Podcast
The Boostly Podcast
Hosted by Mark Simpson · EN
Ready to reclaim control of your bookings and break free from the unpredictability of OTAs like Airbnb? Craving the stability of building your business on your terms?
Dive into the Boostly Podcast, where Mark Simpson and Liam Carolan unveil the secrets to unlocking a flood of direct bookings. With a rich mix of insights, Mark and Liam equip you with the tools and strategies needed to secure your independence in the hospitality industry.
Liam Carolan shines in the "Behind The Host" mini-series, offering a peek into the journeys of successful hosts. Mark Simpson, the driving force behind the Boostly Podcast, shares actionable advice and the latest trends to help you stay ahead.
Join us for a journey over 700 episodes deep – all designed to empower you with knowledge and tactics for boosting your bookings. Catch our engaging video content on the Boostly YouTube channel at boostly.co.uk/youtube. Your path to direct booking mastery starts here!
61episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Fries With That? How to Master Upsells & Boost Your Short-Term Rental Profits
Jul 14, 202500:29:43Summary ready🎙 Welcome to this Special Webinar Episode of 'Fries with that' on the Boostly Show! 🎙👋 Welcome to Boostly, where we give STR and MTR owners and managers the tools, strategies, and support to win more direct bookings — no fluff, no ads.💡 This video is part of our free training series to help you grow your short-term rental business and take control away from OTAs.How can you make guest upsells a meaningful part of your short-term rental business? In this special panel episode, Mark Simpson is joined by Laura Muse from Muse Escapes, Mike O’Connell from Happy Guest, and Siddhi Mittal from YHangry to share practical strategies for making upsells work in the real world of hosting.They discuss how to figure out what your guests actually want, simple ways to set up and market upsells, and how building relationships with local partners can create unique guest experiences — and boost your bottom line. You’ll hear why adding a personal touch matters more than ever and how using upsells the right way can even help reduce cancellations and increase booking conversions.Let's jump in.Happy Guest: https://www.happyguestofficial.com/YHangry: https://yhangry.com/Muse Escapes: https://museescapes.com/Connect with Boostlyhttps://Boostly.co.ukhttps://Boostly.co.uk/5stepshttps://instagram.com/boostlyukhttps://Boostly.co.uk/podcast
SummaryThis OTA Alternative Is Saving Guests Thousands — Meet Savvy.com
Jul 7, 202500:36:59Summary ready🎙 Welcome back to the Episode 785 of Boostly Podcast! 🎙👋 Welcome to Boostly, where we give STR and MTR owners and managers the tools, strategies, and support to win more direct bookings — no fluff, no ads.💡 This video is part of our free training series to help you grow your short-term rental business and take control away from OTAs.In today’s Spotlight Series, we’re talking to a true hospitality veteran — Eric Goldreyer, the founder of BedandBreakfast.com and TurnKey — who’s now on a mission to disrupt the OTA model with his latest platform, Savvy.If you're tired of handing over control (and cash) to Airbnb and Vrbo, this episode is for you. Eric shares how Savvy is helping professional hosts take back guest relationships and avoid sky-high booking fees — all while delivering better hospitality.We get into OTA frustrations, the need for consistency in STRs, the rise of professional hosts, and how platforms like Savvy are making direct booking easier, smarter, and more profitable.Let's jump in.https://www.savvy.com/Connect with Boostlyhttps://Boostly.co.ukhttps://Boostly.co.uk/5stepshttps://instagram.com/boostlyukhttps://Boostly.co.uk/podcast
SummaryFrom Airbnb Dependent to Fully Booked Direct - The Power of Direct Bookings!
Jun 29, 202500:33:06Summary ready🎙 Welcome back to the Episode 784 of Boostly Podcast! 🎙👋 Welcome to Boostly, where we give STR and MTR owners and managers the tools, strategies, and support to win more direct bookings — no fluff, no ads.💡 This video is part of our free training series to help you grow your short-term rental business and take control away from OTAs.In this episode of the Boostly Podcast, we're joined by Jenn Boyles—vacation rental pro, marketer, and founder of Direct Booking Success and Book Direct Pro. Jenn shares her incredible journey from growing up in luxury hotels to becoming a short-term rental host and helping others achieve booking independence.We dive into the realities of relying on OTAs, the mindset shift needed to embrace direct bookings, and how to turn your property from just a listing into a thriving brand. Jenn also introduces her all-in-one marketing tool, Book Direct Pro, and the STR Content Lab, designed to give hosts the support and confidence to build a sustainable, profitable business without relying solely on Airbnb or Vrbo.Let's jump in.https://directbookingsuccess.comhttps://bookdirectpro.comConnect with Boostlyhttps://Boostly.co.ukhttps://Boostly.co.uk/5stepshttps://instagram.com/boostlyukhttps://Boostly.co.uk/podcast
SummaryThe Secret to Running a Scalable STR Business — Smoobu’s Strategy for 2025!
Jun 23, 202500:27:05Summary ready🎙 Welcome back to the Episode 783 of Boostly Podcast! 🎙👋 Welcome to Boostly, where we give STR and MTR owners and managers the tools, strategies, and support to win more direct bookings — no fluff, no ads.💡 This video is part of our free training series to help you grow your short-term rental business and take control away from OTAs.In today’s Spotlight Series, we introduce you to the tools, strategies, and people transforming the short-term rental world.In this episode, we’re joined by Nicolas, Strategic Partnerships Manager at Smoobu, to dive deep into what makes a scalable, successful STR business in 2025. From dynamic pricing and direct booking websites to flexible messaging automations and open API access, Smoobu is more than just a channel manager—it’s a platform built to empower hosts who want to grow without burning out.We cover how top hosts are using automation, what mistakes most hosts make when setting up their PMS, and the AI tools Smoobu is building to stay ahead of the curve. If you're still juggling bookings manually or haven't tapped into revenue management tools yet, this conversation is your wake-up call.Let's jump in.https://www.smoobu.com/en/Connect with Boostlyhttps://Boostly.co.ukhttps://Boostly.co.uk/5stepshttps://instagram.com/boostlyukhttps://Boostly.co.uk/podcast
SummaryHow to Get a Vacation Rental License (Without the Stress or Fines) – Expert Tips for STR Hosts
Jun 15, 202500:27:00Summary ready🎙 Welcome back to the Episode 783 of Boostly Podcast! 🎙In this Boostly Spotlight episode, we interview Guy from Vacation Rental License, a U.S.-based service that helps hosts secure the correct licensing to run their STRs legally and stress-free.Guy shares the truth about permits, licensing delays, and the often-overlooked zoning pitfalls that can cost hosts thousands or shut their business down completely. You’ll hear real stories, common mistakes, and learn how to stay ahead of regulation changes without getting buried in paperwork or red tape. Whether you're managing one unit or an entire portfolio, this conversation will help you protect your business, operate with confidence, and make smarter investments in the future.Let's Jump in.https://www.vacationrentallicense.com/Connect with Boostlyhttps://Boostly.co.ukhttps://Boostly.co.uk/5stepshttps://instagram.com/boostlyukhttps://Boostly.co.uk/podcast
SummaryThe Grocery Concierge Changing the Game for Hosts!
Jun 8, 202500:25:50Summary ready🎙 Welcome back to the Episode 782 of Boostly Podcast! 🎙👋 Welcome to Boostly, where we give STR and MTR owners and managers the tools, strategies, and support to win more direct bookings — no fluff, no ads.💡 This video is part of our free training series to help you grow your short-term rental business and take control away from OTAs.In today’s Spotlight Series, we’re diving into one of the easiest guest-first upgrades you can offer: groceries delivered before your guests even arrive.Joining us is Connor Paton, CEO of Notable — the grocery concierge service designed specifically for short-term rentals. We explore how this upsell can boost your 5-star reviews, increase revenue, and help you stand out in competitive markets — all while making your guests feel instantly at home.This isn’t just about groceries. It’s about convenience, personalisation, and creating unforgettable moments. Whether you manage luxury villas or beach cottages, this episode is packed with ideas to elevate your guest experience and drive direct bookings.Let’s jump in.https://www.shopnoshable.com/Connect with Boostlyhttps://Boostly.co.ukhttps://Boostly.co.uk/5stepshttps://instagram.com/boostlyukhttps://Boostly.co.uk/podcast
SummaryTurning Stargazing into a 5-Star Guest Experience with Visit Dark Skies
Jun 2, 202500:19:19Summary ready🎙 Welcome back to the Episode 781 of Boostly Podcast! 🎙In today’s Spotlight Series, we’re diving into one of the most unique and memorable guest experiences out there—stargazing. But not just any stargazing… we’re talking about star bathing with a guided audio experience designed to turn your remote property into a destination that guests will never forget.Joining us is Etta Dunman, lighting designer and founder of Visit Dark Skies. She’s on a mission to help hosts create magical, immersive experiences by using the natural beauty of the night sky—something guests crave, but most hosts overlook.We explore how light pollution is making dark sky locations more valuable than ever, how a simple 30-minute activity can create lifetime memories, and how you can implement this at your property in just two hours—no astronomy skills required.If your rental is in a remote location or you’re looking for an easy way to boost bookings and reviews through experience-led hosting, this episode is for you.Let’s jump in.https://www.visitdarkskies.com/skyConnect with Boostlyhttps://Boostly.co.ukhttps://Boostly.co.uk/5stepshttps://instagram.com/boostlyukhttps://Boostly.co.uk/podcast
SummaryThe Future of Direct Bookings, AI, and the End of OTA Dependence
May 26, 202500:38:56Summary ready🎙 Welcome back to the Episode 780 of Boostly Podcast! 🎙In this episode, Mark Simpson the founder of Boostly sat down with Oriol from Mr. Alfred to share his journey—from growing up in UK hospitality to helping short-term rental hosts around the world generate over £50 million in direct bookings through Boostly. Mark talk about the early days, building a global brand, and why he's on a mission to help 1 million hosts take back control from OTAs.We dive into why over-reliance on Airbnb is a dangerous game, the importance of building a guest database, and how he is using AI to transform guest communication and streamline operations for hosts. Mark also shares his thoughts on the future of the industry, global market trends, and the game-changing tools he think every host should be paying attention to right now.Whether you're new to direct bookings or scaling fast, this episode is packed with tips to help you grow your business on your terms.Let’s jump in.Connect with Boostlyhttps://Boostly.co.ukhttps://Boostly.co.uk/5stepshttps://instagram.com/boostlyukhttps://Boostly.co.uk/podcast
SummaryAI, Data, and the Direct Booking Revolution – The 3 Phases of AI in Hospitality.
May 19, 202500:31:51Summary ready🎙 Welcome back to the Episode 779 of Boostly Podcast! 🎙In this Spotlight Series episode, we sit down with Luca Zambello, CEO and co-founder of Journey, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the hospitality industry—from the inside out.Joining us is Luca Zambello, CEO and co-founder of Journey, an AI-powered property management system that’s transforming how hosts run their businesses—from automated guest comms and reviews to smart co-pilots that respond to voice commands and even personalised guest experiences at scale.If you’ve been curious (or sceptical) about AI, this episode breaks down exactly how it works, what’s changing, and how it can enhance the human side of hosting rather than replace it.Whether you manage 2 properties or 200, this is your roadmap to staying ahead in a fast-moving industry.Let’s jump in.https://www.jurny.com/Connect with Boostlyhttps://Boostly.co.ukhttps://Boostly.co.uk/5stepshttps://instagram.com/boostlyukhttps://Boostly.co.uk/podcast
SummaryHow to Build a MARKETING FUNNEL That Drives Direct Bookings (NO MORE Relying on OTAs)
May 12, 202500:28:28Summary ready🎙 Welcome back to the Episode 778 of Boostly Podcast! 🎙In today’s Spotlight Series, we’re talking all things marketing funnels — and how short-term rental hosts can use them to skyrocket direct bookings.Joining us is Dustin Baker, founder of Hidden Gem Media and a marketing expert who’s helping hosts break free from Airbnb and OTAs using the same powerful strategies big brands use—without needing a massive ad budget.We’re diving into why trust is the missing link in most direct booking strategies, how to turn social media followers into email subscribers, and how a properly built funnel can completely transform your business.If you’ve ever felt stuck posting on Instagram with no results, or you’re wondering how to actually turn traffic into bookings, this episode is your game plan.Let’s jump in.https://hiddengem.media/@dustindeanbakerConnect with Boostlyhttps://Boostly.co.ukhttps://Boostly.co.uk/5stepshttps://instagram.com/boostlyukhttps://Boostly.co.uk/podcast
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