Wendy’s journey to becoming a successful fully booked host was anything but typical. She didn’t set out to become a host; it was more of an accidental discovery.

Wendy and her husband, Nigel, had always holidayed in the Peak District; it was their favourite place to spend their free time hiking and exploring. And, due to the amount of time they spent there, they decided to buy their own cottage. However, this meant they needed to rent the cottage as holiday accommodation while they weren’t there.

Once their ideal cottage came up in the perfect location, they leapt at the chance to buy it. However, having spent many years as a teacher, Wendy knew nothing about becoming a host. So like many others, she did some research and came across Airbnb and Vrbo. After a conversation with both, Wendy decided to list with Airbnb and bookings soon came in.

As a new host, Wendy faced her fair share of challenges. The guests she attracted were not always the right fit, leading to a string of issues. It was a steep learning curve, and she knew there had to be a better way.

Then, by chance, Wendy received a message from another host introducing her to Sarah at Get Fully Booked. Sarah was running a free challenge, and that’s where Wendy’s journey with Sarah began. Wendy had no idea what marketing was; she’d never heard of “ideal guests” and had no idea how to market her own holiday business.

But, after completing the free challenge, Wendy knew Sarah was the person to help her. Wendy had tried a similar business but didn’t like the pushy sales tactics. Whereas Sarah was down to earth, and as a fellow host, she knew the day-to-day challenges hosts face.

Sarah’s down-to-earth approach resonated with Wendy, she quickly gained the knowledge and confidence to market her business herself without having to give away large commissions to Airbnb. The results were nothing short of outstanding.

Wendy began working with Sarah in 2023, completing her Bootcamp (7 week Live group marketing strategy training programme) and achieved 73% direct bookings. So far, in 2024, she’s at 74% direct bookings and only has a few free dates for the rest of this year.

What makes Wendy’s experience even more inspiring is that Sarah has helped her create a marketing plan that works for her, not based on the things we’re typically told to do, like ust do Facebook and Instagram! Wendy’s ideal guests tend to be older and don’t necessarily use social media, so Wendy decided to focus on something other than social media. Instead, she has a large base of return guests and has optimised her website pages (SEO) and uses blogs to rank highly on Google Search. Wendy had this to say about her experience with social media.

“I kind of knew that they [ideal guests] didn’t really hang out on social media. But there’s so much pressure to engage with social media that I felt I should do it too. So I struggled with content, and captions, and scheduled three posts a week on Facebook and Instagram, and tried to keep on going.  Then, I had some tough times personally, which brought a lot of my marketing to a standstill.

So I decided that in order to keep the most important things going, something had to give; I couldn’t do everything. As social media gave me the most angst, I quickly decided to abandon it.” But the bookings kept on coming. Nothing changed, absolutely nothing changed”.

Wendy’s success is clearly a result of her hard work, but also the marketing clarity the Bootcamp course gave her coupled with the ongoing support she found in THE FULLY BOOKED BUSINESS CLUB™. With its weekly live Marketing Helpdesk with Sarah, the Facebook group, and the monthly training all contribute to a sense of community and support that Wendy finds invaluable. When asked why she chose to work with Sarah over similar businesses, Wendy said…

“Sarah’s very down to earth, and very relatable and gentle, and I think all those things appeal to me. There was no hard sell whatsoever. She was also providing something really positive for my business, and I was able to learn so much from her.”

If you’d like to stop handing over huge commissions to Airbnb or other booking agents, book a free consultation call with Sarah today or check out THE FULLY BOOKED BUSINESS CLUB™.

This isn’t just another business success story – it’s about how the right support can transform not just your business but your whole approach to running it. Since joining forces with Sarah in 2020, Lorraine has completely turned her holiday letting business around, now bringing in an impressive 96% of bookings directly and saving a whopping £52,000 in commission fees along the way.

But let’s rewind a bit. Lorraine’s journey into holiday lets wasn’t exactly straightforward. After a two-year battle with planners (complete with some hilarious objections along the way), she finally got permission for two holiday cottages back in 2006. Life threw some curveballs – including a divorce – but Lorraine kept pushing forward. She even managed to win another planning battle, adding two holiday cabins to her portfolio. While she still runs all the properties, it’s the cabins, known as The Roost, that really get her excited these days.

“When I started out, I was pretty much winging it,” Lorraine admits with a smile. “I had the basics – a bit of Instagram here, a basic Facebook page there, and a website. But anything more technical? Mailchimp? Canva? Meta ads? No chance – I just didn’t have the confidence.”

However, everything changed when she bumped into Sarah at a local Tourism Association meeting. They clicked immediately, finding themselves at similar points in their business journeys. Starting with Sarah’s help building a standout website that later got a special mention from the judges when Lorraine won Gold for Best New Business at the South West England Tourism Excellence Awards in 2021, their work together has only grown stronger.

Lorraine has dived deep into everything Sarah offers. She’s completed Sarah’s signature yearly Bootcamp, tackled the Facebook & Instagram (Meta) Ads online course, attended the Get Geared Up marketing conferences, and is an active member of Sarah’s marketing club –  THE FULLY BOOKED BUSINESS CLUB™.

“I honestly wouldn’t be where I am today without Sarah’s marketing know-how. The way she keeps you on track with the training, those Monday Motivation sessions, regular emails, and the weekly Marketing Helpdesks – it’s exactly what I needed to stay focused and motivated.”

And it’s really paid off! These days, Lorraine’s running at an impressive 85% occupancy rate, with 96% of her bookings coming straight through her website. She only turns to Airbnb if she has last-minute booking gaps, which rarely happens. This smart approach has kept around £52,000 in her pocket since 2020 – money that would have otherwise gone to commission fees.

One of Lorraine’s biggest wins? Mastering Facebook ads. “They used to terrify me,” she admits. “But now? I run two specific campaigns all year round – one for special occasions and another aimed at dog owners, who make up a large proportion of Lorraine’s ideal guests. Sarah’s training videos are gold – I literally keep them bookmarked and follow along step-by-step whenever I set up a new campaign.”

And the proof is in the pudding, as they say – 22% of Lorraine’s bookings now come from either happy guests returning or their friends booking on their recommendation. “It’s amazing how many bookings now come from either previous guests coming back or their friends giving us a try after hearing good things,” she says proudly.

The ongoing support from Sarah’s marketing club has been a game-changer for Lorraine. While she can’t make every session, she makes sure to catch up on the recordings, using them as her go-to resource for staying on top of marketing trends and keeping her marketing mojo.

When asked what Lorraine would tell a fellow host thinking of working with Sarah, she replied…

“Just do it! Sarah will give you the confidence you need. When you’re in those weekly meetings with the group, you suddenly realise – hey, I can do this! It’s not some kind of magic or rocket science – sure, it takes work, but Sarah makes it totally doable.”

Ready to stop watching those commission fees eat into your profits? Want to take control of your marketing like Lorraine has? Book a free consultation call with Sarah today or check out THE FULLY BOOKED BUSINESS CLUB™.

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™.

Helen’s journey into glamping began as a family venture on her brother’s farm. With its stunning views and perfect location, the site had enormous potential. However, like many hosts, Helen started without any marketing background. “We just sort of picked up and watched the industry really, followed the trends of what was going on,” she recalls.

From the beginning, Helen knew she wanted to focus on direct bookings but needed help refining her approach. After meeting Sarah at The Glamping Show in September 2018, everything changed. Initially, Sarah helped Helen set up her Google Analytics before she booked a 1:1 marketing consultation to help with email campaigns and some questions about Facebook. Then, in 2021, Helen became a founding member of THE FULLY BOOKED BUSINESS CLUB™ before Sarah supported her with a complete website revamp in 2022.

“The way Sarah works is different. You’ve still got control of your own marketing, and like she always says, ‘you know your own business best.’ Her guidance has helped to keep things ticking along, especially through challenging times like COVID and recovery.”

And the results speak for themselves. While many businesses chase 100% occupancy at any cost, Helen has built a sustainable model that maintains strong revenue even with more selective booking patterns. This approach allows the family team to focus on maintenance during quieter periods and ensure that every guest gets the best experience.

“We’ve been able to keep our prices constant and even increase them slightly over the last year. Sarah’s marketing support has given us the confidence to maintain our pricing strategy rather than dropping prices to chase occupancy.”

One of the most significant transformations has been in guest quality. With 94% of bookings coming directly, Helen has complete control over who stays at their glamping site. “We’re getting the actual target audience with our own marketing,” she explains. “Previously, with platforms like Airbnb, you’re always on edge because they’re just a different clientele with different expectations.”

Helen particularly values the ongoing support from THE FULLY BOOKED BUSINESS CLUB™ and has attended Sarah’s Get Geared Up in-person marketing conference. She makes the most of the weekly Marketing Helpdesk sessions, often using them as dedicated marketing time. “I’ll set aside that specific time to log on and work on my own marketing, but listening to others brings up different aspects and jogs my memory about different areas. It works well for me,” she says.

What makes Helen’s experience with Sarah unique is the focus on sustainable business practices that work for the whole family. “We’re a small, family-run site, and this approach allows each of us to be involved in other businesses too. It just works perfectly,” Helen reflects.

For those considering similar support, Helen emphasises the value of being part of a like-minded community…

“Sarah’s brought everybody together, and the training is all very specific for the short-term rental and glamping industry. You know what you’re getting from Sarah, and if she can’t help you, she’ll guide you to where you need to be.”

If you’d like to build a sustainable holiday business with strong direct bookings like Helen has, book a free consultation call with Sarah today or check out THE FULLY BOOKED BUSINESS CLUB™.

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™.