Posts by Courtney Ross
Is Your Marketing Funnel Pouring In Profits? Learn How to Turn the Flow into Bookings!

Running a rental property or short-term rental can be incredibly rewarding, but let's face itβ€”getting those bookings isn’t always a walk in the park. If you’ve noticed that your bookings are slowing down, the issue might not be the property itself, but rather, a hiccup in your marketing funnel. We are going to break down where your marketing funnel might be faltering and, more importantly, how to fix it so you can keep those bookings rolling in.

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Courtney Ross
4 Strategies to Fill Your Calendar in the Shoulder Season

This year, approximately 62 million people will stay in vacation rentals in the US. So how do you attract those millions of people during your low or what most call shoulder season?  With fluctuating demand and reduced occupancy rates, maintaining a steady flow of guests becomes crucial to sustaining profitability throughout the year. Here are four effective strategies that can help you maximize occupancy and capitalize on opportunities during the off-peak seasons.

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Is your brand helping you increase your revenue by 10-20%?

Through a curated brand story, brand identity, guest experience, and social media, your hotel and vacation rental will imprint more on your guests than you realize. We help you find clarity to create a cohesive and impactful brand identity that communicates your story, values, and aesthetics that can then be targeted to your desired customer.  Branding is the beginning of your first-class, hospitality experience. Learn how to leverage your brand to ensure target audience alignment and differentiation in the market.

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Sawgrass Spotlight: Exploring the Intersection of Hospitality and Technology with Jessica Gillingham

Jessica and her team have really outdone themselves by creating something pretty unique for the hospitality industryβ€”the Short-Term Rental Index - an invaluable resource and the first of it’s kind. This index serves as a crucial resource for property managers, owners, and hosts, offering a comprehensive overview of the technology available to tackle various operational challengesβ€”from guest experience enhancements to efficient property management solutions. Here are ways Jessica and her team are contributing to the dynamic world of hospitality PR and marketing through technology.


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Leverage These 2024 Travel Trends in Your Marketing Strategy

It’s no secret, the travel industry isn’t slowing, and 2024 is expected to be a banner year. We've researched the top trends of hospitality travel for this year and are diving deep into the realms of wellness wonders, the influencer revolution, tantalizing partnerships, the luxury renaissance on rails, and the heartwarming embrace of multigenerational travel. So, get ready to rethink your marketing strategy because these trends can elevate your hospitality brand to new heights.

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Courtney Ross
VRMA International: Marketing Your STRs Will Be Different in 2024

With so much knowledge and experience in one location - the ideas, advice, and camaraderie flowed freely. I truly felt that community was strongly valued over competition. As I reflect on what I heard from the travel community as a whole, one thing stood out above everything else: the overall industry is at a pivotal transformation point.

The vacation rental industry is at an intersection of three core events. Here’s how they’ll impact you.

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Courtney Ross
Five Amenities to Uplevel Your Airbnb

If you're looking to uplevel your Airbnb and stand out from the competition, there are certain amenities that can make all the difference. From top-notch kitchen appliances to must-have tech gadgets, investing in a few key items can help you attract more guests and earn five-star reviews. Here are five amenities to consider adding to your vacation rental.

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Courtney Ross
5 Reasons Social Listening is the Best Investment for Your Vacation Rental Management Company

What if you could optimize all of your marketing efforts to increase your booking rate while improving your guest experience and operations - with one platform? Sounds too good to be true right? Well, the future is here for the hospitality industry and it's time vacation rental management companies took full advantage of AI. Social listening provides your insight into what guests are saying about your properties by monitoring and tracking mentions of your brand name, related topics, and even competitors. This level of understanding helps you pinpoint critical areas of discontent from your guests while also recognizing features and amenities that make you stand out against other properties! By navigating over 150 million conversations, published articles, and internet data you'll be empowered to better understand your guests and create an exceptional experience tailored specifically for them.

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Seven Travel Personas You Need to Know for Niche Hospitality Marketing

Identifying and connecting with your ideal guest has never been more critical. As international travel increases in 2023, discerning travelers now have ample destinations to explore around the globe. Niche marketing allows you to hyperfocus your message and campaign creative so that you’re starting a conversation and relationship with new travelers. This targeted approach is highly effective because it allows you to deeply understand the needs and preferences of a specific group of consumers and tailor your marketing efforts accordingly. This can help you stand out in a crowded market and attract a loyal and dedicated customer base. Let’s introduce you to seven trending travel personas for your hotel or vacation rental.

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5 Ways to Market Your Property in a Recession

It's no surprise to hear we're living in uncertain times. With a looming recession, skyrocketing inflation gas prices, and airline instability due to layoffs - the travel industry is experiencing extreme volatility after enduring two years of a worldwide pandemic.

Since 2019 - there's been a lot of change in the way consumers are searching and selecting their vacation destinations. While cleanliness, safety, location, and unique amenities remain the top reasons why travelers confirm reservations - this year hosts & hoteliers will need to shift once more to overcome unprecedented competition and budget-conscious travelers.

Here are 5 ways to market your hotel or short-term rental during a recession.

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Courtney Ross
How to Run Facebook Ads for Your Airbnb

With over 660,000 Airbnb active listings in the United States, the competition has never been greater for hosts. Many have seen bookings dip due to the rising gas prices and inflation, greater competition in the local market, and eager travelers splurging on international vacations with COVID-19 restrictions easing. So how do you overcome short-term rental market saturation? By launching a micro targeted paid ad campaign on the largest social media platform in the world - Facebook.

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Courtney Ross
The Best Social Platforms for your Short-term Rental

Social currency is a great way to help drive new bookings to your short-term rental. If you don’t have a social strategy, you’re most likely leaving money on the table. While it’s impossible to keep up with all social platforms travelers are using today - we have the top three you’ll want to keep top of mind and develop a marketing plan for to help increase your investment return.

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8 Smart Home Must-Haves for Your Short-Term Rental

One way to not only wow your guests but protect your home investment is by upgrading a few areas of your space with smart home technology. By upgrading everyday elements in your short-term rental you can rest assured that you can always keep an eye on your property while giving your guests an experience unlike any other. Best yet, all of these technology upgrades are $275 and below.

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Rustic Splendor Refined with Fine Art in Highlands, NC


In 2020, Missy Wolfe married her passion for art and the outdoors by creating an immersive, rotating art gallery and luxury rental, appropriately named Highlands Art Chalet. The infusion was a perfect blend for Highlands, NC, a small mountain town that boasts multiple fine dining options and boundless outdoor activities. Check out Highland's Art Chalet on our latest Sawgrass Spotlight.

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Bald Head Island, North Carolina's Best Kept Secret

Nestled between the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean, Bald Head Island is the hidden gem of North Carolina that is only shared between families and closest of friends. The five-mile island is only accessible by ferry and transportation comes in the form of a golf cart or bicycle so when you explore the canopy roads and countless beach accesses you’re fully immersed in the salt air and natural beauty of the island.

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Courtney Ross
How to Get Airbnb Bookings From Instagram

Promoting on social media is an amazing way to get your listing out to the world and Instagram is a great platform to do so. Instagram is a visual social media platform that enables you to showcase your unique listing and develop a creative strategy. The more followers you have on Instagram, the more chance you have of booking more persons. People are more likely to book with you if they are able to visualize themselves in your rental.

You can utilize your account to publicize your listing, amenities, and other unique features to stand out from other properties. Following these tips below will help you promote your Airbnb Instagram account effectively.

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