Episode Summary
Welcome back to the Luxury Rental Doctor Podcast! 🎧
In this game-changing episode, Dr. Rachel sits down with Maddison Rifkin, founder of Com Hidden Gems, to reveal how short-term rental hosts can stop competing on price and start winning with unforgettable guest experiences.
From viral TikTok content that drives bookings to building partnerships with local businesses, Maddison shares how hosts can turn one simple restaurant recommendation into a 5-star review—even when things go wrong. She also breaks down why Airbnb’s new “experiences & services” launch is failing, and how hosts can take back control (and the profits) by curating authentic local moments.
If you’ve ever felt stuck in a saturated market, this episode will show you why experiences beat amenities every time—and how to monetize the local gems you already love.
💡 Key Takeaways (for busy high-income professionals & STR hosts):
- Experiences = Bookings: Why guests remember local adventures, not just properties
- Monetize Local Gems: How hosts can earn commissions from partnerships with nearby businesses
- Content Army Model: 2,000+ pieces of content in 4 days—without lifting a finger
- Viral Marketing Made Simple: Use food & experiences to stop the scroll and drive direct bookings
- Airbnb’s Experience Flop: Why hosts aren’t benefiting and what to do instead
- Guest Avatars Matter: Tailoring experiences for bachelorettes, nurses, business travelers & more
- Turnkey Solutions: How Com curates, vets, and delivers experiences so you don’t have to
- Beyond Discounts: Compete with added value, not lower prices
🗂️ Topics Covered
[00:01:00] From Plumbing Disaster to 5-Star Review: The Power of Local Recommendations
[00:02:00] What Com Hidden Gems Does for Hosts & Guests
[00:04:00] Why Guests Crave Experiences Over Amenities
[00:06:00] Vetting Businesses for Hosts & Protecting Guest Experience
[00:08:00] How to Use Com’s TikTok-Style Feed for Bookings
[00:11:00] Viral Content as Lead Gen for Your STRs
[00:13:00] Building a Content Army & Influencer Strategy
[00:17:00] Case Study: 2,000 Pieces of Content in 4 Days (Aruba Property)
[00:20:00] Advice for Overwhelmed Hosts: Why You Don’t Have to DIY
[00:23:00] Airbnb Experiences & Services: Why Hosts Are Losing Out
[00:28:00] How Com Pays Hosts for Traffic & Guest Volume
[00:31:00] Where to Connect with Maddison & Com Hidden Gems
🎙️ Featured Guest
Maddison Rifkin
Founder, Com Hidden Gems | STR Experience Innovator | Content Strategy Expert
📸 IG/TikTok: @com.hiddengems
💼 LinkedIn: Maddison Rifkin
Maddison helps hosts and property managers boost bookings and build stronger brands by connecting them with vetted local businesses and delivering ready-made viral content strategies.
🎁 FREE RESOURCES
- Download the “75 Gems” Training: shorttermgems.com/75gems
- Join Our Community: facebook.com/groups/422973842093365
- Follow Us on IG: instagram.com/short.term.gems
- Website:
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