02. Your house story & naming.

When I bought Captains Rest, I slept in a swag on the floor and realized how much worse it was than I thought it was going to be. Depressed and full of anxiety, I realized the only thing I could do was start so, as always, I began with story. I spent that first week literally writing the world I wanted Captains Rest to become and that’s where it all started, realizing we aren’t just renovating properties here, we’re creating worlds. Remember, it’s in the dreaming that magic becomes real.

When I think about house stories, I like to think of it as writing a novel, chapter by chapter and line by line. Yes, you’re creating a brand and a home, but you’re really shaping a world for your guests to step into. That’s what sets certain properties apart from others.

If we look at the why around this, we’ll find lots of research which proves the power of storytelling and its success when it comes to capturing people’s attention. Through story, you can force yourself into their memories, create close, personal bonds, and make a house that feels like a home. Creating a house story is the first step everyone misses and it is undeniably the cornerstone of my (and, if you like) your strategy. It is the key to creating an iconic home.

I also think it’s important to note that not all stories are big, epic tales full of monsters and men. The most powerful ones are honest and true, these are the ones that make a difference.

A small encouragement…

The exercises in this chapter are so crucial to your success. Please take all the time you can and rewrite, rethink, and re-dream as much as you can. I would love for you to explore the case studies and allow yourself to scurry along all the little trails you find. This chapter should be one of the longer ones, especially if you spend the amount of time I think (and hope) you will. Put so much love and creativity into this work, it will pay out ten fold for the more you put in, the greater the rest shall be.

Now, let’s begin with our video overview.

02. To ponder.

“Good stories surprise us. They make us think and feel. They stick in our minds and help us remember ideas and concepts in a way that a PowerPoint crammed with bar graphs never can.”

- Joe Lazauskas and Shane Snow

02. Case studies: Let’s check in by clicking on each one.

02. Your homework for this module.

• Explore, follow and bookmark our Pinterest page. This is going to be a great resource for you moving forward for life. We are updating it with my ideas, inspiration and other students homes weekly.

• Watch this, ‘The Magical Science of Storytelling’

• Read this, ‘The Seven Secrets of Successful Story Telling in Hotel Design’

• Read this, ‘How to Name A Product’

• Name your property, and find/purchase its website domain name (GoDaddy is easy to use and can integrate easily into Squarespace which we will use later to build a website) and instagram handle. Also make sure you have a hashtag for it that is unique.

• I’d love to challenge you to start telling a little bit of your house story in a way that feels right for you on Instagram. Use the hashtags for this chapter so we can all start to see your work and ideas.

02. Q and A with Sarah Andrews.

Q. Okay, I get what you are saying, but I really don’t have a great story.

You don’t need to have some big, great, mountain climbing, ocean crossing story, you just need a story for your styling and your house to revolve around. This makes it feel considered, purposeful, and designed. It could be as simple as a story about inner city living and retreat from the hustle and bustle, but even that is enough to make beautiful design decisions that tell the correct story for your home.

Q. Hi Sarah, I am loving the course so far! I have a question for you with regards to house naming. Should each property have their own individual names or, if you have (or would like to have) a collection of properties, would it be better to have an overarching name for the group and then individual property names? Should the names have a common theme or keep them distinctly individual? This question then also flows on to Instagram too, ...one insta name for the group of properties or should each property have their own insta account? Thank you!

I am so glad you are loving it! So, for this type of scenario or iteration of it, go and look at your house story for each one. If it’s one house story, or they are all the mostly the same, I’d use one name, and maybe an identifier, like location. For example “Gypsy Jim - Hobart and Gypsy Jim, Sydney.” If they have varying house stories, then name each individually, for example: “Gypsy Jim” could be your gypsy wagon parked somewhere cool in Hobart and “Quarryman’s Post” might be your railway cottage in Fitzroy.

In terms of Instagram, I would, where it makes sense, try to have one instagram for the lot. It’s bloody hard work growing your following and engagement at times (don’t worry, we get to this down the track) so one account for all will draw attention to each.

The only time this isn’t the case is if the house stories just don’t work together in anyway or you plan to sell a property (soon) as a complete business. In Week 4, our grad shop opens up and you can also use our namer / copywriter who is quite brilliant once you have done your house story homework. This might be a nice option to really investigate your situation further if it’s complex.

Q. Hi Sarah. You may cover this in a later chapter, but as the creation of a website domain is part of Chapter 2 homework, why do you recommend a website for our properties? If we have a AirBnB listing, do we also need a website?

We cover websites in Chapter 07 but, yes, you do need a website as well as an Airbnb listing. I go into it more in that chapter, but, at this point, while you are thinking about naming, it’s important to make sure you have a domain that fits with your house name.

Q. Hi Sarah, firstly you and this course are so inspiring, am just loving it - thank you just isn't quite adequate... to my question or current conundrum - because I haven't yet purchased my property, should I be creating a story about what I hope to purchase? I started in my brainstorming with ‘ must haves’ and then, ‘would love to have’ and was then going to build from there. Does that sound daft or am I sort of on the right track?

Oh this is a great question! And thank you back - this was all put together for you, so it’s you I have to thank. I think if you’re yet to purchase, dream up your dearest dream / property from an emotional space rather than a practical one. Daydream about what you would love, perhaps for you and try not to be too rigid about it. Brainstorm from your wildest heart, no matter how impossible it seems. Who knows what might come along for you next! Stranger things have happened!

In a nutshell, for you, it’s about practice. Use this as a chance to manifest something wonderful and get your head in the right emotional space to create (rather than solving from a practical space). I am so excited for you!

Q. I'm feeling a little frustrated because I'm in Singapore at the moment and probably not returning to our Airbnb house until late December. So I won't be able to take an image that represents our house story. I can just take a photo that we've taken in the past (without using my wonderful new photography skills lol)?

Of course! All homework is optional and open to interpretation. Everyone’s situation on here is so different! Play and relax. Eventually you’ll get back to your house with all your new skills!

Q. The property I am working on already has a name but I don't like it - it is generic and boring and plain — however ,it is well known in certain circles, as well as to locals, and is seen as somewhat of a landmark. I am not really sure if I should change it.

Gosh, that’s a hard one. You could employ an expert to help you with your specific case. Our grad shop opens up in Week 4.!.. Sounds like it might be complex, but I would also ask you this: I know it’s well known, but are those circles and locals actually booking it? To the people who might actually book you, would they care about a name change and a fresh look, vibe, story, etc.?

Q. I am in the process of updating all of the photos on Airbnb and the new website, should I wait until that is all finished before I start inviting influencers to stay or should I just start inviting them anyway? I haven't told anyone about the website yet because the pictures are a few years old. Should I also wait until the the new photos are ready?

We cover this towards the end of class (a whole bloody chapter on it), BUT this is a good question. I would start now. Often you invite them and they might turn up in 6 months, or 12 months, or maybe never! Remember, a visit to your place needs to fit with their life. Get a head start! X

Q. Hi Sarah, a question on naming! :) How obscure do you think a name should be? I feel like it's a fine line between being unique and being a bit confusing. For instance, my property is an old barn next to a river beach in which the previous owner left his piano behind! I can't decide between a name such as “The Drifter’s Den” which tells a story of a safe haven for ramblers and travelers, or whether to go more obscure, like “The Drifter’s Piano” and weave a story around the abandoned piano! What would you recommend? Also, I am absolutely LOVING your course so far, when I get a moment to sneak away from the kids, it's my favourite past time. Thank you!

Hey! Good question. I’m also getting a few more from people with specific ideas on their names and a lot about transitions to a new one on instagram / joining up accounts /domain names, etc. As always, I’ll give you my yard stick and where to find more information. If it were me working on your house, or anyone’s house, when I get down to these types of fine decisions, I always go with my gut feeling and I don’t over think it. My gut here tells me The Drifter’s Den and, you know, every client I’ve ever helped follow their gut has always matched mine, so! Everyone out there: go with your gut, your body has far more wisdom than you realize.

Now, for any more questions about the detail and naming and instagrams and domain names that are specific to your property, I actually work with a wonderful namer named Rohan. He is incredible, really, and you can hire him in our grad shop once that opens up in Week 4. Hire him or go with your gut now that you know the basics. X

Q. Hi Sarah, when registering a go daddy domain, it asks for legal entities. Which sent me down the rabbit hole of whether for a rental income property, I need to register a business name (which would then need an ABN); do I trademark the name etc. Usually for a rental income you wouldn't have to, but would there be any reason I should? What have you and other grads done? thanks in advance xx

Hello! Most people doing this class need to make two phone calls, one to their accountant and one to their council or governing planning body. This should answer all your legal and financial questions as nearly every single person doing this class would have a different set up with their family structure and income brackets. I know that’s not an easy answer, but it will be easy once you have a direction sorted!

Q. Hi Sarah, I'm still in the process of imagining my dream of having a small apartment. We already have propriety but we live overseas so, for now, it's only on paper. Unlike a lot I read, my dream will be in Milan, I was wondering about the name something like "Wanderlust" because our apartment reflects our life, citizens of the world. I was wondering if I should consider an Italian name, that reflects our origins or not ... what do you think? Another was "Lost and Found" but I'm afraid they are all common places, with trivial names ... some suggestions. Anyway, I love this workshop! I'm doing it between one move and another. I'm in Melbourne and in less than 10 days we move to Singapore !!

Oh your life!!! It is true Wanderlust, I would love to visit your Milan apartment. I might have to be the first guest you get to kick out!! (joking, but I will stay as long as you let me).

So, I can’t answer questions about individual properties in this classroom, at times there are 100’s of you in here. BUT! You are all so welcome to ask each other! You are part of a club now .. you can post your ideas on your stories so they are temporary, or in a post so all the students can find you. Just use the #thehostingmasterclass and #thm02 hashtag, and tag me on @thehostingmasterclass …I know everyone will want to weigh in on this.

Im always around for one on one consults, but with this community, and this class, and any general question you’d like to ask in here, you don’t need it. X

Q. Hi Sarah, finding your course so exhilarating ! I have a few hurdles I need to leap in order to move forward. I have come up with at least 50 names and not one resonates. You advise would be appreciated.

Advice for those struggling with naming for many reasons!

1. Put your favorites up on a wall and just wait. You will find yourself being drawn to some more than others, so take down the ones that aren’t, leave up those that are. This could take weeks or months but you will find you are left with one or two and they will have grown on you. This process can take time but works for me.

2. Hire an expert, in the grad shop we have a professional namer to guide you.

3. Stop!!. Sometimes when the creative process isn’t happening. The best thing to do is just stop, move on to something else, come back to it. You might find on a walk a few weeks down the track the answer just hits you! Your subconscious tends to work hard while your conscious mind moves on to other things.

I hope that helps, the creative process is a challenging process at times and can be uncomfortable.

Q. Hi Sarah, So in love with this online journey so far … Thank you from the bottom of my heart its exactly what I needed to refocus my energy! My question is on my house story its longer than a couple of sentences, does that matter?

Gosh not at all, it really is a blank slate for you to explore what is in you. I think down the track if you can distil it down to a few sentences it will help you make key decisions and talk about your property with ease, but for now, start big - and when you feel confident in that, boil it down. X

Q. I've settled on a name and I think the house story is coming together both in my head and on paper and in the images that I'm playing with .. that's the fun creative part which I'm loving and its beginning to make more sense ...although need to master the Instagram hashtag yet so that you and others can see what I'm doing ..feel a bit invisible yet.... any tips on how to do that well would be really helpful.

The "head spinning" bit today, is the choosing the 'domain name' This might not be the forum to ask these questions .. if not where can I get some help ? 1. should I include location in the name or just the name of the property .. both are available 2. when purchasing the Domain Name on Go Daddy the form requires me to choose "Legal Entity" ... do I choose "other" from the list of all the other options.. as I'm not a company or registered etc ...yet ?? Thank you again for this class its bigger and deeper and lovelier than I ever imagined. Your generosity and kindness is so refreshing.

Hello! It is the fun part! It can get stressful for some with the pressure to get it right, but if you can feel solid in the fact that it will always be evolving, there really is no “right”. Those who have followed me from the very start (is there anyone out there!) will have noticed that I have very much evolved, from telling a lot of personal and complex stories — to a switched focused to being a place for others, their stories, and also helping others. The evolution has really followed my life path. From sick and inwards I suppose, to healing and helping. I always think the best house stories just ring true. Which is beautiful.

Back to your questions. Hashtags! Okay, here is how to add them to your posts you would like seen. And for any of you that would like to see others, and connect where you feel, here is how to search and importantly, follow hashtags — so other students work will pop up in your feed.

On to your website questions, this REALLY varies property to property, but I would always recommend keeping it as short as possible, so perhaps just the property name. For your legal questions, I can recommend you just contact GoDaddy directly, they will guide you through the best fit for you!

Q. Hi Sarah thank you for sharing your knowledge and experiences with the world. While I do not have a bnb at the moment, I have been dreaming of one I saw advertised in Tasmania a while ago. I have only the information on social media about it. I am not sure if this becomes my fantasy one to play with for the duration of this course or should I just go with something straight from my imagination, Which could become extremely amusing if nothing else.

Great question. I think in this case use your imagination about what you would ideally like. It’s more of a sure thing than something that exists that may pass you!

Q. Hi Sarah, This courses is opening up so many ideas (and questions) I hadn't thought of! Thank you! The property we are looking at transforming into a short stay rental already has a wonderful true story - would you recommend enhancing the story or starting fresh?

My pleasure! I would always recommend picking the story which moves you the most, exisiting or new. Your following and exposure is going to grow significantly so dont ever be afraid of moving into something new if it feels more powerful. Or sticking with what is , if it is already perfect.

Q. Hi Sarah, I'm loving the practicality of the THMC content, so thank you for sharing your wisdom with us. About half way through the course we happened to find the most magical rural property that i can't wait to apply everything I have learnt to. I'm so glad I did the course prior to purchasing! I think my question relates most to this chapter so am posting here.

I've been having a look at the instagram accounts for Captain's Rest and Vacay Co and noticed that the airbnb write up's didn't seem to incorporate the story of the house's anywhere? Does this mean we are simply using the story to guide our vision with styling, marketing etc but not actually writing this down anywhere for any guest's to see? Likewise in AirBnB, house names for Vacay-Co came up as something different with no affiliation to Vacay-Co. I just wondered whether we should be trying to use our unique house name as part of the title in AirBnB? Thanks!

Another great question. So correct, honestly - your house story is your guiding document, really - just for you. It helps guide your vision for anything actual, like styling and interiors, gardens, catering and perhaps activities you provide or recommend for guests — and used to frame anything your write, like your website, your instagram and your listing on whatever platform suits you and your situation best. Sometimes it works well to help you know what to say, and what to leave out.

For me, I dial it up, and dial it down on different platforms - up on my instagram, and right down on my listing. You don’t actually have a lot of space here, so I keep it high level, and beautiful and talk to the right people, and not worry about the rest — you’ll have a bad guest experience with them anyway because my place is just not suited for them.

For all of us, I want you to consider how much story to use. For me, my place is VERY story driven. It works well with my place and my audience, and its my best selling point. For Vaycayco - her audience and story is very different. She targets a very young crowd, a lot of bikinis and selfies. And knowing that that is her story that works, is enough! Literally your story could be one line “my home is for good looking young people who want to drink and be in a hot spot and instagram about it”… The story isn’t about being flowery, its about just having one that what you do revolves around so it’s uniform and purposeful and feels professional and curated. Take note - her listing is nice and clean and young and simple, but her instagram really goes hard on the bikinis and good times. There is a good sense of balance about knowing your audience and the right space to use the right tone.

There are two key things I want everyone reading this to take away. 1. Your house story just needs to exist so you can create a professional space that has direction and all the right choices for you, and 2. Balance, have a sense of when to dial that up, and down. If you feel anxious about that, use mine, and other student listings and work that exists as a guide. Three other fantastic examples you can look into are @sheepwashbay on Bruny Island Tasmania, @mysisterandthesea in South Australia and @captainscottagehobart in Hobart. All students from our very first round of workshops.

Q. Thank you. I am loving the course so far. I'm struggling a little, however, with whether to create a story around me or whether to focus on the story of the building. Can I do both? Or do I need to distill it down to one or the other?

You can do both, or neither, or both and intertwine the natural world outside, which is what Captains Rest does. Have a look at how I have done it for inspiration. And take the pressure off yourself, the best fit will arise, but it may take time with you just sitting with it. Be kind to yourself, this part stresses everyone out to get it right, even me.

Q. Hi Sarah. I actually didn’t understand your question “what activity elements could you include.....” thanks in advance and I’m loving your course.

My pleasure! So think about what you would like people to do at your property that fits with your story! Ride bikes? Drink Coffee? Read Books? Row Boats? Hike? Drink herbal tea you have grown in the garden? Think all of these things through and provide the encouragement, space, and equipment to do so!

Q. Hi Sarah, I was soooo disappointed I could not get to a face to face workshop, but have been so pleasantly surprised by how fabulous the online course is so far. Thankyou. We have an old farm cottage that we are starting to renovate. Our farm name is Scottish and difficult to say and read for alot of people (Ballochmyle) the little cottage has always been known as Old Ballochmyle. Whilst I would like to keep its name which means a lot to us, would it have a negative impact if people cant pronounce it? eg; If they can’t say it maybe they won’t remember it???

I’ve thought a lot about your question, I personally would keep it, it’s so special. AND I’ve stayed in, loved, and lusted after so many properties around the world I can’t pronounce. The word itself and the shape it makes sticks in my head. I think everyone reading this would agree with me, but also ask around your own circles of confirmation of this!

Q. I am loving the course. I was wondering - is the story that you write for the property what you put on the airbnb listing? Or is it just a background story? I have noticed that the Captain's Rest story from the chapter is not what is on the airbnb listing

No, the story is just to help guide you to create your property, in terms of styling, your branding and your marketing. As you work through this class it will become clear! Hope that helps!

Q. I love Scandi design but my house is an old Australian shearing shed, confused about how to make it work.

A common mistake students make is to jump ahead while writing their story. It’s easy to want to incorporate your aesthetic tastes and things you’ve already purchased into your house story, but you aren’t writing a list of what you like or what you bought — you’re writing your house story. Throw away your interior magazines and keep your head in your home story space. We will take that step next, stop thinking about it!

Q. How do I know I have the right house story?

I want you to be able to leave this class and paddle your own canoe. This means being able to be confident in your own decisions, so start here. Your house story is the right one if it’s true and it’s full of your, (not anyone else’s,) ideas. The more yours, the less anything anyone else has ever done, the better.

Q. Hi Sarah, this course is fabulous. I am so looking forward to exploring all the content! I have one property, but on it are three houses. When going through this step, should I start with the story of the property as a whole, or create a story for each house first?

Like always, and never forget it, look at your house story (or property story in this case) for your answer. I’ll roll the dice and guess that, for you, the three houses on your property all revolve around one beautiful property story, so I’d work on one house story (or property story) and use it as a base for everything you do.

Q. Hi Sarah, Thanks for providing such a lovely format for learning! Do you advise against using actual names or can they be acceptable? E.g. Penny's place or the like? I'm not considering using my own name, but one based on my fictitious house character that the story revolves around. Thank you!

I think this could work! As long as it’s memorable. For example, Jane’s House is not memorable but Ms. Ollie’s kind of is.

Q. Hi Sarah! I have two questions: What if a name I like is already taken by someone in a different industry? E.g. fashion. If I can get the domain name, because that company isn't trading anymore, then does it matter? (They still have the instagram handle, although it's not active.) My other question is .com or .com.au? Thanks :)

Okay, hang out until week 4, I think everyone has some kind of iteration of this question for their country and name ideas, we have a naming expert you can hire to help you make decisions about these finer points.

Q. Do you have any tips on what tools to use to analyse the Instagram followers and their engagement with your posts? I've checked the multiple options out there, but don't know the most useful or effective one. Before spending money on any of them I was hoping you could share your experiences and what you get out of them?

Hello! We look at marketing and Instagram down the track in class, but you can do no better than just using Instagram itself! Google how to understand and use Instagram analytics, and this guide a student sent is very helpful. Any more depth than Instagram provides you is more than you need. Switch your account from personal to business to access the tools and data. Hope that helps.

Q. Hey Sarah, loving the course! I'm having some trouble with spinning a negative into a positive though and wondering if you had any suggestions. My property (for a future glamping stay, not yet developed) is situated in a forest, on a farm, very beautiful. I really want the story to relate to it being a place to disconnect and reconnect to nature. However, there is traffic noise... I'm wondering how to manage this negative, or weave it into the story even? Any suggestions or advice?

Hmmm … sometimes, I just wouldn’t mention it. That’s okay also. I’ve stayed in some of the most high-profile properties in the world and every place has something that’s not perfect. That is just reality! As property owners, we are hyper-sensitive to our offering but, I promise you, no one will really care. I don’t even have a shower, only a bath, and I’m in a shack village, which means my neighbours at times can be metres away. I spin this into a love of bathing and a colourful ‘shack community’. 3 years in, I’ve never EVER had a complaint about 2 things that are very undesirable.

…you could also spin it as “connection to nature, accessible from the city” … get my drift?

Q. My question is in addition to a question you already answered at the end of this chapter 2. Should I have 2 different instagrams for them? Your answer was to have one and I think that would be nice not to have to manage 2 rental instagrams but I'm not sure if that would work so well since the houses are so far apart from each other. would this be a case where you'd say separate them? I have only about 400 followers on Crowsnest (it's been growing since I started your course and have slowly been implementing your tips!) but they are mostly in San Francisco.

I noticed Urban Cowboy, which I love, has one website for 2 locations, Nashville and Brooklyn, but they are both called Urban Cowboy. There are similarities between my 2 properties, they are both small cabins by a river in a small town a few hours or more outside of a major city.

Hello! Oh, this is EXCITING!!!! Okay, to clarify, I mean just have one if the house stories work together. With Urban Cowboy (which I also love), the story revolves around them and their personal style…so, for the properties as one instagram, it makes sense! Reading about your ideas, I think it also makes sense for you to do the same.

Building your instagram is a lot of work, but once you get up there, your followers will be from all over, so don’t shy away just because of how it looks for you right now.

Q. Hi Sarah, After dreaming, writing, distilling for days (and nights) I finally have my house story and name : Ode à Juliette. Now I have one question : I already have an instagram account @laprincessedanslebois with almost 1000 followers. What is the best way to change the name to my new name ? So I don't loose too many of my followers, because they don't recognise the name of my account ? Just tell them in a few posts about the changing of the name for about a week and than change it ? Or is it better to start over, make a new account?

I love this question, it’s important and a boat we are all in. I wouldn’t recommend starting a new account, unless you want to keep the one you have now for a personal reason. However, if it is just a name change, I would recommend being brave and changing it on Instagram (you can edit it in your profile, and if you’re stuck you can Google how to do this). And, yes! Just do a few posts letting people know that it’s changed. I recently did this when I renamed my workshop series to ‘The Hosting Masterclass’ to better encapsulate the story of what I was teaching (it is far beyond just Airbnb) and it was fine!

Q. Sarah is it possible to have some more definition for exercise 2.1 eg project conservative or innovative, quiet or loud. It may seem obvious or intuitive to you and your more talented students but I’m struggling being sure my interpretation is what yours is. Though I understand maybe it is more about our subjective idea I worry I am missing what you are trying to get us to elicit. It’s funny how I am both excited and anxious as I start each chapter but always loving it!

Hello! Of course. So, your intuition is correct. The questions are designed to be open to interpretation and act as expanders or points to ponder which might trigger new ideas or concepts for you. There are no right or wrong answers, and often the way they are interpreted, lead to meaning for you, which is the idea. They are on purpose, vague. But if I was to give you a little guidance it would be to just start making decisions and going from there, and if you don’t like how the finished story feels for you try the exercise again in a new direction. This exercise is a great opportunity to try all your ideas, there is a lot of power in ‘what if’. Don’t be worried about being right, be worried about being you. You can ask family or friends for their feedback on your ideas, or even this community using instagram and the hashtags. So many other students love connecting and helping with fellow students work.

I also wanted to say one more thing. I have had the delight now of watching 100’s if not 1000’s of students, and not a single one is more talented than another, or has a ‘better’ home, or a more creative story … if there is a difference it’s that some perhaps are a little more brave to back their ideas. I think we have been in an industry that has given a chosen few the torch of being ‘talented experts’ and they have kept their secrets close to their chest. However this industry is more of a science than an art, and this class is here to show you through it. It’s the quiet ones, the delicate, the introverted and the uncertain who tell the most sublime tales, remember that when you see your uncertainty.

Q. Sarah, I am absolutely loving this course! Slightly obsessed even. My morning has been filled with story creation, brain storming and Insta stalking... My question though is in relation to Exercise 2.1 where you ask us to jot down some practical elements that we might need for our location. I am envisaging a cosy, yet eclectic, little beach shack in a tiny hamlet that time has somewhat forgotten, about 1.5 hours south of the city. Whilst I can think of many activity elements that focus on my beachside location, practical elements have slightly stumped me! Could you please provide some examples?

Oh that is wonderful news! Of course, practical elements refer to anything that might relate to your house story to actualise it. Perhaps your property is in the heart of a city everyone cycles in, so bikes might be needed. In a field or forrest? Perhaps picnic baskets and binoculars. For me I have a row boat to enjoy the water, blankets to enjoy the coziness, books to curl up in with the weather … the elements are endless to match your story. Drink a large coffee and start making your world! X

Q. Hey lovely! Just a question regarding the house naming please. I’m not looking to do any hosting, and my property already has a historic name, and we have called it something else (with its own IG hashtag). I dont need to change it do I? I would if you say yes?

Ha, no pressure! This class is, in essence a business class — all the same rules apply if it is a business, but if it is your personal home (hello to all those in class who are brushing up on their styling!) then do whatever feels good in your heart!

Q. Hi Sarah. I’m recapping the first few chapters & keep coming back to ‘house story’ as I know this is pivotal to everything else. There are several paths the story can take and each of these angles attracts a different audience, informs a different focus, images, hashtags, influences. Clearly - I’m confused.

On a positive note, I have many options, but on a negative note - it’s confusing me. Also - having been on Instagram for around 3 years, having an established audience, return guests etc - will they question why I’m suddenly taking a different approach & telling a new story ?? Help!!

Dont be confused, be EXCITED! The variety in all of this gives you flavour. How boring would it be if it was predictable? It’s whats going to make you stand out in the crowd of those just talking about what they think people want them to talk about.

I don’t know if any of you follow my accounts, but I sort of have one main story, “Captain’s Rest”, and then I jump around all over the shop. Right now I am in France, nothing could be FURTHER from the Captains Rest story, however its so engaging for all those watching on. You’ll find in Chapter 08 that I encourage you to use your posts on Instagram to tell the main themes, then go nuts in your story’s with a bit of the ‘behind the scenes’ - or all those other story’s you want to tell. They are both so key.

In terms of your last questions. Instagram is great, play with it! Try new stories and ways of telling things with your audience and see how they respond. I would actually encourage you to try a lot of new things and monitor how people are responding! Be brave, I promise it pays off.

Q. What a fabulous thought provoking exercise, Thank you. Our property name is ….. Had thought of naming it …. would this be too generic?

Okay, I can’t provide one on one advice or specific property recommendations inside the class BUT we do have a grad shop if you very much need me or one of our experts time to help you. What I will say is that 10 times out of 10 every student I have helped deep gut instinct is always correct, so it’s about learning trust in YOU! This journey will be years and years and we are building you up to the head decision maker for years to come.

Failing all of that, ask our instagram community! Our hashtags will help you to connect with each other and I just know everyone would love to chip in! Out of love and support! Give it a go! XX

Q. Hi Sarah, I am really loving The Hosting Masterclass! I have an inner city terrace that is currently being renovated. I also have a cottage in the mountains which is an old miner's cottage but renovated in a modern country style. Down the track I may decide to make that mountain cottage available as a rental too. If so, I can't see how I can link these two very different properties with one story (and one instagram account) The name that I had in mind for my city spot would not work for the country spot. What each offers is very different but somehow I would like to have the option to add the country cottage down the track and for the two to work together. This is proving hard though. Maybe the stories and possible names are just too different? Or is there a way that I could start out with the city spot and expand to include the mountain cottage and for it to work and make sense.? One instagram and one website would be preferable. I would greatly appreciate your advice. I am at a road block!!

Hello! I really appreciate this question. So many of us are in the same boat so to speak. As most of you get one successful property up and going, a second and third are on the horizon because you have NAILED IT!

So, I want to say firstly, I think in most cases, one website and one instagram account for both your properties is the way to go. Why bother doing your marketing twice!

Secondly, you are very much over thinking it. Your properties can have their own stories and vibe going on, that is beautiful and exciting and authentic. All that really needs to link them is YOU. You will have a way to speak about your work, the way you see things, your overall aesthetic, your linkages to your property, your personal story, the way you photograph and perhaps the photographers you have through. All of this is more than enough, the properties dont need to match! Does that make sense?

Q. Hi Sarah, Absolutely loving your course - I thought I was quite hopeless at all this stuff, but you’ve given me the confidence and tools I needed, thank you!! Our property has a rich history and we’ve been so lucky to have had many stories shared with us. Some of these involve people passing away, some at the property, others at war and one in a tragic drowning. Should I share these stories with my audience? I love these stories and think it’s important they are remembered even though they are sad, but I also don’t want to upset anyone or put people off staying with us.... Thanks so much for your advice and for this amazing course!

What a fantastic question, and one that I’ve never had before! So, over my journey — and watching on so many others, there defiantly seems to be a sense of things to turn off potential guests and followers.

For me, I found whenever I posted or talked about anything to do with renovations, or this little houses life ,before “Captains Rest” the response was basically echoed. Same when I post historical images of giant sharks hanging up on the wharf, which were fished here - people really don’t like it.

The point is, you’d be surprised which sorts of things turn people off, and which they don’t mind at all. I personally feel particularly drawn to the stories you are talking about. The best thing to do for us all with similar questions is just test it with your audience. Write posts, pop them up and see how they go. You’ll get a sense of how they compare with other topics you are talking about, and if they do well, keep them in your story and celebrate the history, and if not - just delete your post and you’ve just learned something. It really isn’t one size fits all when it comes to these tricky topics, some times the most risky things are just the things which capture, try it and see?

Q. On a similar vein to another question which asked about telling sad stories, my house is in an area that is very strongly associated in all Australians’ minds as the setting of an unforgettable tragedy which occurred over 20 years ago. I am thinking of incorporating this into my story by making my house story about reflection, hope, renewal and forgiveness but am worried that this is still too dark given the event is undoubtedly the first thing that comes to anyone’s mind when they are told the location. Alternatively, I could just avoid the history altogether and focus on nature? Which makes for a happier, though slightly artificial, tale. I realise that this is quite a specific example but thought maybe it could have wider application for anyone in an area that has had recent news coverage for events such as a crime or a natural disaster. Would love to hear your thoughts on this!

Hello! I know we try and keep it general here, but I think I know which tragedy you are talking about.

For anyone in a similar situation, I would offer this advice and reflection.

• Ask yourself, why are people actually visiting this area. If your story is not on this list, or not very high up at least, I would leave it out of your house story.

• After telling yourself the story, what emotions come up, what do you feel?

• I would test it with a few friends, or your study group if you are lucky enough to be in one, or a couple of fellow masterclass students.

Q. Hi Sarah, When paying for your domain name on godaddy, is it best to select .com?

Hello! Yes i always think so!!! Feels the biggest and most professional it can be.

Q. Hi Sarah, firstly I just want to say I am enjoying the content of your online course so much. Its so hard to concentrate on anything else at present because I want to lose myself in the pages of the workbook. And i can't wait to meet you in person in May :-) My question to you is around naming my beach house. I have come up with two names ……

I love hearing that you are having such a beautiful experience! Just a gentle reminder to you and everyone reading this, that I can’t help you with one-on-one questions here inside the classroom, just ones that are general and that everyone can benefit from! I do hour sessions over the phone, so just let our team know if you’d like that.

Q. Dear Sarah & Co, Firstly, I wanted to say that like everyone else I am completely and utterly obsessed, and all-consumed with this course! I'm so glad that I'm doing this before I am buying a property, as it has completely validated my thought process which so many other people close to me have questioned. The house I'm looking at is small, and old, but it looks and feels like the story and feeling that I want to create for myself and my visitors when they stay………………. I've spent a few very solid days, rather than weeks, fleshing out my house story and name and it really does feel like a complete picture to me now. My question is, will it be a bit cheat-y to move onto the next chapter so soon?

Absolutely move on!! The idea is for you to learn the process as your priority — come back and revisit sections again and again when you are working on them or would like a refresher down the line. You get a tick on this chapter, which is understanding how it works. It’s important to know that over your lifetime your story will always evolve, and that is a special thing too — be open to it!

02. Community.

Have you made your instagram account? If so, go find your fellow classmates and start commenting and engaging with one another. As you post, use the hashtag #thehostingmasterclass and @thehostingmasterclass to find one another.

Again, for this chapter, you can also add anything you’d like to post or talk about with a second hashtag, #thm02 — I am so looking forward to exploring your work!

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