STR Marketing Without Airbnb

STR software is evolving fast - but the best operators know the real edge isn’t just automation.In this episode of the STR Investing Podcast, Mark Lumpkin sits down with Amber Knight from bookingcloud.com to break down where the industry is headed—and what most hosts are still getting wrong.Amber shares her journey from helping scale early-stage operations at Vacasa to building new technology that drives visibility, bookings, and revenue for short-term rental operators.They dive into:• How automation is reshaping the STR industry• Why most hosts are still behind on direct booking strategy• The real role of AI in your business (and what it can’t replace)• How top operators are driving more visibility and bookings• Why guest experience is still the ultimate differentiatorAs Amber puts it: you can automate processes—but you can’t automate how a guest feels. If you’re managing properties, building a brand, or trying to scale your STR business, this episode will challenge how you think about tech, marketing, and hospitality.Listen now and start building a more profitable, experience-driven STR business.__Episode Sponsored By:STR SearchSTR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 215 profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com