How to get started with your short term rental business

Name: How to get started with your short term rental business
Rating: 4.6 (5 reviews)

Learn all the steps from setting up your STR business and getting your first bookings to becoming a pro host.

Created byLodgify Academy

Last updated 5/2025

English

What you'll learn

Define your role as a property manager
Learn how to build a business plan
Prepare your property for guests & optimise guest experience
Use technology to maximise your revenue
Define your marketing strategy to boost your bookings

Course content

10 sections • 35 lectures • 2h 51m total length

What you will learn in this course2:55
Learn how to start a short term rental business by defining the industry, analyzing seasonality, ADR, and occupancy, building a plan, pricing, listings, and guest experience.
Defining STRs and your job (owner and manager)4:33

Understand STRs main concepts, metrics & how to make data driven decisions4:14
Explore seasonality, adr, and occupancy rates to make data-driven decisions that maximize short term rental revenue. Balance pricing during peak and off-peak periods and monitor competitors.
Learn how to choose the location for your STR5:39
Learn how to pick a profitable short term rental location by evaluating tourism and business occupancy rates, seasonality, competition, regulations, and costs, using tools like AirDNA, Mashvisor, and Inside Airbnb.
Different type of STR properties: pros & cons & which one is best for you6:46

How to write an engaging executive summary2:38
The market analysis3:45
The audience analysis3:45
The competitors analysis4:03
Define your business structure & team4:23
Define your marketing plan4:23
Optimize ota listings, grow direct bookings on your own site and email list, and use social media, content marketing, and paid advertising to attract ideal guests.
Set your financial plan & revenue projections4:49

Find your USP and create a unique experience3:49
Identify your property's USP (unique selling proposition) to stand out in a competitive market. Then craft a memorable guest experience with thoughtful touches and signature amenities.
Your rental’s decoration4:53
Design a short-term rental with comfort and functionality, a cohesive neutral palette with color pops, and budget-friendly high-end touches through statement pieces, layered textures, lighting, and personal accents.
Amenities: which are a must, and which ones you need to go the extra mile.5:27
Identify must-have amenities for short-term rentals: sleeping arrangements, clean bathrooms, a functional kitchen, and strong wifi; elevate with extras tailored to your audience and property.

Set your direct booking website7:25
Learn how to use the OTAs: Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo7:01
Learn to list your short-term rental on OTAs—Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo—track differences, optimize listings with photos, descriptions, pricing, and fast responses to boost visibility and bookings using a channel manager.
How to write engaging listing descriptions4:43
Learn how to use and create stunning photos & visuals6:58

Requirements

No required skills or experience, learn all you need to know to get started with your STR here!

Description

Hi! Welcome to this course where you will begin your journey into creating your own short-term rental business and becoming a professional host.

My name is Alvar and I'm a professional Instructor and Instructional Designer at Lodgify where I work with our Marketing team to create the best educational resources and content to empower STR hosts and help them optimize their business.

Our goal with this course is to teach you all the basics and the knowledge you need to start earning money with your vacation rental property.

You will learn all you need to know to get started:

The main Industry concepts & metrics
Understanding the different types of properties
How to create a professional business
All about the regulations, licenses, and taxes
The best tips for your rental's decoration and amenities

We'll also walk you through the different steps to take your business to the next level to boost your booking and revenue:

Define your USP
How to get your pricing right
Optimise guest management
How to use technology and your Property management software
to automate your business
Define your marketing plan

All of this and more! So if you are a property owner and want to start getting bookings this course is for you.

Who this course is for:

This course is ideal for property owners who want to start their short term rental business and for beginner property managers.

How to get started with your short term rental business

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction to the course2 lectures • 7min

The first steps setting up your business3 lectures • 17min

Learn how to create the perfect business plan for your business7 lectures • 28min

All about regulation, licenses and taxes3 lectures • 13min

Create a unique guest experience: get your property ready!3 lectures • 14min

Maximise your revenue: all about pricing3 lectures • 18min

Get ready to get bookings: create a professional listing4 lectures • 26min

The key to great hosting: Guest management3 lectures • 15min

Boost your business with tech: learn how to use your PMS and other tools3 lectures • 12min

Get more bookings with your marketing strategy4 lectures • 21min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: