If you’re a vacation rental owner in Northeast Wisconsin—or you’re thinking about becoming one—you’ve probably asked: “How do I earn more from my property without doing more work?” Whether your home sits near Lambeau Field, along Shawano Lake, in the Fox Cities, or tucked in the peaceful woods of Eagle River, your rental has the potential to outperform others in your market. The key is strategy, and the good news is: it doesn’t have to be complicated.
At Doorway Travel, we specialize in full-service short-term rental management and consistently help property owners increase their rental income while decreasing their workload. In this post, we’ll share exactly how we do that—and how you can, too.
Understanding Your Local Market
Before anything else, it’s essential to understand your rental market. Northeast Wisconsin isn’t a one-size-fits-all destination. Each area has its own tourism seasons, guest demographics, and pricing opportunities.
Green Bay: Demand surges during Packers season. Guests come from all over the Midwest—and beyond—for game days, tailgating weekends, and special events at Lambeau Field.
Fox Cities (Appleton, Neenah, etc.): These cities draw families and business travelers alike, thanks to local events, college campuses, and downtown attractions.
Shawano Lake: This is a warm-weather magnet for families, boaters, and anglers. Think summer bookings, long weekends, and week-long stays.
Eagle River: Known for its tranquility and natural beauty, this area shines with seasonal tourism: fall foliage, snowmobiling in winter, and lake life in summer.
The takeaway? A generic approach won’t work. You need to tailor your pricing, marketing, and guest experience to each area’s strengths and seasons.
1. Use Dynamic Pricing (Not Guesswork)
One of the top ways property owners lose money is by underpricing—or overpricing—their rentals. Weekends, holidays, special events, and even local festivals can dramatically increase what guests are willing to pay.
At Doorway Travel, we use real-time pricing tools backed by historical data and competitor analysis. For example:
– A 3-bedroom home near Lambeau Field might rent for $250/night midweek—but $900+/night on game weekends.
– A lakefront home in Shawano may be worth 40% more during July and August compared to May or September.
Without smart pricing, you’re leaving money on the table every single month.
2. Optimize Your Listing for Conversion
It’s not enough to be on Airbnb or Vrbo—you have to stand out.
Here’s what separates a high-converting listing from the rest:
– Professional photography (including twilight and aerial shots)
– Compelling headlines and descriptions that focus on guest benefits
– Fast, friendly response times (which Airbnb rewards with higher rankings)
– Clear amenity breakdowns and floor plans when possible
– Recent, positive reviews
We handle all of this for our clients. As a result, their listings don’t just get more views—they get more bookings.
3. Expand Beyond Airbnb
Most DIY hosts stick to one platform. But listing your home on multiple booking sites expands your reach significantly.
We syndicate properties across:
– Airbnb
– Vrbo
– Booking.com
– Google Vacation Rentals
– Direct booking channels
This multi-platform approach leads to higher occupancy and gives you access to a wider variety of guest demographics—from budget-conscious travelers to luxury seekers.
4. Market Like a Pro
Great marketing makes a good property look irresistible. At Doorway Travel, we apply a proven hospitality-first marketing strategy that includes:
– Search engine optimization (SEO) to drive organic traffic
– Email marketing to past guests and interested travelers
– Social media promotion showcasing property highlights and guest experiences
– Event-based targeting, like Green Bay game weekends or Eagle River festivals
These tactics generate direct traffic and repeat bookings—lowering platform fees and increasing your revenue per stay.
5. Create 5-Star Guest Experiences
Earning great reviews is about more than just being clean and stocked—it’s about delivering an experience.
Here’s how we help owners delight guests:
– Offer local recommendations curated by area
– Provide 24/7 guest communication via our support team
– Ensure immaculate cleaning and post-stay inspection
– Handle maintenance issues immediately, often before guests even notice
This not only leads to better ratings (which boost search rankings), but more referrals and return bookings.
6. Stay Legally Compliant and Insured
Northeast Wisconsin has local regulations that can affect your short-term rental, especially in cities like Green Bay and Appleton. Failure to comply can result in fines or delisting.
We handle:
– Permit registration
– Tax remittance (local, state, and occupancy)
– Insurance guidance and risk management
You get peace of mind knowing your business is protected and above-board.
7. Track and Improve Performance
Most self-managing owners rely on their gut. We rely on data.
Every month, our clients receive a full breakdown of their:
– Occupancy rate
– Average nightly rate
– Booking source performance
– Maintenance and cleaning costs
– Year-over-year growth
This transparency helps you understand what’s working—and what’s not—so we can keep improving your income over time.
Let Us Help You Earn More—Without Doing More
If you’re currently managing your own rental—or using a property manager who “just does the basics”—you’re likely leaving income on the table. Our full-service approach combines hospitality expertise, local knowledge, and performance-driven marketing to help owners like you reach new levels of success.
Whether you’re near Lambeau Field, on Shawano Lake, or up north in Eagle River, we know how to position your home for maximum performance.
Want to see what your property could earn with our help?
👉 Schedule a free rental performance consultation with Doorway Travel today.
