The #1 podcast for short-term rental operators. Learn revenue management strategies, pricing optimization, and how to scale your STR business from industry experts.
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Jasper shares the full July market update including June portfolio results (22% YoY growth, $14.4M in client revenue), World Cup market winners and losers, July pacing, August pricing warnings, and a breakdown of Airbnb's brand new 15% discount for top-rated guests and what operators should do about it.
Revenue management is a specialty skill set. If you do not invest in learning it, you are leaving 10 to 40 percent of revenue on the table every year. Jasper breaks down the three pillars of actually getting good at it: experience, resources, and community.
David Dodge started with one beach house in Lincoln City, Oregon in 2021. Three years later his portfolio is up 25% year over year and he's earning 1.4 million travel points annually from his mortgage payments using BILT. He and Jasper break down exactly how both happened.
The June market report is here. Freewyld's portfolios closed the month up 22.36% year over year, $14.4M in revenue across 75+ client properties, while the overall market averaged 9%. Jasper breaks down the gap market by market, covers what's coming in July, and explains a new Airbnb discount that just quietly launched.
Jasper Ribbers manages revenue for 75+ STR companies and has worked inside nearly every PMS on the market. In this solo RevUp episode, he ranks the five systems Freewyld Foundry recommends, explains the criteria that matter most for revenue management, and covers the features that can limit your performance if you choose the wrong system.
Jasper Ribbers has reviewed over 1,000 companies applying for revenue management at Freewyld Foundry. The same costly mistake keeps coming up: operators outsource before they're set up for success. In this solo RevUp episode, he walks through the full checklist for hiring in-house or working with a service provider, including the red flags most operators miss.
Most PriceLabs users are only scratching the surface. In this episode, Jasper walks through seven features that most operators have never used, including several that are request-only and require contacting PriceLabs support to unlock.
Jasper shares real data from Price Labs dashboards across every World Cup host city. Occupancy is down in every single market compared to last year. Here's why it happened, what the numbers actually show, and how to price your STR for the rest of the tournament.
John Bradford, founder of Pet Screening, reveals why 60% of emotional support animal claims are fraudulent and how vacation rental hosts can verify pets legally while capturing pet revenue. Learn the two questions you're allowed to ask about service animals and why post-reservation verification helps hosts become more pet-friendly without increasing risk.
Freewyld Foundry achieved a 22% revenue increase in May 2026 by combining AI-powered pricing analysis with strategic implementation of Airbnb's new seasonal cancellation policies. Jasper Ribbers breaks down exactly how managing 4,000+ listings across 75 client portfolios revealed insights about market performance, the World Cup demand mirage, and why flexible cancellation policies are now essential for algorithm visibility.
Jasper Ribbers explains why 90% of STR operators underprice their peak demand dates, how to identify your highest-value dates, and the specific pricing strategies that can add $5,000 to $10,000 per property during events and holidays without risking empty inventory.
With the 2026 World Cup starting in weeks, 80% of hotels across 11 US host cities report bookings tracking below forecasts. Jasper Ribbers reveals why elevated pricing is backfiring, shares Freewyld's adjusted strategy that's still capturing 50%-200% premiums, and explains the two-phase tournament approach that separates group stage (price aggressively now) from knockout games (protect premiums until matchups known). If you're managing STRs in World Cup cities, this episode could save you thousands in lost revenue.
Jasper Ribbers reveals why high occupancy often masks massive revenue losses and breaks down the three critical mistakes that trap operators in a race to the bottom. Learn why 67% occupancy at the right price can generate 48% more revenue than 90% occupancy, and how to escape the occupancy trap.
Jasper Ribbers manages $190M+ in bookings across 4,000+ properties and reveals why most operators are leaving five to six figures on the table by treating STR revenue management as a side task instead of a strategic priority requiring dedicated expertise.
Airbnb's new seasonal cancellation policies let you protect high-value dates while staying flexible during shoulder season. Jasper Ribbers shares the booking-window-based framework for choosing the right policy mix and walks through the painful implementation process hosts now face.
Darren Pettyjohn reveals the massive insurance gap affecting STR managers: most business policies exclude property damage liability at managed properties. Learn why Air Cover isn't business insurance, the two coverage types you actually need, and how to protect yourself before the million-dollar lawsuit arrives.
Jasper Ribbers explains why Booking.com has become essential for STR operators, breaking down the platform's complex discount system, Genius loyalty program, and the critical first five reviews needed to unlock maximum visibility and conversions.
Jasper Ribbers demonstrates how to build a revenue projection system for short-term rental portfolios using three methods: historical performance, market seasonality analysis, and current bookings plus unbooked potential. He then shows how Claude AI automates the entire process in 10-15 minutes.
Jasper Ribbers demonstrates how to build an automated revenue projection system for short-term rentals using Claude AI in under 60 minutes (zero coding required). Learn the three-method framework that creates accurate forecasts, why net rental revenue is the only clean metric to track, and how projections function as early warning systems for unit problems.
Three revenue management experts reveal why growing from 10 to 50+ properties breaks traditional pricing strategies and how to shift from listing-level to portfolio-level optimization without sacrificing individual property performance or owner satisfaction.
Jasper Ribbers reveals why most STR operators lose thousands launching new units by chasing ADR instead of review velocity. Drawing from 500+ launches across Freewyld Foundry's portfolio, he shares the exact 60-day strategy to build momentum that lasts for years.
Annie Holcombe shares why trust beats price in owner acquisition, how to turn your entire team into brand ambassadors, and why telling owners hard truths upfront closes more deals than overpromising.
Jasper Ribbers reveals why most STR operators track the wrong metrics, making them operate on guesswork rather than data. He breaks down the exact system Freewyld Foundry uses to track performance across 4,000+ listings, showing which KPIs matter, how to compare results when portfolios change, and why tracking total revenue instead of net rental revenue can make you think you're failing when you're actually winning.
Ela Mezhiborsky shares how a Christmas Eve police raid on her STR property revealed a four-month fraud pattern and $20,000 in losses. Now, as AI makes fraud tools accessible to amateur criminals, she explains why traditional gut-feeling screening has become dangerous and which objective data points still protect operators.
Jasper Ribbers explains why short-term rentals price opposite to airlines, how to measure pacing with Market Penetration Index, and when pacing behind the market actually maximizes revenue. Learn the last man standing strategy for high-demand events.
Jasper Ribbers reveals that 90% of PriceLabs users are leaving money on the table by not utilizing the platform's most powerful features. Through screen-share analysis, he walks through seven overlooked features that can immediately improve revenue management performance for STR operators.
Eric and Jasper reveal why 99% of STR operators are leaving 10-40% revenue on the table despite using pricing tools. Learn the fundamental concepts that actually drive results, including the pacing strategy most operators ignore and how one client went from $20K to $68K in weekly revenue in just four weeks.
Dustin Baker from HiddenGem Media breaks down the social media funnel strategy driving massive direct booking results for STR operators, including one client who went from $20K to $137K in a single month.
Jasper Ribbers answers the six most common revenue management questions, revealing why daily 15-30 minute check-ins beat weekly reviews, how to set MPI targets by season, and the three strategies (pacing, minimum nights, OTA discounts) that unlock the biggest revenue gains for short-term rental operators.
The future of Airbnb is AI-powered. Learn how to integrate artificial intelligence into your operations to move faster, make smarter decisions, and scale efficiently.
Jasper Ribbers explains why short term rental operators lose revenue by relying on last minute pricing. He shows how focusing only on occupancy hides ADR losses, why earlier bookings raise rates, and how last minute strategies must adapt to booking windows, seasonality, and market demand.
Eric breaks down the 7 Strata of Strategy from Scaling Up and shows how STR operators can use these strategic planning questions to get clarity on goals, ideal clients, and profitable growth.
Airbnb is getting stricter, and one bad review can cost you thousands. In this episode, Jasper Ribbers explains how Airbnb suspensions really work, how to prevent them, and what to do if your listing gets flagged or removed.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Eric Moeller sits down with Dave Stokley and Mark from Host Pros, a property management company that scaled from 2 Airbnb units in 2017 to 77 listings across Ohio while maintaining a 4.8+ guest rating and proving that Airbnb is far from dead. If you are an STR operator who wants to build a scalable business through unreasonable hospitality, understand how to dominate a single market instead of chasing hot destinations, and learn why small experiential details drive premium rates, this episode is a must listen. Dave and Mark share their 10-year partnership journey, the wizard-themed castle that changed their business, and why focus beats expansion every time. We don't want to have competition. Get your free personalized revenue report at FreewyldFoundry.com/report
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Jasper Ribbers delivers a critical pricing update on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, breaking down exactly what's happening in host cities right now, what bookings are actually coming through, and how operators should be thinking about pricing strategy as we move closer to the biggest sporting event in the world. The World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. That's five full weeks of elevated demand, millions of international travelers, and pricing opportunities that most operators have never experienced. But demand isn't linear, bookings have slowed after an initial wave, and many hosts are now sitting in a wait-and-see position wondering if they priced too high or if they should start dropping rates. If you're an STR operator in a World Cup host city, near a host city, or in a tourist market that could capture overflow demand, this episode will help you understand what's actually happening, why the early booking wave stalled, and what strategy makes sense from now until check-in. Jasper walks through real bookings, real prices, and real occupancy data from Seattle, Kansas City, and Philadelphia to show you what's working and what's not. Don't panic and lower your prices now just because occupancy looks low. The underpriced inventory is already gone. Get your free personalized revenue report at FreewyldFoundry.com/report
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Kaye Putnam (Head of Marketing at Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry) sits down with Eric Moeller, CEO of Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry, to break down what separates 4.9-star portfolios from the rest of the market. After Brian Chesky announced at the Airbnb Host Summit that the platform is moving toward incentivizing high-rated professional hosts and devaluing operators below 4.9, the stakes have never been higher. If you are an STR operator who wants to scale without sacrificing guest experience, earn higher ratings across a large portfolio, and understand exactly what drives five-star reviews at scale, this episode is essential. Kaye analyzed hundreds of 4.9-rated Airbnb listings to identify the four core attributes guests consistently call out after their stay. Eric shares real examples from Freewyld, their RPM clients managing hundreds of properties at 4.97, and the systems that make unreasonable hospitality scalable.
You're probably making at least one of these mistakes right now. After analyzing hundreds of pricing accounts and managing $190M+ in STR bookings across 75+ clients worldwide, Jasper Ribbers has seen the same revenue management mistakes show up over and over again. And in today's market, where year-over-year growth has stalled and the start of 2025 has been slow, these mistakes are costing operators real money. In this RevUp Monday episode, Jasper breaks down the five most common pricing mistakes he finds when doing free revenue reports for operators. Some of these are simple fixes you can make today. Others require a complete mindset shift about how you approach your booking window. It's like, when are those bookings coming in?
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Eric Moeller, CEO of Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry, takes the mic for his first solo podcast to dive deep into a practice he has been fine-tuning for over a decade: the art of goal setting and, most importantly, goal achievement. If you are an STR operator or entrepreneur who feels overwhelmed by a long list of New Year’s resolutions, or if you find yourself quitting your goals by mid-January, this episode is a must-listen. Eric breaks down why 80% of people quit their resolutions by January 10th and shares his 'Single Focus' strategy. This framework is designed to help you win your year by doing less, better. He explains how to transition from setting 'massive goals' that drain your energy to selecting the high-leverage targets that create true momentum in both business and life. Get your free, personalized revenue report at freewyldfoundry.com/report .
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Jasper Ribbers breaks down one of the most overlooked revenue levers in short-term rentals: how minimum stay settings quietly determine whether holidays become high-performing periods or missed opportunities. While most operators focus on pricing Thanksgiving and Christmas, Jasper explains why the real upside often sits in smaller, less obvious holidays and how booking rules shape demand far more than nightly rates. This episode is designed for STR operators and revenue managers who already use pricing tools but want to make smarter decisions around availability, flexibility, and length of stay. Jasper walks through the logic behind holiday demand patterns, explains how drive-to and fly-to markets behave differently, and shares how minimum stay rules can either protect revenue or create unfillable gaps without operators realizing it.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Kaye Putnam (Head of Marketing at Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry) sits down with Joe Prillaman, co-founder of Host Help, to unpack how a sudden hurricane wiped out nearly one-third of his STR portfolio in just two weeks, and why that crisis became the catalyst for scaling a professional short-term rental management company to nearly 70 properties. Joe shares the real story behind losing properties, facing fixed mortgages and team overhead, and making the hard decision to pivot from self-managing his own portfolio to managing homes for other owners. This conversation dives into the operational, emotional, and strategic realities of scaling an STR management business under pressure, without sacrificing quality, reviews, or long-term vision. If you are an STR operator or property manager navigating growth, team expansion, operational complexity, or unexpected disruptions, this episode offers practical insight into what actually breaks as portfolios scale, and what systems matter most to rebuild stronger.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Jasper Ribbers breaks down one of the most important and often underestimated decisions in a short-term rental business: who should own revenue management. As margins tighten, competition increases, and performance stagnates across many markets, revenue management has become a core function that can no longer be treated as an afterthought. If you are an STR operator who is currently managing pricing yourself, considering hiring in-house, or evaluating revenue management service providers, this episode provides a clear framework to help you choose the right approach for your business. Jasper walks through the three main options available today and explains the real risks, trade-offs, and financial impact behind each one, based on years of hands-on experience managing portfolios and working with operators at scale. Get your free, personalized revenue report at FreewyldFoundry.com/report.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Kaye Putnam (Head of Marketing at Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry) sits down with Troy Daily, CEO of Elevated Stays, to unpack what it actually takes to scale a short-term rental portfolio past 100 units without losing quality, control, or brand integrity. Operating in a highly seasonal market like Traverse City, Troy shares the operational decisions, leadership shifts, and system investments behind his growth from a small portfolio to managing more than 100 STR units. If you are an STR operator scaling quickly or planning to grow beyond 20, 50, or even 100 units, this episode is essential. Troy walks through the real challenges of growth: hiring the right people, building operational structure, maintaining quality standards, aligning with the right owners, and knowing when to say no to properties that don’t fit the brand. This conversation goes far beyond surface-level growth tactics and into what sustainable scale actually looks like. Get your free, personalized revenue report at FreewyldFoundry.com/report.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Jasper Ribbers closes out the year by sharing five practical pieces of advice to help STR operators crush their revenue management in 2026. With demand largely flat year over year, Jasper explains why the biggest revenue gains ahead will not come from growth, but from better decision making across pricing, pacing, and availability. This episode is designed for STR operators managing their own revenue and for professional revenue managers overseeing multiple portfolios. Jasper walks through the exact areas he believes deserve the most focus in 2026, based on what he is seeing across more than 50 portfolios nationwide. From education and pacing to booking flexibility and upcoming demand drivers, this episode offers a clear roadmap for where to spend your time and attention.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Jasper Ribbers breaks down one of the most overlooked drivers of STR revenue performance: revenue management cadence. Instead of chasing tactics or obsessing over tools, Jasper walks through what professional operators actually do on a daily and weekly basis to stay ahead of their market. If you are an STR operator managing your own pricing, or responsible for revenue across a portfolio, this episode is essential. Jasper explains why most hosts underperform not because of bad tools, but because they lack a consistent process. He outlines a practical, repeatable routine for reviewing bookings, spotting demand signals, adjusting last-minute inventory, and using pacing data to make smarter pricing decisions over time.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Kaye Putnam (Head of Marketing at Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry) sits down with Eric Moeller, CEO of Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry, to unpack one of the most overlooked challenges in scaling a short-term rental business: where the CEO should actually spend their time as the company grows. According to Harvard Business Review, CEOs waste 30 to 50 percent of their time on low-value activities. Eric explains why this problem becomes more severe as STR businesses scale, how decision fatigue quietly pushes leaders toward reactive work, and why being busy is often a signal that focus is broken. This conversation breaks down the mindset shift required to move from task-driven action to strategic momentum. If you’re an STR operator who feels pulled into emails, customer service, small fires, or constant decisions that don’t seem to move the business forward, this episode will help you rethink priorities, recognize patterns inside your operation, and identify the highest-leverage problems only a CEO can solve.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Jasper Ribbers sits down with Adriaan Sonneveld, former Director of Revenue for Riu Hotels & Resorts, where he oversaw 10,000 rooms across Aruba, Jamaica, Bahamas, and Punta Cana. After years managing one of the largest all-inclusive portfolios in the world, Adriaan stepped into the Short-Term Rental space, and discovered a revenue environment far more volatile, less predictable, and dramatically more complex. If you are an STR operator who wants to master pricing, understand true booking-window behavior, and learn why hotel playbooks break down inside the STR category, this episode is essential. Adriaan dismantles the assumptions most hosts bring from hotels, explains why forecasting is harder in STR, and shares the systems he uses now to manage portfolios where every unit behaves like its own mini-hotel.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Kaye Putnam (Head of Marketing at Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry) sits down with Eric Moeller to break down one of the most common and costly phases STR operators get stuck in: the hectic host stage. This is the mode where everything feels urgent, every day is firefighting, and growth never seems to unlock the freedom operators expect. If you’re an STR operator who feels overwhelmed by constant operational tasks, unclear priorities, stalled growth, or systems that never seem to catch up with your business, this episode is essential. Kaye and Eric share the behind-the-scenes of a recent Freewyld offsite, the operational shifts they implemented, and the mental models that finally stop operators from trying to “catch squirrels” instead of closing the hole in the roof.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Jasper breaks down one of the biggest revenue opportunities STR operators will face in the next two years. The 2026 FIFA World Cup match schedule has officially been released, and hosts can now see which teams will play in each city along with the demand patterns these matchups are likely to create. If you want to understand which markets will see strong spikes in ADR, how team matchups influence travel behavior, and why cities with lower hotel inventory may experience significant pricing lift, this episode is essential. Jasper walks city by city through the group stage and explains which countries travel heavily, how visa rules influence booking timing, and why some hosts are already underpricing their listings.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Kaye Putnam (Head of Marketing at Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry) sits down with Beth Palmer, co-owner of Northridge Escapes, a portfolio that holds a 4.99 average rating across three different markets and more than 1,000 five-star reviews. If you are an STR operator who wants to raise guest satisfaction, improve review scores, and understand the mindset that creates exceptional experiences, this episode is a must listen. Beth shares the three-part formula behind her results: communication, quality, and amenities. She explains how small decisions executed consistently create a five-star engine that guests remember long after checkout. They review based on how they feel. Get your free personalized revenue report at FreewyldFoundry.com/report.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Kaye Putnam (Head of Marketing at Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry) sits down with Jasper Ribbers to unpack the newest KeyData trends report and the surprising disconnect between what operators say they prioritize and what actually moves revenue. Pricing was ranked the number two priority for 2026, yet ADR is flat, competition is rising, and most operators still lack a real pricing routine. If you are an STR operator who wants to improve pricing strategy, reduce dependency on OTAs, and understand why mid-sized companies are positioned for the most growth, this episode is a must-listen. Jasper and Kaye break down why operators leave 20 to 30 percent of revenue on the table, what expert revenue managers do differently, and how pacing and process create meaningful gains even in weak markets.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Kaye Putnam (Head of Marketing at Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry) sits down with Eric Moeller (CEO of both companies) to unpack the shocking collapse of Sonder, once valued at over $2B, and what its downfall means for every short-term rental operator. If you’re an STR CEO who wants to avoid catastrophic risk, improve profitability, and build a durable business model, this episode is a must-listen. Eric and Kaye break down how Sonder grew to 9,000 units, why their economics never worked, how the arbitrage model collapsed at scale, and what smaller operators can learn from one of the biggest failures in hospitality.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Jasper Ribbers continues last week’s conversation on cancellation policies and breaks down how VRBO and Booking.com approach cancellations differently from Airbnb. This part-two discussion focuses on how policy structure, booking windows, and guest behavior impact your revenue and why choosing a single policy for the entire year often leads to missed opportunities. This conversation explains why different seasons require different cancellation rules, how Booking.com allows more customization than any other channel, and what hosts should consider when deciding between strict, moderate, or flexible setups.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Kaye Putnam (Head of Marketing at Freewyld) sits down with Eli Pritykin, founder of Hudson Creative Studio and creator of HomeRunner, to break down what actually makes a direct booking website convert. Eli has built hundreds of STR websites and explains why trust, UX, data structure, and brand clarity matter far more than most operators realize. If you have ever wondered why guests abandon your booking flow, why your traffic is not turning into reservations, or how AI search will impact the future of discovery, this conversation gives you the clarity and frameworks to fix the problem. Explore Hudson Creative Studio and HomeRunner to upgrade your booking experience and increase your revenue.
In this Rev Up Monday episode, Jasper dives deep into one of the most overlooked aspects of revenue management: cancellation policies. Learn why your strict cancellation policy might be costing you thousands in lost bookings and discover the optimal policy for your specific market and property type. small units: Different policies for different property sizes Advanced Tactics - Using flexible policies to recover from bad reviews - Temporary policy changes to boost momentum - The 'last man standing' strategy for 100% occupancy markets - Balancing protection vs. booking velocity ### Action Items: 1. Check your current cancellation policy immediately 2. Review your market's booking window patterns 3. Consider loosening your policy if bookings are slow 4. Test different policies for different property sizes
In this episode, Kaye and Eric celebrate Freewyld Foundry's first profitable quarter and reveal their unique approach to sharing success with their team. They discuss the three options for handling company profits and explain why they chose a profit-sharing bonus plan that incentivizes excellence while fostering a culture of ownership. We see top-line revenue and we invest it, constantly keep growing the business.' - 'By bringing the team members into the profit pool, it gives them a sense of ownership in what we're doing.' - 'Culture is made up of rituals, emotional highlights, and how you communicate with each other.' ### Connect with the Hosts: - LinkedIn: Eric D. Moeller - Subscribe to the podcast for more revenue management insights
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Jasper Ribbers and Eric Moeller, CEO of Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry, break down one of the biggest revenue opportunities of the decade for Airbnb hosts: the 2026 World Cup. With up to 6 million visitors expected across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, this global event will drive massive travel demand. But only hosts who prepare early and price strategically will capture the full upside.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Kaye Putnam (Head of Marketing at Freewyld) sits down with Eric Moeller (CEO of Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry) to unpack what real leadership looks like inside a fast-growing short-term rental business. If you’ve ever felt the pressure of scaling your STR company, juggling Slack, ClickUp, constant decisions, and a growing team, this conversation takes you behind the scenes of how Eric and Kaye are navigating leadership, culture, and growth in real time.
In this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Jasper Ribbers breaks down the three key pillars of a strong Low Season Strategy and how they drive visibility, occupancy, and cash flow across 43 portfolios at Freewyld Foundry.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Eric Moeller (CEO of Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry) breaks down how Riverside County’s new short-term rental regulation forced Freewyld to rethink growth, from reducing guest capacity from 17 to 10, to reimagining how they scale, design, and operate. You’ll learn how to pivot when local laws change, protect profitability, and future-proof your brand against shifting occupancy caps and zoning updates.
In this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, we break down Airbnb’s new 15.5% host fee and what it really means for your bottom line. You’ll learn the exact markup you need to stay whole, how to adjust cleaning fees, and the hidden ripple effects most operators will overlook. Calculate with precision, every percent matters when protecting your profit.” Want to know the exact markup your Airbnb listings need? Use our free calculator at freewyldfoundry.com/markup.
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. 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. 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
In this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Eric Moeller (CEO of Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry) and Kaye Putnam (Head of Marketing at Freewyld) share exclusive insights from Airbnb’s invite-only Host Summit, where the company revealed its biggest transformation in over a decade. They uncover Airbnb’s renewed focus on Pro Hosts, quality, and experience-driven hospitality, and explain how these changes will redefine what it means to succeed as a host in 2026 and beyond. It is becoming a global hospitality ecosystem, and only hosts who lead with brand, design, and experience will stand out. If you manage short-term rentals at scale, this conversation will help you understand how to adapt and stay competitive as Airbnb raises the bar for hosting worldwide. Airbnb will reward the hosts who obsess over hospitality, design, and storytelling, not the ones chasing more listings.”
Freewyld Foundry’s Revenue & Pricing Management service is driving an 18% performance lift for $1M+ STR operators, even in down markets. Together, they break down why being pet-friendly isn’t just kindhearted hospitality but also a strategic revenue move for any short-term rental host. You’ll learn how accepting pets can boost occupancy, increase 5-star reviews, and attract guests who book earlier, stay longer, and spend more. Jasper also shares practical tips to balance cleaning costs, set fair pet fees, and create spaces that both owners and their furry companions will love. You’ll hear: - Why pet-friendly listings outperform traditional Airbnbs in bookings and reviews - How pet owners behave differently as guests and why that matters - The right way to price, clean, and promote pet stays - How to use photos, amenities, and listing copy to appeal to pet travelers - Safety tips for small dogs and families traveling with pets - Real examples from Jasper’s travels with Elvis We also talk about: - Using data from PriceLabs to analyze pet-friendly supply and demand - What markets benefit most from accepting pets (drive-to vs.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, host Jasper Ribbers talks with Jonathan Sukhia, CEO and co-founder of Topkey, the all-in-one financial operations platform built specifically for short-term rental (STR) companies. Jonathan shares how Topkey helps property managers streamline expense tracking, automate owner statements, and finally get full visibility into cash flow across every unit they manage. From closing books faster to recovering missed charges, this conversation uncovers how smarter STR finances can completely transform the way hosts scale.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Eric Moeller (CEO of Freewyld & Freewyld Foundry) and Kaye Putnam (Head of Marketing at Freewyld) break down the real strategy behind pricing, pacing, and outperforming your market, without burning out or overcomplicating your business. If you’ve ever wondered why occupancy rate isn’t telling you the full story, why booking windows matter more than you think, or how minimum night rules could be limiting your revenue, this conversation will give you the clarity (and practical playbook) you need. Apply for a free revenue audit or learn more about Freewyld Foundry’s Revenue & Pricing Management services at FreewyldFoundry.com
In this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Kaye Putnam (Head of Marketing at Freewyld) and Eric Moeller (CEO of Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry) dive deep into what separates million-dollar Airbnb operators from everyone else. They reveal why so many hosts unknowingly leave hundreds of thousands of dollars on the table, and how the most successful CEOs are stepping out of the weeds, letting go of ego, and focusing on growth. The difference between relying on a pricing tool and having a dedicated revenue manager could determine whether you plateau, or scale into the top 1% of STR operators. If you’re relying on a pricing tool alone, you’re leaving six figures on the table.” Want to know how much revenue you’re leaving on the table? Apply for a free Revenue Review at freewyldfoundry.com/report.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, we break down how to win on Booking.com using merchandising, smarter rate plans, and a guest-friendly review system. You will learn the practical steps to onboard, structure markups, and stack promotions like Genius and mobile-only rates to drive conversions without wrecking rate parity. flexible, pricing the flexibility premium, and avoiding revenue leaks. Connect with Eric on LinkedIn or learn more about the Freewyld Mastermind and Revenue & Pricing Management services at FreewyldFoundry.com.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Eric Moeller and Kaye Putnam explore one of the most overlooked levers in short-term rentals: how you present yourself on your Airbnb profile. Should you lead with a polished brand identity or a personal host photo that builds trust instantly? You’ll discover: - The psychology behind guest trust on Airbnb profiles - Why logos can help you scale but sometimes hurt conversions - When showing your face creates a stronger booking connection - How big STR brands balance host identity with brand identity - The role of consistency in branding across multiple listings We also dive into: - Eric’s shift from “I’m Eric” to “We’re Freewyld” - The risk of blending in as a commodity vs. Subscribe to Get Paid For Your Pad and explore more resources at FreewyldFoundry.com.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Jasper Ribbers breaks down the hidden world of OTA merchandising, the overlooked strategy that makes discounts visible on Airbnb. From strike-through pricing to early bird deals, Jasper reveals why most operators leave money on the table by discounting “silently,” and how visible offers can dramatically improve both conversions and visibility in Airbnb search. He also shares how his team manages 38+ portfolios, what they’ve learned running revenue management for hundreds of listings, and why applying discounts correctly can mean the difference between a booking and an empty calendar. pricing tool discounts - Why last-minute discounts may not work the way you think Mentioned in this episode: - Free Revenue Report: freewyldfoundry.com/report - Freewyld Foundry YouTube Channel ⭐ Favorite takeaway:Guests don’t always recognize they are getting a deal unless you show them. Visible discounts not only drive bookings, they boost your listing’s visibility on Airbnb.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Eric Moeller, Co-Founder of Freewyld, and Kaye Putnam, Head of Marketing at Freewyld, share the behind-the-scenes story of how their short-term rental brand was featured on the Emmy-awarded TV show Staycation. They reveal why they invested, what the experience was like, and the real results that came from it. They also break down why “Other People’s Audiences” (OPA) is one of the fastest ways to build trust, boost direct bookings, and grow your STR brand without doing everything yourself. It was about credibility, social proof, and creating world-class video content that Freewyld can repurpose for years to come.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Jasper Ribbers welcomes back Garrett Ham, founder and CEO of Weekender Management. Garrett is a unique guest because he wears three hats at once: short-term rental operator, investor, and attorney specializing in STR law. That perspective gives him a clear view of both the opportunities and the risks hosts face right now. Garrett opens up about the reality of today’s market, from fighting a lawsuit before the Arkansas Supreme Court, to acquiring 10+ properties in the past year through creative financing, to protecting visibility on Airbnb when one bad review can cost thousands in lost bookings. markets - How to avoid getting trapped by overly optimistic projections from tools like AirDNA - Why knowing your bottom line is the most important skill when negotiating creative deals - The hidden cost of four-star reviews and what you can do to protect your visibility Mentioned in this episode: - Weekender Management → weekendermanagement.com - Pricelabs and AirDNA as examples of pricing and forecasting tools - Arkansas Supreme Court case on short-term rental property rights Favorite takeaway: 'A four-star review on Airbnb isn’t good. It can put your listing at risk and cost thousands of dollars in lost bookings.' If you are an Airbnb host, investor, or property manager trying to make sense of the shifting STR landscape, this episode will give you practical strategies, cautionary lessons, and a candid look behind the scenes of one operator’s journey in 2025.
In this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Kaye Putnam (Head of Marketing at Freewyld) talks with Madi Rifkin, founder of Mount, about how she built the Content Army, a curated network of creators who generate authentic, story-driven content for hidden gems, property managers, and tourism boards. Madi shares how a single viral TikTok (1M+ views) sparked thousands of applications and how Mount has since built a selective program where 38+ creator stewards now produce content that drives awareness and direct bookings. With the right match, they become a growth engine for direct bookings and authentic brand storytelling.”
In this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Jasper Ribbers (Head of Revenue Management and co-founder at Freewyld Foundry) answers the most common questions about pacing in short-term rental revenue management. He explains why last-minute pricing behaves differently in STRs than in hotels and airlines, how to measure pacing with the right KPI, and when to target pacing behind, in line with, or ahead of the market to maximize revenue. Connect with Freewyld Foundry to benchmark your comp set and uncover hidden revenue.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Kaye Putnam sits down with Eric Moeller to unpack the exact influencer giveaway strategy that took Freewyld from 17 percent direct bookings to just shy of 50 percent. You will hear how two Southern California creators generated 233,000 views, thousands of engaged prospects, and over 12,000 dollars in direct bookings, all while spending only 900 dollars on one campaign. This is a step-by-step case study for STR operators who want fewer OTAs and more direct revenue using local influencer collaborations, smart giveaways, and frictionless landing pages.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Jasper Ribbers kicks off our new RefUp Series on revenue management, where we break down the exact strategies top 1% hosts use to maximize bookings and profits. This week’s focus: Minimum Night Stay (MNS) settings, one of the three biggest levers in STR revenue that most operators overlook. Apply for your free revenue audit today.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Kaye Putnam sits down with Jordan McDonough, co-founder of Summerled Designs, to uncover how interior design and brand identity have become the most powerful differentiators in the short-term rental industry. Jordan shares how Summerled grew from helping a few friends design their vacation rentals into a full-scale STR design firm, and why hosts who invest in design consistently outperform their competition. From ROI insights to practical strategies, this conversation proves that design is far more than décor. It is the foundation for revenue growth and unforgettable guest experiences.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Kaye Putnam (Head of Marketing at Freewyld) and Eric Moeller (CEO of Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry) reveal why reviews matter more than ever and how even one poor rating can sink your portfolio. They break down exactly how to earn consistent 5-star reviews without gimmicks, from accurate listings to hospitality that goes beyond automation. Join the Foundry Mastermind or request a free revenue review at FreewyldFoundry.com.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Eric Moeller (CEO of Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry) sits down with Jasper Ribbers (Co-founder of Freewyld) to reveal the biggest mistakes STR operators make with revenue management and how to fix them. Too many hosts treat revenue management as “set it and forget it.” If you’re just relying on PriceLabs or Beyond without strategy, you are leaving serious money on the table. Jasper shares the exact principles his team uses to manage 1,600 listings and more than $60M in bookings. Review every booking daily and ask, “What can I learn?” 2. Monitor pacing vs comp set to catch pricing gaps early 3. Adjust availability and cancellation settings to match demand 4. Apply for Freewyld’s revenue audit and get a no-obligation review of your entire pricing strategy. If you are managing $1M+ in bookings, this free audit will reveal where you’re leaving money behind and what to do about it.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Jasper Ribbers sits down with Jeremy Udovich, co-founder of Sheboygan Vacation Rentals, to unpack how he built a thriving short-term rental business on the shores of Lake Michigan. From managing million-dollar lakefront homes to keeping five-star reviews consistent, Jeremy reveals why mindset, hospitality, and delivering on expectations are the real keys to long-term success. If you’ve ever wondered whether guests will balk at $3,000 nightly rates or how to grow a portfolio without burning out, this episode is for you. If you’re managing 15+ listings and $1M+ in bookings, apply for a free revenue audit at freewyldfoundry.com to uncover exactly where you’re leaving money on the table.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Kaye Putnam (Head of Marketing at Freewyld) and Eric Moeller (CEO of Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry) dig into one of the most important questions for STR operators: Are you acting like a hectic host, or a strategic CEO? If your day is spent untangling double bookings, juggling customer support, and “just quickly fixing one more thing,” this conversation is your turning point. Eric shares the real mindset shift that helped operators like Troy, who scaled from 30 to over 100 listings and hit a $1M revenue month, step out of reactivity and into high-leverage leadership.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Kaye Putnam (Head of Marketing at Freewyld) is joined by Eric Moeller (CEO of Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry) to break down how to make the most of STR conferences. If you’ve ever left a conference wondering whether it was worth the time or cost, this is for you. Eric shares his “3 Conference Hacks” and explains how being intentional before and during an event can dramatically change the outcome. “What are you working on right now that excites you the most?” 2. Ask us the two questions above, and let’s connect.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Jasper Ribbers is joined by Alex DeCamp, founder of Great Stays Detroit, to unpack how he built a resilient short-term rental business in a market not driven by leisure, but by business travel, and how vertical integration through a self-service laundromat is becoming his next growth lever. 24/7 virtual assistant team with full SOP access 2. ChatGPT to auto-generate Airbnb support messages and appeal arguments 3. AI-powered knowledge base for cleaner and VA self-service 4. Breezeway + maintenance tracking for real-time quality control 5. Connect with Alex and check out Great Stays for real-world inspiration.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Kaye Putnam (Head of Marketing at Freewyld) sits down with Eric Moeller (CEO of Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry) to break down the unsexy but mission-critical concept of operational excellence in short-term rentals. If you’ve ever felt like scaling your Airbnb business is harder than it should be, this episode will give you the systemization strategies and tech tools that turn chaos into consistency. Eric shares how top STR operators build scalable infrastructure and train their teams to deliver 5-star experiences every time. Connect with Eric on LinkedIn or learn more about the Freewyld Mastermind and Revenue & Pricing Management services at FreewyldFoundry.com.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Kaye Putnam (Head of Marketing at Freewyld) sits down with Eric Moeller (CEO of Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry) to unpack the Four Non-Negotiables of STR Success. If you’ve been hearing that “Airbnb is dead” or struggling to scale your short-term rental business, this episode is your blueprint. Eric breaks down the pillars every top-performing STR operator is investing in right now: Brand and Product, Unreasonable Hospitality, Revenue Mastery, and Operational Excellence.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Kaye Putnam (Head of Marketing at Freewyld) sits down with Eric Moeller (CEO of Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry) to explore how masterminds create exponential growth for STR entrepreneurs. From his early days launching a DIY real estate mastermind to running rooms full of 7- and 8-figure operators, Eric unpacks what makes these curated peer groups so powerful, and why he believes every serious host should be part of one. If you’re navigating challenges like scaling your team, improving operations, or building a long-term brand, this episode will show you how to surround yourself with the right people and the right conversations. What’s the one challenge I’d pay $1M to solve? What’s one piece of value I can offer this week?
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Kaye Putnam (Head of Marketing at Freewyld) is joined by Eric Moeller (CEO of Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry) to unpack the real reason most short-term rental operators are leaving serious money on the table: weak or nonexistent revenue management. If pricing your listings still feels like a guessing game, or if you're relying on Airbnb’s Smart Pricing, this episode is a wake-up call. Eric and Kaye outline the three paths STR CEOs can take to finally master revenue strategy. Do it yourself - Learn it, love it, and level up your skills with training from industry-specific educators.2. Hire in-house - If you are managing $2M to $5M in bookings or plan to scale fast, bring in a full-time revenue pro.3. Partner with experts - Work with a high-touch team like Freewyld Foundry’s RPM if you’re already generating over $1M in revenue and want to grow with support. Apply for Freewyld’s revenue audit and get a no-obligation review of your entire pricing strategy. If you are managing 15+ listings and over $1M in bookings, this free audit will reveal where you’re leaving money behind, and what to do about it.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Kaye Putnam (Head of Marketing at Freewyld) is joined by Eric Moeller (CEO of Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry) to unpack a wild story of near-expansion and the lessons learned when a $6M deal fell through at the last minute. This episode is a must-listen for any real estate investor, STR operator, or hospitality entrepreneur navigating acquisitions, brand alignment, and business scaling. Eric and Kaye reflect on a recent opportunity to acquire a retro ski lodge in Big Bear, California, and the emotional roller coaster that ensued. From due diligence and funding challenges to contractor nightmares and investor withdrawals, they break down what really happened and what they’re doing next. It demands patience, strong investor relationships, and a deep understanding of your guest, your numbers, and your values.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Kaye Putnam (Head of Marketing at Freewyld) sits down with Eric Moeller (CEO of Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry) to reflect on the journey of building a STR brand from the ground up, starting with their flagship location in Idyllwild, California. If you’ve ever wondered how to transform a small mountain town cabin into a world-class guest experience, or how to outperform your market in both ADR and occupancy, this one’s for you. With over $50 million in bookings and 1300+ listings under their belt, they reveal how their team is outperforming markets and freeing up time for CEOs to scale. You’ll learn: - Why focusing on just one core skill, revenue management, helped Freewyld scale faster - How Jasper’s unique pricing strategy is turning heads across the STR space - What property managers like Troy and Garrett are doing differently to win 💡 Want a Free Revenue Report?If you're a property owner or manager with over $1M in annual bookings, you might be leaving revenue on the table. Reach out to Kaye at kaye@freewyld.com for an inside invite.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Jasper Ribbers is joined by Alisha Nelson, co-founder of NestAid, a boutique property management company based in Whistler, Canada. What started as a personal need to stay home with her newborn quickly turned into a fast-growing short-term rental business. Alisha shares how a single listing became over 55 properties under management, and how she built her company alongside her business partner to thrive in one of Canada’s most competitive and seasonal STR markets.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Jasper Ribbers sits down with Susanna and Jared, co-founders of Pink Door B&B, to explore the design philosophies behind their standout short-term rental properties in Northwest Arkansas. If you've ever wondered how to create Airbnb listings that stop the scroll, attract repeat guests, and reflect your local market’s vibe, this episode is for you. Susanna and Jared share how they built a recognizable brand rooted in hospitality, intentionality, and soul-filled spaces.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Jasper Ribbers (Revenue Lead at Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry) is joined by Kaye Putnam (Head of Marketing at Freewyld) to break down how they’re building an email marketing system that drives more direct bookings for their STR properties. If you’ve ever wondered what to do with all those guest email addresses you’ve collected, or how to market your properties outside the OTAs, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for. Kaye shares the exact strategies Freewyld uses to achieve 41 percent direct bookings year-to-date , and why email is their most powerful asset. Go to FreewyldFoundry.com/email, enter your email (yes, they practice what they preach), and get access to real examples.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Jasper Ribbers (Revenue Lead at Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry) is joined by Troy Daily (CEO and Founder of Elevated Homes and Hospitality) to unpack how he scaled his short-term rental business from three units to nearly 100 properties in just a few years. Troy shares the behind-the-scenes story of building Elevated Homes in Traverse City, Michigan , starting with doing all the cleaning himself and evolving into a high-growth, systemized operation with in-house housekeeping, a full guest experience team, and eight complementary businesses that fuel his portfolio. Connect with Troy at elevatedstays.com or adventuretraversecity.com. If you’re heading to the IMN conference in Park City, look for Troy , he’ll be sharing more about his journey and how to scale with quality and soul.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Jasper Ribbers (co-founder of Freewyld) is joined by Kaye Putnam (Head of Marketing at Freewyld) to break down how to effectively grow direct bookings using influencer marketing. If you’ve ever wondered how to partner with influencers to actually generate bookings, not just likes or exposure, this episode is for you. Kaye shares her complete playbook, including what works, what doesn’t, and how to calculate the real ROI of your influencer strategy. I’m Kaye from Freewyld, a unique cabin escape in Idyllwild, CA. We’re looking for creators to collaborate with. Do you ever travel to SoCal?” Want to stop relying on OTAs and build a brand guests return to again and again?Check out all the free influencer marketing resources at FreewyldFoundry.com/influencer. And if you use the tools or land an influencer from today’s episode, send us a message, we’d love to hear your results.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Jasper Ribbers (Co-founder of Freewyld) broadcasts from Savannah, Georgia, where he’s visiting one of Freewyld’s top-performing revenue managers, Thomas. He kicks off the episode with updates from the field before diving into key revenue management questions submitted by listeners. If you’ve ever been confused about Airbnb's photo tour functionality, dynamic pricing tools, or how to set last-minute rates, this episode delivers practical, data-driven strategies that will help you master pricing and listing optimization. Whether you’re struggling with pricing automation, photo strategies, or just want to improve your Airbnb revenue management game, this episode is a must-listen for every STR operator who wants to stay ahead.
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Jasper Ribbers (Co-Founder of Freewyld) breaks down the three most costly mistakes short-term rental (STR) operators are making when it comes to revenue management in 2026. If you're serious about growing your STR portfolio this year, even in a softening market, this episode is packed with high-impact strategies that top operators are using to stay ahead. You'll learn: - Why pricing aggressively in the low season is essential (and how to do it right) - How to avoid underpricing your high season too early - The #1 mistake around peak event pricing (and how to fix it before it costs you thousands) - Why 'idle' listings hurt your Airbnb ranking more than you think - How guest bookings in low season can impact summer performance Jasper also shares real data and examples from Freewyld Foundry's managed portfolios across the U.S., including markets in Wisconsin and Washington state, showing how proper pacing and pricing strategy led to over $20K in extra revenue in one low season alone. For questions, email: jasper@freewyld.com Subscribe for more episodes every Monday and Friday on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. 👍 Like, comment, and leave a review if this helped your hosting business!
In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Jasper Ribbers (Co-Founder of Freewyld) sits down with Derek Gisriel, founder of Level Up Stays, to explore what it really takes to scale a short-term rental business from zero to 26 properties in under two years, without sacrificing guest experience. If you're a host looking to grow your STR portfolio and stand out in a saturated market, Derek’s journey will give you a playbook of real, tested strategies you can implement immediately. Derek's story proves that action, consistency, and great hospitality still win in today’s Airbnb economy. Subscribe for more episodes every Monday and Friday on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
