Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing: Lessons learned from over $50 million in direct bookings

Written by Conrad O’Connell, a seasoned expert with a proven track record in vacation rental marketing, “Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing” is a strategic guide designed for vacation rental managers, hosts, and STR professionals eager to scale their business without becoming overly reliant on Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) like Airbnb, Vrbo, or Booking.com.

Far from a collection of “just” hacks, “Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing” is a meticulously curated guide that illuminates the path toward building a sustainable marketing machine and a potent, unforgettable brand that magnetizes repeat and referral business, even amidst the shifting sands of the industry. Though O’Connell’s strategies have successfully driven well over $50,000,000 in direct bookings, this book isn’t reserved for towering giants in the rental management space. It’s crafted for anyone, regardless of their revenue figures, who’s committed to mastering their marketing and solidifying the future of their business.

Structured into sections inspired by boxing weight classes—Featherweight to Super Heavyweight—this guide accompanies you through every phase of your business journey, offering relevant case studies, actionable tips, and a strategic map to guide you from where you are to where you desire to be. O’Connell refuses to suggest that readers withdraw from OTAs. Instead, he demonstrates how to transform OTA bookings from a crutch to a “nice to have,” amplifying your autonomy and control over your business.

Expect to dive deep into the highest-performing marketing channels—search, social, and email—and to learn how to optimize these channels for enduring performance. O’Connell ensures transparency, revealing almost everything that’s worked in his extensive experience in driving direct bookings.

This book is more than a theoretical exploration: it’s a practical roadmap, each chapter prompting you with questions that assist you in assessing your current position and aligning your strategies for potent marketing and revenue amplification. Whether you’re just stepping into the ring or you’re a seasoned pro, “Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing” is your companion in constructing a robust, self-reliant business that thrives in any landscape.

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