61: The Biggest Takeaways from Travel Con: Lessons I Learned

Text me your content win!Ever found yourself spiraling into perfectionism and letting a perfectly good idea sit in your drafts for way too long? Same. But today, I'm breaking down a major mindset shift I had... all thanks to painting the walls of my new apartment (yes, your girl has an actual address now—who knew?!).In this episode, I’m sharing the real, messy, imperfect metaphor that turned my content strategy mindset on its head: The First Coat Rule.  It’s all about just getting it done and making it better later—because let’s be honest, that draft sitting in your phone isn’t helping anyone.Here’s what we dive into:Why done is better than perfect when it comes to content creationHow overthinking kills momentum (and how to get it back)A little pep talk for my fellow people-pleasersWhy your content doesn’t need to be a masterpiece to be profitableThe difference between real feedback and made-up problemsWhether you're a seasoned travel content creator or just getting started as a digital content creator, this episode is your permission slip to take messy action and build momentum. Because your audience doesn’t care about perfect—they care about connection, consistency, and YOU showing up.🔥 Episode Challenge: Dig up one of those dusty drafts, give it a once-over, and POST IT. Then go do something fun while your brain panics and realizes the world didn’t end. You got this.💬 Let's Connect! DM me your favorite podcast episodes or your favorite travel creators over on Instagram 👉 @travelcontentwritingKey PointsL content creator, travel creator, digital creator, content strategy, done is better than perfect, content creation tips, creative momentum, Instagram content, imperfect action, travel content creationFollow 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. https://travelcontentwriting.hbportal.co/public/650f599bb604bf00244c7381/1-Inquiry_form Website: https://www.travelcontentwriting.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelcontentwriting/

Text me your content win!Hey guys, we need to talk. This week, I’m walking (literally) through why this* overused line just doesn’t cut it anymore for building a real business as a travel creator. This one's for my fellow travel influencers, travel content creators, and digital nomads who are ready to move from vague inspiration to real impact. I’m breaking down:Why “inspiring travel” has become the most generic (and useless) mission in the creator spaceWhat your audience actually needs instead (hint: it’s not another sunset pic)How to define your real "why" and build content that solves actual problemsTangible examples of shifting from inspiration to intentionMy personal process for refining your niche and creating purposeful content💡 You’ll Learn How To:Attract better brand deals by solving real travel problemsTurn your DM questions into powerful content pillarsAudit your content like a strategist (not just a scroller)Develop a clear message that makes you stand out in a crowded feed If you’re ready to stop posting just to post, and start creating content that actually helps your audience move from stuck to soaring, book a 1:1 strategy session with me. We’ll dig into your specific audience, your magic sauce, and how to translate that into real business momentum.🔗 Book a session HERE Check Out Marie's Show:Listen to Culture Cult Show Listen to the episodes Killer Mermaids in Zimbabwe Episode OR The Largest UFO Sighting in ZimbabweInsta: @culturecultshowFollow 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. https://travelcontentwriting.hbportal.co/public/650f599bb604bf00244c7381/1-Inquiry_form Website: https://www.travelcontentwriting.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelcontentwriting/

Text me your content win!Today we are talking about the chaos of entreprenuerships and balancing work-life balance with your content creator business. We have joining us Grace—a 28-year-old entrepreneur who traded private equity for perfume. She’s building herbrand from the ground up and documenting the entire travel content journey online.We talk about: Balancing content creation with actually building the business (yes, even when the algorithm ghosts you) Staying motivated when reach is low and the to-do list is eternal📈How TikTok became Grace’s most powerful networking tool (not kidding)🤯 How saying “yes” to free branding advice landed her a partnership that changed everything🔗 CONNECT WITH GRACEWebsite: shopevoquer.comGrace's IG: @gracehowland_ Instagram & TikTok: @shopevoquer Grace's branding agency: @odecreativestudio💥 WANT TO BECOME A UGC CREATOR?I’m diving headfirst into UGC and using Maddie Garrett’s UGC Accelerator to do it. It’s given me my spark back, helped me land real brand deals, and made content creation fun again. If you want in, use code LAURA10 for 10% off when you join. → Check it out here https://maddyoutdoors.mykajabi.com/ugc-accelerator💬 IF YOU LOVE HEARING ME TALK…Check out the Culture Cult Show and my episode HEREInsta:@culturecultshowFollow 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. https://travelcontentwriting.hbportal.co/public/650f599bb604bf00244c7381/1-Inquiry_form Website: https://www.travelcontentwriting.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelcontentwriting/

Text me your content win!💥 Ever felt like something was just… off when chatting with a brand or another creator? In this real-talk solo episode, I’m calling out the most common red flags I see in the creator space — from micromanagers to trend chasers, price shoppers to platform jumpers. If you’ve been burned by a chaotic client or flopped collab, this one’s gonna hit home.It’s time to stop wasting your time on people who don’t value your creative energy or expertise.💡 What You’ll Learn:The "I just need…” mindset that’s actually a 🚨 red flagWhy constantly chasing trends keeps you broke and burnt outHow micromanaging kills trust (and creativity)What it means if a client is always “too busy”How to spot scope creep before it sneaks up on youWhy you should never rush into emergency projects🎯 This Episode is For:Travel creators building sustainable partnershipsContent creators scaling their services without burnoutAnyone ready to set stronger boundaries in their businessFollow 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. https://travelcontentwriting.hbportal.co/public/650f599bb604bf00244c7381/1-Inquiry_form Website: https://www.travelcontentwriting.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelcontentwriting/

Text me your content win!You’ve got 7% battery, no charger, and a million ideas swirling in your content creator brain. Do you panic-scroll or power through with purpose? If you've ever found yourself stuck in a foreign café with no outlet in sight, this one’s for you.Today I break down how to turn those dying battery moments into productivity gold. Whether you’re in a Bangkok airport or a Prague café, 7% can be all you need to get your content creator to-do list moving.You’ll learn:How to use constraint (like low battery) as a creativity tool ✨The 7% Rule I swear by for high-impact microtasksMy go-to tasks when my devices are running on fumesThe types of work to completely avoid when power is lowHow these micro moments actually strengthen your travel creator workflow🎧 Related Episodes:💌 Ep 72: Newsletter Collabs📋 Ep 2: Use Asana Like a ProFollow 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. https://travelcontentwriting.hbportal.co/public/650f599bb604bf00244c7381/1-Inquiry_form Website: https://www.travelcontentwriting.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelcontentwriting/

Text me your content win!In today’s episode, we’re diving into newsletter collabs. We’re talking about real collabs that grow your list, build actual relationships, and help you get seen without posting 24/7.✨Whether you’ve got 200 or 2,000 subscribers, this episode breaks down how to use content marketing and strategic newsletter swaps to grow your audience (without needing to go viral).🎙️ What You’ll Learn:Why newsletter collaborations are one of the easiest growth wins (and how to do them right)How to avoid common newsletter swap mistakes (and what to do instead)My fave ideas for collabs that don’t involve just dropping a link and calling it a dayThe secret power of trust transfer and why aligned audiences matter more than follower countMy go-to outreach script that doesn’t suck (yes, you can steal it)Real talk: why this is about relationship building, not just growth hacking💡 Episode Highlights:[01:00] → Why newsletter collabs are better than fighting the algorithm[04:30] → What makes a collab actually effective (hint: alignment + trust)[07:00] → Creative ways to collaborate (joint newsletters, series, cross-promos)[10:00] → Finding the right partners: it’s not about follower count[12:00] → Outreach strategy that doesn’t make people cringe[15:00] → Avoiding common collab pitfalls (and building something epic)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. https://travelcontentwriting.hbportal.co/public/650f599bb604bf00244c7381/1-Inquiry_form Website: https://www.travelcontentwriting.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelcontentwriting/

Text me your content win!Ever feel like you're traveling just to check off boxes—and missing the whole point? Same. In today’s episode, we’re talking about slowing the heck down, building a travel lifestyle that actually feeds you, and being real about how tough routines are when you’re living on the road.I brought on two of my favorite humans, Candace and Logan—van lifers, creators, and truly intentional travelers who’ve been doing this since before it was cool (yep, pre-#VanLife). We dive into what slow travel really means (hint: it’s not just staying longer), how they built their creative routines from the road, and how to avoid being “that” tourist when you post about tiny towns online.✨ This episode is a love letter to living slower, consuming less, and being deeply rooted in how we show up as travelers.We’re covering:The actual rules of intentional travel—no, reallyWhy overposting can hurt local communities (and what to do instead)How to balance creating content without burning outOur favorite hippie routines (brushing your teeth with clay, anyone?)A brutally honest take on travel and routine while living in a vanThe books and tools that shaped how Logan & Candace travel today📚 Books + Resources Mentioned:Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall KimmererBlue Highways by William Least Heat-MoonLiving Resistance by Kaitlin B. CurticeEffortless and Essentialism by Greg McKeownThe Way of Wanderlust by Don GeorgeThe Power of When by Dr. Michael BreusSecret Life of Walter Mitty (film)Inhabitants (documentary)Libby app – for audiobooks & ebooks through your library💌 Connect with Logan & CandaceLogan on IG: @follexposures & @loganfoll Candace on IG: @chasing.candace📩 Want more unfiltered travel creator vibes? Hop over to @travelcontentwriting and slide into our DMs. Tell us: how are you balancing routine + travel? Or not balancing it at all? We wanna hear it.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. https://travelcontentwriting.hbportal.co/public/650f599bb604bf00244c7381/1-Inquiry_form Website: https://www.travelcontentwriting.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelcontentwriting/

Text me your content win!If you're feeling totally drained right now—you are so not alone. We’re officially at that point in the year where being outside sounds way better than another hour behind the screen. So today, we’re diving into how to make content creation actually FUN again (yes, really).Because if content creation feels like a chore, it’s not sustainable—and that’s not the vibe we’re going for. Whether you're a seasoned content creator or just getting started, these easy, actionable content creation tips will help you rediscover the joy in what you do.From outsourcing the stuff you hate, to turning your workday into a game (hello sweet treat rewards 🍩), to co-creating with friends and playing with new formats—we’re breaking all the “rules” and bringing the fun back to your strategy.🔑 What You’ll Learn:Why fun is essential for consistency as a content creatorHow to identify your content strengths—and ditch the restSimple mindset shifts that reframe content as a creative outlet (not an obligation)How to embrace shiny object syndrome strategicallyThe power of experimentation, co-creation, and gamifying your workflowTips to beat burnout and create with joy (instead of dread)☕ Coffee Break CTA:Are you team coffee or tea while you're click-clacking on your content? 📸 Snap a pic of your cutest mug or your $7 aesthetic latte and tag us on IG: @travelcontentwriting 💬 Tell us your go-to content fuel—because we need to know. Like, now.🔗 Links + Resources:🖥️ Free Website Audit from Merveille Creative Studios → Get Yours 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. https://travelcontentwriting.hbportal.co/public/650f599bb604bf00244c7381/1-Inquiry_form Website: https://www.travelcontentwriting.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelcontentwriting/

Text me your content win!What if I told you that you could build a full-time travel lifestyle without a huge following, an email list, or a trust fund? 🤯 Today’s guests, Kim and Isaac, did exactly that — and they’re here to spill all their systems-savvy secrets that let them work part-time while traveling full-time. In this episode, I sit down with Kim and Isaac, the powerhouse duo behind LocalFi, an award-winning SEO and digital marketing agency that helps locally-owned businesses get found online (think Google Maps, Yelp, and their websites).Now, they not only run a thriving digital business, but they also created a second brand: Full-Time to Travel Time, dedicated to helping others break free from the 9–5 by building systems that actually work.We dive into:How they only work 10 hours a week in operations (yes, really).The exact systems they use to run a business that doesn’t run them.How to start building systems even if you’re overwhelmed or solo.Real-life advice on delegating, working with VAs, and using AI to streamline your biz.Why you should not fill your free time with more work (guilty 🙋🏻‍♀️).Their favorite personal systems — including Kim’s game-changing calendar routine.And the power of knowing when you’re in the wrong seat in your business.Book a FREE website audit  with Merveille Creative Studios OH — AND THE COURSE!Kim and Isaac created a seriously powerful program called the Systems = Freedom Course. It’s a 4-week system-building bootcamp that helps you clone yourself in your business (dreamy, right?). Best part? As a listener, you get an exclusive discount just for being here 🎉.WHERE TO FIND KIM & ISAAC:🧭 For all things SEO & business systems:🌐 LocalFiSEO.com🌍 To follow their travels + tune into their podcast:🌐 FullTimeToTravelTime.com Click "Work With Us" to access the course.📸 @fulltimetotraveltime on Instagram (highly recommend for the hikes + systems inspo) 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. https://travelcontentwriting.hbportal.co/public/650f599bb604bf00244c7381/1-Inquiry_form Website: https://www.travelcontentwriting.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelcontentwriting/

Text me your content win!Ever found yourself doing everything but the one thing you absolutely need to get done? Laundry folded, fridge organized, random Wikipedia pages explored—and your big project still untouched? You're not lazy—you're human. And in this episode, we’ll unpack why procrastination happens and how you can finally outsmart it.🧠 What You'll Learn:The real psychological drivers behind procrastination (hint: it’s not just poor time management).How perfectionism and fear of failure feed the procrastination cycle.The concept of “emotional regulation” and why it matters more than willpower.Practical strategies to break the habit—and build momentum.🔑 Key Takeaways:Procrastination is an emotional regulation problem, not a character flaw.Avoidance offers short-term relief but compounds stress in the long term.Awareness is the first step—recognize your triggers and emotional responses.Tools like the “10-minute rule,” setting low-friction goals, and self-compassion can radically change your behavior.📌 Resources Mentioned:Tim Urban’s Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator (TED Talk)“The Now Habit” by Neil FioreMindfulness-based practices for self-awarenessFollow 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. https://travelcontentwriting.hbportal.co/public/650f599bb604bf00244c7381/1-Inquiry_form Website: https://www.travelcontentwriting.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelcontentwriting/