Join host Gil Chan on 'Booked Solid,' the podcast dedicated to helping short-term rental operators and property managers maximize bookings and scale their businesses. Each week, gain actionable insights from industry experts, uncover proven strategies, and learn the secrets to achieving more nights booked. Elevate your rental business and stay ahead in the competitive market with 'Booked Solid.'
OTA Ranking Optimization Lessons From 25,000 Units and Counting with Bart-Jan Leyts
"Anyone could be ranked number one. Just slash your prices."
That line from Bart-Jan Leyts sums up a trap many hosts fall into. Ranking first on Airbnb or Booking.com means nothing if your revenue goes backward. This episode of the Booked Solid Show is a little different. We usually talk about building your direct channel. This time, Gil sits across from someone who studies the other side of the table. Bart-Jan is the founder and CEO of Otamiser, an AI native revenue management service that handles OTA ranking optimization for over 25,000 units.
You'll hear how Airbnb's algorithm thinks differently from Booking.com and Expedia. Bart-Jan explains why a fully booked calendar can quietly hurt your ranking, and why owner stays and split calendars carry hidden costs. He also shares what conversational search means for your listings, and a simple fix for guests who copy your Airbnb title into Google and find nothing. Whether you run one cabin or a full portfolio, this one will change how you look at your listings. 🎧
🤝 Connect With Bart-Jan Leyts
🔗 LinkedIn: Bart-Jan Leyts (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bart-jan-leyts-01b451284/)
🌐 Website: Otamiser (https://www.otamiser.com/)
🚀 Self serve tool: AutoRank (https://www.autorank.com/)
30 Sept 2026
AI Native Direct Booking Website Lessons From Building Hostaway's Pro with Rick van der Plas
"You also need to just be a marketer." 🎙️
A beautiful website won't book itself. Rick van der Plas, Chief Technology Officer at Hostaway, sees direct booking sites go live across one of the largest PMS platforms in the industry, and he knows which ones actually get found. In this episode, Gil and Rick compare notes on building an AI native direct booking website.
They cover why load speed quietly decides your conversion rate, how guests now discover properties through ChatGPT and Gemini, and why some design choices are best left to data. Rick shares the three principles behind Hostaway's Booking Website Pro.
He also gives one simple exercise every operator should try this week: search for yourself the way your ideal guest would. Whether you're launching your first site or tuning one that already books, this conversation will change how you see the site you have today. 🎧
🤝 Connect with Rick van der Plas
Rick describes himself as "not a very social media person," but he welcomes connections and feedback.
💼 LinkedIn: Rick van der Plas (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-van-der-plas/)
📧 Email: rick@hostaway.com (mailto:rick@hostaway.com)
🌐 Hostaway: hostaway.com (https://www.hostaway.com/)
24 Sept 2026
Direct Booking Fundamentals I Learned Over 30 Years in Vacation Rentals with Michelle Marquis
"Direct bookings should be their steak, and Airbnb should be the icing." 🥩
Michelle Marquis has spent three decades in vacation rentals. She started out faxing inventory to Expedia and now advises Guesty and PriceLabs through The Marquis Effect. On this episode of the Booked Solid Show, she makes a case that almost sounds radical right now: slow down on AI and get your direct booking fundamentals right first.
You'll hear her three part framework of eyeballs, conversion, and revenue. She walks through a client she took from 0.25% to 0.85% conversion on stays worth about $17,000, explains why phone calls still close high consideration bookings, and names the one thing she'd have you evaluate today. 🎧
🤝 Connect with Michelle Marquis
💼 LinkedIn: Michelle Marquis (https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellemarquis/)
🌐 Website: The Marquis Effect (https://www.marquiseffect.com/)
🧰 Project: Shortlistr (https://shortlistr.com)
Who has been a guest on Direct Bookings Simplified
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Chad Harker
Skyler Vaughn
Ishita Lalan
Kenny Bedwell
Brianna Amigo
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
9 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
13 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 60 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
91
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
71
Contact Direct Bookings Simplified
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