Smash or Pass: Short-Term Rental Edition

Madeleine and her Marketing Director, Abby, switch things up for a fun, spontaneous episode by playing a game of "Smash or Pass: Short-Term Rental Edition." Abby, using her "robot" (AI) to generate a list of "unhinged" scenarios for Madeleine to decide if she would Smash 🔨 (do it) or Pass 👋 (not do it) in her short-term rental business.

Scenarios:

Cash back incentive for guests who read the house rules: 🔨

Offer a small reward (like $5/coffee) for a secret word in the rules. Rewards action-takers and sets a fun tone.

Spend $600 on a neon sign because you saw it on Instagram: 👋 (For Her)

Depends entirely on your guest avatar and aesthetic. A Smash for bachelorette/party vibes, but not for her personal brand/guests.

Outsource guest messaging to your teenage niece for work experience: 👋

Too risky when revenue is on the line. Requires an "extenuating circumstance" for someone super bright.

Let your cleaner set their own rates AND booking times just to keep them happy: 👋

Madeleine's cleaners set their own flat-rate pricing, but the 4 PM turnover deadline is non-negotiable.

Post a TikTok dragging a guest's insane request, then DM them the link: 👋 (on sending link)

Posting about it on social media is fine for views/sharing the craziness, but stirring up drama by sending it to the guest is not her style.

Build an outdoor shower even if you live in Michigan: 🔨 (if market calls for it)

Market analysis is key. Smash if it's a lake/summer market and a good differentiator, provided it can be properly weatherproofed against the elements.

Let your ex manage your STR remotely if it meant not dealing with guest drama: 🔨

Smash the situation, not the ex! *Abby's answer: Pass hard due to no trust.

Use AI to respond to reviews even if it accidentally called someone "bro": 🔨

One small casualty is worth it if the AI is generally effective and saves time.

Set up a fake security camera labeled "Guest Behavior Monitor" to keep people in line: 👋 (100%)

Invades privacy, will get reported to Airbnb, and hosts are not "hall monitors."

Reply to a guest's two-star review with a custom Canva graphic that says, "Thank you for your opinion": 👋

Review responses are for future guests, not the person who left the review. You must be professional and address the feedback/situation without passive-aggression. (Never call a guest a "filthy liar"!)

Create an Airbnb profile just to spy on your local competition's response time and pricing: 🔨

Secret shop all day long! Copying communication instructions from a competitor is working smarter, not harder.

Copy and paste a guest's rude message into Chat GPT and ask it to "clap back like Cardi B": 🔨 (But don't send it)

For emotional release and a good laugh. Humor is the best medicine to clear your head before responding professionally.

Use your Airbnb reviews as your dating app profile bio: 🔨

Humorous, unique, and a great conversation starter.

Name your STR something unhinged like "Bread and Bougie" or "The Moist Manor" just to go viral: 👋

Hard pass, especially due to Madeliene's least favorite word ("moist"). Not on-brand, even for a viral moment.

Spend more on throw pillows than your monthly car payment and feel zero regret: 🔨

(Madeleine's done it!) For large properties with multiple rooms, the cost of quality pillows adds up quickly for the design/comfort factor.

Resources:

🚀 Your STR Workshop - https://madeleineraifordholland.com/e...

🔗 Work With Madeleine's Team - https://strsuccess.typeform.com/podcast

💼 Connect with Madeleine on LinkedIn –   / madeleine-raiford-holland  

🎙️ Join Madeleine's Podcast Insider: https://www.madeleineraifordholland.c...

📸 Follow Madeleine on Instagram:   / madeleineraifordholland  

🌐 Explore Madeleine’s Work & Coaching Programs: https://www.madeleineraifordholland.com/

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