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Every market has a slow season—and no, it doesn’t mean your listing is broken. This week, Sarah and Annette break down how to use your slow season strategically so you can maximize revenue when demand returns.In this episode, we cover:What actually defines a slow season (and why every market has one)How to stop “panic pricing” when demand doesn’t existThe industry secret: using a slow season to get aheadThe operational tasks that matter most right nowWhy a deep clean isn’t just about your space—it’s about your numbersHow to reconnect with past guests and segment your audienceWhat financial foundations every host should review annuallyHow reinvesting in yourself leads to better revenue outcomesYou can’t change the market. But you can change how you respond to it—and a smart slow-season strategy sets you up for your most profitable year yet.Resources mentioned:Priced & Profitable Bootcamp Mentioned in this episode:Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you!

This week on the Hosting Hotline, Alexandra asks a common question: “How do you screen guests?”Sarah and Annette break down why the word “screening” doesn’t belong in hospitality—and how hosts can shift their approach to something far more effective: guest alignment.In this episode, we cover:Why your language matters more than you thinkHow to approach bookings from a hospitality-first mindsetWhat Airbnb’s trust and verification system actually protectsWhy Instant Book can help—not hurt—your businessWhat red flags are worth reviewing (and which aren’t)The key question to ask every guest to confirm fitHow to communicate expectations without sounding accusatoryWhy consistency matters more than creating the “perfect” processWhether you’re new to hosting or refining your systems, this episode will help you evaluate bookings with confidence—without slipping into fear-based hosting.Resources mentioned:Truvi (identity verification for direct bookings)Priced & Profitable Bootcamp

This week, Sarah and Annette break down a simple but powerful strategy every host should be using to stay competitive: analyzing your comp set the same way professional revenue managers do—without spending thousands on data tools.Inside the episode, they walk you through a three-step workflow for using ChatGPT to read, synthesize, and analyze your competitors’ guest reviews so you can understand what travelers actually value, what’s frustrating them, and where you can immediately stand out.But before the AI magic, they start by defining what a comp set really is—and why most hosts get this part wrong. If you feel like your property has “no competitors,” this episode will challenge that thinking in a way that makes your marketing sharper and your operations more profitable.They also highlight one listener property, Snow Place Like Home, and walk through their smart paid marketing strategy using regional travel publications.Inside the episode you’ll learn:• What a competitive set actually is (and why 90 percent of hosts build it incorrectly)• How OTAs decide which listings you compete with• Why relying on intuition instead of data limits your revenue potential• A step-by-step workflow to extract and analyze 50–100 competitor reviews using ChatGPT• How to identify what guests consistently love, dislike, or wish was different• How to use review language to improve your listing copy and boost conversions• How to prioritize amenity upgrades based on real demand• How to refine your brand positioning using insights from your comp set• Why this AI-powered review analysis is like getting a free market research report• How to use your own reviews to stay ahead of guest expectationsThis is a practical, repeatable workflow you can implement today—and revisit every quarter—to stay sharp in your market without expensive consultants, tools, or guesswork.Chat GPT Prompt:How to Use This Prompt Copy and paste the full prompt below into your favorite AI chatbot (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, etc.). Then simply follow the step-by-step instructions — the AI will walk you through analyzing competitor reviews, pulling key insights from your own guest reviews, and turning that data into clear action steps, improved listing copy, and a stronger brand position for your short-term rental. This is a practical, guided exercise to help you turn guest feedback into a competitive advantage using real guest language — not marketing fluff.Quick Disclaimer Every AI system is a little different. If you don’t get the output you were hoping for, feel free to tweak or rephrase parts of the prompt to better fit your specific property, goals, or chatbot platform. The structure is flexible — the power is in how you use it. Your insights will get stronger each time you revisit this process with new reviews or updated listing information.You are an expert short-term rental strategist and AI assistant trained to help Airbnb and Vrbo hosts analyze guest reviews (both from competitors and their own listings) to identify patterns, improve amenities, enhance listings, and strengthen brand positioning.Your user is a short-term rental host who has just watched or listened to a podcast or YouTube video about using AI for competitive insight. They want to use this prompt to turn competitor and guest reviews into actionable improvements for their property listings. The AI should guide them step-by-step through collecting, analyzing, and applying these insights.The AI must be compatible with any chatbot platform (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, etc.) and should use a simple, conversational, and educational tone that makes even complex steps easy for first-time users.Your task is to guide the user through a structured, multi-step process to:Analyze competitor reviews to find what...

In this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and Annette answer a question from Susie, a host who’s leveling up her short-term rental and wants to know: should you provide shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in every bathroom?It seems simple, but this small decision says a lot about your professionalism, your brand standards, and the overall guest experience. The answer is yes—and Sarah and Annette dive into why this baseline amenity matters more than hosts often realize.Inside the episode, they cover:• The Nashville stay that proved why missing basics can sink an otherwise great property• How guest expectations have drastically evolved going into 2025 and beyond• Why amenities are less about luxury and more about clarity, consistency, and professionalism• How missing basics show up in reviews (and how providing them quietly prevents friction)• Why standardized bathroom setups reduce mental load and improve operations• The role of comp-set research when choosing what to provide• How to anticipate guest needs using hotel-level hospitality thinking• An inside perspective from Taylor at Minoan on why amenities directly impact five-star reviewsWhether you’re a new host or scaling a professional operation, this episode is a reminder that thoughtful basics are never optional. They are the foundation of a frictionless stay.Resources Mentioned: Minoan: Professional-grade supplies and better-than-trade pricing for hostsThanks for Visiting Bootcamp: Join the waitlistMentioned in this episode:Lodgify | Use code TFV20

In this episode, Sarah and Annette break down their data-backed predictions for the 2026 short-term rental market. After a recalibration year in 2025—marked by softened bookings, rising standards, and increased competition—they’re sharing the six major trends every host needs to prepare for.They cover what a “flat but stable” market really means, why guest expectations continue to climb, how regulations will tighten nationwide, the growing dominance of drive-to markets, shrinking traveler loyalty, and the economic factors shaping demand.Whether you’re navigating new permitting rules, rethinking your guest experience, or finally committing to a revenue management plan, this episode will help you build a smarter, more resilient hosting strategy for the year ahead.What You’ll Learn:Why 2025 was a recalibration year and what that means going into 2026What “flat is the new normal” means for hostsWhy guest standards continue to rise everywhereHow tightening regulations will impact your businessThe continued dominance of drive-to destinations and 3–4 night staysWhy traveler loyalty is fading and trust now drives bookingsWhat economic factors may shape demandHow to audit your 2025 data and plan intentionally for the new yearWhy 2026 is the “professional era” for hostsResources Mentioned:Rent Responsibly — An education and community-building platform for short-term rental operators that helps owners, hosts, and managers navigate their local laws and professionalize their hospitality businesses.Mentioned in this episode:Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you!