I’m Connie Johnston, a 40-something happy wife, proud momma of two teenagers and a life-long resident of central and rural West Virginia (as if parts of West Virginia aren’t rural – haha).

My husband, Ernie, and I own two vacation rental homes in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.  And like you, I leave pieces of my heart at our vacation rental destination every time we visit.  Our plan is to someday move there and enjoy our happily ever after.

Experience

My 30 year professional career has always been in finance and accounting.  Currently, I am the Chief Finance Officer at one of West Virginia’s largest healthcare non-profits.

Back around 2000, when the internet was really starting to take off (Remember when there were no pictures on the internet?  Dial-up modems? Yes!), I started a side business building websites and doing some internet set-up consulting (I guess that’s what you’d call it – where someone calls and asks “How do I get on this internet thing everyone is talking about?”.  

Seriously.  For quite a while, I was the only person in my area who had internet.  It’s crazy to think about.

So since 2000, I have been building websites and doing computer/technical consulting, desktop publishing, brand marketing and other cool marketing stuff.  Yes, this is my passion.  It’s fun for me.

Aside from my professional career, I guess you could say I am a direct sales addict – I’ve sold AVON, Origami Owl, In A Pikle and now I am enjoying being a Scentsy Independent Consultant.  The direct sales gig feeds my addiction to office supplies (no joke), provides a discount on the smell-good products I LOVE, and gives me the opportunity to hone my marketing skills.

Digital Marketing  

Being in direct sales for the last several years is where I have really gotten interested in digital marketing and tech hospitality.  Vacation rental and hospitality marketing requires many of the same skills as direct sales. 

 You’ll hear me mention again and again about how important it is to build relationships with your guests – just like direct sellers do with their customers.

Vacation Rental Owners

Ernie and I have been vacation rental owners since January, 2014.  Before then, we knew nothing about about it.  Nothing.  So, like you’re doing right now, I started scouring the internet for answers to my many questions.  

Since then, we have pieced the puzzle together and feel like we now have a pretty good handle on how this whole thing works.  

Originally, we were listed with VRBO.  It was great – back then.  As VRBO began to wrestle away control from the owners, I knew we had to find another solution.  I begin creating our website while studying digital marketing techniques online.  

It wasn’t long until we were in a position where we didn’t have to renew with VRBO.  

Trendy Hospitality Success

A large percentage of our bookings are now from repeat guests.  And new guests are finding us through each of our social media channels, print ads and Google searches.  

Through trial and error; a ton of webinars and courses; and hours and hours of Google searches and late night reading, I have been able to piece together the formula to create an awesome guest experience.  

And as you know, when guests are happy, you’re happy!  Not to mention the time it will save you once you get the right system in place!

This stuff works!  And I can’t wait to show you how you can learn to use these same methods and techniques I have found to be successful!

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