Welcome back to another exciting episode! Today, we have a special guest, Bart Sobies, who is an expert in vacation rentals and technology. Bart is the visionary behind The Accommodation Show and iBooked.Online. He has a long history of success, starting his first online business at just 15 years old. With his passion for technology, marketing, and investment, Bart has helped many hospitality owners generate extra revenue through direct bookings and digital products. He is also the founder of a thriving Facebook community where over 2000 industry professionals share valuable insights.
In this episode, Bart shares practical tips for building a successful website and using direct booking strategies. He draws from his experience in helping restaurants with online ordering to highlight the importance of adapting to changes and recognizing the potential of direct bookings in vacation rentals. As the host of The Accommodation Show, Bart explores how emerging technologies like AI and Chat GPT are shaping the future of the industry. He discusses their impact on thought leadership, provides valuable tips for using Chat GPT effectively, and explores their implications for SEO.
Additionally, Bart stresses the significance of building a brand and reducing dependency on booking channels. He shares his best practices for identifying the ideal guest and employing effective communication strategies to foster guest loyalty and drive direct bookings. Join us for an enlightening conversation as Bart Sobies shares his expertise, recommendations, and visionary outlook on the vacation rental industry. Gain valuable insights that will empower you to navigate the evolving landscape and enhance your success as a hospitality owner or manager!
Highlights of the Episode:
00:08 - Guest Intro: Bart Sobies
01:32 – A little bit of history
03:57 – Highly encouraged direct booking strategies
06:59 – Focus on the audience you can speak to
08:28 – Direct bookings or homeowner marketing
12:06 – Getting into the vacation rental space
17:02 – Chat GPT and where it's taking the industry
21:39 – Will it replace original thought leadership?
26:22 – Best tips on learning ChatGPT
33:29 – How this applies to the future of SEO in the marketing world
35:47 – Working with people in vacation rentals
38:24 – Not depending on a channel and building a brand
47:12 – Tying it all in to the guest experience
51:02 – Closing
This episode is brought to you by Casago, Guest Ranger, and Good Neighbor Tech.
Visit AlexAndAnniesList.com to view our top picks for the best suppliers in vacation rental technology and services.
Special thanks to Rev & Research for being the presenting sponsor of Alex & Annie’s List.
Connect with Bart:
Website: https://www.ibooked.online/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bart-sobies/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ibookedonlinefb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibooked.online/
5-Day AI Challenge: https://training.ibooked.online/ai/
Connect with Alex and Annie and get more real vacation rental goodness:
Alex Husner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-o-husner-%F0%9F%8C%8E-1844306/
Annie Holcombe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-holcombe-vrgal/
AlexAndAnniePodcast.com: https://www.alexandanniepodcast.com/
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#VacationRentals #ChatGPT #DirectBookings
