s latest eBook comes into play.

This isn’t just another generic guide; it’s a goldmine of insights drawn from real transaction data collected from June 2023 to June 2024. We’re talking about the most popular upsells that guests actually buy — from early check-ins to premium amenity access — and how these can significantly enhance your bottom line.

But here’s the best part: this eBook doesn’t just leave you with data; it gives you practical advice and checklists to help you start implementing these upsells right away. Whether you’re just getting started with a simple upsell or looking to expand your offerings, Hostfully has you covered.

About the Show

Behind the Stays is brought to you by StayWatch — the internet's best resource for deals on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. You can subscribe, for free, at www.staywatch.ai

Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, Co-founder of StayWatch, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee or on LinkedIn.

Meet Rena Pacheco-Theard, co-founder of Boutiq, a vacation rental management company that’s blending tech with high-quality guest experiences to transform the industry.

From starting Boutiq as a side hustle to enrolling in an Autsin-based startup accelerator, to running a nationwide portfolio, Rena shares how her team has harnessed technology, like their custom revenue management algorithm, to optimize every property.

Tune in to hear how Rena is driving innovation in vacation rentals, using partnerships like Capital One Travel to open new booking channels, and why PR is an essential but often overlooked tool in growing a brand.

Takeaways include:

• How Rena and her team built a company that balances boutique-style guest service with cutting-edge technology.
• Why new booking channels like Capital One Travel are game-changers for reaching untapped guest segments.
• How Boutique’s custom-built revenue management tools give them a competitive edge over off-the-shelf solutions like PriceLabs.
• Why PR plays a critical role in attracting homeowners, guests, and investors—and how to do it right.
• Rena’s take on the future of vacation rentals, and where new opportunities lie for entrepreneurs in the space.

Learn more about Boutiq

Connect with Rena

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AirDNA is the key you need to unlock the insight behind what it’s going to take to bring those big dreams you have to life.

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About the Show

Behind the Stays is brought to you by StayWatch — the internet's best resource for deals on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. You can subscribe, for free, at www.staywatch.ai

Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, Co-founder of StayWatch, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee or on LinkedIn.