If you’re a new or small travel creator, collaborating with hotels may seem like an overwhelming goal. But guess what? It’s totally doable with the right approach.
In this episode of Everyday Badassery (episode 91 of The Creator Series), I’ll break down how you can start landing hotel collaborations along with creator, Jessie of Jessie on a Journey, even if you’re still building your audience.
Three Tips for New Creators Collaborating with Hotels
In this episode of Everyday Badassery, I’m joined by Jessie of Jessie on a Journey. She shares these three tips to start with:
- Ensure It’s a Good Fit:
Before you jump into any collaboration, consider if the offer is truly worth it. Sometimes, hotels may offer a free night in exchange for a lot of work, like a blog post, Instagram posts, or even a YouTube video. If the work outweighs the value of the stay, it might not be worth your time. It’s essential to protect your energy and ensure the collaboration is mutually beneficial. - Your Content is Always Worth Money:
Even if you’re a small creator, your photos and videos hold value. If a hotel doesn’t pay you, they would otherwise spend thousands on professional photographers. Never give away content, especially commercial-use photos, for free. - Create a Media Kit:
Even if you’re just starting, having a media kit is crucial. It shows hotels what you bring to the table. If you don’t have any hotel collaborations yet, you can create case studies from your personal travels or affiliate conversions to show the potential impact you can offer.
Want to learn more? Jessie shares more about how to grow your blog into a profitable business in Travel Blog Prosperity. Learn more about it by clicking here!
Don’t Miss Out on Affiliate Revenue from Hotels
Many creators think there’s only one way to monetize through hotels, but that’s far from the truth.
You don’t have to JUST partner with the hotel. You can make your OWN content and then monetize by becoming an affiliate.
Affiliate programs like Stay22 allow you to make money even when you’re not officially collaborating with a hotel. By including affiliate links in your blog posts or videos, you can earn revenue whenever someone books through your content.
For example, if you create a YouTube video reviewing a hotel, include a Stay22 map of other properties in the area in your blog post or video description. You might be surprised how quickly that affiliate revenue adds up!
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Making Sure the Hotel Collaboration Is a Good Fit
One of the biggest mistakes new creators make is accepting collaborations that don’t align with their audience.
Just because a hotel is offering a free stay doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for your brand.
For instance, if your audience enjoys luxury travel and you’re staying at a budget hotel, the content won’t resonate. Know your niche, and be selective about the hotels you collaborate with.
Understanding and Negotiating Contracts
One thing Jessie on a Journey talks about is what most creators skim over – which is their contracts.
Always read your contracts carefully and know that you can negotiate.
For example, some hotels might ask for unlimited use of your photos or exclusivity (meaning you can’t work with other hotels). These clauses can greatly affect your earning potential, so don’t be afraid to push back and ask for fair compensation.
You should also be aware of deadlines, deliverables, and any added fees you can charge for things like exclusivity. For example, if a hotel wants you to refrain from working with competitors, charge extra for that.
What Could a Collaboration Look Like for New Creators?
If you’re a small creator, collaborations might start with something simple, like an Instagram post in exchange for a two-night stay. A reasonable ask might be one Instagram post and three to five stories per day of your stay. You can also offer more content on other platforms, like a YouTube video or blog post, to upsell your collaboration.
The key is to ensure that both you and the hotel are benefiting from the collaboration.
Tips for Pitching Hotels
One of the biggest mistakes new creators make is sliding into a hotel’s DMs without a clear offer. Hotels get hundreds of these vague messages every day, so you need to stand out. Here’s how:
- Research the Hotel: Understand the hotel’s brand and target audience. Align your pitch with what they’re looking for, showing you’ve done your homework.
- Know What You Bring to the Table: Even if you have a small following, you might have something unique to offer, like drone photography or a highly engaged audience in a specific niche.
- Be Clear About Compensation: If you’re looking for paid opportunities, make that clear in your pitch. You can phrase it politely by saying, “If this sounds interesting, I’d love to send over my rate card.”
Earn money from your hotel content!
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Get the ATTENTION of Hotels with Social Media Storytelling
One powerful way to catch the eye of hotels is by showcasing your skills on social media. Share content about the hotels you visit (even if you’re not working with them yet) and tag them in your posts and stories.
For example, if you create stunning drone shots or engaging Instagram stories, hotels are likely to notice. Even if they ask for your content for free, you can turn that conversation into a paid opportunity by offering high-quality videos or photos they can use for their marketing.
About Jessie and Travel Blog Prosperity
This episode was filmed with Jessie, known online as Jessie on a Journey, is a seasoned travel creator and solo female travel blogger. She has built a thriving business with multiple brands, including her blog, Epicure & Culture, which focuses on sustainable travel, and NYC Photo Journeys, where she offers photo tours in New York City.
Through her experiences, Jessie has become a mentor to aspiring travel creators, especially through her membership program, Travel Blog Prosperity.
This program offers tools, templates, and live coaching to help bloggers and influencers grow their business, land collaborations, and increase their revenue streams. Jessie is all about sharing the strategies that helped her succeed, and her community is a nurturing space for creators of all levels to learn and thrive.
Bottom Line
If you’re a small travel creator looking to collaborate with hotels, this podcast episode breaks down actionable tips to get started.
Key takeaways include making sure collaborations are a good fit, monetizing through affiliate programs like Stay22, negotiating contracts, and pitching strategically.
Jessie from Jessie on a Journey shares expert advice on building partnerships with hotels, even as a small creator, and emphasizes the importance of storytelling and professionalism in every interaction.
About the podcast
Everyday Badassery is a travel podcast of inspirational stories to help you be just 1% more badass than you were yesterday. This episode is part of the creator series, where you’ll find helpful tips and interviews with creators that will help you to be just 1% more badass as a travel creator or small business.
Find the creator series starting with the intro at episode 80.