Introducing Launchbase: Revenue & Marketing Firepower for STR Businesses

Today, Host Planet is proud to unveil Launchbase, a new short-term rental support service built to solve two of the industry’s biggest challenges: revenue management and marketing.

Co-founded by James Varley, Founder & CEO, Host Planet, and Zak Ali, Revenue Management Expert, formerly of YieldPlanet and Awaze, Launchbase plugs specialist expertise into the areas STR businesses need it most: pricing strategy, demand generation, and conversion, without the cost or complexity of hiring a full in-house team.

As part of the Host Planet ecosystem, Launchbase clients also gain access to a global community of hosts and property managers, plus the content, events, and partnerships that make Host Planet such a powerful growth network.

Why Launchbase – and why now?

Ask any growing property manager or founder in the STR space about their biggest challenges and you’ll often hear the same two answers:

1. Revenue management – combining data, pricing, and distribution strategy to maximise profit across every season and segment.

2. Marketing – keeping up with social media, content, newsletters, SEO, and paid campaigns.

Too often, STR businesses sit at opposite ends of the spectrum. Some rely entirely on automated tools, while others have no structured revenue strategy at all. Launchbase bridges that gap by helping operators build the right commercial framework, designing smarter pricing and distribution strategies, and unlocking more value from the data and systems they already use.

With a cost-effective, expert team and a proven playbook, Launchbase integrates seamlessly with your tech stack and delivers measurable, long-term revenue results.

What Launchbase does

Revenue management services for property managers, companies, and operators

• Revenue audit and opportunity mapping

• Pricing strategy and architecture

• Forecasting, budgeting, and commercial planning

• Channel mix and distribution optimisation

• Reporting, dashboards, and owner communication

• Education, capability building, and ongoing support

• Technology integration and enablement

• Strategic advisory and growth

Marketing and growth support

• Media content: newsletters, blogs, and social media management

• Brand development and refresh

• Website development and SEO strategy

• Video and podcast production

• Paid media buying and campaign management

Operator-first delivery

• Flexible contracts (monthly retainers or project-based)

• Built to plug into your PMS, pricing tool, and analytics

• Designed for both property managers and tech start-ups

  
  

Founders’ perspective

James Varley, Co-Founder of Launchbase, said: “STR businesses – whether property management companies or tech platforms – often struggle with marketing their businesses effectively. While property managers focus on operations and guest experience, the marketing needed to grow their brand and bookings often takes a back seat. I’ve seen so many property managers without a newsletter, blog, or consistent social media presence. From today, Launchbase hopes to plug these gaps and help STR businesses thrive in a sustainable manner."

Zak Ali, Co-Founder of Launchbase, explained: “Too many STR businesses treat revenue management as a setting rather than a strategy. Launchbase is designed to bridge that gap, bringing together pricing, distribution, and marketing in one clear commercial framework. Our goal is simple: connect the dots between data, systems, and storytelling so that operators can scale profitably and sustainably.”

Where to connect with Launchbase

Launchbase will be part of Holiday Let Success, the event Host Planet is co-hosting with Sykes Holiday Cottages on Tuesday, 11 November. Zak will be presenting “The Shape of UK Demand”, an exclusive session breaking down how traveller intent and booking behaviour are shifting across regions and seasons. The session will explore how data-led pricing and smarter marketing can help operators capture demand earlier and convert it more efficiently.

This session sits at the heart of what Launchbase stands for, turning market insight into real commercial action.

Launchbase will also be part of all seven stops on the Host Planet Roadshow, kicking off in Cornwall on 5 February.

Why it matters

Launchbase marks a new phase for Host Planet: not just education, but execution. For years, Host Planet has showcased the ideas and tools that move the industry forward; now we’re helping businesses put those ideas into practice with hands-on expertise and measurable results.

Book a call with Launchbase

If you’re ready to scale your STR business with sharper pricing, stronger marketing, and smarter systems, book a free discovery call with Launchbase today by emailing james@hostplanet.club.