92: How to Land Brand Deals Without a Large Following

Today I’m sharing my 2026 booklist for travel creators and content creators—the exact business books, mindset books, and creativity books I’m reading (or rereading!) to scale my creator business without burning out.Whether you’re listening from a plane, a hostel bunk, or the world’s loudest café, these books will shape how you think, create, and build your business in 2026.In This Episode: My 2026 Creator BooklistI’m pulling back the curtain on the physical books sitting on my desk and the digital ones on my to-read list. These are the titles I believe every travel creator, content creator, or creative business owner needs to read in 2026.📘 Physical Books on My Shelf (A.K.A. The Non-Negotiables)1. Mindset — Carol Dweck2. Clear Thinking — Shane Parrish3. Essentialism — Greg McKeown 4. Effortless — Greg McKeown5. The Art of Persuasion — Bob Burg6. Do Nothing — Celeste Headlee7. Alchemy — Rory Sutherland📱 Books on My Digital Reading List (2026 Edition)8. Slow Productivity — Cal Newport9. 10x Is Easier Than 2x — Dan Sullivan10. The 12-Week Year Field Guide — Brian P. Moran & Michelle Lewington11. Never Not Working — Melissa Clark12. A Healthy State of Panic — Farnoosh Torabi13. Please Unsubscribe, Thanks — Julio Vincent Gambuto14. Crossing the Unknown Sea: Work as a Pilgrimage of Identity — David Whyte15. The Great Stewardess Rebellion — Nell McShane Wulfhart💬 Episode HighlightsWhy creators need business books, not just “creator inspiration”How reading fits into my business planning for 2026The books I reread every year (and why)What fiction I’m reading behind the scenes (DM me if you want the list!)My nerdy love for surveillance capitalism and attention economyWhy creators must learn business skills if they want sustainabilityHow these books align with the systems we’re building inside my community🎙️ Want to Talk Books With Me? Join the Community.Travel creators weren’t meant to spend 12 hours hunched over a laptop in Croatia stressing about the algorithm. You became a travel creator to travel.Inside The Travel Creator Business Plan, we focus on building an actual business—not just content.You’ll get: ✨ One new monthly business system ✨ Co-working sessions ✨ Live Q&As ✨ A private community of creators building sustainable businesses ✨ AndFollow Me On: Sign up for my newsletter, the Content Compass to receive free tips and tricks to beat the content creation overwhelm and get back to traveling. Website Instagram Join Us 👉 The Travel Creator Business Plan Community! The only business-building community designed specifically for travel creators. You’ll get: ✔ monthly business systems ✔ coworking + Q&A calls ✔ a private community of creators building real businesses ✔ guidance to help you move from “content machine” to “CEO energy” Sign Up HERE

In today’s episode, I pull back the curtain on how tourism boards really choose creators—plus the step-by-step system I use to pitch, follow up, and land deals. I’m breaking down the pitch mistakes that are tanking your chances, the exact process I use as a travel creator and UGC creator, and how you can confidently pitch—without needing a massive following.Here’s what you’ll learn: Why tourism boards love working with UGC creators How to build a pitch-ready portfolio in one afternoon The correct way to find decision-makers at tourism boardsThe 4 elements every winning pitch needsThe truth about email volume (it’s a numbers game) The follow-up strategy that gets me responses on my 4th, 5th, and even 7th email Mistakes killing your pitching💌 Tools + Links Mentioned✨ Bento – My favorite pitching tool (400–600 automated emails/month)I use Bento to send hundreds of pitches on autopilot for just $50/month. The ROI is actually wild. Grab my Bento discount code in the show notes to get 10% off anything you choose.The affiliate code is: LAURA1The  affiliate link is: https://app.onbento.com/?acode=laura1✨ Email-finding toolsapollo.iohunter.ioFollow Me On: Sign up for my newsletter, the Content Compass to receive free tips and tricks to beat the content creation overwhelm and get back to traveling. Website Instagram Join Us 👉 The Travel Creator Business Plan Community! The only business-building community designed specifically for travel creators. You’ll get: ✔ monthly business systems ✔ coworking + Q&A calls ✔ a private community of creators building real businesses ✔ guidance to help you move from “content machine” to “CEO energy” Sign Up HERE

If you’ve ever wondered how the hell creators actually make money without having 100K followers and are able to do this full time?  This episode is your cheat code. Today, I’m sitting down with the one and only Maddy Garrett (yes, again) to talk about monetization as a content creator — UGC, affiliate, influencer partnerships, group trips, digital products… all of it.And she’s here to tell you exactly what works right now — especially if you’re a travel creator trying to make this your full-time thing.We dive into:The REAL ways content creators make moneyMaddy breaks down every single path she’s used over the years:UGC (user-generated content)Micro-influencer partnershipsAffiliate marketingHosting group tripsDigital products + coachingIf you’ve been thinking you need a massive audience to monetize — this episode will change your mind. Why UGC is the BEST place to start (especially for travel creators)Growing into bigger monetization as content creators Are group trips worth it for travel creators? Why Digital products are the most underrated monetization toolWhere to Find Maddy: Instagram: @maddyoutdoors.coach Podcast: Paid to Travel — The UGC Podcast ✨ Save on Maddy’s UGC ProgramUse my link below to save: Use 10% off with code LAURA 👉 AFFILIATE LINK✨ Shelby Sapp's Alter Ego YouTube Video (Thanks, Marie!) Learn how to create and step into your alter ego: 👉 WATCH HEREFollow Me On: Sign up for my newsletter, the Content Compass to receive free tips and tricks to beat the content creation overwhelm and get back to traveling. Website Instagram Join Us 👉 The Travel Creator Business Plan Community! The only business-building community designed specifically for travel creators. You’ll get: ✔ monthly business systems ✔ coworking + Q&A calls ✔ a private community of creators building real businesses ✔ guidance to help you move from “content machine” to “CEO energy” Sign Up HERE

Come to a Merry Travel Creator Christmas Party! https://forms.fillout.com/t/kPeoLQcKw6us It feels like everyone and their aunt has a podcast and should you start one too? Today, I’m sitting down with the guy who’s been podcasting since before most creators even knew what an RSS feed was.This episode is pure gold for content creators, travel creators, and anyone who’s ever said, “I want to start a podcast… but where do I even begin?”Today, I’m joined by David Brodie, long-time travel podcaster, founder & CEO of the Voyascape Podcast Network, and the literal grandfather of travel podcasting. We dive into: How to tell better stories as a travel creatorHow to research destinations in a way that stands outThe biggest shift in podcasting since 2005 Should travel creators use video? Podcaster mistakes David sees constantlyHow to monetize a travel podcast beyond sponsorshipsIncluding: • podcast networks • tours • memberships • community building • digital products • high-ticket offers • affiliate marketing • and the hyper-local creator strategy that blew my mindWant to start your own travel podcast?I am literally obsessed with my producer Marie from Your Girl Media.Jump on a 15 minute strategy call with her to brainstorm your podcast ideas!  (And tell her I sent you)Email Marie: [email protected] her a DM: @yourgirlmediaCheck out her podcasts: Culture Cult Show / Your Girl 📍 Find David OnlineVoyascape Podcast Network: voyascape.com David’s Podcast: Travel in 10 Find it on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.Follow Me On: Sign up for my newsletter, the Content Compass to receive free tips and tricks to beat the content creation overwhelm and get back to traveling. Website Instagram Join Us 👉 The Travel Creator Business Plan Community! The only business-building community designed specifically for travel creators. You’ll get: ✔ monthly business systems ✔ coworking + Q&A calls ✔ a private community of creators building real businesses ✔ guidance to help you move from “content machine” to “CEO energy” Sign Up HERE

Today, I’m breaking down the exact systems you need to organize your content, create with intention, and finally start treating your creator life like a real business.Whether you’re a travel influencer, UGC creator, or building your personal brand on the go, these five business systems will help you go from chaotic to CEO mode.What You’ll Learn:How to finally organize your content files (without losing your mind)My go-to method for batching content before a big tripThe easiest way to start and grow your email list as a creatorWhat analytics actually matter — and how to use themHow to repurpose your content so it keeps working for you💻 Systems We Cover:Content Organization: Where (and how) to store your travel footage without chaos.Content Calendar & Batching: How to plan ahead before you go off-grid.Email Marketing: Why every creator needs a newsletter — and how to start yours.Analytics & Optimization: Learn what’s actually performing and how to double down.Content Repurposing: Turn one video or blog into five new pieces of content.🔗 Mentioned in This Episode:🎧 Marie’s show: The Culture Cult Show — check out “The Cocaine Catastrophe of the Azores” episode🎙️ My episode on Content Organization Systems — listen to it here.💌 My go-to email tool: Kit✈️ Join The Travel Creator Business Plan – $37/month to build your backend systems → DM me @travelcontentwriting to secure your spot. .key points: travel creator systems, travel content creation tips, content batching for creators, email marketing for travel influencers, how to repurpose content, creator business plan, organize content for social media, travel influencer workflow, content strategy for travel creators, creative business systemsFollow Me On: Sign up for my newsletter, the Content Compass to receive free tips and tricks to beat the content creation overwhelm and get back to traveling. Website Instagram Join Us 👉 The Travel Creator Business Plan Community! The only business-building community designed specifically for travel creators. You’ll get: ✔ monthly business systems ✔ coworking + Q&A calls ✔ a private community of creators building real businesses ✔ guidance to help you move from “content machine” to “CEO energy” Sign Up HERE

If I could go back and start my travel creator business from scratch here’s everything I’d do differently — from setting up systems, to skipping the 10-page website, to actually treating my content like a business (not just a job).If you’ve ever thought, “I wish I knew this sooner,” this episode is going to hit home. Today I’m diving into the real talk on what I’d change if I had to start my business all over again. Whether you’re just starting to monetize your travel content or you’ve been creating for years and want to operate like a real business owner, this episode is your permission slip to slow down, reflect, and build smarter.We’re talking about:Why you should make time to work on your business, not just in it The systems I wish I’d built earlier (and the chaos I could’ve avoided)Why you don’t need a five-page website on day one The power of “learning days” and how to actually use all those free webinars and masterclassesHow to stop wasting time on tasks that don’t tie to your goalsPlus, I share why I created the Travel Creator Business Program — the only business-building community for established travel creators who want to save time, scale sustainably, and make a bigger impact online.👉 DM @travelcontentwriting on Instagram today to secure your spot in the Travel Creator Business Plan — limited spaces available!💬 Listener Challenge:I want to hear from you! What’s something you wish you’d done differently when starting your creator business? Message me on Threads or Instagram @travelcontentwriting — I’d love to feature your story in a future listener-led episode.🎧 Featured Resources & Mentions:Travel Creator Business Program — DM me on Instagram to join or get details.Check out the  Paid to Travel Podcast — Hear how Maddy’s student made $450 in her first 3 weeks with UGC HERE key points: travel creator business, content creator tips, creator systems, travel content strategy, UGC creator podcast, how to start a content business, travel creator education, build a creative business, creator entrepreneurship, content monetizationFollow Me On: Sign up for my newsletter, the Content Compass to receive free tips and tricks to beat the content creation overwhelm and get back to traveling. Website Instagram Join Us 👉 The Travel Creator Business Plan Community! The only business-building community designed specifically for travel creators. You’ll get: ✔ monthly business systems ✔ coworking + Q&A calls ✔ a private community of creators building real businesses ✔ guidance to help you move from “content machine” to “CEO energy” Sign Up HERE

Today, I’m pulling back the curtain and sharing every system and tool I use to stay organized, land brand deals, and keep my business running while I’m on the go. From pitching tools to project management to the #1 most underrated resource , you’ll walk away with practical tools you can plug into your own workflow today. I break down the exact business systems and tools I use daily, weekly, and monthly to manage my travel creator business. If you’re a travel influencer or content creator who’s ready to turn your creativity into a streamlined business, this episode is packed with tips, tools, and insider tricks.What You’ll Learn: 💻 The best tools to manage your business as a travel creator 📧 How I automate pitching and follow-ups for UGC deals 🧠 Why Airtable is my new secret weapon for automation and CRM setup 🗂️ How I use Asana and Apple Notes to organize content ideas and random inspo 🎬 My go-to apps for editing, time tracking, and creative workflowTools Mentioned:Bento – Pitching software for creators (Laura’s affiliate link in show notes!)Airtable – For automating pitches, follow-ups, and CRM setupZapier – Connects all your tools and automates workflowsAsana – Content and project managementApple Notes – Her “Dumping Ground” for random ideas, pitches, and notesDescript – Podcast recording and editingEdits App – Video editing + analytics trackingGoogle Sheets – Analytics trackingGoogle Meet – Replacing Zoom for client callsKit (formerly ConvertKit) – Email list, landing pages, and lead formsClaude – AI brainstorming and system setup helpLibby & Hoopla – Free business education through your local libraryToggle – Time tracking and productivity insightsResources & Links: 🔗 Try Bento – Laura’s favorite pitching software (code in show notes)Your unique Affiliate code is: LAURA1Affiliate link is: https://app.onbento.com/?acode=laura1 📘 Check out Libby & Hoopla through your local library 🧠 Explore Kit (ConvertKit) for growing your creator business business systems, travel creator, travel influencers, UGC pitching, creator tools, content creator workflow, Airtable automation, travel creator business, UGC toolsFollow Me On: Sign up for my newsletter, the Content Compass to receive free tips and tricks to beat the content creation overwhelm and get back to traveling. Website Instagram Join Us 👉 The Travel Creator Business Plan Community! The only business-building community designed specifically for travel creators. You’ll get: ✔ monthly business systems ✔ coworking + Q&A calls ✔ a private community of creators building real businesses ✔ guidance to help you move from “content machine” to “CEO energy” Sign Up HERE

Think you need 100K followers to land paid brand deals? Think again. In this episode, I’m breaking down the exact system I use to work with brands and make money through UGC — even without a massive audience. Today we’re diving into one of my favorite topics — how to land brand deals without a huge following. Whether you’re just starting out as a content creator or looking to grow your paid partnerships, this episode is packed with actionable steps to help you start pitching and landing deals today.Here’s what we cover: Why clarity in your niche matters (luxury traveler vs. hostel hopper — pick your lane!) How to build a portfolio that sells even if you’re new or have zero followers Setting up your landing page the right way for SEO My exact pitching spreadsheet setup to organize your brand outreach How to write custom openings that actually get responses Using mail merge to scale your outreach without losing that personal touch Why volume and follow-ups are key to landing paid brand deals How UGC content can be your secret weapon for consistent incomeTools + Programs Mentioned:Bento — the email tool I use to manage my pitching system. Grab my affiliate link below for an exclusive discount!Maddy Garrett’s UGC Program — my go-to resource for creators wanting to master UGC and start landing paid brand deals. Get 10% off when you use code LAURA10 (link below 👇).Follow Me On: Sign up for my newsletter, the Content Compass to receive free tips and tricks to beat the content creation overwhelm and get back to traveling. Website Instagram Join Us 👉 The Travel Creator Business Plan Community! The only business-building community designed specifically for travel creators. You’ll get: ✔ monthly business systems ✔ coworking + Q&A calls ✔ a private community of creators building real businesses ✔ guidance to help you move from “content machine” to “CEO energy” Sign Up HERE

Ever freeze up when it’s time to drop your price or pitch your offer? In this episode, my producer Marie, who is certified high-ticket closer with SheSells is walking us through the exact sales framework she uses to close $3K–$30K offers with confidence. She is a graduate and certified closer from Shelby Sapp's SheSells program and is here to give you the tea of what she learned. Whether you’re a coach, content creator, or just starting your content business, these sales tips will change how you show up on calls and help you sell like a pro. { Pst.. you can also use these tips on your next brand deal call.}What You’ll LearnHow to structure your sales calls so you stop discounting your offers.The secret to question-based selling (aka the “therapy session” that makes people buy).Why “frame” and body language matter more than you think.How to find the real reason people hesitate to buy — and what to do about it.How to temperature check before dropping your price (never skip this!).Shelby Sapp's “Be F***ing For Real” framework that gets clients to finally commit. Resources MentionedShelby Sapp’s High Ticket Sales Program Your Girl Media — Marie’s boutique agency that helps coaches and creators scale through podcasting, social media, and high-ticket sales.Work with Marie for:Podcast Production to gain more leadsHire Marie for  1-1 High Ticket Sales with Marie Get matched with certified setters and closers for your business: 👉 [DM @yourgirlmedia]Follow Me On: Sign up for my newsletter, the Content Compass to receive free tips and tricks to beat the content creation overwhelm and get back to traveling. Website Instagram Join Us 👉 The Travel Creator Business Plan Community! The only business-building community designed specifically for travel creators. You’ll get: ✔ monthly business systems ✔ coworking + Q&A calls ✔ a private community of creators building real businesses ✔ guidance to help you move from “content machine” to “CEO energy” Sign Up HERE

Q4 is HERE. This is your wake-up call to stop coasting and start cashing in. This not the time to just stuff our faces with halloween candy and sit back. We need to be stuffing our faces with halloween candy and cashing checks. These next 90 days can make or break your year as a content creator, influencer, or UGC travel creator. Today, I’m breaking down exactly how to squeeze every last dollar out of 2025 while setting yourself up to make more money online in 2026 — without the hustle culture burnout.In this episode, I walk you through my exact Q4 strategy — the one I’d use if I were starting over today as a travel creator:Reignite those old brand collaborations. I’ll show you how to turn one-time deals into repeat partnerships — and why “no” isn’t really a no in Q4. Audit those unpaid invoices and finally collect that cash. You did the work — now get the reward. Stop waiting for January 1st to start fresh. I’ll share my mindset shift on why New Year goals are overrated and how to start implementing your 2026 strategy now. From client onboarding to pricing packages and payment setup — this is your chance to clean up the backend so you can scale smoothly into the new year.I’ll walk you through my week-by-week roadmap to finish the year strong and build momentum for your next big income leap as a content creator.Follow Me On: Sign up for my newsletter, the Content Compass to receive free tips and tricks to beat the content creation overwhelm and get back to traveling. Website Instagram Join Us 👉 The Travel Creator Business Plan Community! The only business-building community designed specifically for travel creators. You’ll get: ✔ monthly business systems ✔ coworking + Q&A calls ✔ a private community of creators building real businesses ✔ guidance to help you move from “content machine” to “CEO energy” Sign Up HERE