Thanks For Visiting

516. Hosting Hotline: Airbnb Promotions: Visibility Tool or Discount Trap?

When should you actually use Airbnb promotions—and are they really just discounts in disguise? In this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and Annette clear up the confusion around Airbnb’s promotion tools and explain how to use them strategically to boost visibility, not slash profits. They cover: * How Airbnb really calculates your “discount” (hint: it’s not off your nightly rate) * Why promotions should be treated as a visibility lever, not a crutch * When to activate a promo to surface higher in search * The key data you must track—booking window, market demand, and median rates * Why a 5–10% promotion can sometimes outperform a massive markdown If you’ve ever wondered whether Airbnb promotions actually work, this episode will teach you how to use them to your advantage without undercutting your value. Resources mentioned: Airbnb Help Article [https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/2721?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Lodgify [https://www.lodgify.com/] — Create your direct booking website and connect your Airbnb listings (use code TFE20 for 20% off annual or biannual plans) Mentioned in this episode: Lodgify | Use code TFV20 [https://thanksforvisiting.captivate.fm/lodgify]

515. How to Copy Our Guest Marketing Emails (and Actually Hit Send)

If you’ve been collecting guest emails for years but never actually sent one—this episode is for you. Sarah and Annette are walking you through five repeatable guest email ideas to help you stay connected with past guests, strengthen loyalty, and drive more direct bookings—all without sounding pushy or salesy. From newsletters to new-amenity announcements, you’ll learn how to keep your property top of mind and build a marketing system that runs year-round. You’ll Learn: * Why your email list is one of your most valuable business assets * How to reintroduce yourself and your property with every email * The five guest email types you can send over and over again * How to use these ideas across social media and your website for extra mileage * Why consistent communication builds trust (and more repeat stays) Resources mentioned: Lodgify: [https://www.lodgify.com/] Build a direct booking website with no tech stress — use code TFE20 for 20% off annual or biannual plans Mentioned in this episode:  Avalara | Book a demo to save $100 [https://thanksforvisiting.captivate.fm/https-www-avalaracom-mylodgetax-en-indexhtml] Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you! [https://thanksforvisiting.captivate.fm/minoan]

514. Hosting Hotline: What to Do When Airbnb Suspends Your Listing (and Won’t Tell You Why)

This Hosting Hotline question comes from Renee, a Superhost in Tucson, Arizona, who found herself in an incredibly frustrating situation: after purchasing a new property, Airbnb deactivated the listing—citing “violations” she couldn’t see and refusing to explain why. In this episode, Sarah and Annette unpack what to do if this ever happens to you. They’ll walk through practical next steps for appealing the decision, plus the smart moves every host should make before a problem like this arises. Here’s what they cover: * How to navigate Airbnb’s opaque appeal process (and what might actually move the needle) * Why violations often follow the property address—not the owner * How AI and private feedback now influence listing reviews behind the scenes * Why diversifying beyond Airbnb is no longer optional * Steps to build your direct booking presence and safeguard your income If you’ve ever wondered how much control Airbnb really has over your business, this episode is your wake-up call. Mentioned in this episode: Lodgify | Use code TFV20 [https://thanksforvisiting.captivate.fm/lodgify]

513. Why Per-Guest Fees Are Killing Your Conversion Rate

Think charging extra per guest is helping you make more money? Think again. In this episode, Sarah and Annette reveal how per-guest pricing could actually be hurting your short-term rental business—and why it’s one of the most common (and costly) settings hosts overlook. They’ll break down: * Why Airbnb’s new “all-in” pricing model makes per-guest fees confusing and expensive for guests * How hidden fees tank your conversion rate without you realizing it * A smarter alternative that keeps your pricing clear and competitive * How to create “parent” and “child” listings that attract different guest groups—without friction If you’ve been wondering why your bookings have slowed down lately, this episode might reveal the small tweak that makes a big difference. Mentioned in this episode: Lodgify [https://www.lodgify.com/]: Use code TFE20 for 20% off annual or biannual plans Mentioned in this episode: Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you! [https://thanksforvisiting.captivate.fm/minoan]  Avalara | Book a demo to save $100 [https://thanksforvisiting.captivate.fm/https-www-avalaracom-mylodgetax-en-indexhtml]

512. Hosting Hotline: Are You Charging Enough? Pricing Strategies Every Host Should Know

If your guests keep telling you your place is too cheap, this episode is for you. This week on the Hosting Hotline, Sarah is joined by COO and revenue management expert Colleen Prochaska to unpack one of the trickiest parts of hosting—pricing your short-term rental. They break down: * How to know if your property is truly “doing well” (spoiler: five-star reviews don’t pay the bills) * The difference between feeling successful and being profitable * How to use dynamic pricing tools like PriceLabs the right way * Why pricing is never “set it and forget it,” and how to make data-driven tweaks that keep you ahead of the market Whether you’re new to hosting or a seasoned pro, this conversation will help you rethink your pricing strategy so you can stop leaving money on the table and start running your property like a real business. Tune in to learn how to confidently charge what your space is worth. Resources mentioned: PriceLabs [https://hello.pricelabs.co/] – Dynamic pricing software that automatically adjusts your rates based on real-time demand. Mentioned in this episode: Lodgify | Use code TFV20 [https://thanksforvisiting.captivate.fm/lodgify]