Top Mistakes Creators Make on HOTEL COLLABORATIONS

When it comes to hotel collaborations, especially as a creator, there are a lot of mistakes you can make.

Whether you’re a small creator just starting out or an experienced one with many collabs under your belt, these lessons often come the hard way.

From missing out on extra revenue to leaving opportunities on the table, here’s a breakdown of the top mistakes to avoid and how to be smarter in your hotel partnerships.

In episode 93 of Everyday Badassery Podcast (The Creator Series) I break down what you need to know!

Use AFFILIATE REVENUE to Monetize Hotel Collaborations

One of the biggest misconceptions is thinking the only way to make money from a hotel collaboration is through the hotel itself. Sure, you can get paid or trade for a free stay, but don’t forget about affiliate revenue!

Even if the hotel doesn’t pay you, you can still monetize by becoming an affiliate. I use Stay22 to create affiliate links for not just the hotel I’m working with but also other top properties in the area. This means even if someone doesn’t book the specific hotel, you can still make money if they book something else nearby!

I’ve been using Stay22 for years. Learn more about them and GET A BONUS! You’ll get $100 after your first 100 bookings when you sign up by clicking here!

MEET the Person You’re Working With

One of the simplest yet most impactful things you can do during a hotel collaboration is to meet someone from the property.

A quick hello or handshake in person can go a long way in extending your relationship beyond just one visit. It’s also a great opportunity to ask for additional things or to get insights for your content, like special access for photos or tips about the property.

Turn UNPAID Hotel Collaborations into PAID Ones

If a hotel offers only a trade, it doesn’t mean the conversation is over.

I’ve learned to word my response carefully, focusing on how I prioritize paid collaborations while offering examples of content I could create.

Sometimes this helps hotels see the value you bring, leading to paid opportunities. If they still don’t budge, affiliate revenue can still make an unpaid collab worthwhile.

Make AFFILIATE REVENUE through Stay22

Stay22 has been a game-changer for me. Their platform allows you to earn affiliate revenue not just for hotels but also VRBOs, Booking.com, and more.

Even better, you can easily install a script on your website that automatically turns your links into affiliate links, making it effortless to track and get paid for bookings.

I’ve been using Stay22 for years. Learn more about them and GET A BONUS! You’ll get $100 after your first 100 bookings when you sign up by clicking here!

Sell Back Your ADDITIONAL Photos and Videos

You’ll probably take way more photos and videos than the hotel requires. Instead of letting them sit in your camera roll, offer to sell them back to the hotel! Send a preview of the extra shots and offer a tiered pricing structure so the hotel can buy just a few or the entire set.

Be Sure the AMOUNT of Deliverables is FAIR

When you’re new, it’s easy to get excited about a free hotel stay and agree to an overwhelming amount of work. But make sure the amount of deliverables is fair for the value you’re getting in return.

Calculate what your time is worth and make sure the deliverables don’t far exceed the value of your stay.

Go BEYOND Just the Hotel Room

Don’t limit the collaboration to just the hotel room. Ask about comping extras like meals, spa services, bike rentals, or even transportation to and from the airport.

This gives you more content to create and helps tell a fuller story of the hotel experience.

Negotiate Your Contracts

Don’t skim through contracts! Make sure there are no exclusivity clauses that could prevent you from working with other hotels, and check the timeline requirements for how long content needs to stay live.

Everything in a contract is negotiable, so don’t be afraid to speak up if something doesn’t feel right.

Make Sure the Hotel is a Good FIT

Not every hotel is going to be a good fit for your brand or audience. Make sure it’s somewhere you’d genuinely stay, or you could end up with a nightmare situation, like the time I dealt with cockroaches and bad service at a property that was way too budget for me.

Is Pitching a Hotel in the Instagram DMs a Good Idea?

DMs can be a tool, but don’t rely on them as your main strategy. Instead of cold DMing a hotel, I tease my trips on social media, tagging potential hotels along the way to get on their radar.

When I do pitch in DMs, I make sure to be clear about who I am and what I’m offering, but I always take the negotiation to email.

Bottom Line

Hotel collaborations can be a fantastic way to reduce travel costs and make money, but there are plenty of pitfalls along the way. Maximize your opportunities by leveraging affiliate revenue, meeting the people behind the scenes, and negotiating contracts that are fair.

Don’t be afraid to go beyond the room and ask for more—just make sure the property is a good fit for you and your brand. With the right approach, you can turn unpaid collabs into long-term partnerships that pay off in more ways than one.

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.