Sometimes, the biggest business transformations come from knowing exactly who you want to attract. And, for Natalie, who runs luxury treehouses in France, this meant creating unforgettable experiences marketed to the right people at the right time – a move that’s led to an impressive 95-99% direct bookings and a thriving premium business.
“We wanted to do something quite high-end, quite special. Something that was maybe a bit of a once-in-a-lifetime stay.”
It’s this vision that’s shaped her entire approach to the business, especially since starting work with Sarah in 2021.
The marketing journey hasn’t always been straightforward, however. At one point, Natalie’s properties were the most popular listings outside the UK for a major booking platform. But this success came with a price tag. It meant she was paying the most commission of all the people outside the UK!
So, working with Sarah changed everything. Natalie threw herself into every available resource, starting with Sarah’s signature live group Bootcamp programme that she runs once a year to help members create a robust but easy-to-follow marketing strategy. This strategy then acts as a complete roadmap for their future marketing activities. Then, when Natalie needed more personalised support, she booked 1:1 consultations with Sarah to work through specific challenges she was facing.
However, the backbone of her marketing journey has been THE FULLY BOOKED BUSINESS CLUB™ membership. With its combination of monthly training, weekly Marketing Helpdesk sessions, and a huge library of over 50 step-by-step marketing training courses, it’s provided consistent support. “The training library is amazing; there’s everything from Mailchimp setup to advanced Facebook ads – and it’s all broken down into really manageable steps.”
This comprehensive approach to marketing know-how and confidence has transformed Natalie’s business. Along the way, she’s estimated saving around £5,000 in commission fees. Still, the real value has been in attracting the right guests.
“I absolutely devoured those trainings,” she says excitedly. “Now I’ve got Mailchimp, I use Canva all the time, I can run Facebook ads – I’d never done any of that before. The more you learn, the quicker it becomes. You develop your own systems.”
One of Natalie’s best strategies has been adapting her offering throughout the year. During summer, she welcomes families, creating magical experiences with pizza and burger nights for a rustic dining experience. Then, during the quieter seasons, she switches focus to couples seeking romantic getaways, complete with special meals and late checkouts.
And the results speak volumes from this approach. Beyond moving from 80% to 95-99% direct bookings, Natalie’s been able to maintain premium pricing while ensuring every stay is memorable. As she puts it, “I would rather be half full and have amazing guests that buy all the extras, come back every year, and treat the place like a palace, than be full with guests who don’t appreciate what we offer.”
And when asked what makes Sarah’s marketing support stand out?
“She doesn’t make it scary. She never makes you feel like an idiot, which I think is amazing. She’s straight-talking, friendly, can be funny, and she explains why to focus your attention in certain areas. The ongoing support through THE FULLY BOOKED BUSINESS CLUB™ has been invaluable. And Sarah makes marketing feel achievable, even during the busiest times. Even if you’re having a bad day, a bad month, or a chaotic six months, she’ll always encourage you to post something or do an email campaign, and she makes it sound so doable.”
If you’d like to transform your holiday business into a premium experience with impressive direct bookings like Natalie has, book a free consultation call with Sarah today or check out THE FULLY BOOKED BUSINESS CLUB™.