{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/5afc793a028014b853c89db4/68d5c606136216b12f63757e?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Rev Up: Why Booking.com Belongs in Your Channel Mix (Now)","description":"<p><strong>Get your free Revenue Report (hand-done by our team) → </strong><a href=\"https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/get-started\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/get-started</strong></a></p><p><br></p><p>Airbnb-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.</p><p><br></p><h2>What you’ll learn</h2><ul><li>Why Booking.com’s <strong>1–10 rating system</strong> cushions revenue impact from the occasional meh review</li><li>How the <strong>merchant model</strong> solves the old chargeback headache</li><li>The <strong>Genius program</strong>: why hitting 3 reviews fast matters and how to unlock the badge-driven conversion lift</li><li><strong>Mobile-only rates, preferred program, and visible promos</strong> that act like hotel-grade conversion boosters</li><li>The truth about <strong>price parity</strong> (and why a <strong>15–25% Booking.com markup</strong> is a sane default)</li><li>Onboarding playbook: the <strong>first 30–60 days</strong> to momentum without nuking your other channels</li><li>Listing optimization: how to use the <strong>Property Page Score</strong> to hit 100% and earn visibility</li></ul><p><br></p><h2>Quick hits / Takeaways</h2><ul><li>Airbnb’s binary review culture can <strong>tank a listing</strong> with a few 4⭐ reviews; BDC’s 1–10 keeps you alive and converting.</li><li>Use <strong>Genius + 10% mobile</strong> early to win visibility; once unlocked, <strong>apply a markup</strong> so discounts don’t undercut your floor.</li><li>Expect <strong>imperfect parity</strong>—that’s normal on BDC. The game is markup + visible, conversion-driving discounts.</li><li>Get to <strong>three reviews</strong> fast (follow up with guests; incentives ok) → unlock Genius → watch conversion rise.</li><li>Treat BDC like a <strong>hotel channel</strong>: rate plans, visible offers, and merchandising matter more than on Airbnb.</li></ul><h2><br></h2><h2>Links &amp; resources</h2><ul><li>👉 <strong>Free Revenue Report (for $1M+ STR portfolios):</strong> <a href=\"https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/get-started\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/get-started</a></li><li>VRMA Las Vegas — catch our 90-minute Pricing Power workshop &amp; come say hi at booth #1118</li></ul><p><br></p>","author_name":"Freewyld Foundry"}