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  • Matt Landau
  • Apr 7, 2023

  • Founder, VRMB

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  Big Ideas Operations

  Would you want an Airbnb in your building?

  Big Ideas Operations

  I'm currently in the process of purchasing the townhouse I have rented since moving to South Beach, Miami in 2020.
  
  Back then, I wrote this article about moving to the epicenter of the pandemic and I should really write an update soon.
  
  But purchasing this townhouse is lowkey a pretty big deal for me personally:
  
  My first home: decades of entrepreneurship and carving my path capitalized!
  
  But it's also...

  • Latest reply by
  • Matt Landau
  • Sep 13, 2024

  Being in an industry and profiting from it (not a bad thing) does not mean that one does or has to wear blinders and ignore the negative impact of what one does Brilliantly said

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  • Matt Landau
  • Aug 2, 2024

  • Founder, VRMB

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  Big Ideas

  Have You Tried 'Creative Destruction'?

  Big Ideas

  After we completed our first gang intervention in Panama, we did an exercise in creative destruction where we smashed our business model on the floor (metaphorically) into a bunch of tiny pieces.
  
  There was something cathartic about creatively destroying version 1.0 that had worked well enough despite being assembled haphazardly (we didn't know what we were doing)!
  
  When you creatively destroy...

  

  • Matt Landau
  • Oct 12, 2022

  • Founder, VRMB

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  Big Ideas Storytelling

  How To "Convey Character" Better?

  Big Ideas Storytelling

  From Phocuswright's STR study Through The Roof, 87% of travelers agreed or strongly agreed that they actively seek out properties with an interesting look and feel. "Character" was not a make it or break it moment of the conversion -- but definitely a big appeal.
  
  Character is where a huge new wave of vacation rental entrepreneurs are investing: tree houses, tents, themed homes...etc.
  
  So I wanted to start...

  • Latest reply by
  • Matt Landau
  • Jul 19, 2024

  I love this thread! I have two blogposts that I share with homeowners during the setup process about "Thinking Local" and "Thinking Like a Local." https://www.riverhomes.com/blog/property-management-expertise/home-setup-think-local-part-1...

  See all 21 replies

  

  • VRMB Team
  • May 25, 2024

  Staff member

  Introducing the New Social Feed Bar

  Gain fresh insights and stay connected with our Social Feed Bar. This new feature makes it easier for you to navigate conversations and find content within the community.​

  Social Feed Bar​

  Meet the all-new Social Feed Bar, designed to keep you connected with the...

  

  • Will Franco
  • Oct 24, 2023

  • Efficiency Manager, VRMB

  Staff member

  What I learned about Matt Landau from a $4 billion AI

  Pi is an AI developed by InflectionAI. It's the most natural and human-like AI I've interacted with, capable of performing tasks comparable to other AIs, all at no cost.
  
  Pi is designed as a companion AI to assist you throughout the day. I chat with Pi so frequently that even...

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  • SScurlock
  • May 13, 2024

  Loved this. Way to go @Matt Landau - you have certainly been my Pied Piper and Obi wan kenobi!

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  • Matt Landau
  • Feb 22, 2024

  • Founder, VRMB

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  Big Ideas Storytelling

  Tell A Quick Story [Challenge]

  Big Ideas Storytelling

  Challenge: Creativity is like a muscle. The more you exercise it, the more it strengthens your story and your vision for the future. I'd like to challenge members to share one short story that moved them emotionally (reference the feelings wheel for inspiration) in the last few weeks. It can be short. Or long. Great or lame. The mere act of sharing your quick story is the creative act in and of...

  • Latest reply by
  • SScurlock
  • Mar 4, 2024

  When we started living in our vacation house in Mexico for six months a year, I never suspected our dog would open the door to our becoming a part of our village. This is one of many of his...

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  • Matt Landau
  • Dec 23, 2022

  • Founder, VRMB

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  Big Ideas

  Re-allocate Your Marketing Dollars Towards Creative Hospitality in 2024

  Big Ideas

  Back in 2009, with the listing sites (and our category in general) starting to gain momentum, the members of this community and myself predicted that "listing site independence" (ie. marketing diversification for vacation rental pros) would be the north star to follow. In the years that followed, plenty of direct booking movements spawned and a legitimate trend was formed.
  
  The theory of "Limited...

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  • StacyW
  • Feb 22, 2024

  We are reading the book as a company and have our first meeting this Friday to discuss the first...

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  • MeganM
  • Feb 13, 2024

  • Owner & Hostess

  Premium Member

  Big Ideas

  Looking for positive articles/ stats for Florida Vacation Rentals

  Big Ideas

  I am at it again - after moving from Nashville where I ran the local Advocacy group for over 5 years, I am started efforts in my new hometown (Cocoa Beach, Florida). This is a MUCH smaller area than Nashville so I am working with a lot less resources (ie Airbnb and Vrbo...

  • Latest reply by
  • MeganM
  • Feb 15, 2024

  Did you see my post on this other thread? Take a look, especially at the articles I linked to. Thanks, Rob. I hadn't seen your post. I did already have a link to the UCF article but since it was pre-COVID was trying to find something more current.

  See all 4 replies

  

  • MikeH
  • Dec 1, 2021

  Premium Member

  Keystone Retreat

  Big Ideas

  Contrarian Perspective: Is there a VR Industry Bubble?

  Big Ideas

  This thread is for the general discussion of the Article Contrarian Perspective: Is there a VR Industry Bubble?.
  
  If you're a vacation rental nerd like me, you probably follow every media site, blog (like VRMB!), Facebook group, etc. just to glean what you can about...

  • Latest reply by
  • Matt Landau
  • Feb 8, 2024

  I wanted to revisit this discussion as it appears to me that we have definitely "burst" or at least is not thriving like the post-pandemic boom and has returned to pre-pandemic...

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  • Matt Landau
  • Feb 2, 2024

  • Founder, VRMB

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  Big Ideas

  $10,000 to go without your smartphone for 1 month

  Big Ideas

  One of the big shifts I've made over the last year is in recognizing creativity is THE muscle all homerunners need to start exercising more consistently and pronto -- said another way, it is the LACK of outside-the-box thinking that gets even the most innovative companies stuck in their old/comfortable ways and in some cases sunk.
  
  Side Note: I've become so enamored with creative pursuits that I have begun to...

  • Latest reply by
  • JPrugh
  • Feb 6, 2024

  For several years I worked with a printer for big jobs as well as small jobs. He was easy to work with, reliable, and his pricing was competitive. As digital communications began to reduce his clients' print jobs, he'd bemoan the loss of revenue. "Peter," I said...

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  • Matt Landau
  • Mar 24, 2023

  • Founder, VRMB

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  Conversion Storytelling

  Leading With Your Personal Story

  Conversion Storytelling

  My mother is a brain scientist who has earned an incredible array of accolades over the last few decades. Becoming a scientist wasn't common for women in her generation so (with the help of great mentors) she chose to blaze her own trail.
  
  My father was a shopkeeper whose family business served as a keystone to the community of Princeton, New Jersey his entire adult life (he has since retired and the shop...

  • Latest reply by
  • AFirmani
  • Jan 27, 2024

  From the young age of two, my family begin hosting exchange students from all over the world. My mom was a HS teacher and my...

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  • Matt Landau
  • Jan 4, 2024

  • Founder, VRMB

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  Big Ideas

  Little Improvements vs. Big Change: Can We Have Both?

  Big Ideas

  How do you consider whether you want lots of little improvements or one much bigger change? Is it possible to both simultaneously? Does it depend on the particular phase of growth?
  
  Years ago ROster introduced his formula for continual improvement and many members have shared examples of this thinking in all aspects of the business (and life). The gist? Continual improvement always.
  
  If you are on...

  • Latest reply by
  • ToonTownRob
  • Jan 21, 2024

  If I could challenge this idea...I think inherent to the big changes is the understanding that there is no going back. For me, it's less of a flexibility in that sense. And...

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  K

  • Kitty
  • Dec 1, 2015

  Technology

  Screening Guests, blacklists, screening with booking software

  Technology

  Not sure if this thread has been suggested, but how do you screen your guests? We live on-site and our villas/apartment are not suitable to guests under the age of 8. We also are wary of inappropriate guests or large groups turning up, or guests inviting families to join...

  • Latest reply by
  • JPrugh
  • Jan 19, 2024

  May have posted this previously: Finally got through to Airbnb’s Trust and Safety Adminstrator who is looking into this guest. Don’t expect to...

  See all 41 replies

• 

  • VRMB Team
  • Sep 27, 2024

  Staff member

  Member Digest

  Vacation Rental Management: Protection, Policies, Presentation, and People

  Sep 27, 2024

  Member Digest

  Facebook groups and whatsapp chats are noisy and chaotic: VRMB's community is forward-thinking and objective. The following discussions are for Premium Members. If you're not a member, come join us and stop trying to navigate complex decisions amidst the noise.
  
  + I received a question this week about the right VRM insurance stack. Michael is looking to crowdsource some wisdom re: insurance and general coverage/protection for the VRM business. He includes the starting...

  

  • VRMB Team
  • Sep 20, 2024

  Staff member

  Member Digest

  The Rise of Experiential Travel

  Sep 20, 2024

  Member Digest

  The following insight is part of our exclusive VRMB community discussions. To engage with this material and join the conversation, you'll need to become a member and log in. Discover unique perspectives on experiential travel that you won't find elsewhere.
  
  + Desire for experiences is reshaping travel demand according to a report from Skift and McKinsey. The global marketplace for travel experiences offers a more than $1 trillion opportunity.
  
  + Hotel loyalty programs often...

  

  • VRMB Team
  • Sep 13, 2024

  Staff member

  Member Digest

  Farm Stays, TripAdvisor Shutdown, Politics, Airbnb Questions

  Sep 13, 2024

  Member Digest

  The following discussions are part of our private community. You will need to become a member and log in to engage with the material. Plenty of topics that aren't being discussed elsewhere.
  
  + Farm stays are a niche that Sheron has been doubling down on for years. In overly-saturated markets where it's really over-development that's causing problems, consider farm stays as a slower, self-sustaining and mostly untapped market ripe for pickin!
  
  + "The times they are a...

  

  • VRMB Team
  • Sep 6, 2024

  Staff member

  Member Digest

  STR School of Hard Knocks: Lessons, Laughs & Lightbulb Moments

  Sep 6, 2024

  Member Digest

  Vacation rental management is very nuanced and complex. Which is why playbooks and formulas don't tend to work. Instead of trying to invent the wheel solo, tap the collective wisdom of premium membership. We're a community inventing new wheels together!
  
  + What's the difference in responding to an unhappy guest, team mate, or homeowner with pride as opposed to responding with courage? As markets change it's important to know how to navigate hard conversations and get what you...

  

  • VRMB Team
  • Aug 23, 2024

  Staff member

  Member Digest

  Affiliate Relationships, Property Naming, Video Management System, Revenue Management Tools, QuickBooks Comparison

  Aug 23, 2024

  Member Digest

  These discussions are private to VRMB Community where we're discussing more nuanced vacation rental innovation. If you're not a member, come join us here.
  
  + Tarkan and Julia are thinking about building out some affiliate relationships with other companies in their market of Istanbul! Rob jumps in with some qualifying questions. Read and share your affiliate experiences however fruitful or frustrating LOL.
  
  + Vacation rental names are one of life's great pleasures...

  

  • VRMB Team
  • Aug 16, 2024

  Staff member

  Member Digest

  Outdoor Fun, Counter-Intuitive Messaging, Guest Relations vs. Homeowner Relations

  Aug 16, 2024

  Member Digest

  Facebook groups and whatsapp chats are noisy and chaotic: VRMB's community is forward-thinking and objective. The following discussions are for Premium Members. If you're not a member, come join us and stop trying to navigate complex decisions on your own. All business types are welcomed.
  
  

  Outdoor Fun...We need some ideas!​

  Back in April 2023, Michelle shared she was reimagining the outdoor space at one of her Shift vacation rentals.
  
  What ensues is the magic of community...

  

  • VRMB Team
  • Aug 9, 2024

  Staff member

  Member Digest

  Shifting Why, Suing Airbnb, 100% Minnesota-Sourced Gifts, Converting Surveys to Reviews

  Aug 9, 2024

  Member Digest

  The following discussions are part of our private Membership community. You will need to become a member and log in to engage with the material. Plenty of topics that aren't being discussed elsewhere.
  
  + Heather shares a meaningful shift in her WHY: it's not the guest experience and hospitality element that seems to drive a lot of homerunners, but a different kind of relationship love.
  
  + Borja is considering suing Airbnb after getting hacked. As Dan points out, if...

  Show more…

• 

  • Matt Landau
  • Jul 24, 2024

  • Founder, VRMB

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  Unlocked Podcast

  Big Announcement from Matt

  Unlocked Podcast

  
  
  We’re in between seasons of Unlocked, which means something new must be brewing!
  
  In this episode, Matt shares details about his new business creative community Here Goes Nothin.
  
  You can sign up at www.heregoesnothin.com and learn more about the upcoming retreat at www.heregoesnothin.com/costarica.

  

  • Matt Landau
  • Jun 21, 2024

  • Founder, VRMB

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  Unlocked Podcast

  Shifting To Unlimited with Pamela Quinn

  Unlocked Podcast

  
  
  This episode features Pamela Quinn, the Chief Experience Officer at LakeDays.Rentals. Pamela and Matt talk about purpose and vision, and how to align your team with them. They talk about how to get things done and the role of creativity in the process.
  
  This episode is brought to you in partnership with OwnerRez, www.ownerrez.com, a property management software that...

  

  • Matt Landau
  • Jun 14, 2024

  • Founder, VRMB

  Staff member

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  Keystone Retreat

  Unlocked Podcast

  The Next Big Leap with Dixie Taylor

  Unlocked Podcast

  
  
  This episode features Dixie Taylor, Director of Operations at Current Tides Vacation Rentals in Alabama. This episode discusses the significant leap Dixie took when she left her old "gig". The episode emphasizes recognizing when to step into the unknown, into something new ...
  
  This episode is brought to you in partnership with OwnerRez, www.ownerrez.com, a property...

  

  • Matt Landau
  • May 31, 2024

  • Founder, VRMB

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  Unlocked Podcast

  Conway’s Law featuring Paul Waldschmidt

  Unlocked Podcast

  
  
  This episode features Paul Waldschmidt, the co-founder and CEO of OwnerRez, a property management software that serves both small homeowners and large property managers. OwnerRez is also the sponsor of this season of Unlocked.
  
  Paul and his team were part of the reason Matt decided to create this 12th season of Unlocked. In this episode, Paul and Matt talk about the OwnerRez...

  

  • Matt Landau
  • May 24, 2024

  • Founder, VRMB

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  Keystone Retreat

  Unlocked Podcast

  Force Majeure with Sean Breuner

  Unlocked Podcast

  
  
  This episode features Sean Breuner, the founder and CEO of AvantStay. Today's interview focuses on innovation and includes discussions about intuition and risk-taking. Necessities that are needed to create and differentiate in the Vacation Rental Industry as we know it.
  
  This episode is brought to you in partnership with OwnerRez, www.ownerrez.com, a property management...

  

  • Matt Landau
  • May 16, 2024

  • Founder, VRMB

  Staff member

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  Unlocked Podcast

  How To Get What You Want with Julie Marks

  Unlocked Podcast

  
  
  This episode features Julie Marks, who is the co-owner of Homestead Hospitality and the Founder & Executive Director of the Vermont Short-Term Rental Alliance.
  
  This episode is marked as one of Matt's favorite interviews to date. Matt and Julie talk about advocacy, helping, and connecting with people, which comes with a challenge: drawing boundaries. This interview is all...

  

  • Matt Landau
  • May 2, 2024

  • Founder, VRMB

  Staff member

  Premium Member

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  Keystone Retreat

  Unlocked Podcast

  Poetry vs. Plumbing with Henrik Kjellberg

  Unlocked Podcast

  
  
  Today's episode features Henrik Kjellberg, CEO of Awaze. In this conversation, Henrik and Matt dive into "the new world". A world that requires adapting to change in more than just the Vacation Rental Industry, which is interesting but can be scary...
  
  Henrik shares his take on innovation and creativity and how discipline, consistency, and leadership contribute towards growth...

  Show more…

• 

  • VRMB Team
  • Sep 19, 2024

  Staff member

  Airbnb Revives Experiences with a Local Touch

  Airbnb is breathing new life into its experiences division. CEO Brian Chesky aims to offer a product that stands out from typical tourist activities by emphasizing local authenticity.
  
  Source: Skift - 09/18/24

  

  • VRMB Team
  • Sep 19, 2024

  Staff member

  Marriott’s New Era of Emotional Loyalty

  Anthony Capuano, CEO of Marriott International, believes the company's loyalty platform can go far beyond traditional expectations. His idea: one-of-a-kind experiences that shift loyalty from transactional to emotional.
  
  Source: PhocusWire - 09/19/24

  

  • VRMB Team
  • Sep 17, 2024

  Staff member

  Exploring the $1 Trillion Opportunity in Travel Experiences

  Desire for experiences is reshaping travel demand, according to a new Skift and McKinsey report. The global marketplace for travel experiences now offers a more than $1 trillion opportunity.
  
  Source: McKinsey & Company - 09/17/24

  

  • VRMB Team
  • Sep 9, 2024

  Staff member

  Outdoor Activities Lead Viator's Experience Trends

  Nearly half of Viator's top 20 experience categories in 2024 involved open-air pursuits like kayaking and mountain biking. Nature tours and safaris proved particularly popular among American travelers, highlighting a growing preference for outdoor adventures.
  
  Source: Skift - 09/09/24

  

  • VRMB Team
  • Sep 9, 2024

  Staff member

  Viator Sees Surge in Hands-On Travel Experiences

  Viator, an online travel agency, reported double-digit year-over-year growth in summer 2024 bookings. Hands-on experiences like cooking classes, photography tours, sports lessons, and painting classes all grew over 50% compared to the previous year, signaling a strong appetite for immersive, skills-based activities.
  
  Source: Skift - 09/09/24
• Matt's first Here Goes Nothin' retreat is slated for THIS NEW YEARS. This retreat is all about the ability to create new ideas/solutions as an advanced leadership technique -- it's designed for anyone seeking more creative risks in their business (and life!) Simply reach out to [email protected] to hear more details...