If you’re a small creator with little to no following, the idea of getting paid to travel might seem out of reach, but it’s actually more achievable than you think.
In this episode of the Everyday Badassery Podcast in the “Creator Series“, I’m joined by Anna Cook of Stuck on the Go to discuss practical strategies and actionable tips for small creators who want to turn their passion for travel into a profitable endeavor.
You’ll find key takeaways below, but one thing to consider, don’t miss out on her course that takes you step-by-step how to do this!
Key takeaways from the episode
1. The Importance of Providing Value
One of the first things Anna and I discussed is the importance of seeing yourself as a business person first and a creator second.
It’s crucial to understand the value you bring to tourism boards, destination marketing organizations (DMOs), and other travel-related entities. Rather than focusing solely on building a large following, think about how you can offer value through high-quality content, such as photos, videos, blog posts, or social media posts.
2. Creative Ways to Monetize Your Content
Even with a small following, there are several ways to monetize your travel content. Some of the strategies we discussed include:
- Selling Photos and Videos: You don’t need to be a professional photographer or videographer. Most smartphones and drones can capture stunning visuals that tourism boards are willing to pay for.
- User-Generated Content (UGC): Creating authentic, raw content that can be used by the destination’s own social media channels.
- Writing for Tourism Boards: If you have a knack for writing, offer to create blog posts, travel guides, or marketing materials for the destinations you visit.
Monetize your Travel Content with Travelpayouts
The challenge for all creators is to build “know, like and trust” with their following. In other words, getting found (and being “known”), showing up authentically as your true self so your audience “likes” you, and later, over time, a relationship of trust is built.
Once that trust is built, a powerful way to monetize your content as a travel creator is through affiliate revenue. As your audience looks to your advice on how to book their own travel (where to stay, what tours to book, what car rentals you used, etc) – it’s an opportunity for you to receive a share of the revenue of these booked items.
This is where Travelpayouts comes in…
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3. Pitching and Building Relationships
We talked about the importance of pitching yourself effectively. This includes researching the destination to understand their marketing needs and aligning your pitch with their goals.
Whether it’s through email, LinkedIn, or even Instagram DMs, your pitch should be concise, demonstrate the value you offer, and include specific content ideas that match their needs.
4. Leveraging Your Unique Perspective
One of the biggest takeaways from our conversation is the power of leveraging your unique perspective. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or just starting out, your personal experiences and viewpoints are valuable.
Anna shared how she uses her niche in outdoor adventures and local travel in North Carolina to create content that resonates with her audience and appeals to tourism boards looking to attract similar travelers.
5. Learning from Mistakes
We also shared some of our mistakes and lessons learned along the way. One key point is to ensure your partnerships are aligned with your interests and expertise.
Taking on projects that don’t fit your niche can lead to burnout and less effective content. Additionally, always make sure that both parties have a clear understanding of deliverables and expectations before starting a partnership.
Don’t forget!
You can learn more about Anna’s course on how to work with tourism boards (even as a small creator!) and monetize your content by clicking here.
Connect with Anna!
Bottom Line
You don’t need a large following to get paid to travel. By focusing on the value you can provide to tourism boards and creatively monetizing your content, you can turn your travel passion into profit.
Start by understanding what destinations need and pitch your unique perspective to stand out.
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.