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Guiding vacation rental hosts with savvy strategies, insights, and action steps to increase bookings from guests they love to host.

Hey there! Happy January!

Let's talk trust.

Here’s the deal, Reader, in 2025, your future guests are overwhelmed with options. On listing sites, they are scrolling through properties faster than Taylor Swift can write a breakup song (fingers crossed for her and Travis, though). They are bombarded with even more choices if they search social media or Google for options.

Once they find your listing or website, you have a few seconds to get their attention. If you've done the work, then everything is on point - your photos POP, the amenities are just what they are looking for, and the price point is perfect for you and them.

They've narrowed their stay to 2-3 final options, and yours is one of them. Yippee!

But you are still only one of a handful of choices. So, how can you ensure you are THE CHOICE?

IMO, one of the best ways to ensure they click the "book" button is to show them the "you" behind your brand.

I 100% believe that creating a standout vacation rental isn't just about creating a fantastic experience, having beautiful photos, well-appointed amenities or more competitive rates—it’s about building trust and connections through your brand story and message.

People NEED to trust who they do business with. You trust people that you like. And you like people (and companies) who are genuine, who have a personality, values, and a life and a story you can relate to.

How do you build the "like, know and trust factor"?

Take every opportunity you can to share the YOU behind your brand.

Here's a few examples you can use in your listing description, website and social media.

• In your listing description, share that you give to the local beach cleanup, band boosters or volunteer fire department.
• Share photos of your dogs, kids or grandkids enjoying the property (and in the caption, let them know this is your family (take pics of the kids from behind if privacy is an issue.) I had a client whose puppy was "hidden" in half of her professional listing photos. So cute!
• Share heartfelt, personal guest reviews within the body of your listing description.
• Use your website's about page or host profile page to tell your "why story" share your values or introduce your family or team.
• Introduce yourself on social media every quarter, and pin the post to the top so it can be found easily. (bonus points for creating a video)
• Personalize your blog with stories about you and your family enjoying local hot spots.

If you need ideas that work for you, feel free to reach out for a free chat with me, and we can talk about creating a brand message, story, and values that showcase you as the host with the most!

So you aren't just A choice; you are THE choice.

Happy hosting,

👋🏻 Jodi

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In this issue: ​

Toolbox About Page/Brand Message Blueprint Free Book Direct Day Toolkit Education Savvy Hosts' Podcast - Build A Heart Centered Brand Vacation Rental Blog - Optimize Your Social Media Upcoming Event! 2025 STR Virtual Summit For Women! Industry Insights Podcast Episode with Jenn Boyles Client Spotlight Avanti Vacations Website Launch Favorites My Mexican hot chocolate recipe!

Top Tools For Savvy Hosts!

Build Trust With The About Page
& Brand Message Blueprint

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Designed to help vacation rental hosts and hospitality professionals craft an engaging, professional, and guest-focused brand message for their About page, host profile and guest communications. With this step-by-step guide, copy prompts and examples from my clients, you'll create a brand message highlighting your unique story, mission and values to develop trust and connections with future guests that drive bookings. Get The Guide →

Don't Miss!

Bring On More Direct Bookings:
Book Direct Day Is Feb 5th!

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Book Direct Day Resources & Social Media Templates! Coming up on Wednesday, February 5th, Book Direct Day is a day to educate future guests on why they should choose to book direct rather than through an OTA. With tons of ideas, social media graphics, email templates, press release template, and ChatGPT prompt to educate your followers. Use these templates leading up to and on Book Direct Day with specials and other offers. (and all year long!) Get it for free in the Savvy Hosts' Hub! Grab Your Book Direct Day Toolkit

From Me To You: Marketing & Branding Tips

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Savvy Hosts' Roadmap Podcast: Values Matter, Building A Heart Centered Vacation Rental Brand This is one of my first podcast episodes and one of my most downloaded. Give it a listen, and figure out your brand values, add them to your website and host profile. ​ LISTEN

Vacation Rental Marketing Blog: How To Optimize Your Social Media For Vacation Rental Marketing Every season (or at least once a year), you should look at your social media from your followers' perspective Check out this blog post to help guide you through the changes you should make on Facebook and Instagram. READ

CLIENT SPOTLIGHT

Avanti Vacation

View The Website

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After working together in my Vacation Rental Marketing School group coaching program last spring, Katrina decided she needed an elevated website to showcase her beautiful properties in Pensacola and New Orleans. Her website includes an area guide and blogs to share her recommendations and a fun Google Map lead magnet for her newsletter list. I love the beach and LOVE New Orleans, and I can't wait to visit one of her rentals.

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Are You Ready to elevate your brand and website?
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​Let's Chat!​

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Industry Insights

Podcast Episode: Unlock the Power of Your Vacation Rental Website

Do you know Jenn? I call her the other JB and that's what she calls me! Last week, she had me as a guest, sharing my insights and experience on the Direct Booking Success Podcast. In this episode, I share my tips for creating a compelling digital front door (website) that appeals to your guest avatar, builds trust and creates FOMO. This episode will help you if you already have a website and want to optimize it or if you are plan to build a website soon and want to make sure you are doing it right!

Listen Here →

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TODAY'S ISSUE SPONSORED BY: 2025 STR Virtual Summit For Women

One of the BEST events I participated in last year was the STR Virtual Summit For Women, hosted by Stacey St. John. Join this fantastic, 3-day event and watch workshops by industry leaders like Julie George, Tyann Marcink Hammond, Natalie Palmer, Avery Carl, Stacey St. John, Jenn Boyles, (yours truly...) and many others!

Last year's event was packed with so much info, and the networking at the event was like no other online or in-person event I've attended.

And here’s the BEST part: right now you can save —$100 off your summit ticket. Plus, you’ll have two full weeks after the event to watch session replays.

FYI - my session, Direct Booking Domination: Steps to Build a Thriving Direct Booking Business, will be on Friday, Feb. 7th.

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Get Your Ticket Today! 👉🏼

STR VIRTUAL SUMMIT FOR WOMEN PS - Use my affiliate link to purchase your ticket, and you'll get FREE access to my Content Marketing Toolkit, usually $69.

JoJo's Mexican Hot Chocolate! ​

I am a connoisseur of hot cocoa! I love it in all forms, even the powder packets, but I truly love making homemade hot chocolate! This photo was taken in Taos two years ago at a yummy little breakfast place with AMAZING Mexican Hot Cocoa. I created my version of the recipe, and it is what I'm sipping this morning as I write this email. It's DELISH, if I do say so myself. If you try it, let me know what you think. Mix the first 4 ingredients in a saucepan and whisk until smooth and hot. Add baking chocolate and cream and whisk until melted. (don't boil). Add remaining ingredients except vanilla. Heat through. Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla. Top with homemade whipped cream and ground cinnamon! Makes 2 extra large mugs (or about 4 small mugs) 1/2 cups Pet milk 1/2 cups water 3 TBS unsweetened cocoa powder 3 TBS sugar 1-2 ounce dark baking chocolate or chocolate chips 1/2 cup whole cream 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp chili powder 1/4 tsp salt 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (if ya like it spicy) 2 cups whole milk 1/2 tsp Mexican Vanilla Extract (if you can find it) ​

Follow & Connect! ​ ​​​​​ ​ Listen to the Savvy Host Podcast Join The Community Get My Help! See ya Later, Alligator!

Hey there, you Savvy Host you! Lucky you, you are getting some rockin' tips, tools and advice to help you build a kick-ass vacation rental, boutique hotel or glamping business. You've received this email because you signed up for one of my freebies, like the Perfect Guest Avatar Toolkit or Book Direct Roadmap, this fabulous newsletter or maybe we’ve worked together in the past. Either way, it’s great to have you here! But if you’re ready to make like Willie and get back on the road again, you can hit that unsubscribe button below. But really, why would you? I’ve got everything you need to help you build a professional vacation rental brand and increase bookings from guests you love to host - plus, Jolene, Oscar, and I love having you here!

I'd love to know more about what kind of help you are looking for.... hit reply and tell me more about what you would love to see in my newsletters, blogs, podcasts or social media.