{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"","title":"EP173: Short Stay Rental Pioneer Shares Insights from Two Decades of Hosting Experience","description":"Branding is an aspect of the short-term rental game that many hosts overlook. And when you’re first getting started, you may not know what sets your listing apart from others in the area. But once you’ve had a few guests, it is possible to use their feedback to identify the most attractive aspects of your property and strategically incorporate that information into your listing. Today’s guest reveals how he got clear on his brand -- and a host of other lessons he learned in his 20-year career in the vacation rental space!
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\nJack Pope got into hosting to supplement his income as a teacher. He converted an extra space in his home on the Sunshine Coast of western Canada into a suite, but zoning didn’t allow for long-term rentals. So Jack got connected with a group of vacation rental entrepreneurs, eventually becoming president of the largest B&B association in western Canada.
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\nAn early adopter of technology in the short-term rental space, Jack made use of online platforms as they became available. Airbnb has become a valuable tool in his business, and 70% of his bookings now come from the site. He has been a Superhost for seven consecutive quarters, and today he shares his extensive hospitality expertise with the Get Paid for Your Pad audience, explaining how he marketed Coracle Cove in the days before online booking, how he achieves a crazy-high return rate on guest reviews, and how he has automated guest communication. Listen in for his advice around providing a seamless check-in and branding your listing to attract the right guests!
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\nTopics Covered
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\nHow hosting was different 20 years ago
\n•\tMost bookings done by phone
\n•\tOnly 20% of bookings made online
\n•\tLocal portal generated most referrals
\n•\tBrochures, self-promotion as marketing tools
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\nHow Jack marketed Coracle Cove early on
\n•\tConnected with travel writer, spread in Vancouver Sun
\n•\tHosted writer from Lonely Planet
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\nThe platforms Jack utilizes to promote his vacation rental
\n•\tHis own website
\n•\tFlipKey
\n•\tHomeAway
\n•\tLocal Sunshine Coast Tourism site
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\nHow Jack achieves a 91% return rate on guest reviews
\n•\tPromise to write positive review for guest at checkout
\n•\tSend thank you message through Airbnb soon after checkout
\n•\tReview guest immediately after email received
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\nHow Jack used guest reviews to brand his listing
\n•\tCategorized guest comments in TripAdvisor reviews
\n•\tModified listing title based on unique aspects
\n•\tPulled quotes to use as photo captions
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\nThe four automated messages Jack schedules through Aviva IQ
\n•\tConfirmation and welcome with short video (10 min after booking)
\n•\tDetailed directions and link to blog (week prior to arrival)
\n•\tLink to video and blog (morning of arrival)
\n•\tThank you and review request (soon after checkout)
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\nThe importance of specific, accurate directions
\n•\tPositive reviews are essential
\n•\tSeamless check-in vital part guest experience
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\nJack and Jasper’s advice around delivering a seamless check-in
\n•\tFollow directions yourself to confirm clarity
\n•\tFilm yourself en route to Airbnb
\n•\tProvide pictures of entry door, etc.
\n•\tSet up meeting place if property is difficult to find
\n•\tStay in contact with guests through messaging platform
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\nConnect with Jack
\nCoracle Cove Website
\nJack’s Airbnb Listing
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\nResources
\nFlipKey
\nHomeAway
\nTripAdvisor
\nAviva IQ
\nHostfully Partnership
\nHostfully Host Program
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\nConnect with Jasper
\nEmail: jasper@getpaidforyourpad.com
\nTwitter: @GetPaidForUrPad
\nInstagram: @GetPaidForYourPad
\nFacebook: www.facebook.com/getpaidforyourpad
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","author_name":"Freewyld Foundry"}