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In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, Paul and Conrad give a TON of ideas on photo and video assets that you need to build your vacation rental brand.
⭐️ Links & Show Notes
Paul Manzey Conrad O'ConnellConrad's Book: Mastering Vacation Rental MarketingConrad's Course: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing 101Short-Term Rental Photography Secrets with Andrew KellerISOneedphotos🔗 Connect With BuildUp Bookings
WebsiteFacebook PageInstagram
🚀 About BuildUp BookingsBuildUp Bookings is a team of creative, problem solvers made to drive you more traffic, direct bookings and results for your accommodations brand. Reach out to us for help on search, social and email marketing for your vacation rental brand.
Video ideas:
📍 Property Showcase Videos (25 Ideas)
60-Second Property Highlight Reel – Wide-angle shots of living areas, bedrooms, kitchen, outdoor spaces ending with dramatic drone pullbackPOV Guest Arrival Experience – GoPro-style journey from parking to front door to best view in the houseFollow-Me Guided Tour – Host-led walkthrough highlighting unique features and amenitiesBefore & After Renovation Reveal – Split-screen transformation showcasing property improvementsRoom-by-Room Flash Tour – 3-second clips of each space with text overlays (Master Suite, Chef's Kitchen, Game Room)
Core Property Tours
Unique Feature Deep Dive – 30-second focus on standout amenities (infinity pool, wine cellar, home theater)Chef's Kitchen in Action – Professional cooking demonstration showcasing high-end appliancesOutdoor Living Paradise – Pool, hot tub, fire pit, BBQ area montage with lifestyle shotsMaster Suite Experience – Morning coffee in bed with sunrise view through floor-to-ceiling windowsSmart Home Technology – Voice-controlled lighting, automated blinds, keyless entry demonstration
Amenity Spotlights
Aerial Property Overview – Drone 360° orbit at golden hour with distance markers to beaches/attractionsDay-to-Night Transformation – Time-lapse showing property from sunrise to illuminated eveningSeasonal Property Evolution – Same view across all four seasons (great for year-round bookings)Virtual Tour Teaser – 360° bedroom pan encouraging full Matterport tour viewingCinematic Property Film – Slow motion, professional lighting, and music telling the property's story
Advanced Visual Content
Guest Arrival Guide – Step-by-step check-in process from parking to settling inAmenity How-To Series – Hot tub operation, smart TV setup, grill instructionsProperty Navigation Map – Animated overlay showing routes to beach, downtown, parkingWi-Fi Speed Test – Real-time demonstration for remote workersStorage & Space Solutions – Closet space, luggage storage, family organization tips
Practical Demonstrations
Turnover Time-Lapse – Professional cleaning team preparing property in fast-forwardRecent Upgrades Showcase – New furniture, technology, or amenity additionsQuality Assurance Check – Host's pre-arrival inspection ensuring everything is perfectSeasonal Maintenance – HVAC service, pool opening, landscape updatesAccessibility Features – Ramps, grab bars, accessible bathrooms for inclusive marketing
Maintenance & Updates
🎯 Lifestyle & Guest Experience (15 Ideas)
Perfect Morning Routine – Coffee brewing, sunrise yoga on deck, fresh pastriesCozy Evening Ritual – Fireplace crackling, wine pour, city lights twinklingFamily Fun Montage – Game night laughter, pool splashing, movie night setupCouples Retreat Moments – Hot tub under stars, breakfast in bed, sunset dinnerRemote Work Paradise – Home office setup, video call with beach backdrop
Daily Experiences
Game Room Championships – Pool table trick shots, arcade game highlights, competition laughsOutdoor Adventure Prep – Packing beach bags, loading kayaks, hiking gear organizationSpa Day at Home – Bubble bath setup, face masks by the pool, massage table readyCelebration Central – Birthday party setup, anniversary dinner, graduation toastPet-Friendly Features – Dog bed setup, fenced yard, nearby dog park walkthrough
Entertainment & Recreation
Gourmet Cooking Experience – Using high-end appliances to create restaurant-quality mealsLocal Grocery Haul – Shopping at nearby markets, unpacking fresh ingredientsBBQ Master Class – Grilling techniques, outdoor dining setup, sunset feastCoffee Connoisseur Corner – Espresso machine tutorial, morning coffee ritualWine & Dine Experience – Cellar selection, proper glassware, tasting notes
Culinary Experiences
🗺️ Local Area & Activities (10 Ideas)
Top 5 Local Attractions Countdown – Quick-cut tour of must-visit spots with distancesHidden Gems Revealed – Secret beaches, local favorite restaurants, insider tipsSeasonal Activity Guide – Skiing in winter, beach days in summer, foliage tours in fallFoodie Adventure Map – Farmers markets, food trucks, fine dining recommendationsFamily-Friendly Itinerary – Zoo, adventure parks, kid-friendly restaurants
Attraction Showcases
Day Trip Inspiration – POV drive to wine country, mountain hikes, city explorationLocal Event Calendar – Festivals, concerts, seasonal celebrations nearbyWeather-Proof Activities – Rainy day museums, indoor entertainment, covered marketsTransportation Options – Rental car pickup, public transit, ride-share availabilityShopping & Services – Grocery stores, pharmacies, urgent care locations
Experience Documentation
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⭐ Social Proof & Reviews (8 Ideas) -
In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, Paul and Conrad cover all things Foundational Planning for a vacation rental management company to thrive and grow.
We cover:
Strategy & Foundational Planning
• Mission, Vision & Values statements
• Company origin story
• Unique Value Proposition (UVP) — guests & owners
• Geographic focus / service‑territory map
• Ideal guest personas
• Ideal property‑owner personas
• SMART business goals & high‑level KPIs
• SWOT & competitive analysis report
• Growth & expansion strategy + market‑entry playbook
• Succession / leadership‑transition plan
• Service scope & business‑model definition
• Market‑research repository (demand, seasonality, ADR benchmarks)
⭐️ Links & Show Notes
Paul Manzey Conrad O'ConnellConrad's Book: Mastering Vacation Rental MarketingConrad's Course: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing 101🔗 Connect With BuildUp Bookings
WebsiteFacebook PageInstagram
🚀 About BuildUp BookingsBuildUp Bookings is a team of creative, problem solvers made to drive you more traffic, direct bookings and results for your accommodations brand. Reach out to us for help on search, social and email marketing for your vacation rental brand.
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, Paul and Conrad try something new: a grab bag show with news and notes from around the world of vacation rentals and all growth and the Vacasa - Casago merger. Like this style of episode? Let us know!
⭐️ Links & Show Notes
Paul Manzey Conrad O'ConnellConrad's Book: Mastering Vacation Rental MarketingConrad's Course: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing 101🔗 Connect With BuildUp Bookings
WebsiteFacebook PageInstagram
🚀 About BuildUp BookingsBuildUp Bookings is a team of creative, problem solvers made to drive you more traffic, direct bookings and results for your accommodations brand. Reach out to us for help on search, social and email marketing for your vacation rental brand.
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In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, Paul and Conrad talk all things conversions: getting more bookings, driving more leads and reviewing your website to find the friction points that stop direct bookings from growing.
⭐️ Links & Show Notes
Paul Manzey Conrad O'ConnellConrad's Book: Mastering Vacation Rental MarketingConrad's Course: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing 101🔗 Connect With BuildUp Bookings
WebsiteFacebook PageInstagram
🚀 About BuildUp BookingsBuildUp Bookings is a team of creative, problem solvers made to drive you more traffic, direct bookings and results for your accommodations brand. Reach out to us for help on search, social and email marketing for your vacation rental brand.
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In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, Paul and Conrad cover the concept of a marketing audit for vacation rental businesses, discussing what a good audit entails from both the consultant's and the client's perspectives. They explore quantitative (data-driven) and qualitative (opinion and goal-based) aspects of audits for attracting both guests and homeowners. They also touch upon the challenges of conducting free audits, the potential for bias when sales are involved, and the importance of an audit leading to actionable improvements for the business.
⭐️ Links & Show Notes
Paul Manzey Conrad O'ConnellConrad's LinkedIn PostConrad's Book: Mastering Vacation Rental MarketingConrad's Course: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing 101🔗 Connect With BuildUp Bookings
WebsiteFacebook PageInstagram
🚀 About BuildUp BookingsBuildUp Bookings is a team of creative, problem solvers made to drive you more traffic, direct bookings and results for your accommodations brand. Reach out to us for help on search, social and email marketing for your vacation rental brand.
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In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show (Part Two), Paul and Conrad dive into the early stages of the vacation rental guest journey — where interest is sparked and decisions begin to form.
They explore how true inspiration often comes from unexpected, memorable experiences and how smart property managers can tap into that moment before a guest is even planning a trip. From the role of local tourism boards to leveraging blog content and “pattern interrupts,” they unpack why this top-of-funnel phase is often overlooked—and how to make your brand unforgettable.
As guests shift into research mode, the pressure’s on. The hosts break down what travelers are really looking for when comparing destinations and rentals—and why your website needs to stand toe-to-toe with the likes of Airbnb. If your site leaks trust, design, or information, you’ll lose them fast. Tune in to learn how to optimize your marketing for these make-or-break early stages and build demand that puts your properties in high demand (waitlist, anyone?).
⭐️ Links & Show Notes
Paul Manzey Conrad O'ConnellConrad's LinkedIn PostConrad's Book: Mastering Vacation Rental MarketingConrad's Course: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing 101Part One Of This Series🔗 Connect With BuildUp Bookings
WebsiteFacebook PageInstagram
🚀 About BuildUp BookingsBuildUp Bookings is a team of creative, problem solvers made to drive you more traffic, direct bookings and results for your accommodations brand. Reach out to us for help on search, social and email marketing for your vacation rental brand.
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In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, Paul and Conrad break down the difference between a Content Creator vs an Influencer and how BOTH can lead to success when installed into your vacation rental social media marketing plan. Enjoy!
⭐️ Links & Show Notes
Paul Manzey Conrad O'ConnellConrad's Book: Mastering Vacation Rental MarketingConrad's Course: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing 101🔗 Connect With BuildUp Bookings
WebsiteFacebook PageInstagram
🚀 About BuildUp BookingsBuildUp Bookings is a team of creative, problem solvers made to drive you more traffic, direct bookings and results for your accommodations brand. Reach out to us for help on search, social and email marketing for your vacation rental brand.
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In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, Paul and Conrad talk all things prompts, AI, how to get the best output for various marketing tasks and a LOT more...
⭐️ Links & Show Notes
Paul Manzey Conrad O'ConnellAnthropic Prompt Generation ToolConrad's Book: Mastering Vacation Rental MarketingConrad's Course: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing 101🔗 Connect With BuildUp Bookings
WebsiteFacebook PageInstagram
🚀 About BuildUp BookingsBuildUp Bookings is a team of creative, problem solvers made to drive you more traffic, direct bookings and results for your accommodations brand. Reach out to us for help on search, social and email marketing for your vacation rental brand.
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In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, Paul and Conrad dive into the early stages of the vacation rental guest journey — where interest is sparked and decisions begin to form.
They explore how true inspiration often comes from unexpected, memorable experiences and how smart property managers can tap into that moment before a guest is even planning a trip. From the role of local tourism boards to leveraging blog content and “pattern interrupts,” they unpack why this top-of-funnel phase is often overlooked—and how to make your brand unforgettable.
As guests shift into research mode, the pressure’s on. The hosts break down what travelers are really looking for when comparing destinations and rentals—and why your website needs to stand toe-to-toe with the likes of Airbnb. If your site leaks trust, design, or information, you’ll lose them fast. Tune in to learn how to optimize your marketing for these make-or-break early stages and build demand that puts your properties in high demand (waitlist, anyone?).
⭐️ Links & Show Notes
Paul Manzey Conrad O'ConnellConrad's LinkedIn PostConrad's Book: Mastering Vacation Rental MarketingConrad's Course: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing 101🔗 Connect With BuildUp Bookings
WebsiteFacebook PageInstagram
🚀 About BuildUp BookingsBuildUp Bookings is a team of creative, problem solvers made to drive you more traffic, direct bookings and results for your accommodations brand. Reach out to us for help on search, social and email marketing for your vacation rental brand.
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In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, Paul and Conrad discuss the crucial role of online reviews in the vacation rental business.
They dive into which platforms deserve your focus, highlighting the importance of Google reviews for brand search, trust, and SEO. Discover why you should prioritize one review platform at a time for better results and the power of personalized review requests over automated ones.
The hosts share valuable insights on handling both positive and negative feedback, emphasizing the dos and don'ts of responding professionally and promptly without getting defensive. Learn when to take conversations offline and why generic responses are a no-go.Paul and Conrad also touch on the significance of review velocity, understanding the different standards of review platforms like Airbnb and Verbbo, and when it might be worth claiming listings on niche sites like Yelp.
Finally, they explore the dual impact of reviews on attracting both guests and homeowners and offer a unique tip on how to potentially boost review numbers. Tune in to master your online reputation and turn reviews into a powerful asset for your vacation rental business!
⭐️ Links & Show Notes
Paul Manzey Conrad O'ConnellConrad's Book: Mastering Vacation Rental MarketingConrad's Course: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing 101🔗 Connect With BuildUp Bookings
WebsiteFacebook PageInstagram
🚀 About BuildUp BookingsBuildUp Bookings is a team of creative, problem solvers made to drive you more traffic, direct bookings and results for your accommodations brand. Reach out to us for help on search, social and email marketing for your vacation rental brand.
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In this episode, Paul and Conrad cover the unfolding situation surrounding the potential acquisition of Vacasa, discussing the initial bid by Casago and the subsequent unsolicited bid from Davidson Kempner Capital Management. They delve into the potential motivations behind these moves and the broader implications for the vacation rental industry. Paul and Conrad share their speculative insights on how they would approach the Vacasa situation if they were advisors.
Enjoy!
⭐️ Links & Show Notes
Paul Manzey Conrad O'ConnellConrad's Book: Mastering Vacation Rental MarketingConrad's Course: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing 101🔗 Connect With BuildUp Bookings
WebsiteFacebook PageInstagram
🚀 About BuildUp BookingsBuildUp Bookings is a team of creative, problem solvers made to drive you more traffic, direct bookings and results for your accommodations brand. Reach out to us for help on search, social and email marketing for your vacation rental brand.
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In this episode of The Heads In Beds Show, Conrad and Paul emphasize that building trust and security is essential for successful vacation rental direct booking websites, crucial for both attracting guests and securing homeowner confidence.
They discuss key factors including professional website design, the importance of social proof like guest reviews and trust badges, and the need for transparency and honesty in pricing, property details, and cancellation policies.
The episode also highlights the significance of robust security features such as SSL certificates and secure payment processes, along with providing clear company information to foster approachability.
Enjoy!
Paul Manzey Conrad O'ConnellConrad's Book: Mastering Vacation Rental MarketingConrad's Course: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing 101
⭐️ Links & Show Notes🔗 Connect With BuildUp Bookings
WebsiteFacebook PageInstagram
🚀 About BuildUp BookingsBuildUp Bookings is a team of creative, problem solvers made to drive you more traffic, direct bookings and results for your accommodations brand. Reach out to us for help on search, social and email marketing for your vacation rental brand.
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In this episode, Conrad and Paul discuss the impact of Large Language Model (LLM) tools on vacation rental website traffic, questioning the narrative of Google's decline and the takeover by AI.
They explore whether LLM tools are truly changing search habits and trends. They dive into original research from January 2025, analyzing client data to determine the actual session data coming from client sites. Despite claims from online experts, their data suggests Google is far from dead...
Enjoy!
Paul Manzey Conrad O'ConnellConrad's Book: Mastering Vacation Rental MarketingConrad's Course: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing 101
⭐️ Links & Show Notes🔗 Connect With BuildUp Bookings
WebsiteFacebook PageInstagram
🚀 About BuildUp BookingsBuildUp Bookings is a team of creative, problem solvers made to drive you more traffic, direct bookings and results for your accommodations brand. Reach out to us for help on search, social and email marketing for your vacation rental brand.
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In this episode, Conrad and Paul focus on vacation rental marketing strategies at the property level, particularly optimizing property detail pages for increased bookings and revenue. They also dive into the art of optimizing property detail pages to drive more bookings and boost revenue.
They break down the essentials—high-quality photos, engaging videos, and strategic branding—to make any vacation rental stand out, even in competitive markets. From design choices to must-have amenities, they explore how to position properties for success. Plus, they discuss why investing in property assets should be a key part of the owner onboarding process and how social media and email marketing can amplify visibility.
Enjoy!
Paul Manzey Conrad O'ConnellConrad's Book: Mastering Vacation Rental MarketingConrad's Course: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing 101
⭐️ Links & Show Notes🔗 Connect With BuildUp Bookings
WebsiteFacebook PageInstagram
🚀 About BuildUp BookingsBuildUp Bookings is a team of creative, problem solvers made to drive you more traffic, direct bookings and results for your accommodations brand. Reach out to us for help on search, social and email marketing for your vacation rental brand.
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In this episode, Conrad and Paul think more about Google and how they're ranking and thinking about CONTENT on your vacation rental blog and website. They also break down AI overviews, search trends, updates and more.
Enjoy!
Paul Manzey Conrad O'ConnellConrad's Book: Mastering Vacation Rental MarketingConrad's Course: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing 101Lily Ray on XGoogle Search DocsAI Overview XeetGoogle AI Overviews With Detailed Comparison Mode
⭐️ Links & Show Notes🔗 Connect With BuildUp Bookings
WebsiteFacebook PageInstagram
🚀 About BuildUp BookingsBuildUp Bookings is a team of creative, problem solvers made to drive you more traffic, direct bookings and results for your accommodations brand. Reach out to us for help on search, social and email marketing for your vacation rental brand.
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In this episode, Conrad and Paul close the loop on the "lingo" series with reporting, numbers, KPIs and metrics that many vacation rental companies use to measure and gauge direct booking performance.
Enjoy!
Paul Manzey Conrad O'ConnellConrad's Book: Mastering Vacation Rental MarketingConrad's Course: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing 101
⭐️ Links & Show Notes🔗 Connect With BuildUp Bookings
WebsiteFacebook PageInstagram
🚀 About BuildUp BookingsBuildUp Bookings is a team of creative, problem solvers made to drive you more traffic, direct bookings and results for your accommodations brand. Reach out to us for help on search, social and email marketing for your vacation rental brand.
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In this episode Conrad and Paul use Porter's Five Forces to explain what challenges the vacation rental industry is facing in 2025, weak spots, opportunities and a lot more.
Enjoy!
Paul Manzey Conrad O'ConnellConrad's Book: Mastering Vacation Rental MarketingConrad's Course: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing 101
⭐️ Links & Show Notes🔗 Connect With BuildUp Bookings
WebsiteFacebook PageInstagram
🚀 About BuildUp BookingsBuildUp Bookings is a team of creative, problem solvers made to drive you more traffic, direct bookings and results for your accommodations brand. Reach out to us for help on search, social and email marketing for your vacation rental brand.
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In this episode Conrad and Paul revisit the "lingo" series and focus on social media marketing and paid social ads mostly on Meta (Facebook / Instagram).
Enjoy!
Paul Manzey Conrad O'ConnellConrad's Book: Mastering Vacation Rental MarketingConrad's Course: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing 101
⭐️ Links & Show Notes🔗 Connect With BuildUp Bookings
WebsiteFacebook PageInstagram
🚀 About BuildUp BookingsBuildUp Bookings is a team of creative, problem solvers made to drive you more traffic, direct bookings and results for your accommodations brand. Reach out to us for help on search, social and email marketing for your vacation rental brand.
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In this episode Conrad and Paul run a fun test: can we build a marketing strategy that makes sense with ChatGPT and / or Gemini from Google?
Enjoy!
Paul Manzey Conrad O'ConnellConrad's Book: Mastering Vacation Rental MarketingConrad's Course: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing 101ChatGPTGemini
⭐️ Links & Show Notes🔗 Connect With BuildUp Bookings
WebsiteFacebook PageInstagram
🚀 About BuildUp BookingsBuildUp Bookings is a team of creative, problem solvers made to drive you more traffic, direct bookings and results for your accommodations brand. Reach out to us for help on search, social and email marketing for your vacation rental brand.
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In this episode Conrad shares the audio from his room-filling DARM Presentation: Mastering Property Detail Pages & Property Descriptions To Get More Direct Bookings.
Enjoy!
Paul Manzey Conrad O'ConnellConrad's Book: Mastering Vacation Rental MarketingConrad's Course: Mastering Vacation Rental Marketing 101Video version & blog post
⭐️ Links & Show Notes🔗 Connect With BuildUp Bookings
WebsiteFacebook PageInstagram
🚀 About BuildUp BookingsBuildUp Bookings is a team of creative, problem solvers made to drive you more traffic, direct bookings and results for your accommodations brand. Reach out to us for help on search, social and email marketing for your vacation rental brand.
- Visa fler
