The Boostly Podcast

Episode: Batch - The Ultimate Party Marketplace for Group Travel

Host: Mark Simpson
Guests: Mike Petrakis (Founder & CEO, Batch), Maddie (Mount)
Date: August 18, 2025

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode dives into Batch, a rapidly growing party and group travel marketplace transforming how group trips—especially bachelorette and bachelor parties—book accommodations and experiences. Mark Simpson and his guests explore how Batch connects high-intent group travelers directly with property owners, empowering operators to reclaim bookings from OTAs and leverage direct channels for increased revenue and control. The show offers tactical advice, actionable data, and industry wisdom for short-term rental (STR) managers seeking to thrive in a shifting travel landscape.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Batch's Origin and Expansion

• [00:01] Mike Petrakis explains Batch started as an app to plan bachelorette parties—coordinating friends, itineraries, and splitting expenses.

  "We are building the world’s greatest party marketplace… we launched our app in 2020… got our first hundred thousand users in about three months, so we knew we had something special."

• Batch now serves:
  • All types of parties and group trips (bachelor, birthdays, girls/guys trips, even divorce parties)
  • 75+ markets, including expanded presence in Mexico and the Caribbean
  • Short-term rentals for groups, alongside curated experiences, restaurants, and bars—all as a “one-stop shop” for group travel.

2. Why Batch Fits the STR Ecosystem

• [02:20] Maddie highlights the synergy between Batch and direct booking advocates:

  "Why not also just find a place to stay and then get directed directly to the book direct website of that property manager? … It seems like such a natural fit."

• Batch uniquely drives high-intent parties to book directly with hosts, bypassing OTA fees.

3. Mike’s Entrepreneurial Journey

• [03:47] Previous ventures in e-commerce (Boast, Wolico) and small business revealed the value in supporting local businesses—informing his vision for Batch as a promoter and enabler for small hospitality brands.
• Key lesson: "Helping small businesses grow… was like, wow, there’s so many companies like this… My job was really, you know, how can I market this and bring it to life?"

4. Biggest Learning Curves & Strategic Bets

• [05:57] Batch’s journey has seen regular challenges—COVID as launch window, then expanding beyond bachelorettes required a complete rebrand and product overhaul.
• Focused on being "the most relevant provider for very specific customer profiles," not trying to appeal to everyone.

5. Dispelling Myths About Party Rentals

• [07:36] 60% of Batch’s business is still bachelorette parties, which Mike argues are among the safest group demographics to host.
• [08:06] Emphasis on matching supply to demand: Not all homes are suitable, but those that are can thrive by catering to what these groups need (enough bathrooms, hairdryers, communal spaces, pools, etc.).

6. Data-Driven Insights & Success Metrics

• [09:30] Notable stats:
  • 1 in 4 US bachelorette parties use Batch
  • 35,000 itinerary events generated monthly
  • Deep data on where users stay, eat, drink, and party, allowing Batch to curate the right supply
• [10:40] Five key Batch data facts for group stays:
  1. Avg. party: 3.4 days, $2,500 average house booking
  2. Top listing: 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 12 guests
  3. Listings with ratings/reviews: 5x more views
  4. Adding video: 2x booking chance
  5. Listings with strong user-generated content (UGC): 3x better than photos alone
• Quote:

  "One in four bachelorette parties in the US use Batch… we get 35,000 itinerary events a month… we just look at our data." — Mike [09:30]

7. Leveraging Social Media and UGC

• [13:21] Social presence is critical. Batch’s Batch Lens (their "TikTok for parties") and strong Instagram strategy aim for top-of-mind, searchable content.
• Batch’s blog, TikTok, and collaborative marketing for subscribers are designed to generate real social proof and "vibe checks"—nuanced ratings that reflect actual trip dynamics.
• UGC over “professional” content:

  “Experiences and short-term rentals that have UGC on their pages are way more likely to get booked.” — Mike [13:21]

• Batch actively solicits content from real guests via QR codes to build trust and engagement.

8. Partner Model—How It Works

• [15:39] Batch is selective: Fewer, better listings tailored for groups (“top 50–75 homes” per city).
• Fee structure: Switched from commission to flat monthly fee (~$200).

  “Why the hell would we fight against [direct booking] and hide the business? … Our job is to be a billboard for businesses and to promote them.”

• Direct booking link on listings—Batch acts as a marketing engine, not a fenced marketplace. 10% of people who click through book on the partner site.
• [24:59] Application is simple: Partner with Batch via website, team outreach within 24hrs, hands-on onboarding.
• Hosts must contribute content—ratings, reviews, UGC—for maximum results.

9. Success Stories & Impact

• [18:19] Early "Stays" beta: The Muse Hotel in Palm Springs netted $14,000 in bookings in two weeks, after paying just $400 to Batch.
• [20:31] Emphasis on investing in the relationship—partners who expand into new markets and actively work with Batch see the best results.

10. The Future: Niche Marketplaces vs. OTAs

• [27:04] Mark and panel agree: Niche OTAs and direct booking sites will explode, providing fruitful complements (not replacements) to the big channels.
• The key: Know your audience and align with marketing partners that can reach them authentically ("If you try to appeal to everybody, you appeal to nobody").

11. Contracts, Commitment, and Data Sharing

• [28:28] Batch offers monthly, cancel-anytime agreements (with discounts for 6/12-month prepay).
• [29:02] Batch is sitting on rich data, planning to publish more for partners—listing event volume, city demand, trends.

12. Direct Booking Movement—Strategy and Execution

• [30:32] Maddie underscores the importance of not just owning a direct booking site but driving traffic to it—something Batch, Mount, and Boostly all specialize in.

  "You need the traffic. So Instagram, TikTok… if you’re not on those places, if you’re not on Batch, you gotta really think about, okay, if I’m having a book Direct strategy, how is it all going to come together?"

• [31:18] Mike: Batch’s advantage is lead-user growth—one planner brings on 10+ friends at no extra CPL.

13. Industry Predictions: Social Media's Role in Bookings

• [32:27] Mark: Will Instagram, TikTok, or ChatGPT build an OTA? Mike:

  "ChatGPT is building an OTA right now."

• Maddie: Instagram/TikTok will stick to social/ad revenue; savvy operators will leverage those platforms for direct booking traffic.

14. Video Content: The Next Big Differentiator

• [33:25] Mark & Maddie: Will Airbnb and others support video? Mike says Airbnb’s attempt is via experiences, but lacks authentic UGC and trust—a gap Batch aims to fill.

  "Airbnb is positioned very much as an OTA… we are trying to be a friend and trusted advisor to help facilitate travel decisions." — Mike [33:52]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "You try to appeal to everybody, you appeal to nobody." — Mark [09:10], recurring theme
• "One in four bachelorette parties in the US use Batch." — Mike [09:30]
• "Adding video to your experience page doubles your chances of getting booked." — Mike [10:40]
• "UGC… is far more likely to drive bookings than professionally or in-house submitted content." — Mike [22:30]
• "55% of people… are just actively trying to circumvent Airbnb and find a way to book direct." — Mike [15:39]
• "2010s were for the OTA era. 2025 and beyond is for direct bookings. Right. And UGC first content. So we’re at the intersection of both." — Mike [32:13]
• "Our job is to be a billboard for businesses and to promote them." — Mike [16:32]

Key Timestamps & Highlights

• 00:01 – Mike introduces Batch, its mission, and early growth
• 02:03 – Why Maddie saw Batch as perfect for the STR space
• 03:47 – Mike’s entrepreneurial background and transition into hospitality tech
• 07:36 – Tackling concerns about “party” guests
• 09:30 – Key stats: 1 in 4 US bachelorette parties on Batch; 35K events/month
• 10:40 – Five must-know Batch performance facts for group rentals
• 13:21 – UGC and social media strategy—why TikTok-style, guest-created videos work
• 15:39 – Batch’s partner criteria and shift to flat fee/marketing model
• 18:19 – Muse Hotel case study: $14,000 in 2 weeks
• 22:30 – How Batch collects UGC with QR codes and party submissions
• 24:24 – 10% click-through to booking rate from Batch to property websites
• 28:28 – No contract restrictions; monthly and cancel-anytime plans
• 30:32 – The real importance of “Book Direct” traffic, not just tech
• 32:13 – Industry trend: Direct bookings and UGC are shaping the future
• 33:52 – Why Airbnb struggles with UGC video content; Batch’s differentiator
• 34:35 – Behind-the-scenes: Airbnb’s “creator army” and UGC production challenges

Final Thoughts & Where to Find More

• Batch: letsbatch.com — Apply as a partner, tailored onboarding, data-driven marketing for group stay hosts.
• Mike Petrakis: Active on LinkedIn (Mike Petrakis); posts public data and insights.
  Batch Instagram: @letsbatch Batch for Biz (exclusive partner channel)
• Maddie: LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok; watch for creator retreats, content marketing collaborations.

Summary Takeaway

Batch's success illustrates a seismic shift in group travel and STR marketing—moving toward niche platforms, UGC-rich content, and true direct bookings. Property managers and hosts must double down on knowing their audience, providing authentic content, and using strategic, data-driven platforms like Batch to stand out and succeed in the new era of hospitality.