This week I’m welcoming back one of my favourite guests, Neely Khan, founder of the storytelling agency Artwork Creative. This is her second time joining me in less than six months - and there’s a good reason for that. Neely is at the forefront of one of the most important shifts we’re seeing in vacation rental marketing: the rise of AI-powered search.

If you’re still trying to wrap your head around terms like SEO, GEO, and AEO, you’re not alone. But understanding these isn’t optional anymore - it’s essential if you want your business to remain visible and relevant in today’s evolving digital landscape.

Neely breaks things down beautifully. We talk about the difference between Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), and how Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) fits into the mix. More importantly, she shares how vacation rental professionals can start optimizing their content for AI-driven platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Microsoft Copilot - without losing the soul of their brand.

We also dig into:

• Why above-the-fold content on your homepage still matters
  
  
• How to build trust and authority in a world where AI is choosing what gets seen
  
  
• The importance of specificity - think landmarks, weather, and even nearby chocolate shops!
  
  
• Why strong storytelling is still the foundation of great marketing
  
  
• The role of E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trust) in optimizing your content
  
  

One of my favourite parts of this conversation was hearing how Neely works with clients like Abode Luxury Rentals and Tara Home Consulting to align their brand voice with AI optimization strategies. It’s about serving both the human and the machine - and she shares a framework that’s simple, smart, and incredibly helpful.

We also touched on how AI tools can help you create content faster (hello, 46-page ebook in 6 minutes!), but only if you’ve done the foundational work of understanding your audience and building a strong voice.

If you’ve been wondering how to write content that not only ranks well but resonates deeply, this episode is for you.

Resources Mentioned

• Artwork Creative: https://www.artworkcreative.com
  
  
• Abode Luxury Rentals: https://abodeluxuryrentals.com
  
  
• Tara Home Consulting: https://tarahomeconsulting.com
  
  

Connect with Neely

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neely-khan/
  
  

Thanks again to Neely for such an insightful and energizing conversation. I have no doubt we’ll be hearing more from her in the very near future.

If this episode sparked some ideas or questions for you, drop me a note on LinkedIn or Instagram - I’d love to hear how you’re thinking about AI in your own marketing.

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📣 Midroll Sponsor: STRAIT Chat & the AI Ambassador Program

This episode is brought to you in part by the STRAIT Chat Community - an exclusive space for short-term rental pros who want deeper conversations, smarter systems, and more collaborative learning.

And if you're curious about using AI in your business - whether it's for guest communication, operations, or even marketing - check out our AI Ambassador Program. It's designed to help you learn, lead, and get hands-on with the tools shaping the future of hospitality.

🌐 Learn more and join us at VacationRentalFormula.com/AI

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