How Harvest Hosts’ CEO is Building Communities on the Open Road

How Harvest Host’s CEO is Building Communities on the Open Road

On the latest episode of “Tame the Mobile Beast,” Tom Butta speaks with Joel Holland, CEO of Harvest Hosts, a membership program that connects RVers with unique overnight experiences. Joel shares how he tamed the “adventuring” beast by creating seamless and unified travel experiences, prioritizing a reciprocal value exchange between customers and hosts, improving the product through strategic data collection and much more.

Short on time? Here are five key takeaways from the conversation:

Craft Unforgettable Brand Experiences

With Harvest Hosts, Joel Holland set out to offer unique, memorable experiences that transcend the ordinary. He achieved this by shifting away from commoditized experiences at typical campgrounds toward immersive stays at wineries, farms and museums. The key? Offer personalized and unconventional interactions that fill a genuine market need and leave a lasting impression on customers that brings them back for more.

Make “Web-App Parity” a Pillar of Your Customer Engagement Strategy

“Web-app parity” — the idea that customers experience consistent and unified interactions across your app and website — is a pillar of the Harvest Hosts customer experience. In the same way that consumers appreciate and expect to have the same experience every time they walk into a Walmart, they also expect brands to show up consistently everywhere. Eliminating the mental burden of disjointed web + app experiences and context switching ensures customers seamless brand interactions.

Collect Customer Feedback through Non-Disruptive, Contextual Prompts

Joel is a big proponent of collecting and incorporating customer feedback into the Harvest Hosts product. He has found that the most effective way to do this is by asking in the right place and at the right time. Joel cautions against pushing surveys the moment a user opens the app. Instead, he recommends giving them to discover the value of your app or product. Joel has shared that this thoughtful approach has been a critical driver of success.

Invest in Acquisition Channels Aligned with Your Brand

Strategic advertising and partnerships fueled significant growth for Harvest Hosts. Joel was intentional about identifying the right acquisition avenues for the brand. He leaned on advertising targeted toward Harvest Hosts persona, along with content creators traveling around in RVs — many of whom were existing members of Harvest Hosts — to effectively communicate Harvest Hosts’s message in a way only real customers could. This focus on authenticity led to exponential growth.

Build a Win-Win Ecosystem for All Stakeholders

Harvest Hosts offers a mutually beneficial experience for RV users and host locations alike. Fostering community, building partnerships and delivering value beyond the immediate transaction are essential for building this ecosystem. By prioritizing community and shared benefits, brands can create lasting connections and loyalty.