The Boostly Podcast: A Deep Dive into Curated Spaces with Molly Cooper
Episode: Designing with Intention: Molly Cooper on Curated Spaces & Guest Experiences
Release Date: February 17, 2025
Host: Mark Simpson
1. Introduction
In this episode of The Boostly Podcast, host Mark Simpson welcomes Molly Cooper, co-founder of Curated Spaces. The discussion centers around creating unique guest experiences in the hospitality industry, leveraging storytelling, and driving direct bookings through innovative marketing strategies.
2. Meet Molly Cooper and Curated Spaces
Molly Cooper introduces Curated Spaces as an evolution from her initial podcast, which spotlighted boutique spaces across the UK. What began as a platform to share stories has now expanded into a comprehensive service aimed at reinvigorating travel bookings by fostering direct connections between hosts and guests.
Molly Cooper [01:30]: "It all started as a podcast, sharing the stories behind boutique spaces around the UK and it's all snowballed in the best possible way into a platform we're launching..."
3. The Genesis of Curated Spaces: From Podcasting to Platform Building
Molly shares her passion for hospitality and travel, rooted in her childhood fascination with hotel shows and her professional experience in startups. Transitioning from a Chief of Staff in a tech startup, she pursued her love for travel by creating content that celebrates unique spaces and the stories behind them.
Molly Cooper [02:57]: "I was always that person whose favorite program was that amazing hotel show... felt like the time had come to put my money where my mouth was and actually go and build that company."
Her podcasting journey provided invaluable insights, connecting her with hosts who were eager to break free from platforms like Booking.com and drive direct bookings through authentic guest experiences.
4. Navigating the Creator Marketing Landscape
Molly discusses the challenges she faced as a content creator, particularly in monetizing travel-related content. Unlike other industries where influencer partnerships can seamlessly drive sales, the travel sector struggles with effective monetization strategies.
Molly Cooper [06:00]: "I was burning through my savings and people would ping me like 200 quid... travel seems to be a bit lagging behind in the booking.com era."
These revelations inspired the creation of Curated Spaces—a platform designed to bridge the gap between authentic content creators and boutique hosts, facilitating meaningful collaborations that resonate with modern travelers.
5. The Vision Behind Curated Spaces' Platform
Curated Spaces aims to address the shifting preferences of Millennials and Gen Z, who prioritize authentic experiences over flashy aesthetics. The platform connects hosts with micro and nano influencers who align with their brand values and can tell compelling stories that attract direct bookings.
Molly Cooper [14:43]: "We're super visual, we're really into authentic... user interviews showed that traditional marketing with empty room shots doesn't work anymore."
By simplifying the collaboration process and providing tools to track the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, Curated Spaces empowers hosts to engage with their target audience more effectively.
6. Storytelling and Emotional Connection in Marketing
A significant focus of the conversation is the importance of storytelling in hospitality marketing. Molly emphasizes that creating an emotional connection through authentic stories and immersive visuals can significantly enhance guest engagement and drive bookings.
Molly Cooper [21:29]: "Share a story, people love stories, they love journeys... build an emotional connection, which is great and really democratizing."
Mark echoes this sentiment, highlighting the shift from merely showcasing spaces to creating evocative narratives that allow potential guests to envision their own experiences.
Mark Simpson [25:11]: "It's about creating that kind of emotive feeling... people don't buy with logic, they buy with emotion."
7. Key Advice for Hosts: Avoiding Common Marketing Mistakes
Molly advises hosts to showcase the human elements of their spaces rather than relying solely on pristine visuals. Highlighting the team behind the scenes or unique rituals can make a property more relatable and memorable.
Molly Cooper [31:25]: "Don't just fill your Instagram or your socials with the perfect picks. Show the everyday... bring the humans that make your space so special."
Mark adds that integrating personal stories and behind-the-scenes glimpses can differentiate a listing from the myriad of options available online.
8. Highlights and Challenges in Building Curated Spaces
Reflecting on her journey, Molly shares her most memorable moments and the hurdles faced while developing Curated Spaces. From the exhilaration of launching the platform to the solitude of working remotely, she underscores the resilience required in entrepreneurship.
Molly Cooper [26:07]: "My first recording trip... everything was new and novel... Another wow moment was our paid trial mini platform preview..."
She also touches on the personal growth experienced, realizing the importance of human interaction after prolonged periods of remote work.
Molly Cooper [28:10]: "I've been working from home... sometimes I need to see a human."
9. Conclusion: Embracing Authenticity and Building Community
As the conversation wraps up, Molly expresses her excitement about launching the Curated Spaces platform, aiming to foster a community where unique spaces and passionate creators collaborate to enrich the travel experience.
Molly Cooper [33:17]: "Everything happens for a reason... terrifying though putting a baby out in the world to be shot down. But it's going to be great."
Mark commends her approach and reinforces the podcast's theme of storytelling and emotional engagement as pivotal in modern hospitality marketing.
Mark Simpson [35:10]: "Focus on telling stories and building emotions with your audience."
10. Learn More
To explore Curated Spaces and join their growing community of boutique hosts and creators, visit app.curatedspaces.club. Stay tuned to The Boostly Podcast for more insights and strategies to enhance your direct booking efforts.
Thank you for listening to this episode of The Boostly Podcast. If you found value in this conversation, please share it with fellow hosts or enthusiasts in the hospitality industry. For more actionable advice on securing direct bookings, check out Mark Simpson's bestseller, Direct Playbook, available on all major book platforms and Audible.