Ep - 280 - How Influencer Marketing Really Works for STRs (And Why Most Hosts Get It Wrong) with Madison Rifkin

Most STR hosts misunderstand influencer marketing — and it’s costing them bookings.

In this episode, Madison Rifkin breaks down what actually works when partnering with content creators, why follower count is a useless metric, and how STR operators should think about social media as a long-term control channel — not a quick ROI play.

We also go deeper into founder identity, building brands that can be sold, and the mistakes operators make when they tie everything to themselves.

If you want more direct bookings, stronger brand trust, and a business that isn’t dependent on Airbnb alone, this episode is required listening.

Inside the episode:

• Why follower count doesn’t matter anymore

• How to vet influencers the right way

• The real way to think about ROI from content creators

• Why social media is your only true control channel

• Content ideas that work even without a “viral” property

• Founder identity mistakes that kill exits

• How to build a brand that survives without you

Timestamps:

00:00 – Why Influencer Marketing Is Broken for Most STR Hosts

03:20 – Madison’s Journey Building Mount and Entering STRs

06:40 – Why Follower Count Is a Terrible Metric

10:10 – How to Vet Influencers Based on Brand Alignment

13:30 – The Truth About ROI in Influencer Marketing

17:10 – Why Social Media Is a Control Channel, Not an Ad

20:00 – Content That Works Without a “Viral” Property

23:10 – Founder Identity and Why It Hurts Exits

26:30 – Building a Brand That Isn’t Tied to You

30:45 – Lessons From Selling a Company and Starting the Next Chapter

Guest Bio:

Madison Rifkin is the Founder and CEO of Mount where she finds the world's best hidden gems. She connects STR hosts and local businesses to local influencers and travel content creators so travelers can discover these hidden gems. She’s rooted in the Short Term Rental Industry where she’s won the Rising Star Award in 2022 and 2023.

Guest links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/madison-rifkin-23037712a/

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