Sometimes, the most successful business journeys start by accident. And, for Anna, what began as a property investment during Covid became a thriving holiday rental business generating £130,000 annual turnover – thanks to a strategic shift in her marketing approach. Working with Sarah since March 2022, Anna transformed her business from 25% direct bookings to an impressive 75%, proving that the right marketing guidance can revolutionise a holiday business.
“I sort of knew I needed some kind of help and guidance but didn’t really know where to go. When I came across Sarah during an online summit, I liked what she was saying. She came across as very ethical, and as a fellow host, she really understood the day-to-day challenges we face.”
Like many hosts, Anna started with minimal marketing experience. Initially listing on various booking platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo, she knew she wanted to increase direct bookings but needed help refining her approach. But after creating a basic WordPress website, she realised she needed expert guidance to make it truly work for her business.
And that transformation began when Anna joined Sarah’s membership – THE FULLY BOOKED BUSINESS CLUB™ in March 2023, which also included a website audit. Taking full advantage of the resources available, Anna approached the Club with enthusiasm.
“Sarah got me to really hone in and get the website working. Our bookings went from 30% to 40% to 60% to 70% coming in direct. I was so happy!”
But the results weren’t just about numbers – Anna also developed a deeper understanding of guest relationships. She created a renovation journey book for the properties and made a point of personally greeting each guest, an approach that led to repeat bookings and referrals. “It worked big time,” she notes. “When we didn’t do that personal greeting, you didn’t get the rapport. But people treated the house better when they put a name to a face.”
Perhaps the most telling evidence of Sarah’s marketing club effectiveness came when Anna temporarily stepped back from implementing regular marketing activity. “I’m like a reverse success story,” she laughs. “As soon as I stopped applying her marketing techniques, my direct bookings went off a cliff edge. It really shows that you’ve got to keep doing it. You can’t just go, ‘Oh yes, I have my people’ – you’ve just got to keep going.”
Anna particularly valued the support from THE FULLY BOOKED BUSINESS CLUB™ and its community….
“The weekly Marketing Helpdesk was invaluable, not just from Sarah but from other people too. You might get an idea from them, or questions answered you didn’t even know you had. The back-end training was also brilliant – how to do Instagram reels, how to set up Facebook ads and everything else you could ever want answered when it comes to marketing your holiday let. I was like a kid in a candy shop!”
For those considering similar support, Anna emphasises the value of consistent effort and engagement with the resources provided. “Sarah’s help totally revolutionised our business and was a great support. I’m always recommending her to others in the industry because she’s very ethical and actually cares whether your business works or not.”
The transformation of Anna’s business demonstrates that with the right guidance and consistent application of marketing strategies, significant growth in direct bookings is achievable. Her journey from accidental host to marketing success showcases the power of dedicated learning and implementation.
“We signed up to the club… and I can honestly say it was the best decision we made for our business, as we have learned so much from Sarah and as for value for money – 12/10!”
If you’d like to transform your holiday business and increase your direct bookings like Anna has, book a free consultation call with Sarah today or check out THE FULLY BOOKED BUSINESS CLUB™.