Holiday Letting Advice, Blogs, Podcasts, Forums & Experts to Follow
The holiday letting industry is constantly evolving and to stay on top of the latest developments you must dedicate time to acquiring the knowledge to grow your holiday letting business. This can be hard when you’re busy managing your holiday let and the sheer number of resources available overwhelms you.
We have done the legwork for you and compiled this list of the very best holiday letting blogs, podcasts, newsletters, Facebook groups, forums and YouTube channels that are full of tips from industry experts.
Airbnb holiday letting blogs and experts to follow
As the holiday rental market grows more businesses have entered the market to make hosts’ lives easier. Alongside these services, the websites publish blogs with industry insights and advice on holiday home marketing.
Airbnb Blog Produces content on just about everything needed to be a successful Airbnb host. From support in marketing and managing to updates on Airbnb, the blog covers it all. It’s the perfect place to improve your bookings and to keep up-to-date with any Airbnb updates.
Airbnb Community A forum that is typically used for those who rent on Airbnb. Users can enquire about issues experienced through the site, this can be an easier and quicker process than directly contacting Airbnb. Anyone can view the forum and given there are some valid questions and answers, it’s a valuable source of information.
AirDNA The AirDNA blog allows readers to learn more about the rental industry and booking trends to maximise their business. @airdna
Air Hostess Forum Another forum dedicated to Airbnb. Conversations on over six thousand topics take place daily. It’s a place to converse with fellow Airbnb hosts on many issues whether technical or guest related. With over seven thousand users from all over the world, it’s a great way to gain information that could boost your bookings and solve your problems.
Airbnb Reddit Has a specific Airbnb section in which users can start discussions or air grievances with fellow hosts and travellers. It’s another means to tap into information regarding your Airbnb property.
Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers Publishes the latest industry news and resources to support self-catering businesses in Scotland. ASSC members also get additional benefits for an annual fee. @ASSCnews
Beyond Beyond Pricing hopes to provide property managers with the market insight they need to build a solid pricing strategy. @BeyondPricing
Boostly Helps short-term rental owners get more direct bookings.
BuildUp Bookings Offers marketing advice on their blog, mainly covering ways in which to grow your vacation rental business.
Evolve Is a vacation rental management service with a host of insider knowledge on what makes rentals successful. Their blog includes in-depth articles on every aspect of vacation rental, from how to market your rental to what to stock in the kitchen. @EvolveVR
Guesty Enables holiday homes to be easily and successfully managed. The blog by Guesty covers a range of topics from news, trends, developments in the market and marketing itself. There is a multitude of information that can be used to reach different demographics. @Guesty
Guest Hook Provides professional copywriting and holiday home guides for homeowners. Alongside that, Guest Hook also shares posts with useful content marketing advice.
Guest Ready Blog Manages short-term lets from Airbnb. Alongside their services, they host a blog that is dedicated to Airbnb management. From marketing, key exchange and turnover, to making guests’ lives easier. Guest Ready has created a go-to blog on how to keep a property running efficiently.
Holiday Cottage Handbook A community for everyone with a vested interest in the short-term rental industry. @hchandbook
Hostaway Hostaway is a vacation rental PMS and Channel Manager with a wealth of resources for vacation rental managers. @Hostaway
Hostfully Get the latest tips on how to grow your business. @hostfully
iGMS Professional tips for hosts, property managers and the latest industry news. @igmscom
Lodgify Is an all-in-one software solution for vacation rentals, with a highly informative marketing blog. The blog covers industry news, property buying and managing as well as marketing hacks to boost bookings. @Lodgify
Optimize My Bnb Tips to succeed as an Airbnb host @OptimizeAirbnb
Rentals United Promotes holiday homes across relevant websites. Alongside this, the site hosts a blog full of rich marketing guides. @RentalsUnited
SuperControl Provides booking software for self-catering properties and shares useful insights on industry trends on their blog.
The Professional Association of Self-Caterers (PASC UK) Supports the self-catering, short-term lets and holiday lets sector in England and Wales. Members get a range of benefits for an annual fee. @PascUK
Tokeet Useful tips from the vacation rental management software platform.
Touch Stay Creates digital welcome books and their blog covers essential tips on managing guests. @TouchStay
Turno Hosting tips from the cleaning and scheduling service.
Your.Rentals News and tips for property managers.
1ChicRetreat Helps rental owners furnish their property in a unique, affordable and appealing style. Alongside their services, 1ChicRetreat has a strong social media presence and a blog that gives tips, advice and tutorials on interior design.
Online communities, holiday letting Facebook groups and forums
Communities, forums and groups are a great way to network and learn from holiday rental owners, property managers and industry professionals.
Lay My Hat is a community of holiday home owners who provide answers to one another’s queries. The forum has been specifically set up for homeowners all over the world, although many of the posts focus on the UK and Europe.
Facebook groups
Airbnb’s Finest Hosts Shares ideas and discusses creative ways to be a better Host.
Airbnb Hosts UK Chat Group A general help and discussion group for Airbnb hosts.
Hospitality Community A place for support and to chat about all things hospitality, short-stay accommodation and more.
Rental Scale-Up Community Share insights and ask questions that help you grow your short-term rental business and manage it efficiently.
The Business of Short-Term Rental & Property Management Learn about starting a property management business and growing it professionally.
The Hosting Journey To support you, get your questions answered and chat all about Vacation Rentals.
Professionals in the Vacation Rental Industry share the latest news and information.
Vacation Rental Professionals – The Vacation Rentals Group
Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA)
Vacation Rentals Worldwide
Vacation Rentals Professional Association
Popular holiday let podcasts you should be listening to
Save time by listening to the latest industry tips & tricks “on-the-go” while you commute to work or go for a run.
The Boostly Podcast Interviews, strategy, and advice to boost your direct bookings and grow your hospitality business the right way.
Heads In Beds Show For all things related to short-term rental marketing.
Holiday Cottage Handbook weekly podcast tackles all the hot topics in the short-term rental sector.
Get Paid for Your Pad Stay up to date with the latest tips & tools for pro-Airbnb hosts.
No Vacancy: The Podcast with Natalie Palmer Airbnb coach Natalie Palmer dishes on her experience and success as a short-term rental property host.
The Accommodation Show The go-to podcast for anyone in the accommodation industry.
The Short Term Show Holiday let expert Avery Carl shares her tricks of the trade.
The Vacation Rental Manager’s Podcast with Sarah and T Dedicated to the professional vacation rental manager and the day-to-day issues affecting them.
The Vacation Rental Show: How We Grow A deep-dive into the latest hot topics, technology, and strategies, to help you take your vacation rental business to the next level.
Unlocked Host Matt Landau interviews professionals working within the vacation rental industry who have great insights to share.
Vacation Rental Formula Published by author and successful rental owner Heather (cottage blogger) with guest speakers with long-term knowledge of the VR market.
YouTube channels
Not everyone has the time to read articles on how to manage a holiday rental and maximize occupancy. These YouTube channels offer easy-to-digest tips for busy owners.
Official Airbnb YouTube Channel
Optimize My Airbnb
Lodgify
Books that holiday rental owners should read
One of the best ways to improve your knowledge is to read books written by experienced hosts and experts.
Get Paid For Your Pad Has been specifically written for those hosting on Airbnb. The co-author, Jasper Ribbers went from making $24,000 to $60,000. The book covers ways in which to make your pad desirable. Given Jaspers success, taking a page out of his book doesn’t seem like a bad idea.
How To Rent Vacation Properties Author Christine Hrib Karpinski has produced multiple vacation rental books which offer practical, hands-on advice. The concept is about showing holiday homeowners how to manage a property without outsourcing any services. This means homeowners retain 100% of the profit. Karpinski provides realistic targets and strategies that any homeowner can or could follow.
How To Start & Run A Holiday Cottage Business A guide for those specifically looking to let a holiday cottage in a coastal area. Author Gillean Sangster moved to Scotland and successfully built a fruitful business. Her book outlines how she did it and how you can do it too.
Optimize YOUR Bnb Daniel Rusteen – former Airbnb employee, superhost and property manager helps vacation rental property managers increase their bookings.
Vacation Rental Success A ‘no-nonsense’ book by the accomplished investor, Joel Rasmussen. The book covers everything, from the buying phase to year on year growth of a real estate investment. Joel is also the president of North America’s largest vacation rental association, he knows his stuff.
Events & conferences
There are numerous events and conferences (across the US and Europe) that holiday rental owners and property managers can attend. A great opportunity to listen to industry experts, network with fellow accommodation providers and speak to tech suppliers.
Here is a useful overview: The leading events & conferences in the vacation rentals industry.
To Summarise
Whether you’re looking to boost your bookings or manage a crisis, there are plenty of resources you can turn to for tips and advice. The industry is continuously evolving, and this list is by no means exhaustive. If you know of a resource that deserves to be included, leave a comment below.
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5 Comments
I agree, Laymyhat is a good resource – advice for owners from owners. We have learned a lot from the forum. I will take a look at the other resources. Thanks
I would also Kigo Vacation Rental Marketing Blog. We take great care to provide marketing how-to articles and channel management advice for holiday lettings managers.
I would recommend tuning into the Holiday Let Success podcast-just bob onto the website and you can listen in to the latest episode (and the previous ones!) where you can hear successful holiday home owners and industry experts (including Schofields very own Phil Schofield) sharing their expertise with you!
Great resources – a growing list for a growing industry.
I would suggest tuning into the Holiday Let Success digital recording simply sway onto the site and you can tune in to the most recent scene (and the past ones!) where you can hear fruitful occasion property holders and industry specialists (counting Schofields own personal Phil Schofield) offering their aptitude to you!