In this episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Jenn Boyles, founder of the Direct Booking Success Summit and host of the Direct Booking Success Podcast. Jenn is a passionate advocate for empowering hosts and property managers to take back control from the OTAs - and she did it herself with an incredible 80% direct booking rate.

We go deep into why direct booking is no longer an annual one-day event but a year-round strategy every host needs to embrace. From her humble beginnings managing a rental in the French Alps to launching one of the industry's most impactful virtual summits, Jenn shares her journey and the practical tactics that helped her (and now others) succeed.

We also dig into:

• How Jenn went from OTA-reliant to 80% direct bookings
  
  
• Why now is the best time to ditch OTA-dependence and build your own brand
  
  
• The real power of local expertise in your marketing
  
  
• How AI and automation have changed the game for content creation and guest engagement
  
  
• Why creating lead magnets (like that hiking trail guide Jenn mentions!) is easier than ever
  
  
• The truth about organic marketing and why it still matters more than paid ads
  
  
• What you can expect from this year’s Direct Booking Success Summit
• Her "So what?" test for turning property features into powerful guest-focused benefits
  

Whether you’re just starting to think about direct bookings,  or looking to refine your strategy, this episode is packed with actionable advice and real-world inspiration from someone who's truly walked the walk.

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

• Direct Booking Success Summit
• Jenn's S.T.R. Content Lab and AI-assisted marketing tools