Shows
Direct Booking Success PodcastUsing Instagram to Get More Direct Bookings with Katie BessantAre you ready to turn your Instagram followers into paying guests? In this episode, we explore how to harness the power of Instagram to drive direct bookings for your vacation rental property.Join me as I chat with Katie Besant, founder of the Holiday Hive and social media expert with years of experience in the tourism industry. Katie shares her insider knowledge on creating content that not only catches the eye but also converts scrollers into bookers.In this episode, you’ll learn how to:Discover the three types of content yo...2024-12-1626 min
Live From The Hive 🐝Ep #9 - Behind the Scenes at Seaflowers: Building a Standout Guest Experience with Suzy GreenwoodJoin host Katie Bessant as she interviews Suzy Greenwood from Seaflowers, Devon.
During the episode we chat about:
- How Suzy renovated her family's B&B into a luxury guest house
- The renovation process and how she curated unique, themed rooms
- Marketing strategies to generate bookings, including press opportunities
- The daily challenges of managing a rental and the importance of a support network.
- Suzy's future plans for Seaflowers
🐝 CONNECT WITH KATIE 🐝
Website: https://theholidayhive.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theholidayhive/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theholidayhiveofficial/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-bessant-31bb84135/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theholidayhiveofficial
YouTube...2024-11-1021 min
Live From The Hive 🐝Ep #8 - Hen House Success: Why I Move Out Every Weekend to Host Strangers with Charlotte Hughes (The Scarlet Hen)Join host Katie Bessant as she interviews Charlotte Hughes from The Scarlet Hen.
During the episode we chat about:
- How The Scarlet Hen started
- Why Charlotte has chosen to let her own home out to hen parties
- The challenges Charlotte has overcome to get the property up and running as a holiday let
- The secret to getting bookings 18+ months in advance
- How social media generates Charlotte bookings
- Plus so much more!
🐝 CONNECT WITH KATIE 🐝
Website: https://theholidayhive.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theholidayhive/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theholidayh...2024-11-0438 min
Live From The Hive 🐝Ep #7 - 5 Top Tips to Generating More Bookings For Your Holiday Rental with Katie BessantDuring this episode, I share my five top tips for generating more bookings for your holiday rental and what marketing you should be investing in.
During the episode I chat about:
Why you need to know in detail, who your target guest is
The importance of professional photography and staging to promote your property
How to use social media to generate more bookings
The power of email when trying to boost your bookings
The importance of a direct booking website and the role it plays when increasing your profits
Plus an exciting announcement!
2024-10-2824 min
Live From The Hive 🐝Ep #6 - Optimise Your Holiday Rental Listings and Boost Profits with Stefan HoffelnerJoin host Katie Bessant as she interviews Stefan Hoffelner from Your AirHost. In this episode, Stefan shares expert strategies on how to optimise your holiday rental listings, enhance guest experience, and boost profits through effective marketing, professional photos, guest reviews, and leveraging property management tools.
During the episode we chat about:
- The market trends and how the industry has changed over the years
- Effective strategies for generating bookings throughout the year
- The importance of guest reviews for securing more bookings
- Marketing strategies to drive more direct bookings
- How to price your property to drive...2024-10-2136 min
Live From The Hive 🐝Ep #5 - Turning a Remote Location into a Desirable Destination with Paul HoneywellJoin host Katie Bessant as she interviews Paul Honeywell, owner of Oran na Mara on the Isle of Harris. In this episode, Paul shares the rewards and challenges of running a remote holiday rental, from marketing strategies that helped him attract guests to building relationships with the local community. Discover how Paul transformed his unique property into a sought-after destination and the key lessons he’s learned along the way, including tips for new holiday property owners. Paul's insights are sure to inspire!
During the episode we chat about:
- Paul's journey to becoming a holiday cottage owner
- Ho...2024-10-1433 min
Host PlanetSocial media marketing tips to supercharge your short-term rentalsSend us a textWelcome to HCH Bitesize – a new podcast series brought to you by Holiday Cottage Handbook and Hostfully!This weekly show delves into various topics essential to the short-term rentals industry. Episodes feature expert guests from across the STR space who share their insights and practical advice. These industry leaders help listeners enhance their knowledge and build successful and sustainable property management businesses.Today’s episode features Katie Bessant from The Holiday Hive. During the show, Katie shares her top five social media marketing tips for short-term rental hosts and prop...2024-10-0912 min
Live From The Hive 🐝Ep #4 - Glamping Success: Marketing Secrets from Dragon's Den Star, Derry GreenJoin host Katie Bessant as she interviews Dragon's Den star, Derry Green from The Secret Garden Glamping about how to set up your glamping business for success and successful marketing strategies to generate bookings year-round.
During the episode we chat about:
What inspired Derry to start The Secret Garden Glamping
What sets The Secret Garden Glamping apart from other glamping sites
What marketing strategies have been the most effective for getting bookings
How to attract guests during the off-season
How the TV exposure from Dragons Den affected the business
Top tips for other glamping site/holiday...2024-10-0739 min
Live From The Hive 🐝Ep #3 - Interior Design Tips & Tricks for Your Holiday Cottage with Laura Delage-PandeliJoin host Katie Bessant as she interviews Laura Delage-Pandeli from Olive & Wilde Interiors about how to use interior design to boost your holiday cottage bookings. During the episode we chat about:
- Interior design trends in the industry
- Simple design tips to elevate your property and make it stand out
- How to balance aesthetics with durability, especially in high-traffic areas
- The role of social media in promoting your property
- Plus so much more!
Laura, at Olive & Wilde Interiors specialises in designing standout holiday lets and Airbnbs. With a knack for blending bold colours, textures, and...2024-09-3019 min
Live From The Hive 🐝Ep #2 - Using Social Media to Boost Your Holiday Cottage Bookings with Jemima Stones from Cool StaysJoin host Katie Bessant as she interviews Jemima Stones about how to use social media to boost your holiday cottage bookings. During the episode we chat about:
How CoolStays approaches its social media strategy to engage with its target guests.
Which social media platforms have proven most effective for CoolStays for generating bookings.
How to encourage user-generated content and engage with your followers on social media.
Collaborating with influencers and travel bloggers.
The latest social media trends in the travel and accommodation industry.
Plus so much more!
Jemima Stones is the...2024-09-2728 min
Live From The Hive 🐝Ep #1 - Setting up Your Holiday Cottage Business for Success with Jane MackJoin host Katie Bessant as she interviews Jane Mack about her experience in the holiday letting industry.
During the episode we chat about:
Jane's journey in the holiday let industry
Some of the biggest challenges owners and agency owners face when managing holiday lets
What's changing within the holiday let industry and guest expectations
Tips for new holiday let owners to set up their property for success
Effective strategies for holiday lets to maximise bookings and revenue and maintain a good work-life balance
Plus so much more!
Jane Mack is the owner of Jane Mack...2024-09-1638 min
Grow Your Holiday Let BusinessMaximising Your Instagram Bio and Marketing Strategy with Katie BessantIn this episode Jane talks to Katie Bessant on how to maximise your Instagram marketing strategy from getting your bio right to attract the right guests to the types of posts to do to stand out from the crowd.Here are the main takeaways:Understand how has marketing changed in the holiday let industry over the years.Learn the steps to take to set up a great Instagram profile, looking at your bio, links and highlights.Discover the types of content hosts and property managers should post about to attract their ideal guest.Grab 3 tips on...2024-01-1031 min
Host PlanetTop 5 marketing tips for short-term rentalsSend us a textJoin host James Varley for an in-depth chat with social media and marketing expert Katie Bessant, who runs The Holiday Hive.Katie is an experienced short-term rentals host and professional who helps property managers to promote their rentals on social media. During the pod, Katie shares her top five tips for marketing short-term rentals.3:12 Katie’s lifelong journey in short-term rentals6:20 The Holiday Hive7:38 Tip 1: Photography is key10:52 Tip 2: Set up a direct booking website13:33 Tip...2023-12-0125 min