We Are Supposed To Be Rivals (But We Collaborate Instead)

🎧 Don't forget to subscribe! This week, I did something a little unusual. I invited Mark Simpson (Founder of Boostly) onto the show. Technically, Mark and I are competitors. We both build high-converting Direct Booking websites. But we both agree on one critical truth: By relying on third-party listing sites, you aren't just paying commissions—you are leaving your most valuable asset on the table. It’s not just about the 15% fee. It’s about the Customer Data and Brand Equity you miss out on every time a guest books through an app instead of with you. I see Mark as a collaborator in a much bigger mission: helping you stop "renting" your customers and start building a cohesive marketing ecosystem that you actually own. We sat down to discuss the massive opportunity cost of ignoring your direct channel, specifically how it impacts your bottom line today, and your business valuation tomorrow. 📋 In this episode, we discuss: 00:00 – Introduction: Why I Invited My Competitor 02:53 – Hotels vs Short-Term Rentals: The marketing gap 05:10 – The Mistake: "Mona Lisa" Websites vs Functional Design 08:59 – The Valuation Opportunity: How direct bookings increase exit price 11:08 – Case Study: How a strong brand added millions to a sale 15:02 – The Ecosystem: Connecting Email, Web, and Social 18:40 – Content Strategy: Newsletters that actually get read 22:25 – The Future: AI Search & The changing digital landscape 30:16 – Collaboration over Competition #DirectBookings #HospitalityMarketing #BusinessStrategy SHOW LINKS Boostly: https://boostly.co.uk Book Direct Playbook: https://amazon.com Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free! ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧 Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/ 🌍 Join the Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Community: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity 🔗 Connect with Bart Sobies for industry insights, tools, and resources: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/ 🎙 Catch every episode of The Accommodation Show here: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com ✨ Ready to take things up a level? Come to STRIVE: https://www.striveconferences.com ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence. Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.