The 4 Non-Negotiables of STR Success in 2025

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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

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