Ep 176: From 5 arbitrage units in March 2020 to their STR mentorship program: Interview with The KarWells
Release Date: 06/11/2024
EP 198: Stop selling your amenities. Do THIS instead!
Branded & Booked
Are you relying on your amenities to book your short-term rental? Saying “We have a hot tub” or “We have a sauna” is fine—but it won’t set you apart in a crowded market. (Trust me, there’s a better way!) In this episode, we’re talking about how to move beyond a basic amenities list and: ✔️ Create a branded guest experience that makes your rental unforgettable ✔️ Sell the story of your stay so guests feel emotionally connected before they even book ✔️ Use simple, strategic tweaks to increase demand and justify premium pricing The goal? To make your rental the...
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EP 197: Social Media Marketing for STRs
Branded & Booked
If you own a short-term rental (STR), you’ve probably wondered: Do I need an Instagram account for my property? Is social media even worth it? In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly how to approach social media marketing for your STR—without wasting time or energy. Here’s what I cover: Why choosing one platform first is key (and which one to start with) The surprising reason email marketing is actually more important than social media How to increase direct bookings (and rely less on Airbnb/VRBO) Whether or not your STR needs its own Instagram account If you’ve been struggling...
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EP 196: Direct Booking Secrets: Breadcrumbs for Your Airbnb Listing
Branded & Booked
Branding. Marketing. Direct bookings. If you’ve ever wanted to rely less on platforms like Airbnb or VRBO and take full control of your short-term rental business, this episode is for you. We’re diving into practical, no-fluff strategies to help you stand out, attract more direct bookings, and create a guest experience that leaves people raving (and returning). From branding tips that position you as the go-to host to marketing secrets that feel authentic and effective, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you: Create an epic guest experience. Handle less-than-stellar...
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EP 195: Strategies to Increase Your Bookings During Slow Periods
Branded & Booked
Whether it's seasonal, economical, or due to shifts in the market, slow seasons will happen. But this doesn't have to mean slashing your prices to get bookings... In this episode, we’re talking about practical, no-fluff strategies to bring in guests, even when business feels quiet. From smart marketing moves to creative ways to reconnect with past clients, I’ll show you how to attract more customers without discounting your value. If you’re ready to make slow months work for your business (instead of against it), hit play now! Make sure to tag me when you listen so we can connect! ...
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EP 194: Welcome to Branded & Booked!
Branded & Booked
Welcome to the very first episode of Branded & Booked! In case you’re new here: I’m your host Steph Weber, branding and marketing expert helping short-term rental and boutique hotel owners create unforgettable guest experiences. In this episode, you’ll hear what’s in store for Branded & Booked—from actionable branding and marketing strategies to stories that will inspire you to elevate your property and keep it consistently booked. Whether you’re a seasoned host or just starting out, this is your go-to podcast for standing out in a crowded market and turning your short-term...
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EP 193: 2024 The Good The Hard and What’s Coming Next
Branded & Booked
As the year comes to a close, I’m reflecting on 2024—the good, the hard, and everything in between. This year, I can truly say I've leaned into messy, uncomfortablt action and just let things flow. It wasn’t perfect (far from it!), but through the chaos, I gained something monumental: a level of freedom I’ve never felt before. In this episode, I’m sharing what it really looked like to step into this freedom, how I learned to operate my business in alignment with my life, and what it means to me to be a more present mom while still serving my audience in the best way possible. I’ve...
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EP 192: 2025 Predictions for STR
Branded & Booked
In this episode, I’m diving into my biggest STR predictions for 2025 and sharing practical ways to apply them to your business right now. You’ll learn about the 3 C’s of marketing and why they’re more important than ever in building trust, engaging your audience, and driving results. And finally, I’ll explain how reducing your reliance on third-party platforms can increase profits, deepen customer relationships, and set you up for long-term success. Enjoy the episode, and don’t forget to tag me when you listen so we can connect! Steph on Instagram: and And don’t forget: ...
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EP 191: Long-Term vs Short-Term Rental with Ryan Rominger
Branded & Booked
In this episode, I sit down with Ryan Rominger, the owner of Intrigue Property Management. Ryan shares his journey from California to Indianapolis and explains why the City of Indy has become such an attractive market for real estate investors. With over 400 properties under management, he breaks down the benefits of long-term rental investments and the stability they offer, especially in comparison to pricier markets like California. Ryan also gives an honest look at the challenges of property management, from managing tenant expectations to dealing with legal issues. And the best...
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EP 190: You’re missing THIS in your STR design & guest experience - Interview with Harshad and Ishita Lalan
Branded & Booked
Building wealth with real estate often starts with a small idea and grows into something much bigger. Harshad and Ishita’s journey began with renting out their basement, which led to renting out a room in their home—and before they knew it, they were covering their mortgage with rental income. But when it comes to short-term rentals, it’s about more than just a place to stay—it’s about creating unforgettable experiences. That’s why I’m so excited to have Harshad and Ishita on the show. These two entrepreneurs are shaking things up in the short-term rental space by putting design...
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EP 189: Simplifying Direct Bookings with Gil Chan of Crafted Stays
Branded & Booked
If you’re a host wanting to gain control over your bookings, this episode is a must! , founder of , shares how he helps hosts build high-converting direct booking sites in minutes—without all the tech headaches.. After his own struggles with WordPress, Gil designed Crafted Stays to be user-friendly, with awesome templates that integrate directly with PMS tools (like Hospitable and Reshostaway). Click play to learn how you can create a direct booking site that performs well in search engines, so you can reduce dependency on OTAs! Listen in, and we'd love for you to tag us and . Join...
info_outlineThey started their business during the pandemic and went ALL IN.
Sarah & Emily, better known as The KarWells, are best friends & business partners who have a mission to build the life of their dreams through short-term rental investments & educate others along the way.
Over the past 5 years, they’ve dabbled in all different avenues in this industry (design, arbitrage, invested, etc.) and have made plenty of mistakes that they want to help others avoid.
Their desire for community has been the key driver behind their social media presence & they continue to prioritize that as an emphasis of their business. They are two small-town girls who didn't have a blueprint of how to build a business and are determined to show others that if they can build their dream life, they can too.
In this episode, you’ll learn the mistakes they wish they knew sooner and ways to get into the short-term rental industry without purchasing.
For STR branding and marketing LIVE trainings, join my free Facebook Group >>HERE.