In this first episode of a special 5-part series on direct booking, Heather Bayer sits down with Louis Andrews, Director at OVO Network, to explore what it really takes to win the battle against OTAs and build a successful direct booking strategy.

With OVO Network reaching 75-80% direct bookings, Louis shares the secrets behind their platform, the importance of niche branding, trust-building, and the role of tech and website UX in conversion success. Heather also reflects on her own company’s success - CottageLINK Rental Management, which achieved 85% direct bookings by the time it was sold in 2022.

This episode is packed with practical tips, real-world insights, and a passionate discussion about the future of the vacation rental industry.
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🧠 What You’ll Learn:

• Why now is the time to double down on direct bookings.
  
  
• How OVO Network built a platform that outperforms OTAs in guest trust and conversion.
  
  
• The importance of niching down and owning your brand identity.
  
  
• Why a clunky booking process will kill trust - and how to fix it.
  
  
• How to create a functional, mobile-friendly, and trustworthy website.
  
  
• Why your PMS must support your direct booking strategy.
  
  
• What it means to be a “specialist, not a generalist” in property marketing.
  
  
• How to build trust with both guests and owners.
  
  
• What small operators can do right now to get started on a direct strategy.
  
  
• How offline marketing (local presence, events, relationships) still matters in a digital world.
  
  
• The role of AI in short-term rentals - and what’s coming next.
  
  

🧰 Resources & Mentions:

• OVO Network
  
  
• Vacation Rental Formula AI Ambassador Program
  
  
• Inhaven’s 5 Foundational Pillars Report – Episode with Ashley Ching
  
  
• Vacation Rental Secrets by Brooke Pfautz
  
  

🧭 Actionable Tips:

• ✅ Start with your website: Make it seamless, trustworthy, and optimized for mobile.
  
  
• ✅ Define your niche: The more specific, the better your branding and targeting.
  
  
• ✅ Know your value: Don’t just tell guests or owners what you do—show them why it matters.
  
  
• ✅ Build owner relationships based on alignment, not just property quality.
  
  
• ✅ Track unique brand searches and direct site visits as early indicators of success.
  
  
• ✅ Don’t be afraid to say no to owners or properties that don’t fit your model.
  
  

🔥 Quote of the Episode:

“You’re not too small to build a brand. In fact, the smaller you are, the easier it is to define your niche and speak with authenticity.” – Louis Andrews


🎯 Who This Episode Is For:

• Property managers tired of OTA dependency
  
  
• STR hosts exploring direct booking for the first time
  
  
• Operators seeking to define a clear brand and niche
  
  
• Owners curious about how tech and trust intersect in bookings
  
  
• Industry professionals who want a blueprint for direct booking success
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📣 Connect with the Guest:

• Louis Andrews
  Director at OVO Network
  LinkedIn – Louis Andrews
  
  

📌 Stay Connected:

• Subscribe to the podcast for the next episode in the Direct Booking series featuring Humphrey Bowles from Truvi, where the discussion continues on the risk of building your business on “rented land.”

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