Want to outperform the market?
Freewyld Foundry’s Revenue & Pricing Management service is driving a 24.6% performance lift for $1M+ STR operators, even in down markets.
If you’re managing 15+ listings and want a free pricing audit, apply here
Is your pricing tool actually maximizing your revenue, or just giving you a false sense of control?
In this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Kaye Putnam (Head of Marketing), Eric Moeller (CEO), and Jasper Ribbers (Head of Revenue Management) reveal the biggest lessons from VRMA Las Vegas, including how they found millions in missed profit inside hosts’ portfolios, the real state of AI in the STR industry, and why hands-on revenue strategy still outperforms automation every time.
They also share what made their Turbo Rev Revs so powerful, how to spot “invisible revenue” in your listings, and what separates operators who grow from those who stall.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- How Freewyld found $4.15M in hidden revenue through live portfolio audits
- The most common pricing mistakes operators are still making in 2025
- Why “set it and forget it” pricing tools are costing hosts six figures a year
- Jasper’s step-by-step KPI framework for daily and weekly revenue management
- How AI is showing up in STR operations and why it’s not ready to replace human expertise
- The real ROI of hiring the right revenue manager versus “cheap help”
- Why top operators are doubling down on brand, storytelling, and content
Why It Matters:
If you’re managing 15+ listings, even small pricing gaps can quietly drain thousands in profit every month. The difference between a pricing tool and a dedicated revenue strategy is often the difference between plateauing or scaling into the top 1% of STR operators.
We Also Talk About:
- The shift from traditional vacation rentals to data-driven STR operations
- How AI tools are flooding the market but few know how to implement them
- What Freewyld’s 90-minute VRMA Skills Lab revealed about operators’ blind spots
- Why meeting your team and clients in person can transform business relationships
- How content and community are redefining STR growth
Mentioned in This Episode:
- Freewyld Foundry: Revenue & Pricing Management – freewyldfoundry.com
- Free Revenue Report: freewyldfoundry.com/report
- Event: VRMA Las Vegas 2025
- Tool: Turbo Rev Revs – Freewyld’s 15-minute revenue audit
🔥 Favorite Takeaway:
“Every single booking tells you something about your pricing. Ignore that data, and you’re leaving money on the table.”
👉 Want to know how much revenue you’re missing?
Apply for your free Revenue Review at freewyldfoundry.com/report
Listen to the episode:
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Kaye Putnam:
We just got back from VRMA in Las Vegas, where we uncovered $4.15 million in hidden revenue inside hosts’ portfolios, live at the event. In this episode, we’re sharing what we found, the most common mistakes operators are making, and how you can apply these lessons before your competition does.
Eric Moeller:
It was incredible to be there as a vendor for the first time. We’ve attended VRMA for years, but this time we had a booth and even had the chance to speak on stage. The feedback about our setup, our booth design, and our brand was amazing. We met old friends, new operators, and saw firsthand how much the industry has matured. There are new leaders coming in, companies scaling fast, and technology playing a bigger role than ever.
Kaye Putnam:
Our main offer at the booth was the Turbo Rev Rev, a 15-minute version of our full revenue audit. Jasper and our revenue manager Miles created a process to quickly identify hidden revenue opportunities based on pricing strategy and key metrics.
Jasper Ribbers:
Yes, big credit to Miles. We built a condensed but accurate audit that analyzed around ten key KPIs, like forward-looking occupancy, listing setup, and minimum stay settings. From those metrics, we could estimate the potential upside in each portfolio. Because we’ve done so many of these audits, we recognize patterns quickly.
One clear takeaway was that while most operators now use pricing tools, many use them at a very basic level. They set a base rate, check a couple of times per week, and make a few manual changes. That’s not true revenue management.
Eric Moeller:
Another major topic at VRMA was AI. Every vendor seemed to offer AI-based tools, but few people really understood how to apply them. Everyone wants AI to optimize operations or pricing, but most solutions aren’t ready yet.
Kaye Putnam:
Exactly. Many people think AI can replace human strategy, but that’s not the case. The tools are still limited, and the best results come from combining technology with real human expertise.
Jasper Ribbers:
The most common issue we saw during the audits was hosts relying completely on pricing software. They assume it will automatically maximize revenue, but that’s not true. At Freewyld, we look at every single booking because each one gives us valuable information about the market.
If someone books far in advance on an unusual date, that tells us something. Maybe there’s an event, or maybe our prices are too low. Ignoring that data means missing out on opportunities. The best operators review every booking because that’s how they stay ahead.
Kaye Putnam:
We also spoke on stage at VRMA during a 90-minute Skills Lab session. It was a new format for the event and gave us time to dig deep, do live audits, and take questions from the audience.
Eric Moeller:
The room was huge, with over a hundred people there. We wanted to make revenue management engaging and easy to understand. The feedback was incredible. People told us it was one of the most valuable sessions they attended.
Jasper Ribbers:
That was our goal. Most revenue management talks are too theoretical. We wanted to give operators a real framework they could follow, with clear KPIs, daily and weekly checks, and step-by-step actions. Attendees left with something practical they could apply right away.
Kaye Putnam:
That hands-on approach made a big difference. Many people said they finally understood how to build structure around their pricing process.
Eric Moeller:
Another major theme we noticed was content-driven growth. Operators are realizing that branding, storytelling, and social media are essential for generating direct bookings. We spoke with creators like Hidden Gem Media and Maddie’s Content Army, who are helping hosts stand out through authentic content.
Kaye Putnam:
Yes, and what’s interesting is that most operators still aren’t doing it. During the peer-to-peer marketing session, we saw that very few people are actively building their social presence. There’s still a huge opportunity there.
Eric Moeller:
We’ve experienced that with Freewyld. Growing our own social presence took time, consistency, and a lot of trial and error. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. Just like revenue management, it requires daily attention and patience.
Jasper Ribbers:
Exactly. Whether it’s pricing or marketing, the cheapest route usually ends up being the most expensive. Many operators hire low-cost help for critical tasks like revenue management, but if that person isn’t increasing revenue, you’re losing far more than you’re saving.
For example, if your business generates $5 million a year, a 10% increase equals $500,000 in additional profit. The key question isn’t how much your revenue manager costs, but how much value they create.
Eric Moeller:
Totally. We’ve seen that across our clients. The ones who invest in expert strategy always see higher returns. Both marketing and revenue management compound over time when done right.
Kaye Putnam:
That’s why we call it hidden revenue. Most operators don’t realize what they’re missing until we show them. If you missed us at VRMA, you can still request a full revenue report at freewyldfoundry.com/report.
Eric Moeller:
We’ve already booked our booth for VRMA Nashville 2026. The event reminded us how powerful it is to connect with people in person. The hospitality community is small, supportive, and full of amazing people doing meaningful work.
Jasper Ribbers:
Meeting our team and clients face to face was one of the best parts. You can spend hours on Zoom, but nothing replaces real human connection.
Kaye Putnam:
Agreed. Getting the whole team together and seeing the impact of our work in person was incredible. I left VRMA inspired and grateful for everything we’re building.
Eric Moeller:
Same here. We have a real brand, a real team, and we’re making a real impact. That’s what this is all about.
