Follow These Steps to Structure Your STR Business (Episode 317)

What Department & Roles are Needed To Run an STR Business?

Sarah and Annette drop in for a holiday season solo to reinforce the importance of establishing a well-organized structure to run your short-term rental business, from branding, SEO, and social/print/email marketing to bookings, guest management, maintenance, housekeeping, inspections, and so much more.

Get a pro rundown on what roles and responsibilities to prioritize in three main areas of your business: Marketing/Sales, Operations, and Admin/Finance. And don’t miss Sarah’s recommendation for which order to follow when hiring for these positions, at the end of the episode.

To follow along, listeners are invited to download our FREE org chart template: thanksforvisiting.com/org-chart.

(00:01:22) #STRShareSunday: @blissfulburrow

  • Making your phone number available to potential guests
  • Discount code for direct booking  

(00:04:20) Why You Should Organize Your STR Business

(00:08:32) Empower Your Sales & Marketing Department 

  • Marketing: Pricing, SEO, branding, email, social, print, listings
  • Recruiting: Research and follow-up for new business or properties 
  • Reservations: Process, pre-arrival, reviews/feedback, T&C, fees, leads

(00:14:15) Short-Term Rental Operations Department

  • Guest services: Arrival, questions, inventory, assets, relations, reputation
  • Owner services: Surveys, work/life balance, communication, onboarding
  • Maintenance: Preventative and corrective maintenance
  • Housekeeping: Cleaning and turnover, reporting, inspections 

(00:22:17) What Makes a Good Finance & Admin Department?

  • Administrative: Admin work, supplies, office and guest management 
  • Human Resources: Hiring, compliance, vendors, scheduling 
  • Accounting: Managing books, taxes, payroll, claims, chargebacks, budgets

(00:27:10) Sarah & Annette Recommend a Short-Term Rental Org Chart

  • Download our org chart: thanksforvisiting.com/org-chart
  • Recommended order in which to hire these roles
  • How to delegate to avoid burnout 
  • Growing a team vs. cash flow

Download a transcript of this episode.

Resources:

#STRShareSunday

@blissfulburrow

Welcome to Blissful Burrow! These hosts do an amazing job linking right to their own dot-com website in their Instagram bio, where potential customers are reminded – in bold – that they can text or call at any time for information. This is all topped off with a discount code for using direct booking – adding such a welcoming, high-touch element to their presentation.

Their cozy log cabin offers a luxe treehouse experience blending rustic charm with modern comforts, featuring a game lounge for kids and a serene living room with a gas fire. Step onto the wrap-around deck for coffee or to enjoy the rain, or slide down to the forest floor on the built-in slide. The outdoor haven includes swings, hammocks, a fire pit, and a secluded hot tub nestled in the forest. Indoors, entertainment awaits with air hockey and foosball in the game lounge.

We would love to feature YOU, so don’t forget to use #STRShareSunday to get your chance!

Together, Annette & Sarah are the dynamic duo behind the wildly popular podcast Thanks For Visiting, co-creators of the Hosting Business Mastery Method, & seasoned short-term-rental hosts.

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