Heads In Beds Show

Using AI Search To Plan Travel Won't Hurt Direct Bookings

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul dive into the world of AI search / LLM tools and ask a key question: are these going to kill direct bookings.

Enjoy!

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BuildUp Bookings is a team of creative, problem solvers made to drive you more traffic, direct bookings and results for your accommodations brand. Reach out to us for help on search, social and email marketing for your vacation rental brand.

Winning With Google Ads In 2026 For Your Vacation Rental Business

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul give an update on the ever-changing landscape of Google Ads and how we set them up (both homeowner and guest) into 2026 to get excellent results.

Enjoy!

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The 60-Day Booking Window Is Dead - Here's What To Do About It

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul talk all about the death of the standard 60 day or 90 day booking windows and instead tell you what you need to work on inside of your vacation rental business to drive more demand and appropriately market your properties for maximum revenue and occupancy.

Enjoy!

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Events Are Huge Vacation Rental Marketing Opportunities - Do You Take Advantage?

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul break down building marketing opportunities with events. The duo specifically focuses on how to leverage landing pages, search volume trends, and other signals in your local community to take advantage of people traveling for these events. Drive more bookings with these tips.

Enjoy!

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Are You Making Real or Fake Progress With AI?

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul talk about the realities of AI slop, how you know if you’re making real progress or fake progress, being fooled by hallucinations in AI data, and a lot more!

Enjoy!

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What Is The Future Of Direct Bookings (With Arthur Colker)

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Welcome to our second-ever guest episode! We're joined by Arthur Colker to chat all things direct bookings, OTAs vs direct booking "sourcing", what percent of Airbnb listings are direct bookable and a LOT more topics.

A special thanks to Arthur for reaching out and joining us.

Enjoy!

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Here's The Problems With Vacation Rental Marketing Attribution

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul talk "All About Attribution" including how ads platforms track "bookings made", limits of pixels, how to proceed when you get conflicting data, Meta vs Google and a LOT more...

Enjoy!

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How To Run A GEO/LLM Search Audit On Your Vacation Rental Website

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul take a crack at defining what a LLM / GEO / AEO whatever ya wanna call it audit should look like.

Want a copy of the audit? Email conrad@buildupbookings.com with subject line "LLM Audit doc" and you'll get it!

Enjoy!

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Every Section You Need On Your Landing Page To Get More Homeowner Leads

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode Conrad and Paul break down ALL of the sections you need to build a killer, lead-generating machine of a homeowner landing page.

From the episode:

1. Hero The first thing a homeowner sees. A bold, benefit-driven headline, a subheadline with your USP, a compelling property photo, and a CTA (form or button). The entire job of this section is to get them to keep scrolling — or fill out the form immediately.

2. Trust Bar A slim strip of logos and proof points directly below the hero: Google rating, Airbnb/VRBO partner badges, VRMA membership, BBB, years in business, properties managed. Builds instant credibility before the homeowner has read a single word of copy.

3. Pain Point / Problem Agitation Addresses the homeowner's frustration before pitching solutions. Speaks to the stress of self-managing, the underwhelming results from big-box managers, or the fear of leaving money on the table. Creates emotional resonance and makes everything that follows feel relevant.

4. Earnings Estimator / Revenue Calculator An interactive tool where the owner enters their address or property details and gets a projected annual income range. One of the highest-converting elements on any owner page — makes the value immediately personal and tangible.

5. What Makes Us Different / USP Explains the core differentiators vs. competitors and self-managing. Boutique vs. national, local vs. generic, hands-on vs. automated. Should answer "why you specifically?" not just "why a manager?"

6. How It Works / Onboarding Process A 3–5 step visual walkthrough of what happens after a homeowner signs up — from evaluation to first booking. Reduces fear of the unknown and lowers the psychological friction of committing.

7. Full-Service Checklist / Everything Included An exhaustive breakdown of every service covered under management: dynamic pricing, professional photography, guest screening, 24/7 support, maintenance coordination, tax remittance, owner reporting, etc. Homeowners need to feel like every detail is handled.

8. Channel Distribution / Where You'll Be Listed A logo wall showing all the platforms their property will appear on — Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, direct site, Google Vacation Rentals. Reassures owners their home gets maximum market exposure.

9. Technology & Tools Showcases the software stack: PMS, dynamic pricing tool, channel manager, housekeeping platform, owner portal. Signals that you run a modern, professional operation — not a spreadsheet-based mom-and-pop.

10. Owner Portal Preview A screenshot or short UI demo of the owner dashboard. "See your bookings, earnings, and maintenance requests anytime." Transparency about visibility is one of the top concerns prospective owners have.

11. Explainer Video A 60–90 second video walking through the owner value prop — ideally featuring the founder or a real owner story. Vintory's research shows this alone can lift conversions by ~34%.

12. Owner Testimonials Full-name quotes from real homeowners, ideally with photo, property type, and location. Best if mixed between long-form narrative quotes and short punchy pull-quotes. Video testimonials are even better.

13. Owner Success Story / Case Study A single deep-dive narrative: one real owner, specific numbers, before/after comparison. "Sarah had a 2BR in Pacific Beach. Year one with us: $58,000 — 37% more than she earned solo." Makes results feel concrete and achievable.

14. Star Ratings & Review Count A standalone visual callout of your aggregate Google/Airbnb rating and review volume. Deserves its own moment rather than being buried in the trust bar.

15. Side-by-Side Comparison Table Self-managing vs. big national manager vs. you. One of the most persuasive conversion tools on the page. Directly neutralizes the "why not just list it myself?" objection with a visual, scannable answer.

16. Risk Reversals / Guarantees Placed near CTAs to eliminate commitment fear. No long-term contracts, no startup fees, satisfaction guarantee, 30-day out clause, performance guarantee — whatever you actually offer. Reduces the perceived risk of saying yes.

17. Local Market Expertise / Market Data Average nightly rates, occupancy benchmarks, peak season data, demand trends for your specific market. Positions your company as the local authority, not just a vendor. Especially powerful against national competitors.

18. About the Team / Company Story A brief, human section with founder photo and origin story. Builds emotional connection and trust — particularly important for boutique operators competing against faceless national brands.

19. FAQ / Objection Crusher An accordion of the real questions homeowners ask during the sales process: fees, personal use, damage protection, revenue reporting, how long to get started. Each answer should resolve a specific objection.

20. Press / Awards / Recognition Any local media coverage, industry awards, or "As Featured In" mentions. Even modest recognition adds a layer of legitimacy that social proof alone doesn't cover.

21. Property Types We Manage A visual grid showing the range of properties in your portfolio — condos, single-family homes, beach cottages, luxury homes. Helps different owner types self-identify and feel like you can handle their specific situation.

22. Final Lead Capture Form / CTA Section The conversion close at the bottom of the page. Mirrors the hero but with a softer, benefit-forward framing: "Discover Your Property's True Potential." Should include risk reversals nearby ("No obligation. No contracts.").

23. Sticky / Floating CTA A persistent bar or button that follows the user as they scroll — "Get Your Free Rental Estimate →". Critical on mobile where the hero form scrolls out of view almost immediately.

Enjoy!

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Here's Why Hotels Can Be Better Than Vacation Rentals

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode Conrad and Paul flip the script and break down WHY a hotel often is a better stay than a vacation rental.

Enjoy!

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Your Vacation Rental Website Traffic Is Up, But Your Bookings Are Down - Why?

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode Conrad and Paul dive into a 2026 trend: your website traffic is up, but your bookings are down - why?

Enjoy!

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AI Update: Q1 of 2026: OpenClaw, "Prompt Tracking" Useless?, Current AI Tools We're Using

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode Conrad and Paul give their regular update on AI: what tools they're using, what's changing, and how you can use it to grow and scale your vacation rental business. They talk ClawdBot (aka OpenClaw), traffic from LLMs going down month over month, prompt tracking value (it's useless?!), and what tools they're using MORE and LESS of...

Enjoy!

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Looking Back On Marketing Changes From 2020 to 2025...

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode Conrad and Paul take a (not too far back) look into memory lane and see what's changed from 2020 to 2025 in marketing, brand, the Covid boom and bust and a LOT more. A casual chat!

Enjoy!

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Direct Bookings Aren't Free... Here's How To Understand Your Marketing Costs

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode Conrad and Paul talk all about how much it actually costs to get direct bookings and scale your bookings with paid ads.

Enjoy!

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Expanding Into NEW Vacation Rental Marketing Channels In 2026? Here's How To Make It Work...

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode Conrad and Paul talk about when and how to consider expanding your marketing and advertising into new channels you may not have used before like TikTok, Pinterest, native, Digital TV ads and more...

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How To Spend: $3k, $5k or $10k In Marketing Budget For Your Vacation Rental Company (Part 2)

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode Conrad and Paul finish in part two their chat on how to best spend budget if you have between $3k and $10k a month in marketing budget.

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How To Spend: $3k, $5k or $10k In Marketing Budget For Your Vacation Rental Company (Part 1)

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode Conrad and Paul break into 2026 with a two-part podcast series on what to spend if you have between $3k and $10k a month in marketing budget. Part two next week!

Enjoy!

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ALL The Ways You Can Run Promotions For Your Vacation Rental Business

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode Conrad and Paul talk about all of the different ways you can run promos that are not just "cutting rates lower" to drive more bookings.

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Multiple Vacation Rental Markets? It's Super Hard: And Here's Why....

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode Conrad and Paul break down why targeting many markets at the same time is HARD (but not impossible) and explaining why this can be a harder path to success.

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Mobile vs Desktop Traffic Trends For 2026: Here's What To Work On

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode Conrad and Paul go back to an "old" topic that we often ignore: mobile vs desktop traffic, how the site works on mobile, data on Google Analytics conversions and more...

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Here's How To Level Up Your Marketing With JUST 4 Hours Per Week

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode Conrad goes solo on this audio-only version of a LIVE training on "The 4 Hour Vacation Rental Marketing Workweek".

Want to get the video too? Tap the link below.

Enjoy!

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Compelling Vacation Rental Marketing Messages Have Common Traits

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 07:00:00 -0500

In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, we break down a recent VRM Intel article from Conrad O'Connell talking all about messaging and what homeowners act on vs ignore.

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What To Consider When Building A New Vacation Rental Website

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, we break down the questions to ask when building a vacation rental website in 2025 and beyond. Scope, pricing, vendors to work with and a LOT more...

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The Four Part Process To Build A Guest Marketing Plan

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, we come back and talk the four-part marketing for guest focused campaigns. Enjoy!

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Is This The KEY To Getting More Bookings?

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, we talk about the youth and how they are the strategy to getting more bookings by catering and designing your properties along with what Paul and Conrad look for when booking for their family.

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VRMA 2025 Recap: The Hot Seat Session, Industry Trends & More!

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, we recap the VRMA 2025 show! We talk all things about The Hot Seat Session, industry trends, marketing ideas and more...

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The Four Part Process To Build A Homeowner Marketing Plan

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, we share our four-part framework to get a homeowner marketing plan in place.

We discuss:

Targeting
Positioning
Messaging
Channels

And how you can build a winning strategy in each area.

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The "Do's" and "Don'ts" Of Using AI With Your Vacation Rental Marketing

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we dive into AI at a deep level: how SHOULD you use it and NOT use it to market your vacation rental business?

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Replay: The Vacation Rental Marketing Fundamentals You Need To Have In Place

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Note: this is a replay of an episode from last year!

In this episode Conrad goes solo on this audio-only version of a LIVE training on "Building Your Vacation Rental Marketing Fundamentals".

Want to get the video too? Tap the link below.

Enjoy!

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10 Things You Can Do To Sign More Vacation Rental Properties This Fall

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, we dive into 10 actionable steps you can take now to get more homes for 2026!

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Revisiting Meta Ads vs Google Ads

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, we revisit our chat on Meta Ads vs Google Ads: what we're using them now to get more bookings and more homeowners.

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Can You Really Compete With Airbnb? Nope...

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, we chat on Conrad's LinkedIn post "can you really compete with Airbnb" to talk strategy, marketing, goals, profits and a LOT more...

NOTE: this was recorded BEFORE the Airbnb 15.5% price increase move -> non-PMS connected price increase for hosts. So we didn't mention that...

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How Are Direct Bookings Trending According To Industry Research Experts?

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, we break down the Key Data Dashboard report on trends of market share by direct vs major OTAs, trends of marketing for direct bookings and a LOT more...

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Here's What Trust Building Is Needed In The Vacation Rental Industry

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, we're talking all things TRUST and what stakeholders can do in the industry to build or destroy that trust.

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Here's What To Look For When Selling Your Vacation Rental Business

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, we're inspired by the list from Xavier Helgesen on "what to look for when buying a business" and adapt it to the vacation rental industry.

Full list credit: via Xavier Helgesen

Owner operated businesses are super efficient. Owner does six jobs. You will probably spend more to professionalize.
Only buy from people who have demonstrated values of honesty and integrity throughout the process.
Stock purchases should be at least 25 % cheaper than asset purchases. You can’t write off the acquisition price plus you assume historical liabilities.
Adjusted EBITDA ≠ EBITDA ≠ cash flow. Look for cash flow.
Look for rich owners.
Look for businesses that have survived multiple economic cycles.
Make sure you are not in a commodity business.
Everything is negotiable. We have done 90 % seller financing three times.
Everyone wants a raise after you take over.
Make sure management only gets paid bonuses when they distribute cash flow to owners.
Pay for a really good, but very efficient, lawyer.
Pay for Quality of Earnings even on small deals.
The best way to find a CEO for a business is to ask the seller who has asked about buying it in the past.
Look for the smallest, weirdest niches. Less competition, greater margins.
If you find a good enough deal, the capital will find you.
Don’t underestimate how little you know about any given industry. Find an expert to help you.
Businesses with real estate offer lots of creative financing opportunities.
An owner who works “10 hours a week” is still doing five people’s jobs. They are the world expert in their business.
Professionalizing a business with no management in place is probably too hard unless you are running it.
Understand the working capital situation deeply and as a first order of business. The working capital adjustment can be a huge adjustment in price.
Don’t incentivize anyone to close deals. You want them more excited to kill a deal – this means they will speak up if something feels wrong.
Look at duration of employment of employees. Lots of turnover indicates a toxic environment.
Don’t take single-channel risk (e.g., Meta marketing).
Share customer concentration risk with the seller through revenue shares or forgiveable notes.
Underwrite your downside like a lender. Could you sell the business or its assets to at least pay back the debt if you need to?
Don’t fall too in love with the business. You’ve always got to be ready to walk away.
Honor your word even if it costs you money. Once trust is lost with a seller, it’s over.
Honor the owner/founder’s legacy after you close.

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The MOST Important Question To Ask Before Investing In Growth (Part II)

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, the duo asks this question: what is the #1 thing holding my vacation rental company back from growth?

Part II of this episode series. Go back 1 episode to find part I!

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The MOST Important Question To Ask Before Investing In Growth (Part I)

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, the duo asks this question: what is the #1 thing holding my vacation rental company back from growth?

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Is Creating Content Even Worth It Anymore? A Debate

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, the guys DEBATE the content creation benefits. With AI overviews stealing a ton of your traffic, does it even make sense to take the crumbs of clicks that are left?

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Breaking Down The Reasons WHY Guest Choose Vacation Rentals vs Hotels

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, we ask what most don't: why in the world do guests even CHOOSE to book a vacation rental over a hotel in the first place? How can you use this information to your advantage and let guests pick your property (and pay a premium to do it)?

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How To Launch New Vacation Rental Listings And Get Them BOOKED

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, we replay a webinar between Conrad and Ben Day of Jetstream to talk all things direct bookings vs new OTA listings for bookings, launching, how to fix dead/zombie listings and a LOT more.

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Build The Demand Formula For Your Vacation Rental Marketing

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, we dive into the factors that drive DEMAND in your markets and attempt to break apart what creates and drives demand.

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SEO, AEO, GEO, Oh My! What's The New Search Trend In Vacation Rental Marketing?

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, we dive into the "new world" of AI Search trends and all of the new terms popping up. Is there a shift ongoing with your SEO efforts to nail down AI powered LLM searches? If so, listen in for all of the details.

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Here's ALL You Need To Know About Hiring A Marketing Team For Your Vacation Rental Business

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, we replay a webinar between Conrad and Steve Trover - CEO of Better Talent - of all things hiring, agency vs freelancer, marketing teams, margins of your business and more.

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The Success Framework: How To KNOW A Vacation Rental Will Work Well

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, Paul and Conrad recap build the "Success Framework" for vacation rental properties to KNOW if a property will be successful.

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Recapping Google Marketing Live 2025 For Vacation Rental Managers

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, Paul and Conrad recap Google Marketing Live from May of 2025.

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Last Minute Marketing Tips To Boost Summer Occupancy

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, Paul and Conrad dive into tips and tricks on getting more bookings this summer, driving last-minute demand and boosting the number of bookings you get to fill in open dates.

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Photo & Video Assets: What Do You Need To Succeed?

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 28 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, Paul and Conrad give a TON of ideas on photo and video assets that you need to build your vacation rental brand.

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Video ideas:

📍 Property Showcase Videos (25 Ideas)

Core Property Tours

60-Second Property Highlight Reel – Wide-angle shots of living areas, bedrooms, kitchen, outdoor spaces ending with dramatic drone pullback
POV Guest Arrival Experience – GoPro-style journey from parking to front door to best view in the house
Follow-Me Guided Tour – Host-led walkthrough highlighting unique features and amenities
Before & After Renovation Reveal – Split-screen transformation showcasing property improvements
Room-by-Room Flash Tour – 3-second clips of each space with text overlays (Master Suite, Chef's Kitchen, Game Room)

Amenity Spotlights

Unique Feature Deep Dive – 30-second focus on standout amenities (infinity pool, wine cellar, home theater)
Chef's Kitchen in Action – Professional cooking demonstration showcasing high-end appliances
Outdoor Living Paradise – Pool, hot tub, fire pit, BBQ area montage with lifestyle shots
Master Suite Experience – Morning coffee in bed with sunrise view through floor-to-ceiling windows
Smart Home Technology – Voice-controlled lighting, automated blinds, keyless entry demonstration

Advanced Visual Content

Aerial Property Overview – Drone 360° orbit at golden hour with distance markers to beaches/attractions
Day-to-Night Transformation – Time-lapse showing property from sunrise to illuminated evening
Seasonal Property Evolution – Same view across all four seasons (great for year-round bookings)
Virtual Tour Teaser – 360° bedroom pan encouraging full Matterport tour viewing
Cinematic Property Film – Slow motion, professional lighting, and music telling the property's story

Practical Demonstrations

Guest Arrival Guide – Step-by-step check-in process from parking to settling in
Amenity How-To Series – Hot tub operation, smart TV setup, grill instructions
Property Navigation Map – Animated overlay showing routes to beach, downtown, parking
Wi-Fi Speed Test – Real-time demonstration for remote workers
Storage & Space Solutions – Closet space, luggage storage, family organization tips

Maintenance & Updates

Turnover Time-Lapse – Professional cleaning team preparing property in fast-forward
Recent Upgrades Showcase – New furniture, technology, or amenity additions
Quality Assurance Check – Host's pre-arrival inspection ensuring everything is perfect
Seasonal Maintenance – HVAC service, pool opening, landscape updates
Accessibility Features – Ramps, grab bars, accessible bathrooms for inclusive marketing

🎯 Lifestyle & Guest Experience (15 Ideas)

Daily Experiences

Perfect Morning Routine – Coffee brewing, sunrise yoga on deck, fresh pastries
Cozy Evening Ritual – Fireplace crackling, wine pour, city lights twinkling
Family Fun Montage – Game night laughter, pool splashing, movie night setup
Couples Retreat Moments – Hot tub under stars, breakfast in bed, sunset dinner
Remote Work Paradise – Home office setup, video call with beach backdrop

Entertainment & Recreation

Game Room Championships – Pool table trick shots, arcade game highlights, competition laughs
Outdoor Adventure Prep – Packing beach bags, loading kayaks, hiking gear organization
Spa Day at Home – Bubble bath setup, face masks by the pool, massage table ready
Celebration Central – Birthday party setup, anniversary dinner, graduation toast
Pet-Friendly Features – Dog bed setup, fenced yard, nearby dog park walkthrough

Culinary Experiences

Gourmet Cooking Experience – Using high-end appliances to create restaurant-quality meals
Local Grocery Haul – Shopping at nearby markets, unpacking fresh ingredients
BBQ Master Class – Grilling techniques, outdoor dining setup, sunset feast
Coffee Connoisseur Corner – Espresso machine tutorial, morning coffee ritual
Wine & Dine Experience – Cellar selection, proper glassware, tasting notes

🗺️ Local Area & Activities (10 Ideas)

Attraction Showcases

Top 5 Local Attractions Countdown – Quick-cut tour of must-visit spots with distances
Hidden Gems Revealed – Secret beaches, local favorite restaurants, insider tips
Seasonal Activity Guide – Skiing in winter, beach days in summer, foliage tours in fall
Foodie Adventure Map – Farmers markets, food trucks, fine dining recommendations
Family-Friendly Itinerary – Zoo, adventure parks, kid-friendly restaurants

Experience Documentation

Day Trip Inspiration – POV drive to wine country, mountain hikes, city exploration
Local Event Calendar – Festivals, concerts, seasonal celebrations nearby
Weather-Proof Activities – Rainy day museums, indoor entertainment, covered markets
Transportation Options – Rental car pickup, public transit, ride-share availability
Shopping & Services – Grocery stores, pharmacies, urgent care locations

⭐ Social Proof & Reviews (8 Ideas)

<...

Foundational Planning For Vacation Rental Business Success

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 21 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, Paul and Conrad cover all things Foundational Planning for a vacation rental management company to thrive and grow.

We cover:

Strategy & Foundational Planning

• Mission, Vision & Values statements

• Company origin story

• Unique Value Proposition (UVP) — guests & owners

• Geographic focus / service‑territory map

• Ideal guest personas

• Ideal property‑owner personas

• SMART business goals & high‑level KPIs

• SWOT & competitive analysis report

• Growth & expansion strategy + market‑entry playbook

• Succession / leadership‑transition plan

• Service scope & business‑model definition

• Market‑research repository (demand, seasonality, ADR benchmarks)

⭐️ Links & Show Notes

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Grab Bag Show: Vacasa, Growth, Inventory Churn, Data, May Thoughts & More...

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 14 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, Paul and Conrad try something new: a grab bag show with news and notes from around the world of vacation rentals and all growth and the Vacasa - Casago merger. Like this style of episode? Let us know!

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Designing for Conversion: Best Practices For Vacation Rental Websites

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, Paul and Conrad talk all things conversions: getting more bookings, driving more leads and reviewing your website to find the friction points that stop direct bookings from growing.

⭐️ Links & Show Notes

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Breaking Down The Ideal Marketing Audit For Vacation Rental Businesses

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, Paul and Conrad cover the concept of a marketing audit for vacation rental businesses, discussing what a good audit entails from both the consultant's and the client's perspectives. They explore quantitative (data-driven) and qualitative (opinion and goal-based) aspects of audits for attracting both guests and homeowners. They also touch upon the challenges of conducting free audits, the potential for bias when sales are involved, and the importance of an audit leading to actionable improvements for the business.

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Breaking Down The Way The "Guest Booking Journey" Actually Works In 2025... (Part 2)

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show (Part Two), Paul and Conrad dive into the early stages of the vacation rental guest journey — where interest is sparked and decisions begin to form.

They explore how true inspiration often comes from unexpected, memorable experiences and how smart property managers can tap into that moment before a guest is even planning a trip. From the role of local tourism boards to leveraging blog content and “pattern interrupts,” they unpack why this top-of-funnel phase is often overlooked—and how to make your brand unforgettable.

As guests shift into research mode, the pressure’s on. The hosts break down what travelers are really looking for when comparing destinations and rentals—and why your website needs to stand toe-to-toe with the likes of Airbnb. If your site leaks trust, design, or information, you’ll lose them fast. Tune in to learn how to optimize your marketing for these make-or-break early stages and build demand that puts your properties in high demand (waitlist, anyone?).

⭐️ Links & Show Notes

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When To Use A Content Creator vs An Influencer To Grow Your Social Media Reach

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, Paul and Conrad break down the difference between a Content Creator vs an Influencer and how BOTH can lead to success when installed into your vacation rental social media marketing plan. Enjoy!

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Building Prompts For Better Responses From AI Tools

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, Paul and Conrad talk all things prompts, AI, how to get the best output for various marketing tasks and a LOT more...

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Breaking Down The Way The "Guest Booking Journey" Actually Works In 2025... (Part 1)

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, Paul and Conrad dive into the early stages of the vacation rental guest journey — where interest is sparked and decisions begin to form.

⭐️ Links & Show Notes

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Building The Reputation Of Your Vacation Rental Business With The Right Reviews

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, Paul and Conrad discuss the crucial role of online reviews in the vacation rental business.

They dive into which platforms deserve your focus, highlighting the importance of Google reviews for brand search, trust, and SEO. Discover why you should prioritize one review platform at a time for better results and the power of personalized review requests over automated ones.

The hosts share valuable insights on handling both positive and negative feedback, emphasizing the dos and don'ts of responding professionally and promptly without getting defensive. Learn when to take conversations offline and why generic responses are a no-go.

Paul and Conrad also touch on the significance of review velocity, understanding the different standards of review platforms like Airbnb and Verbbo, and when it might be worth claiming listings on niche sites like Yelp.

Finally, they explore the dual impact of reviews on attracting both guests and homeowners and offer a unique tip on how to potentially boost review numbers. Tune in to master your online reputation and turn reviews into a powerful asset for your vacation rental business!

⭐️ Links & Show Notes

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If We Did It, Here's How: Our Thoughts On The Casago & Vacasa Merger

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Paul and Conrad cover the unfolding situation surrounding the potential acquisition of Vacasa, discussing the initial bid by Casago and the subsequent unsolicited bid from Davidson Kempner Capital Management. They delve into the potential motivations behind these moves and the broader implications for the vacation rental industry. Paul and Conrad share their speculative insights on how they would approach the Vacasa situation if they were advisors.

Enjoy!

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How To Build Trust For Guests To Want To Book On Your Vacation Rental Website

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, Conrad and Paul emphasize that building trust and security is essential for successful vacation rental direct booking websites, crucial for both attracting guests and securing homeowner confidence.

They discuss key factors including professional website design, the importance of social proof like guest reviews and trust badges, and the need for transparency and honesty in pricing, property details, and cancellation policies.

The episode also highlights the significance of robust security features such as SSL certificates and secure payment processes, along with providing clear company information to foster approachability.

Enjoy!

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LLM & AI Tools Are Driving HOW MUCH Traffic To Vacation Rental Websites?

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode, Conrad and Paul discuss the impact of Large Language Model (LLM) tools on vacation rental website traffic, questioning the narrative of Google's decline and the takeover by AI.

They explore whether LLM tools are truly changing search habits and trends. They dive into original research from January 2025, analyzing client data to determine the actual session data coming from client sites. Despite claims from online experts, their data suggests Google is far from dead...

Enjoy!

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Showcasing Vacation Rental Properties To Get MORE Bookings

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode, Conrad and Paul focus on vacation rental marketing strategies at the property level, particularly optimizing property detail pages for increased bookings and revenue. They also dive into the art of optimizing property detail pages to drive more bookings and boost revenue.

They break down the essentials—high-quality photos, engaging videos, and strategic branding—to make any vacation rental stand out, even in competitive markets. From design choices to must-have amenities, they explore how to position properties for success. Plus, they discuss why investing in property assets should be a key part of the owner onboarding process and how social media and email marketing can amplify visibility.

Enjoy!

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What Is Google Thinking About YOUR Content In 2025?

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode, Conrad and Paul think more about Google and how they're ranking and thinking about CONTENT on your vacation rental blog and website. They also break down AI overviews, search trends, updates and more.

Enjoy!

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Understanding The Lingo: Performance Numbers For Your Vacation Rental Business

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode, Conrad and Paul close the loop on the "lingo" series with reporting, numbers, KPIs and metrics that many vacation rental companies use to measure and gauge direct booking performance.

Enjoy!

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What Porter's 5 Forces Can Teach Us About The Vacation Rental Industry's Change Happening In 2025

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode Conrad and Paul use Porter's Five Forces to explain what challenges the vacation rental industry is facing in 2025, weak spots, opportunities and a lot more.

Enjoy!

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Understanding The Lingo: Social Media Marketing For Vacation Rentals

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode Conrad and Paul revisit the "lingo" series and focus on social media marketing and paid social ads mostly on Meta (Facebook / Instagram).

Enjoy!

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Can We Build A Marketing Strategy With Just AI?

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode Conrad and Paul run a fun test: can we build a marketing strategy that makes sense with ChatGPT and / or Gemini from Google?

Enjoy!

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Mastering Property Detail Pages & Property Descriptions To Get More Direct Bookings

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode Conrad shares the audio from his room-filling DARM Presentation: Mastering Property Detail Pages & Property Descriptions To Get More Direct Bookings.

Enjoy!

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Revisiting Google Vacation Rentals For 2025 - How Is This Going For Google?

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode Paul and Conrad revisit how things are going with Google's Vacation Rentals search platform in Google Travel. Is the 800lb advertising gorilla taking tons of Vacation Rental marketshare? Or an almost-dead-fish flopping on the deck?

Enjoy!

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Merry Christmas!

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 25 Dec 2024 09:00:00 -0500

Thank YOU for listening to the podcast!

Here's the claim codes from the episode:

CD95-S7RPFU-9AA5
7LWW-JB7WHY-YYAZ
UR5X-W5QVMK-BGAG
N6FX-HVNJLY-2CAR
H55G-VLPEZW-P7AT

Branded Stays & Lessons and Strategies from Hotels to Vacation Rentals

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode Paul and Conrad break down hotel brands achieve global consistency while vacation rental franchises embrace local ops, but may struggle to build a true brand... they explore branding, marketing, and operational strategies — and share insights on what each sector can learn to scale and succeed.

Enjoy!

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Building A Marketing Calendar For Your Vacation Rental Business (Updated for 2025)

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode Paul and Conrad refresh the annual marketing plan with some new tips and tricks along with bonuses (see show notes links below).

Enjoy!

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BONUS: Recapping The DARM 2024 Conference From Our Perspective

Conrad O'Connell — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 09:00:00 -0500

In this episode Paul and Conrad record after the DARM 2024 Conference in Sandestin, Florida recapping all of the great connections, lessons and marketing insights from two and a half action-packed days!

Enjoy!

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Direct Response vs Brand-Only Marketing: What's The BEST For Building Your Vacation Rental Company?

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode Paul and Conrad have a friendly debate/discussion on two-sides of the coin: focusing mostly on direct-response advertising and marketing compared to focusing mostly on brand-building advertising. There are pros and cons to both - and the guys break it all down in this episode.

Enjoy!

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Building Your Vacation Rental Marketing Fundamentals

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode Conrad goes solo on this audio-only version of a LIVE training on "Building Your Vacation Rental Marketing Fundamentals".

Want to get the video too? Tap the link below.

Enjoy!

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Here's All Of The Google Products & Services You Use In Your Vacation Rental Business...

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode Conrad and Paul break down the (kinda scary) number of Google services, products and channels that you likely need and rely in your vacation rental business...

Enjoy!

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Running A Marketing Audit For Your Vacation Rental Business To Get More Bookings

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode Conrad goes solo on this audio-only version of a LIVE training on "Running A Marketing Audit For Your Vacation Rental Business To Get More Bookings".

Want to get the video too? Tap the link below.

Enjoy!

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Understanding The Lingo For Your Vacation Rental Marketing: Email Marketing

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode Conrad and Paul talk about all of the key terms, lingo and platform understanding you need to excel with email marketing for your vacation rental business.

Enjoy!

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Marketing Properties Based On Location vs Marketing As 'Collections' For Your Vacation Rental Website

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul talk about marketing properties only based on location vs marketing them based on common amenities or attributes. They get deep into the sauce on all things marketing property presentation.

Enjoy!

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Here's What To Look For In Your Monthly Vacation Rental Marketing Review

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul brainstorm what are the best ways to get the MOST from a monthly marketing review from either your internal team or a marketing agency.

Enjoy!

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Understanding The Lingo For Your Vacation Rental Marketing: Organic Search

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul break down the most common "lingo" used when chatting about SEO so you are informed!

Enjoy!

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What 'Marketing Gaps' Still Exist In The Vacation Rental Industry?

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul come up with some ideas based on real everyday pain points that they deal with based on homeowner and guest marketing to help vacation rental managers. Someone, build these!

Enjoy!

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Predictions For Where The Book Direct Movement Is Going (With Mark Simpson)

Conrad O'Connell — Mon, 07 Oct 2024 09:00:00 -0400

Welcome to our first-ever guest BONUS episode! We're joined by Boostly CEO Mark Simpson from his home in the UK to talk all things "Book Direct" movement: where it's going, what's working well, what we need to leave behind and a lot more.

A special thanks to Mark for reaching out and joining us.

Enjoy!

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Data Driven vs Gut Feel Marketing: What Actually Works Better?

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul debate when to use 'data driven' approaches only to making marketing investments and when to ignore the data and 'trust your gut'.

Enjoy!

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Foundational Marketing vs Ongoing Marketing Costs For Your Vacation Rentals Business

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul break down what the true foundational costs of marketing are vs the ongoing investments you're making to grow your vacation rental business.

Enjoy!

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We Predict: What's Going To Happen With Google Search In The Next Year?

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul have some fun with a predictions episode! They review what might happen between now and Google in September 2025 and what will change along the way.

Enjoy!

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How To Adapt When New Homeowner Marketing Channels Open: The Secret Triangle (Part 2)

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul break down "The Secret Triangle" of Dan Kennedy's book - The Ultimate Marketing Plan and explain how each of those three corners apply to the homeowner marketing side of any vacation rental business.

Part II of a two-part series - go back 1 episode to see part I with guest marketing.

Enjoy!

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How To Adapt When New Guest Marketing Channels Open: The Secret Triangle (Part 1)

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul break down "The Secret Triangle" of Dan Kennedy's book - The Ultimate Marketing Plan and explain how each of those three corners apply to the guest marketing side of any vacation rental business.

Enjoy!

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Celebrating The 100th Episode Of The Heads In Beds Show [LIVE RECORDING]

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul take a bow to celebrate the 100th total episode of The Heads In Beds Show! Joined by Conrad's marketing coach of Wunderstars - Nicole Osborne - who takes the hosting chair and turns the questions on the duo.

THANKS for listening in over the past 100 episodes. Here's to (at least) 100 more...

Enjoy!

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Design And Branding Tips To Get More Bookings & Attract More Homeowners

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul break down the design & branding elements you need to be successful in your vacation rental business. We break down the design vs branding debate along with how guest and owner marketing go hand-in-hand.

Enjoy!

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Building A Homeowner Communication Strategy To Retain And Attract More Inventory

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul talk about the methods that you can use to keep owner communications in check and onboard properties smoothly.

Enjoy!

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Marketing Ideas You Can Do NOW To Get More Direct Bookings & Get More Homeowners

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul talk about the things you can do now to get more bookings and more homeowners now without waiting for future. What are tactics you can do now to get more results?

Enjoy!

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One Year Later: What's Up With Google Analytics 4 For Your Vacation Rental Business?

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul talk about the 1 year later (or so) mark of Google Analytics 4 and what they like, love and hate about using Google Analytics 4 day-to-day with guest and homeowner marketing.

Enjoy!

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How To Build The Right Strategic Approach To Your Vacation Rental Marketing

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul talk about how you can use the right building blocks in your vacation rental strategy to maximize the growth of your business. They debate tactics vs strategy and why there's a time and place for both.

Enjoy!

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How We're Using AI Today (Mid 2024 Update)

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul talk about HOW they're using AI today right now in the middle of 2024 and how

Enjoy!

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How To Build Your Budget For Vacation Rental Owner And Guest Marketing

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul talk about the process of building a budget that spans both guest and homeowner marketing for your vacation rental company.

Enjoy!

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What AI Summaries Are Doing To Travel Planning on Google

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul break down all of the changes happening to Google now, specifically travel planning topics (and therefore keywords)

Enjoy!

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Conversion Killers That Are Hurting Your Direct Booking Progress

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul break down things that many vacation rental managers place in their website and marketing that actually HURT and lower conversion rates.

Enjoy!

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Things We Love From The Biggest Brands In Vacation Rentals

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul turn the tables on the large brands that they often love to take shots at.

What are the BEST parts of Airbnb, Vrbo and Vacasa?

Enjoy!

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Is "Channel Management" The Same Thing As Marketing Your Vacation Rental Biz?

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 12 Jun 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul discuss the Guesty purchase of Rentals United along with the conceptual approach of using channel managers as a way to get more bookings. Then they ask a question - is this marketing or something else?

Enjoy!

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Keyword Research TIPS To Maximize The Search Traffic To Your Vacation Rental Website

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul break down ALL of the approaches to keyword research that help to define the right topics for any vacation rental business to attract both homeowners and guests.

Enjoy!

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The Vacation Rental 'Booking Window' Is Changing According To This Billion Dollar Company

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 29 May 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul review how the "window" for bookings is compressing over time according to data from Expedia.

Enjoy!

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How Much Should You Pay Attention To Your Vacation Rental Competition?

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 22 May 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul talk about how much (or how little) you actually should be paying attention to your competition... including what techniques you can use to 'spy' into their overall marketing.

Enjoy!

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Scaling Your Vacation Rental Business Beyond $1m In Bookings With 'Middleweight' Marketing

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 15 May 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul talk about the scaling of your vacation rental business past $1m in gross bookings with frameworks from 'Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing' - in the middleweight section.

Enjoy!

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Google Ads vs Facebook (Meta) Ads - What Is The Difference For Your Vacation Rental Business?

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 08 May 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul talk about the difference between Google Ads and Facebook (Meta: including Facebook and Instagram) Ads and how each one can help and grow your vacation rental business.

Enjoy!

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Ch-Ch-Changes: Do They Kill Your Direct Booking Biz?

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 01 May 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul talk about changes happening in 2024 including 'cookies' going away (or are they), third-party tracking, email DNS verifications, privacy-first rules and more.

Enjoy!

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Building Your Vacation Rental Business Beyond The Lightweight Stage ($200k~ In Bookings) With Digital Marketing

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul talk about the growing point of every vacation rental business - $200k in gross revenue and bookings.

Enjoy!

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The Art Of The Offer: Making Homeowner Lead Gen More Effective For Vacation Rental Brands

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul break down the key to making a great offer to drive more lead gen for vacation rental homeowners.

Enjoy!

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Coming Up With A Brand Name That Sticks For Your Vacation Rental Company

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul explore naming and branding a vacation rental company as a way to make a brand that is SMILE worthy and not SCRATCH worthy.

Enjoy!

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Ways You Have NOT YET Used Social Media To Grow Your Vacation Rental Business

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul dive into some fun and engaging social media posts from "Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing" that have proven to work very well for other vacation rental managers at scaling their social media followings.

Enjoy!

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How To Leverage a CRM Properly With Guests & Homeowners To Grow Your Vacation Rental Biz

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul talk about what a CRM is, why you should use one for both owners and guest marketing and what the key parts of CRM marketing are.

Enjoy!

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What Should The SMALL Vacation Rental Host Or Manager Do To Grow Their Business?

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul talk about the starting point in any vacation rental business - the 'featherweight' stage starting from $0 up to $200k in gross booking revenue.

Enjoy!

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Explaining The BuildUp Bookings Vacation Rental SEO Framework: TLCK

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul talk about the genesis of Conrad's SEO framework: TLCK that started in the VRMB forums and has been expanded and built out further since then.

Enjoy!

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Google Rebrands Bard To Gemini: Here Is What Google Is Planning

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode Conrad and Paul talk all about Gemini - the new version Google's AI that's rolling out to their products. How does it impact the VR industry?

Enjoy!

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Why Link Building Is Overlooked & Why It's One Area You Can IGNORE Google's Advice On...

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode Conrad and Paul talk about link building: why it's the most 'skipped' area of SEO for many vacation rental managers and why that's a mistake and also why you actually want to ignore what Google says about link building.

Enjoy!

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What Are The ACTUAL Benefits Of Building A Direct Booking Website & Brand?

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode Conrad and Paul talk about what the real and actual benefits are of building a book-direct vacation rental business.

Enjoy!

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When Social Media Is NOT The Right Marketing Channel For Your VR Business

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode Conrad and Paul talk about when you should NOT use social media to get more traffic to your vacation rental business.

Enjoy!

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How To Be A GREAT Client For Your Marketing Agency

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode Conrad and Paul break down something very different: how to be a good client! Being a good client means that we can find win-win situations.

Enjoy!

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The Reasons To LOVE Email Marketing To Get More Direct Bookings!

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode Conrad and Paul break down their most 'underserved' topic on the podcast: email marketing! They share their favorite reasons why email can be a huge benefit to your overall direct booking approach.

Enjoy!

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Google Is Leaning Into Vacation Rentals Even MORE With Structured Data?!

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode Conrad and Paul dive into how to build an annual marketing plan including a scorecard, budgets by month, media breakdown and setup a plan to make sure guest and homeowner marketing stays on track. Part II of II!

Enjoy!

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The Advanced Elements You Need To Get More Bookings On Your Vacation Rental Website (Website & Conversions) Part II

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Enjoy!

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The Basics You Need To Get Bookings On Your Vacation Rental Website (Design & UX) Part I

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 11:07:26 -0500

Enjoy!

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What You'll Need To Build An Annual Marketing Calendar

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 13:59:56 -0500

Enjoy!

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Building Ad Targeting Audiences On Google, Facebook & Instagram That Deliver The Right Results

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 09:49:23 -0500

In this episode Conrad and Paul dive into how to build the right audiences and target ads across Google Search, Facebook, Instagram and Google Display.

Enjoy!

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Tools & Lead Magnets You Can Use To Drive More Homeowner Leads

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 22:38:37 -0500

In this episode Conrad and Paul dive into different tools you can use to get more homeowner leads. Creating new marketing and ad creative is one of the key ways to make sure you're always getting more homeowner leads!

Enjoy!

⭐️ Links & Show Notes

Paul Manzey
Conrad O'Connell
Conrad's Book: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing
Vintory
Email Paul For The Key Messaging Worksheet

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A Guidebook Is MARKETING For Your Vacation Rentals: Here's Why

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 12:05:51 -0500

In this episode Conrad and Paul dive into the guidebook: what purpose does it serve for your marketing? More than you might think...

Enjoy!

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When You Should Build "Mini Sites" For Your Vacation Rental Business To Generate HUGE ROI

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode Conrad and Paul dive into the when, how, what and why of "mini sites" and how they can an extremely high ROI channel for you to build for your vacation rental marketing and SEO approach.

Enjoy!

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Barry Diller at Expedia VERSUS Google: Vrbo Spends $300m On Google Ads Without ROI?

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode Conrad and Paul break down Barry (Expedia CEO) vs Google: The Vrbo Episode where Barry Diller of Expedia exposes the $300m in ad spend for Vrbo that did not appear to drive the same "profits" that Vrbo was used to in the past.

Enjoy!

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How & Why To Build Guest & Owner Personas For Your Vacation Rental Marketing

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode Conrad and Paul dive into building a persona before diving into marketing. Why do personas matter? How does messaging/copy tie into your persona + a lot more.

Enjoy!

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Why Branded Google Ads Is The Right Move 99.9% Of The Time

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad and Paul are back and chatting all things PPC + Google Ads and how to approach branded campaigns.

Enjoy!

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Special Recap Of VRMA 2023: Feat: Heather Bayer, Andy McNulty, Catherine Ratcliffe & Valerie Gangas

Conrad O'Connell — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode Conrad drops a special release recapping VRMA along with four wonderful guests.

Enjoy!

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Navigating the Aftermath of a Google Update [Part Two] For Your Vacation Rental Website

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode (part two), Conrad and Paul chat about Google's recent Helpful Content Update(s) as well as Google updates in general and how they impact your organic search traffic, approach to SEO and what to do if you're "hit" by one!

Enjoy!

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Navigating the Aftermath of a Google Update [Part One] For Your Vacation Rental Website

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Conrad and Paul chat about Google's recent Helpful Content Update(s) as well as Google updates in general and how they impact your organic search traffic, approach to SEO and what to do if you're "hit" by one!

Enjoy!

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Announcing My BOOK: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing [Behind The Scenes]

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 11:06:40 -0400

In this episode, Conrad and Paul chat about Conrad's new book launching for VRMA: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing and share early-access to get on the list to get it first when the book is launched.

Enjoy!

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5 Things You Should Be Doing With Video To Grow Your Hospitality Business in 2024

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 11:24:37 -0400

In this episode, Conrad and Paul chat all about video marketing and how to leverage video in your guest marketing and homeowner marketing.

Enjoy!

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Running A Marketing Audit To Build YOUR 2024 Marketing Plan

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Paul and Conrad talk through the new BuildUp Bookings "Growth Activation Audit" checklist and how to best review brand, search, social, email, homeowner and overall website strategy progress in your vacation rental business.

Want a copy of the growth activation audit for yourself? Email conrad@buildupbookings.com with "Audit" in the subject line!

Enjoy!

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Ways To Get More Shoulder Season Bookings With Your Marketing NOW

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Paul and Conrad talk about ways to get more shoulder season bookings with impactful digital marketing tactics and specific offers.

Enjoy!

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[Part 2] The Right Way To Build "SEO Content" For Your Vacation Rental Business

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Paul and Conrad talk about the right and wrong ways to do "SEO content". It's not about stuffing keywords or writing for search engines, it's about creating useful and comprehensive content. Here's how. Part two.

Enjoy!

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[Part 1] The Right Way To Build "SEO Content" For Your Vacation Rental Business

Conrad O'Connell — Thu, 24 Aug 2023 13:17:20 -0400

Enjoy!

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Is Your Paid Search Strategy A DUD Or A STUD?

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 10:14:16 -0400

In this episode, Paul and Conrad share an update on the Maui fires and how Airbnb is handling it, along with a discussion of how to run PPC search ads the right way and as a STUD and not a DUD.

Enjoy!

PLEASE CLICK THIS - Coconut Condos Ohana Relief

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What's It Like For One Of US To Book A Vacation Rental?

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 09 Aug 2023 15:51:29 -0400

In this episode, Conrad breaks down what it's like to book a vacation rental and his experience as a guest while visiting family a few weeks ago. Paul and Conrad also talk about Booking.com ads and other updates to Google Ads RSAs.

Enjoy!

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Is Your Vacation Rental Website A DUD Or A STUD? Here's What To Consider!

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Paul and Conrad debut "Dud Or Stud" and dive into vacation rental websites. What features or tools make them STUDS (so they can convert) or DUDS (ones that fail to get enough bookings).

Enjoy!

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Why Is No Vacation Rental Manager Leveraging These Specific Marketing Tactics?

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Paul and Conrad break down some of the most common "why not" marketing tactics that they do not often see in the real-world with vacation rental managers, but in fact can work quite well to get more bookings AND get more homeowners.

Enjoy!

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How YOU Can Target Guests On Facebook, Instagram & Google With Ads

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Paul and Conrad break down HOW and in what ways you can actually target ads on Facebook, Instagram (Meta) and Google.

Enjoy!

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What Would We Do: Marketing Edition

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Paul and Conrad break down "scenarios" around a single property host, multi property host and property manager: What Would We Do: Marketing Edition.

Enjoy!

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EVERYTHING You Need To Know About Keyword Research

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 08:16:25 -0400

In this episode, Paul and Conrad give a quick deadline countdown timer to Google Analytics 4 and then explore and discuss keyword research tips and tricks.

Enjoy!

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The "Math" Behind Common SEO Metrics, Numbers And Data

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Paul and Conrad chat about common SEO metrics, numbers and other data points that you need to understand from your marketing team or agency.

Enjoy!

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Generative Search Experience in Google: What Does It Mean for Vacation Rentals/Hospitality?

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 07:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Paul breaks down the beta on Google Search Labs: Generative Search Experience with real-world examples of how vacation rental brands are impacted.

Enjoy!

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Part III: Settings That'll Make Or BREAK Your Google Analytics 4 Reports

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 31 May 2023 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Paul and Conrad hit Part III of the Google Analytics 4 mini-series with a "grab bag" of Google Analytics settings to explore and flip on. They also touch on the record Meta fine, why Google kills so many projects and the perilous status of Conrad's beloved Celtics in the ECF.

Enjoy!

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Leveraging Cognitive Biases To Get More Bookings For Your Vacation Rentals

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 24 May 2023 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Paul and Conrad give a fresh look at Bard vs ChatGPT, share updates on the possible loss of organic traffic with the new "generated summaries" Google is planning to roll out AND also share a smattering of biases that impact your ability to get more bookings. Enjoy!

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Part II: Google Analytics 4 Is USELESS Without These Settings + Events...

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 17 May 2023 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Paul and Conrad dive into part 2 of the Google Analytics 4 mini-series and dive into specific events, tracking and methods on how to best prepare your vacation rental website for tracking useful events and data. Conrad works hard to share with Paul the benefits and upside of the new Google Analytics platform, and shares a review story at the end.

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The Vacation Rental Spring Slowdown Is Here - What Can You Do To Drive Demand?

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 10 May 2023 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Paul and Conrad dive into the upcoming Google Analytics 4 "switchover" and cover the settings you want turned on and what's OK to leave OFF as you work on getting ready for a Google Analytics 4 world (weather you like it or not...).

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Part I: The Basic Settings You NEED For The Upcoming Google Analytics 4 Move

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 03 May 2023 06:00:00 -0400

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[Live Show] RR Summit: People, Places, Planet: Marketing Sustainability With Your VRM Business

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 10:40:30 -0400

In this episode, Paul and Conrad record their first ever live show for the Rent Responsibly Summit.

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Is Listing On Airbnb The Same As "Marketing" For Your Vacation Rental Business?

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Paul and Conrad dive into "automated" SEO reports that agencies send you - do they even matter at all? They discuss how and why these reports work and what value you can get from them.

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Do Automated SEO "Audits" Provide ANY Value?

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 06:00:00 -0400

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EVERYTHING You Need To Know About Google Search Console

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 12:04:52 -0400

In this episode, Paul and Conrad break down one of Google's best FREE tools to help you grow your organic search traffic: Google Search Console.

⭐️ Links & Show Notes

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Low Budget Ways To Get More Direct Bookings

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 11:14:12 -0400

In this episode, Paul and Conrad dive into ways to get more direct bookings WITHOUT spending tens of thousands of dollars: we explain email, branded PPC and other low-cost efforts.

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Standing Out From The Vacation Rental Crowd In Your Market: How To Attract Owners & Guests

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 06:00:00 -0400

In this "experiment" episode, we dive into the tools that we both use on a daily basis to be more productive and get more done for our clients. Conrad shares the tool he uses 30 times a day and Paul laughs at the absurdity of Conrad's obsessions.

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The Tools We Use To Increase Productivity And Get More Done In Less Time

Conrad O'Connell — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 06:00:00 -0500

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Everything Google My Business For Your Vacation Rental Business

Conrad O'Connell — Thu, 02 Mar 2023 16:52:28 -0500

In this Google My Business overview episode, we dive into the basics and new things around creating a winning Google My Business profile to get brand awareness, build reviews and drive organic traffic.

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Crafting The Perfect Property Description To Maximize Your Bookings

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 07:00:00 -0500

In this email marketing overview episode, we dive into the basics of gathering and marketing via email for your vacation rental business.

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Email Marketing 101 For Your Vacation Rental Business: Get More Bookings With Better Emails

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 12:59:02 -0500

In this email marketing overview episode, we dive into the basics of gathering and marketing via email for your vacation rental business.

⭐️ Links & Show Notes

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The TRUTH Behind Link Building To Maximize Your Vacation Rental SEO Performance

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 06:00:00 -0500

In our longest episode yet, we dive into the dark and mysterious world of link building. Some SEO agencies in the vacation rental industry ignore this critical piece of the SEO process... but we break down WHY link building is critical to your long-term success with SEO.

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Choosing Between Agency, Freelancer & In-House Marketing Teams For Your Vacation Rental Business

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode, we dive into the options you have to build your marketing team: should you hire an agency, a solo freelancer or build an in-house team?

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How to Leverage ChatGPT Into Your Vacation Rental Business

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 06:00:00 -0500

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The Top Things That Happened in 2022 With A Look Ahead To 2023

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 18 Jan 2023 06:00:00 -0500

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Brand Building 101: How To Make Your Vacation Rental Brand Noteworthy

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 06:00:00 -0500

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The 2023 Homeowner Marketing Master Class To Get More Properties

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 06:00:00 -0500

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The 2023 Guest Marketing Master Class To Get More Bookings

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 21 Dec 2022 06:00:00 -0500

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How Rates & Pricing Impact The Success Of Your Marketing Efforts

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 06:00:00 -0500

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The TRUTH About How To Leverage Influencers In Your Vacation Rental Marketing

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 07 Dec 2022 06:00:00 -0500

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The Most Effective Vacation Rental Advertising Channel: Google Ads!

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 23 Nov 2022 06:00:00 -0500

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The TRUTH About Running Facebook Ads For Your Vacation Rental Company

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 06:00:00 -0500

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The Essential Building Blocks Of Building A Vacation Rental Company

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 06:00:00 -0500

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VRMA Recap: Las Vegas 2022

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 02 Nov 2022 06:00:00 -0400

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Mistakes To Avoid When Re-Designing Your Vacation Rental Website

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 06:00:00 -0400

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Choosing Content Topics To Build Your Vacation Rental SEO Strategy

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 06:00:00 -0400

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The Future Of The Heads In Beds Show: Introducing Cohost Paul Manzey

Conrad O'Connell — Fri, 14 Oct 2022 09:32:00 -0400

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Running Paid Search Ads For Your Vacation Rental Business

Conrad O'Connell — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 12:05:57 -0400

We explore the basics of paid search: terms, budgets, tracking and results from running ads.

How Long Does It Take To See SEO Results With A Brand-New Vacation Rental Brand?

Conrad O'Connell — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 16:15:24 -0400

In this episode, we dive into how long it takes (days/months) to see results + page 1 rankings with organic search traffic for a brand-new vacation rental website.

The #1 Metric That Measures The Power Of Any Vacation Rental Brand

Conrad O'Connell — Thu, 12 Aug 2021 07:00:00 -0400

There's a single metric: branded search volume, that shows the strength of your micro-brand in the vacation rental world.

Resources

The Top Marketing Tools We Use To Build Direct Booking Traffic

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we cover the top tools we use at BuildUp Bookings for paid search, SEO, content, social media management & more.

Tools:

Google Ads vs Facebook Ads For Your Vacation Rentals: What's Better?

Conrad O'Connell — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 17:55:16 -0400

In this episode, Conrad covers the most common questions that vacation rental management pros have when deciding between running Google Ads (mostly search) and Facebook/Instagram ads.

Resources on BuildUp Bookings:

Generating Content Ideas To Build Direct Traffic For Your Vacation Rental Website

Conrad O'Connell — Thu, 24 Jun 2021 11:53:14 -0400

See how you can find hundreds of content ideas by focusing on the core audience you're targeting, your properties and more! Focus on long-tail search traffic and high-intent guest keywords to build website traffic and direct bookings.

Resources

How To Get Last-Minute Bookings For Your Vacation Rentals

Conrad O'Connell — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 16:10:09 -0400

Drive more bookings to your properties last-minute with these marketing tactics! Leverage rate, email, social, and ads to drive demand.

Articles & links

https://rentalsunited.com/blog/last-minute-booking-channels/
https://seetransparent.com/blog/2021/02/08/the-future-of-travel-2021-reports-hometogo/
https://www.buildupbookings.com/

Building Assets For Your Vacation Rental Marketing

Conrad O'Connell — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 10:52:48 -0400

In this episode, you will learn what valuable things you can implement right now that will benefit your vacation rental marketing forever. Using email marketing to build a solid database of potential and returning guests.

Finding High Value Direct Booking Sources

Conrad O'Connell — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 10:47:13 -0400

In this episode, I will discuss how to find high-value direct booking sources. By implementing certain tools and tactics on your website and within your marketing strategy, you will be able to attract high-value bookings from multiple channels.

Pilot- Heads In Beds Show

Conrad O'Connell — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 09:58:23 -0400

Introducing the Heads In Beds Show, actionable vacation rental marketing advice. Sharing the best tips and strategies on how to grow your direct bookings.