• How to Maximize 5-Star Guest Reviews on Airbnb
    Aug 22 2025

    Want to turn your STR portfolio into a revenue machine? Apply for a free Revenue Review → https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/get-started


    In this episode, Kaye Putnam joins Freewyld co-founder Eric Moeller to reveal the real strategies behind maintaining a top-rated Airbnb portfolio. Spoiler: it’s not just about having a beautiful property.


    They break down the essentials every STR operator must master to win guest loyalty and outperform the competition:


    • Accurate Marketing & Listing Optimization
    • Meeting and Surpassing Guest Expectations
    • Personalized Hospitality & Human Connection
    • Creating Magic Moments That Drive Reviews


    Using Freewyld’s cabins and client portfolios as examples, Kaye and Eric share how to turn guest feedback into a growth engine, protect your visibility on Airbnb, and build systems that ensure consistent 5-star experiences.

    Whether you manage 15+ units or are scaling your first few, this episode will give you practical steps to improve reviews, boost rankings, and grow a hospitality-first STR business.


    Keywords:

    short-term rental, Airbnb reviews, 5-star rating, guest experience, listing optimization, hospitality, Freewyld, property management, STR success, review strategy


    ⏱️ Episode Chapters

    00:00 – Intro: Why Airbnb reviews matter more than ever

    01:32 – Accurate listings and managing expectations

    04:25 – When great marketing falls short in execution

    06:36 – Why accuracy beats luxury every time

    09:41 – Overcommunication and guest connection

    14:34 – Creating emotional “magic moments” for guests

    18:23 – Turning friction into positive experiences

    21:32 – The coffee debacle: learning from reviews

    26:36 – Reading feedback and fixing small details

    28:18 – Internal systems and team training for reviews

    29:51 – Guest journey mapping with Nathan Woods

    32:05 – Final takeaways: reviews as growth opportunities

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
  • STR Revenue Management Isn’t Optional, It’s Everything
    Aug 20 2025

    👉 Get Your Free Revenue Report: If you’re running $1M+ in annual STR bookings, you could be leaving serious money on the table. Apply for a complimentary Revenue Report and uncover hidden profits in your portfolio.


    In this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Eric Moeller interviews Jasper Ribbers, co-founder of Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry, about the fast-growing world of revenue management.


    Jasper shares how their team scaled from managing a handful of Freewyld cabins to overseeing 66 clients, 1,600 listings, and more than $61M in revenue, and why most STR operators are unknowingly missing out on 20 to 40 percent of their potential income.

    We also dive into:


    • Why revenue management is not just a pricing tool
    • The number one mistake operators make when setting prices
    • How pacing (forward occupancy) reveals untapped demand
    • Real case studies where portfolios jumped 25 to 40 percent in booked revenue
    • Why strict availability and cancellation policies often backfire


    If you want to scale your portfolio, capture hidden revenue, and finally give pricing the same attention as marketing and operations, this episode is for you.


    Takeaways


    • Treat revenue management as a core business function, not an afterthought
    • Most operators are leaving 10 to 40 percent on the table by misusing pricing tools
    • Pacing is the most powerful and overlooked concept in STR pricing
    • Availability and cancellation policies impact revenue just as much as rates
    • A dedicated revenue manager can consistently outperform DIY strategies


    Relevant Links


    • Apply for a Free Revenue Report: freewyldfoundry.com
    • Follow Jasper: LinkedIn
    • Follow Eric: LinkedIn

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    40 mins
  • $100K in One Month: Lakefront STR Secrets with Sheboygan Vacation Rentals
    Aug 18 2025

    👉 Get Your Free Revenue Report: If you’re running $1M+ in annual STR bookings, you could be leaving serious money on the table. Apply for a complimentary Revenue Report and uncover hidden profits in your portfolio.


    In this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Jasper sits down with Jeremy Udovich, co-founder of Sheboygan Vacation Rentals, to talk about building and scaling a thriving STR business on the shores of Lake Michigan.


    Jeremy shares the story of how one lakefront property hit $100,000 in a single month, why charging premium rates doesn’t automatically mean unhappy guests, and how mindset + market-driven pricing beats gut instinct every time.


    We also dive into:

    • Why hospitality experience is the ultimate STR advantage
    • How to balance growth with a lean team
    • The new quality-first direction at Airbnb and how to stay visible
    • Why “fair share” isn’t enough, and how to claim your “unfair share” of the market


    If you’re looking to scale your portfolio or fine-tune your pricing strategy, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.


    Takeaways
    • Luxury STRs thrive when the experience matches the rate.
    • Market demand, not your gut, should set your pricing.
    • Airbnb is rewarding fully optimized, high-quality listings.
    • A lean team plus automation can drive big results, but hospitality fundamentals are non-negotiable.
    • Mindset matters: challenges are inevitable, but your response determines your success.

    Relevant Links
    • Apply for a Free Revenue Report
    • Sheboygan Vacation Rentals: sheboyganvacationrentals.com
    • Connect with Jeremy: Jeremy@sheboyganvacationrentals.com
    • Follow Jasper: LinkedIn


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
  • Are You a Hectic Host or a Strategic CEO?
    Aug 1 2025

    👉 Get a Free Revenue Review → https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/report Find out how much revenue you’re leaving on the table, risk-free.


    What’s the real difference between a hectic host and a high-performing CEO in the short-term rental space?


    In this episode, Kaye Putnam and Eric Moeller break down how successful STR leaders escape the daily grind and create real business freedom. You’ll learn why systems, energy management, and delegation aren't just buzzwords, they're essential tools for scaling without burning out.


    Eric shares the behind-the-scenes of helping Troy (a client in Northern Michigan) go from 30 to over 100 listings, culminating in his first $1M revenue month. The secret? Getting out of the weeds, hiring elite operators, and focusing on high-leverage activities only the CEO can do.


    Whether you're still handling pricing yourself or buried in customer service messages, this episode is a wake-up call. You’ll walk away with the mindset shifts and practical systems you need to step fully into your role as a strategic CEO.


    💡 Topics covered:

    • Signs you’re stuck in “reactive” mode
    • How to run an “energy audit” on your weekly tasks
    • Systems = freedom: why delegation is non-negotiable
    • Why pricing your own listings is probably costing you six figures
    • Real-world example: how Troy scaled from chaos to clarity (and 3x'd his revenue)
    • How to use tools like ChatGPT to scale your SOPs


    🔗 Episode Links
    • Eric Moeller (Co-founder, Freewyld) → https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericdmoeller/
    • Kaye Putnam → https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayeputnam/
    • Freewyld Foundry (RPM Service) → https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/


    ⏱️ Chapter Timestamps

    00:00 – The Hectic Host vs. The Strategic CEO

    02:48 – Understanding Reactivity in Business

    05:35 – The Cost of Being in the Weeds

    08:40 – Energy Management vs. Time Management

    11:32 – The Importance of Delegation and Systems

    14:11 – Troy's Success Story: A Case Study

    19:52 – Key Strategies for Scaling Your Business

    22:57 – The Role of Systems in Business Freedom

    26:33 – Effective Delegation and Ownership

    32:07 – Final Thoughts and Action Steps

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
  • How to Win at STR Conferences (Without Burning Out)
    Jul 18 2025
    Want to outperform the market? Freewyld Foundry’s Revenue & Pricing Management service is driving a 24.6% performance lift for $1M+ STR operators—even in down markets. If you're managing 15+ listings and want a free pricing audit, apply here →


    In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Kaye Putnam (Head of Marketing at Freewyld) is joined by Eric Moeller (CEO of Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry) to break down how to make the most of STR conferences.


    If you’ve ever left a conference wondering whether it was worth the time or cost, this is for you. Eric shares his “3 Conference Hacks” and explains how being intentional before and during an event can dramatically change the outcome.


    You’ll hear:

    • Why the hallways and cocktail hours are more valuable than the panels
    • How Eric preps as an introvert (hint: start with a workout)
    • What questions to ask that leave a lasting impression
    • The Will Guidara story that changed how Eric shows up at events
    • How to host your own meetup (and why it positions you as a connector)
    • Why VRMA is still the one to watch—and what we’re teaching there


    We also talk about:

    • The upcoming VRMA Vegas workshop: “Pricing Power: How the Top STR Hosts Outpace the Market”
    • What makes that session different (no fluff, just actionable results)
    • A preview of Freewyld’s newest expansion plans—and how to connect if you're a property owner or investor


    🎯 Mentioned in the Episode:

    • Freewyld Foundry – Revenue Management for $1M+ STR Portfolios
    • VRMA International Conference
    • IMN Conference in Park City


    🔥 Eric’s Go-To Networking Questions:

    1. “What are you working on right now that excites you the most?”
    2. “Is there any way I can support you?”


    📍 If you’ll be at IMN in Park City or VRMA in Vegas—come say hi. Ask us the two questions above, and let’s connect.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    24 mins
  • From Banker to STR Pro: How Alex De Camp Built Great Stays
    Jul 11 2025

    Get STR revenue management off your plate. Get a free Revenue Report to see if you're leaving money on the table: https://freewyldfoundry.com/get-started


    In this episode of Get Paid For Your Pad, Jasper Ribbers sits down with Alex De Camp, founder of Great Stays in Detroit, Michigan. A former banker turned short-term rental operator, Alex shares his path from redeveloping properties in Detroit to managing a growing STR portfolio, with over 150 turns a month.


    They dive into how Alex automated his operations, leveraged Freewyld Foundry's RPM service, and how early involvement in the LegendsX community shaped his journey.


    You’ll hear how Alex’s experience inspired his next big move: opening a laundromat to vertically integrate laundry into his STR business, cutting costs, improving quality, and creating a more efficient turnover process.


    The episode is packed with practical insights on SOPs, AI, team building, and scaling smart (not just fast).

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • Mastering Operational Excellence in Short-Term Rentals
    Jun 27 2025

    🎯 Want to scale your short-term rental business without chaos?

    Apply for a free Revenue Review at FreewyldFoundry.com/get-started and discover where you can unlock serious growth.


    In this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Kaye Putnam and Eric Moeller unpack the often-overlooked engine behind every thriving STR brand: operational excellence.

    They explore how the best short-term rental operators use systems, processes, documentation, and technology to deliver consistent guest experiences, reduce stress, and scale with confidence. From tools like Breezeway to lessons learned from high-stakes industries like aviation and healthcare, this is a tactical conversation grounded in real-world experience.


    Whether you're managing five properties or fifty, operational excellence is how you create reliability, elevate hospitality, and free yourself from day-to-day firefighting.


    Keywords: operational excellence, short-term rentals, hospitality, systems, processes, guest experience, technology, tools, documentation, growth


    🕐 Episode Chapters

    00:00 – Introduction to Operational Excellence

    02:47 – Understanding Operational Excellence

    05:30 – Tools and Technology for Operations

    08:19 – Learning from High-Stakes Industries

    11:16 – Building Systems for Success

    14:07 – Documenting Processes Effectively

    16:37 – The Impact of Operational Excellence

    19:29 – Resources for Improvement

    22:19 – Community and Mastermind Benefits

    25:03 – Looking Ahead: Unreasonable Hospitality


    🎧 Listen now and start building the systems that will support your next stage of growth.

    FreewyldFoundry.com/get-started

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    24 mins
  • The 4 Non-Negotiables of STR Success in 2025
    Jun 20 2025

    Want to turn your STR portfolio into a revenue machine? Apply for a free Revenue Review → https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/get-started


    In this episode, Kaye Putnam joins Freewyld co-founder Eric Moeller for a candid conversation on what really drives long-term success in short-term rentals. Spoiler: it’s not just your pricing tool.


    They break down the four non-negotiables every elite STR operator needs to master:

    • Brand and Product
    • Unreasonable Hospitality
    • Revenue Mastery
    • Operational Excellence


    Using the Freewyld brand as a case study, they explore how these pillars work together to create a differentiated guest experience, improve profitability, and scale with confidence.


    Whether you're managing 15+ units or just thinking bigger, this episode delivers clarity, strategy, and inspiration for growing a hospitality-first, brand-driven STR business.


    Keywords:

    short-term rental, STR success, hospitality, brand strategy, unreasonable hospitality, revenue mastery, operational excellence, FreeWild, guest experience, property management


    ⏱️ Episode Chapters

    00:00 – Intro: Why the STR game has changed

    02:37 – The Four Non-Negotiables of STR

    05:29 – Brand & Product: Where it all starts

    08:35 – Unreasonable Hospitality: The FreeWild secret

    11:17 – Revenue Mastery: Smarter pricing, better profit

    14:12 – Operational Excellence: Your brand depends on it

    16:53 – Building a STR Brand: Lessons from FreeWild

    19:52 – Creating Emotional Guest Connections

    22:51 – Wrap-Up: Applying the 4 non-negotiables

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    28 mins