EP 205: Cabins on the Cumberland Update: Financing, Partnerships, and Lessons Learned
Branded & Booked
In this episode of Branded and Booked, I’m pulling back the curtain on our biggest project to date—Cabins on the Cumberland. I’ve been getting two questions over and over again: 1️⃣ “What would you do differently?” 2️⃣ “Would you ever do this again?” Spoiler alert: Yes, I would. But there are definitely things I’d change next time. I’m walking you through: The origin story of how this nine-acre riverfront development came to life (yes, it started with a Facebook post from my brow girl) The deal structure, bank process, and why we chose partners over raising...
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EP 204: Why Influencer Marketing Still Works—But Only If You Do It Right
Branded & Booked
Why Influencer Marketing Still Works—But Only If You Do It Right Influencer marketing isn’t dead—it’s just misunderstood. In this episode, you’ll get the 411 on what’s working (and what’s not) when it comes to influencer strategy for boutique hotels, short-term rentals, and hospitality brands. You’ll also hear behind-the-scenes stories from recent campaigns (including one that turned a $0 stay into $7,000 in bookings), red flags to watch for, and the mindset shift owners need to make before diving in. If you’ve been burned by bad influencer experiences or feel overwhelmed by...
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EP 203: 50% Direct Bookings with Zero Paid Ads? Here's the Strategy
Branded & Booked
This week on Branded and Booked, I’m sharing how (our micro-resort) brought in 50% direct bookings in May—and the exact strategy behind it. Even while the property is still under construction, we created a marketing plan powered by storytelling, strategy, and a whole lot of intention. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why content is just one part of a bigger marketing picture How pairing SEO with storytelling builds long-term visibility The 3 C’s of marketing you need to revisit ASAP What to offer instead of a basic newsletter to grow your list Why collecting phone numbers...
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EP 202: Is Airbnb Trying to Prevent Direct Bookings?
Branded & Booked
Airbnb’s latest updates aren’t just platform tweaks—they’re a strategic move to keep hosts (and their guests) locked into Airbnb. From limiting outside links in communication to discouraging direct bookings, these changes could seriously impact how you grow YOUR business, build guest relationships, and maintain control over your brand. In this episode, I’m breaking down what the changes mean, why they’re a potential threat to independent hosts, and most importantly, how to stay in control of your brand, your business, and your bookings. Whether you’re new to hosting or own...
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EP 201: Don’t Take My Word for It: STR Marketing Bootcamp Success Stories
Branded & Booked
In today’s episode of Branded & Booked, I’m handing the mic to three incredible short-term rental business owners who went through my last round of STR Marketing Bootcamp—April, Cathleen, and Jess. Each of them has a different business model, different challenges, and different results, and you’ll hear firsthand how this 12-week live coaching program helped them build a powerful brand and marketing system that leads to more direct bookings and increased guest loyalty. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✔️ Why relying only on OTAs (Airbnb, Vrbo) limits your business growth...
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EP 200: STR Marketing Simplified All About Your Brand Strategy
Branded & Booked
Be honest: Have you ever said “Oh, I own an Airbnb,” when asked what you do? Now imagine the difference between that and saying something like “I run a short-term destination for young couples.”. The difference? Branding. In this episode, we dive into what makes an Airbnb (or any business) go from just another option to a must-experience destination. Because let’s be real—every industry is saturated, and standing out isn’t about being the best; it’s about creating a feeling that guests fall in love with. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✨ How to turn your Airbnb into a...
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199: BTS of The Asheville Affair
Branded & Booked
Some short-term rentals offer a place to stay, but some create an unforgettable experience… The Asheville Affair offers a trip guests will never forget. In this episode, we’re taking you behind the scenes of how we designed, branded, and launched a short-term rental built for bachelor and bachelorette groups—and how you can apply these strategies to make your own rental stand out. You’ll learn: ✔️ The strategy behind designing a space that stays booked (it’s more than just good decor) ✔️ How we crafted an experience-first brand that attracts high-value guests ✔️ Key...
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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...
info_outlineWelcome 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 rental into a brand guests can’t wait to book.
Hit play and get ready to create rave-worthy experiences!
Thank you for being part of this journey. Enjoy this FIRST episode of 2025, and make sure to tag me when you listen so we can connect!
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Steph on Instagram: @theweberco and @hostedbythewebers
And don’t forget:
- Join our Free Community: >>HERE.