EP 219: How We Drove $40K in Direct Bookings for Tremont Lodge Using an Integrated Marketing Strategy
Branded & Booked
In this bite-sized solo episode, I’m breaking down the insane results we’ve helped our client, Tremont Lodge, achieve since partnering in spring 2025. From stock photos and low engagement to over $40,000 in tracked direct bookings, you’ll hear exactly how an integrated marketing strategy — blending social media, email, influencer collaborations, and automation — completely transformed their results. I’ll walk you through the story from the very beginning: where Tremont was when they came to us, the first steps we took to revamp their brand presence, and how each piece of the...
info_outline
EP 218: How Strategy-Driven Interiors Are Winning in Today’s STR Market with Jordan from Somerled Designs
Branded & Booked
Three years ago, it was enough for your Airbnb to have cute décor and a decent location. Today? The game has changed. In this episode, Steph sits down with Jordan, co-founder of Somerled Designs, to talk about what it really takes to compete in the 2025 short-term rental market. You’ll learn how Somerled has scaled from a college-friend side hustle to 50+ design projects per month, why they pair market research with creative interiors, and how their signature approach—“where strategy meets design”—helps investors turn underperforming listings into high-return assets. Whether...
info_outline
Ep 217: What 5 STR Owners Changed in Their Marketing—And the Direct Booking Results They Saw
Branded & Booked
You don’t have to stay stuck on the OTA hamster wheel. 👏 In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on real short-term rental owners who decided enough was enough—and took control of their marketing. You’ll hear from five amazing hosts who implemented the exact strategies I teach inside and saw direct booking results they didn’t think were possible: ✨ Kathleen in the Poconos, who clarified her guest avatar (big groups celebrating milestones) and used content pillars to launch a direct booking site. ✨ April in Lake Tahoe, who leaned into lifestyle photography and a...
info_outline
EP 216: Are direct bookings just a trend?
Branded & Booked
Don’t forget — kicks off today (Sept 23–25)! It’s a free 3-day workshop where I’ll walk you through how to rely less on OTAs and build a marketing system that works. Save your seat (or catch the replays if you can’t make it live). 👉 Are direct bookings just a trend… or the future of your short-term rental business? In this episode of Branded and Booked, I’m diving into one of the most important conversations I’ve had with STR hosts over the last two years: should you go all in on a direct booking strategy, and if so, when? Airbnb isn’t going anywhere, but the...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outlineDon’t forget — STR Marketing Simplified kicks off today (Sept 23–25)! It’s a free 3-day workshop where I’ll walk you through how to rely less on OTAs and build a marketing system that works. Save your seat here (or catch the replays if you can’t make it live).
Are direct bookings just a trend… or the future of your short-term rental business?
In this episode of Branded and Booked, I’m diving into one of the most important conversations I’ve had with STR hosts over the last two years: should you go all in on a direct booking strategy, and if so, when?
Airbnb isn’t going anywhere, but the constant policy and fee changes remind us that we don’t own that platform. What we can own is our brand, our guest relationships, and a marketing strategy that brings in more control and more revenue.
Here’s what I cover in this episode:
-
Why direct bookings aren’t just a passing trend
-
The shift I’m seeing with Airbnb policies in 2025 and how it impacts us as hosts
-
When to start your direct booking strategy (hint: the best time is today)
-
The key marketing levers that actually move the needle — SEO, email marketing, and yes, social media when it makes sense
-
Real-life examples of how I’ve approached direct bookings with my own properties
This conversation is packed with clarity and action steps so you can move forward with confidence.
Resources & Links:
-
Reserve your spot in the STR Marketing Simplified Workshop (Sept 23–25) → Register here!
-
Follow me on Instagram for more tips and behind-the-scenes: @theweberco
-
If you enjoyed this episode, leave a quick review and share your favorite takeaway!
I can’t wait to see you inside!