Short Term Rental Secrets Podcast

Most people screw up VA hiring, not because they pick the wrong person… …but because they don’t have a system. In this training, Mike and Chris break down the 3 proven models for hiring virtual assistants. Agency, recruiter, and self-hire. Plus the crucial 4R framework you need before bringing anyone on. Whether you’ve got 5 properties or 100+, this is the training that saves you from wasted money, broken systems, and constant turnover. What you’ll learn: • The 3 types of VA hiring models (and when to use each) • The biggest reason your VA won’t work out (it’s not what you think) • How to build a talent pipeline that scales with your portfolio • When to hire for skills vs culture fit • Bonus: Where to find agency + recruiting referrals we actually trust _ Want to get the FREE VA Contract and 4R Doc? Just click the link to our Instagram below and send 'Contract' https://ig.me/m/mike.sjogren?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Captivate&utm_campaign=T013&utm_content=Contract [https://ig.me/m/mike.sjogren?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Captivate&utm_campaign=T013&utm_content=Contract] 00:00 – Hiring Roadmap: Breaking Down the VA Models 02:00 – Agency Model Explained: Training Wheels for Scaling Leaders 05:00 – Recruiting Model: Upfront Investment, Long-Term Efficiency 08:30 – Self-Hiring Secrets: Full Control, High Risk, High Reward 11:00 – Referral Power: Leveraging A-Players to Source Talent 13:30 – Cultural Pitfalls: The Hidden Risk in Team Referrals 16:00 – Specialty Roles: Revenue Management vs. Marketing VAs 19:00 – Creating Execution Frameworks for Social & Brand Marketing 22:00 – Revenue Management Mastery: Metrics, Mindset, and Misconceptions 25:00 – Bonus Resource: Contract Templates & Legal Protections for VA Hiring Get FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings: https://group.strsecrets.com [https://group.strsecrets.com]

Most people aren’t missing strategy. They’re missing decision. In this episode, Mike and Emanuele break down the 5 mindset philosophies that transformed their lives... ...from escaping burnout and W2 jobs to building multi-million-dollar businesses and raising families with time freedom. If you feel like you keep “trying” but never break through, this episode will call you out... ...and pull you forward. What you’ll learn: * The most powerful reframe for taking back control of your life * Why saying “I’ll try” guarantees failure * How to train your decision-making muscle daily * The “day one” philosophy that separates top performers from the rest * A no-fluff breakdown of time vs. money thinking (and how to escape the trap) Ready to finally commit? This is your line in the sand. 00:00 - Uncovering Transformational Beliefs that Redefined Success 04:00 - Embracing Radical Ownership: Life Happens *For* You 09:35 - Unlocking Growth Through the Day One Philosophy 14:30 - The 4 Powerful Stages of Skill Development 18:20 - Tactical Time vs Money: Rewriting Productivity Rules 22:00 - Designing a $20K Month in 5 Hours: The Value-Driven Hustle 26:30 - Eliminating Excuses: Breakthrough Decisions that Shape Destiny 31:10 - The Critical Power of Fast Decision-Making 33:00 - Rethinking Reality: Story, Meaning & Inner Peace 35:00 - Final Challenge: Cut the Dirty Yes, Choose Powerfully Get FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings: https://group.strsecrets.com

Your property is great. So why are guests still leaving 4 stars? In this episode, Mike breaks down the 7 most common mistakes that silently ruin guest experiences and the reviews that follow. These aren’t theories. They’re field-tested lessons from 1,200+ reviews, across 28 properties, and over 5 years of hosting. You’ll learn: * Why nickel-and-diming your guests kills conversion * The #1 amenity guests expect (but almost no one provides) * How to stop losing stars from poor messaging and over-automation * Why Photoshop and misleading listings backfire (fast) * The deep clean schedule every top host follows * How to protect margins while leveling up experience * The review-killer most hosts don’t realize they’re doing If you’re stuck at 4.8 and can’t crack 4.95+, this is your fix. 05:00 – Algorithm Boost: How Amenities and Photography Drive Ranking 06:00 – Lightning Response: The Profit Power of Immediate Communication 08:00 – Misleading Listings: The Hidden Cost of Photoshop and Fluffed Locations 11:00 – Guest-Friendly Pricing: Stop Nickel-and-Diming for Add-Ons 13:00 – Annual Investment Rule: Keeping Properties Fresh and 5-Star Worthy 15:00 – The Upgrade Clause: Property Improvement Plans That Scale Value 17:00 – The Cleanliness Factor: Deep Cleaning Every Quarter Pays Dividends 19:00 – Messaging Mistakes: Why Over-Communication Kills Guest Experience 21:00 – Final Recap: 7 Things Hosts Do That Secretly Cost Them Reviews Get FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings: https://group.strsecrets.com

THE STR GAME HAS CHANGED AND THE DATA PROVES IT. AirDNA’s Chief Economist Jamie Lane joins the show to break down what’s actually happening behind the scenes in the short-term rental market... ...and why most hosts are missing the shift. Inside this episode: * The real story behind occupancy, rates, and guest demand in 2024 * Why “big box” managers are losing properties fast * The key numbers top investors are watching (and how to use them) * How AirDNA’s new tools are reshaping STR deal analysis * The warning signs for hosts scaling past 50 units and what breaks first * Why small, well-managed portfolios are quietly outperforming everyone You’ll also hear how Jamie’s team is using AI and custom comps to bring never-before-seen clarity to STR investing... ...and what you can do to stay ahead. Listen now to future-proof your portfolio before the data leaves you behind. 03:30 – Supply Shock: Why New STR Listings Are Surging Nationwide 07:00 – Booking Behavior: How Travelers Are Changing Their Habits 10:00 – Revenue Realities: The Decline in ADR and Occupancy Rates 13:30 – Market Saturation: Top Cities Facing Over-Supply Pressures 17:00 – Strategic Advantage: How to Win in Competitive Markets 21:00 – Data-Backed Decisions: Using AirDNA to Stay Ahead 24:00 – The Investor Shift: From Arbitrage to Ownership Models 27:00 – Resilience & Risk: Preparing for Softening Demand Cycles 30:00 – Long-Term Outlook: What Smart Operators Are Doing Next Guest Bio: Jamie Lane is Vice President of Research for AirDNA, a short-term rental data & analytics company. He is responsible for data analysis, thought leadership, and leveraging advanced analytical techniques to provide new insights into short-term rental supply, demand, and pricing trends. He has been published in academic and professional journals and regularly speaks at lodging industry forums. Prior to AirDNA, Jamie spent 10 years as an economist at CBRE, leading research, forecasting and data intelligence teams to support client analysis. Mr. Lane is an active member of the National Association of Business Economists and the Atlanta Economics Club. Jamie holds a B.S. in Economics from the University of Georgia and an M.S. in Business Economics from Georgia State University. Guest Link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiehlane Get FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings: https://group.strsecrets.com

DIVORCED, BROKE… THEN SHE BUILT A 105-UNIT STR BUSINESS. Ashley Freeman wasn’t supposed to be here. Divorced, struggling to make ends meet as a tennis pro. She took a chance on Airbnb with her farmhouse. Now she manages over 105 units, leads a team of 25…… and lives a life most people only dream about. In this powerful episode, Ashley reveals: * How a side hustle became a 7-figure business * The mindset shifts that changed everything * Why systems + a strong team scaled her from 4 to 100+ properties * How she created a 5-star guest experience that owners can’t stop raving about * The identity shift required to step into true leadership Success doesn’t happen overnight. It happens when you refuse to quit. Listen now and see how Ashley built an empire… …one step, one belief, and one property at a time. 03:30 – From Rock Bottom to Rising Entrepreneur: Ashley’s Journey 07:00 – Faith, Grit, and Overcoming Self-Doubt in Business 10:00 – Rebuilding Self-Image: How Belief Rewires Success 13:30 – Tactical Scaling: Systems, Team Building, and Leadership Lessons 17:00 – Secrets to Sustainable Growth: Mindset, Service, and Strategy 20:30 – Life by Design: Building Freedom Through STR Success 24:00 – Living the Dream: Redneck Ranch, Soccer Travels, and Family First Guest Bio: Ashley Freeman is a 7-figure short-term rental expert who transformed her life through the power of short-term rentals. Starting with just one property, she scaled her business to 105 properties in under three years, growing from less than $50,000 in her first year to $2 million annually by year three, with the support and mentorship of STR Secrets and Conway Consulting. Passionate about serving others, Ashley is dedicated to helping people find the same freedom and life-changing opportunities that the short-term rental business gave her. Guest Link: https://www.instagram.com/velvet_ditch_villas Get FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings: https://group.strsecrets.com