(Q1 2026 Recap) 90 Days Inside Lodge Social

Every quarter I do a Lodge Social internal update and share our findings publicly. These are my favorite articles to write.

Said less professionally, I share what:

• We've learned

• We're trying

• What's next →

This is worth the read. Welcome to my brain. Are you excited? I'm excited.

>>> Read last quarters update HERE

(Yes, I know May is tomorrow. Little behind :/ )

1) Prepare For The Booking Cycles

In almost every market we touch, January + February booms with bookings.

Every year this happens. Each better than the last. Most people are booking summer dates early. Some spring break.

This could be a result of good planning from guests or a terrible holiday experience that only travel can cure.

Either way, the trend is consistent. Here's how the rest of the year should go:

• Jan + Feb → Book summer

• March + April → Book within 60 days

• May + June → Book summer

• July + August + September → Book fall

• October + November → Book within 60 days

• December → Never great

My only regret is that we didn't spend more on ads in Q1.

2) Ad Costs Increased

This is still a developing story that started mid-March.

If you run Google or Meta ads, I'm guessing your cost per result got more expensive.

Result examples:

• Leads

• Bookings

• Purchases

• Clicks

• Etc..

Cause:

There are a few elements to blame.

• Booking activity in March + April has always been a little lower.

• More AI features are available to use. Each AI ad feature is another variable. More variables = more expensive.

• With AI, more people are running ads. This causes saturation.

• Ad costs always get more expensive this time of year. I kinda think it's because companies want to cash grab before the summer so they can take a vacation. Which never works.

Effect:

With my understanding of:

• The bookings cycles

• Human psychology and our habit to quit new skills within 1-3 months

Ad costs should drop back within 60 days of now.

Oof. That was a technical section. Let's take a brain break with this next one.

3) Add Nano Banana Pro to Your Tool Kit

A few weeks ago I gave you a prompt to edit listing photos with AI.

We've used these photos in ads and other marketing material.

Compared to un-bananafied photos, this prompt makes money.

Use it!

4) Bad Landing Pages Suck Cash

We start every ad campaign the ~same. This way we can single out existing underperforming variables.

9/10 times, the landing pages need some work. I burned the midnight oil a couple of times last quarter fixing some.

I gotta say it.

Simple is your best friend with website stuff. Most rental operators want to:

• Tell the origin story

• Share favorite restaurants

• List every. single. amenity.

• Then explain them like I don't know what a hot tub is

• Show reviews

• Add the fun "meet your host" section

All on the same page.

Put that stuff somewhere else. Here's what guests care about:

• Who is the stay perfect for

• What to expect (amenities)

• When they can visit (date picker)

• Where are you located

• Why you (reviews)

• How to get started (book now or contact)

I won't waste time with website talk today. If you want to know what good looks like, here are 3 links:

• Tiny Digs Hotel

• Wander

• Crafted Stays

Hello, Q2

The goal for this quarter is the same as last.

Research.

In Q1 2026, we've done two things to make sure we're always ahead:

• Started a Book Club

• Launched $100K Stay

The book club is an internal meeting where each team member is bringing 3-5 new ideas to the table.

Goal: Find 1-3 ideas we actually implement right away.

Within $100K Stay, I do a live Q&A call weekly.

Questions I haven't thought of in a while get turned into:

• Notes first

• Then a framework

• Then a lesson here and within the group

It's working great.

I am super proud of the system we have now at Lodge Social.

Honestly, we could have a great product for years without changing much.

But we won't keep it as is. For two reasons:

• This newsletter would get boring

• If industry marketing agencies aren't the ones finding better ways to make more money, then who will?

That's all for today. I'll see you in the next article.

P.S. Writing this from New Orleans, LA. First time here. Ready for my unsolicited review?

• The best fried chicken is here

• Seafood boil is worth the trip alone

• If you compare it to Nashville, you’re wrong

• If you compare it to Charleston, you’re closer

• But there’s nothing like it in the US

I’ve been to Louisiana twice the last month (for work). The obsession continues to grow.

Before you go

I spend about 10 hours writing this newsletter each week. The rest of my time is spent running $100K Stay and Lodge Social.

1) $100K Stay — Learn how to make $100K for your Airbnb or hotel from social media.

• This hybrid-live training program is everything you need to get your own guests from the internet. Even if you have zero audience, experience, or marketing skills.

• Enrollment is currently open. Book a call to join →

2) Lodge Social — Our marketing team will help you get more guests to like, share and book. Work with me and my team here.

Links you might like:

1. Get big $$$ group bookings starting tomorrow (The Lodge Social)

2. Demand for US short term rentals is down (LinkedIn)

3. How to source domes from over seas (Anastasia Tara)

4. What if Airbnb treated airlines as they do hosts? (LinkedIn)