EP 215: The 3 C’s of Social Media Strategy for Short-Term Rentals
Branded & Booked
If you’ve ever wondered how to make social media actually work for your short-term rental, boutique hotel, or micro resort—this episode is for you. I'm breaking down my 3 C’s of Marketing on Social Media Strategy that I've been teaching since 2020. These tried-and-true pillars have helped businesses across industries grow their brands, book more clients, and build genuine connections. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to develop a content strategy rooted in your brand stories and guest experience. Why conversations (and engagement funnels like ManyChat) are essential to boost...
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EP 214: Mistakes STR Owners make with marketing
Branded & Booked
Are you running yourself ragged trying to market your short-term rentals… and still not seeing results? You’re not alone. In today’s episode of Branded and Booked, I’m digging into the top two mistakes I see STR hosts make with their marketing—mistakes that cost you time, money, and bookings. Here’s what we cover: Why splitting your attention across multiple property accounts and brands is actually holding you back The difference between “spaghetti marketing” and strategy (and how to stop wasting energy) The two non-negotiables every STR owner needs in place before...
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EP 213: How to Not Lose Money with Airbnb’s New Host Fee
Branded & Booked
Airbnb just announced another major policy change — and hosts on Facebook are losing it. But here’s the truth: panicking won’t protect your business. Strategy will. In this episode, I’m breaking down: ➡️ What the new Airbnb host fee structure actually means ➡️ The simple pricing adjustment we’re making right now to protect revenue ➡️ Why direct bookings must be part of your growth plan (and the exact first steps I’d take) ➡️ How email + SMS marketing is the lowest-hanging fruit you’re probably ignoring ➡️ The role social media and ads play when you’re ready...
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EP 212: How We Got 1,100 Subscribers + $5K in Bookings with ONE Email Funnel
Branded & Booked
Are you leaving thousands of dollars in bookings on the table because your website has no opt-in? In this episode of Branded and Booked, I walk you through the exact funnel we set up for Cabins on the Cumberland that grew our email list to over 1,100 potential guests—people who have never stayed with us but are now primed to book. You’ll learn: Why simply having a direct booking site isn’t enough How to use pop-ups, giveaways, and promo codes to collect guest data The 5-email sequence we use to convert subscribers into paying guests How we’ve leveraged QR codes, ads, and...
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EP 211: Personal Update: Proof You Don’t Need It All to Keep Going
Branded & Booked
A question I was asked recently stopped me in my tracks: “Steph, where does your willpower come from?” It made me reflect on my story—and here’s what I realized: you don’t need everything perfectly lined up to create the life and business you want. I didn’t have financial support for college. I didn’t have a mic for 200+ podcast episodes. I didn’t have a clear, linear path into entrepreneurship. But I showed up anyway. In this episode, I’m sharing the real side of that journey: ➡️ How my family’s financial crisis shaped the way I work and lead ➡️ What self-funding...
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EP 210: Why Your Instagram Isn’t Converting (and How to Fix It)
Branded & Booked
If you run a boutique hotel, micro resort, short-term rental, or property management company, your Instagram can lead to bookings — but only if you’re using it strategically. In this episode, I’m sharing why most hospitality brands miss the mark and exactly how to change that. We’ll cover: The one account setup mistake that instantly splits your audience (and how to fix it) Why your “pretty pictures” might actually be hurting your bookings The secret ingredient missing from most hospitality Instagram strategies A simple shift that turns passive scrollers into active...
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EP 209: Behind the Scenes of Our Co-Hosting Business (and lessons I've learned)
Branded & Booked
If you've ever wondered what co-hosting really looks like — the wins, the hard lessons, and everything in between — this is the episode for you. I'm pulling back the curtain on how we've grown our boutique co-hosting business, the boundaries we’ve had to draw, and the challenges that have shaped the way we operate today. Here’s what I cover in this episode: The difference between co-hosting and traditional property management Why slow growth with the right properties is the goal What I look for in new properties (and red flags I now avoid) The absolute hardest part of this...
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EP 208: How to Train Your Team to Think Like You (and Trust Their Gut) with Punith Upadhya
Branded & Booked
Let’s be honest—building a co-hosting business sounds easier than it is. You think: I’ve got systems, I’ve got listings…now where are the bookings? Or worse—you get the bookings and then spend your nights cleaning up after guests who clearly missed the “no parties” line in your house rules. In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with Punith Upadhya, who went from managing two properties to twelve in under six months—and not by working more, but by becoming the version of himself who could lead at that level. We’re talking about: What it really takes to grow a...
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EP 207: Why I Sold My First Short-Term Rental and What We’re Doing Next
Branded & Booked
In this special solo episode, I get personal and share a raw behind-the-scenes look at where my heart, head, and business are at right now. From influencer beginnings in 2016 to a (game-changing!) pivot into coaching and consulting in 2020, and then again into the world of short-term rentals—this episode takes you through the honest evolution of what it means to build a business and a life that’s in true alignment. I open up about: Why I walked away from chasing arbitrary revenue goals The “two-year shift” cycle that always signals a big move How selling our first STR created...
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EP 206: Systems + Ops That Give You Your Time Back with Marisa Grover
Branded & Booked
If you’re still doing everything yourself in your short-term rental business, this episode is the sign you need to stop. I sat down with Marisa Grover—a systems + operations expert for STR owners—and we’re diving deep into the exact ways you can streamline, delegate, and actually get your time back. Whether you’re overwhelmed with guest communication, hiring cleaners, or just tired of being in your inbox 24/7… this one’s for you. Inside the episode, we cover: ✅ The first systems you must have in place (even if you're just getting started) ✅ Tools and automations Marisa...
info_outlineAirbnb’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 multiple properties, this episode will help you take ownership of your short-term rental brand, so you’re not just building someone else’s platform.
What You’ll Learn:
✅ What’s changing on the Airbnb platform
✅ Why relying solely on the platform is riskier than ever
✅ How to capture your guests’ information while they’re at your property
✅ How to build a guest pipeline you actually own (hello, email list + direct booking!)
✅ The key marketing assets every STR host needs to future-proof their business
Resources Mentioned:
🔗 Read Airbnb’s Policy Updates → HERE
📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @theweberco
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