Ultimate STR strategy?

[Bruce Woodruff]

Is the (your) long-term strategy to eliminate platforms like AIR and VRBO? Do you let your guests  know to contact you directly the next time they come to town? 

As we are in our second year of vacation rentals, we see an increase in the number of return visitors who are happy to avoid the fees from these companies. We'd certainly like to increase that number, theoretically until we are 100% full with 'private' guests.

I assume most of us have our own website to attract new visitors..... Any other ways to attract guests?