86: Clout Is Cute, Alignment Is Profitable: How Creators Can Pitch Like a Pro

Text me your content win!Okay, besties — this one’s a little spicy.  Today I’m joined by my producer Marie from Your Girl Media and Culture Cult Show  and we’re calling out the big ol’ ego problem in the creator space: choosing clout over alignment. If you’ve ever been ghosted, judged by your follower count, or felt stuck pitching your services as a travel creator, UGC creator, or content creator, this episode is for you.We get into:Why follower count ≠ real opportunity (spoiler: it’s all about alignment).The red flags to look out for when pitching UGC services.The art of how to pitch so you actually get a response.Why networking is just making friends (yes, it’s that simple).Shifting from desperation to fun when you’re building your content creation business.You’ll walk away with practical pitching tips, mindset shifts for content creators, and a reminder that genuine connections will take you further than any vanity metric ever will.Connect with Marie:Follow her biz: @yourgirlmediaFollow her digital nomad life: @culturecultshowWebsite: www.yourgirlmedia.comCheck out her show: Culture Cult Show  Let’s connect: I’m building something I’ve never seen before for creators — a community just for travel creators who are ready to scale beyond the basics. If you’re a travel creator who knows how to get the views but is stuck on “what’s next,” DM me on Instagram @travelcontentwriting and I’ll send you all the details on my new Travel Creator Business Plan Community.For Talented A.F. Podcast Production:Follow: @yourgirlmediaFind us: www.yourgirlmedia.com 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’ve ever felt the pressure to create 47 different income streams just to “make it,” this episode is for you. As a travel creator or travel influencer, you’ve probably heard all the advice—sell courses, start affiliate marketing, launch digital products, do brand partnerships. But here’s the truth: more doesn’t always mean better.Today, I’m breaking down what actually works when it comes to building multiple streams of income as a content creator—without burning yourself out.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why too many income streams can actually hurt your business.The three types of income streams that complement each other perfectly for travel creators.How to know when you’re ready to add a new income stream.Why “less but better” is the secret to sustainable passive income.How to choose offers that serve your audience AND fit your long-term vision.Key Takeaways for Travel Influencers + Content Creators: 👉 Your core offer is your foundation—master it first before adding anything else. 👉 Not all income streams are created equal. Focus on ones that align with your skills and your audience. 👉 Passive income is amazing, but only when it’s built on top of something sustainable. 👉 Shiny object syndrome is real—say no to monetization paths that don’t serve your long-term goals.Call to Action: If you’re ready to build multiple income streams as a travel influencer or content creator—but want to do it in a way that feels sustainable and smart—this episode will give you the clarity you’ve been craving.For Talented A.F. Podcast Production:Follow: @yourgirlmediaFind us: www.yourgirlmedia.com 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!Hey creators—let’s get real for a second. Just because you’ve built a big audience doesn’t mean you’ve built a business. I know, that’s a little spicy to say out loud, but it’s the truth. And in this episode, I’m breaking down exactly why focusing only on audience growth will leave you burned out, broke, and wondering why those brand deals never seem to come your way.As a travel creator and content strategist, I see this all the time: talented content creators chasing follower counts instead of setting up systems that actually generate revenue. Having 100K followers doesn’t matter if you don’t know what you’re selling, who you’re selling it to, or how your business makes money when you’re not glued to Instagram or TikTok.Inside this episode, we’ll cover:The big lie about “just grow your audience and the money will follow.”The real difference between an audience and a content business.Why “going viral” doesn’t guarantee income (and what does).The business systems you must have in place if you want to stop chasing followers and start creating freedom.f you’re tired of feeding the content machine without seeing results, this is your reminder to shift your focus from vanity metrics to sustainable business growth.✨ Want to stop acting like “just” a content creator and start building a real business? Send me a DM on Instagram @travelcontentwriting to learn more about the community I’m creating for travel creators who are serious about turning their content into income.Until next time—don’t just create content. Create a business.For Talented A.F. Podcast Production:Follow: @yourgirlmediaFind us: www.yourgirlmedia.com 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!Today I am recording this fresh off the trail after 10+ days offline in Yellowstone, Wyoming, and Montana. No WiFi. No emails. No “outfit of the day” reels. Just me, s’mores, and mountains that look straight out of a fairytale.And honestly? Coming back to the laptop has been… jarring. If you’ve ever been a digital nomad, a travel influencer, or a content creator who tries to balance “living the adventure” with “posting the adventure,” you know that feeling.In this episode, I’m sharing why stepping away from your phone and actually touching some grass is the best thing you can do for your travel creator business and your mental health. We’re talking:Why your best ideas don’t happen in front of your laptop.How your audience can feel your burnout—and why you need to reset.Practical tips to ease back into work after being offline.Why low engagement isn’t the enemy—boring content is.How I’m building boring-but-beautiful systems so creators like you can run your business while you’re out exploring the world. If you’re a travel creator or digital nomad who wants to build a sustainable business (so you can go climb that mountain or turn your phone off for a week without panicking about engagement), come hang out with me on Instagram @TravelContentWritingDM me the word SYSTEMS and I’ll get you on the list for early access to my systems-based community for travel influencers and creators.Because your business doesn’t need you to hustle harder. It needs you to have a life. 🌎💻✨Now—go touch some freaking grass.For Talented A.F. Podcast Production:Follow: @yourgirlmediaFind us: www.yourgirlmedia.com 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!Today I’m calling BS on the bad advice clogging your feed and breaking down what actually works for travel creators and content creators trying to build something real.  In This Episode, You'll Hear:Why viral content strategies often miss the markThe real reason you're not seeing growth (hint: it’s not the algorithm)The truth about “engagement hacks” and why they’re burning creators outWhat you should focus on instead: audience clarity, service-based content, and sustainable systemsA sneak peek into the systems and automations I’m building for travel creatorsWhy replacing the word “algorithm” with “people” will transform your content strategyKey points: travel creator, content creator, how to go viral, tiktok growth trends, build a travel content business, tiktok algorithm mythResources Mentioned:The episode about why I think viral content is BS (feat. Justin Welsh’s newsletter)For Talented A.F. Podcast Production:Follow: @yourgirlmediaFind us: www.yourgirlmedia.com 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!Have you ever dreamed of building a content business that lets you actually enjoy your travels—without scrambling to post, pitch, or pretend you’re not freaking out about engagement stats?Today I’m pulling back the curtain on something I’ve been building quietly behind the scenes—a travel content creator community that isn’t about chasing trends, but about building smart, sustainable systems that let your content business run even when you’re off the grid in Santorini or sipping mezcal in Tulum.✨ In This Episode, I Spill:The real reason so many successful content creators are secretly burning outWhy this community is going to be deliciously boring—and why that’s a good thing for your businessWhat kind of systems are saving me 6+ hours a week (hint: Airtable + Zapier + Gmail = 🤯)Why this isn’t another course you’ll never finish—or a noisy mastermind you’ll ghost in 3 weeksHow YOU can be a founding member and even land a spot on the podcast 💁‍♀️If you’re a travel creator or content creator who's tired of feeling like your business depends on your WiFi signal, this episode is for you. Whether you’re cashing brand deals or paddling along in your raft-level earnings (you’ll get the joke when you listen), we are building something powerful—and you're invited.Keypoints:travel creator, travel content community, content creator, sustainable content business, creator systems, off-grid content creation, build a creator business, UGC brand deals, passive income for travel creatorsFor Talented A.F. Podcast Production:Follow: @yourgirlmediaFind us: www.yourgirlmedia.com 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 I had to start my content creator business all over again, here’s exactly what I would do — no fluff, just the real behind-the-scenes steps that actually build momentum. Whether you're trying to figure out how to find clients, want to leave your 9–5, or just need to know what works now in the content creator space — this episode is your kickstart.  In this episode, I cover: ✅ The exact platforms I’d use to land clients (yep — even the weird ones that take 20%) ✅ Why you should post less and pitch more (and what type of posts actually matter) ✅ How to treat your Instagram like a billboard, not a scrapbook ✅ Why a simple one-page portfolio beats a fancy site every time ✅ How sending 10 emails a week can completely shift your creator business ✅ The power of outreach — and why asking is your biggest secret weapon ✅ Why being boring builds your business faster than trendy ever could ✅ How to scale once you’re booking consistent work ✅ Why your mindset around pitching matters more than your pitch itself🛠 Tools & Platforms Mentioned:Job platforms: Upwork, Contra, Fiverr (plus Maddy'a tip: Coley, Popular Pays, PopFly)Portfolio sites: Canva , AI builders, simple one-pagers🎧 UGC Tip of the Day – From Maddy Garrett Want to make your first $500 with UGC? Go check out Episode 4 of her podcast for the exact steps. 🎙 Listen to Paid to Travel: The UGC Podcast🌍 New Travel Creator Membership Coming Soon! I’m building a travel creator community focused on systems and sustainability — not just algorithm hacks. If you're tired of piecing together info from a million courses and want real, actionable systems to grow your business so you can go backpacking (like I’m about to do in the Tetons 👣), then this is for you.👉 DM me on Instagram with the phrase "travel content writing" if you’re interested in joining the waitlist or just wanna chat about it. It's gonna be GOOD. Like, boring-but-life-changing good.For Talented A.F. Podcast Production:Follow: @yourgirlmediaFind us: www.yourgirlmedia.com 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!Let’s be honest—going viral looks sexy on the outside, but it might be silently destroying your business from the inside. This week on The Travel Creator Podcast, I break down exactly why viral content doesn’t equal success—and how you can actually create content that connects, converts, and changes lives.💬 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why virality is not a strategy for long-term growthHow one creator got 11 million views… and less than 10 customers 😳The massive difference between information and transformationWhat kind of content actually grows your brand (hint: it’s not Canva quote graphics)How to build an Instagram presence that gets you paid, even with a small followingReal-world results from content creators who ditched viral dreams for authentic impact✨ Key Takeaways for Travel and Content Creators:If your content is built for everyone, it's for no oneThe truth about how to grow on Instagram without chasing the algorithmWhy followers ≠ dollars—and how to stop falling for the vanity metric trapWhat kind of stories actually transform your audience and create long-term relationshipsThe power of vulnerability in a world chasing perfectionListen to Paid to Travel: UGC Podcast Ep 12: How to Travel for Free and Land Free Airbnb's  This episode is packed with insights on how to go viral, why it's not worth it, and the real playbook for sustainable success as a travel creator, UGC creator, and content creator trying to grow with purpose.💌 Ready to create content that connects instead of chases? DM me on Instagram (@travelcontentwriting) and tell me what your biggest takeaway was from this episode. Let’s chat about your goals, growth, and content that doesn’t just look good—but feels good too.🔗 Find Justin Welsh and his content magic: Subscribe to his newsletter and follow him at justinwelsh.me for more no-BS writing advice.✈️ Until next time—happy creating and please, for the love of God and captions, stop chasing viral. I miss you already. 💕For Talented A.F. Podcast Production:Follow: @yourgirlmediaFind us: www.yourgirlmedia.com 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!Today I'm breaking down the biggest lie social media ever sold us: that high numbers are the only thing that matter. Spoiler alert—they're not.Whether you're a new content creator, a seasoned travel influencer, or just wondering how to grow on Instagram without losing your mind, this episode will help you reconnect with the humans behind the numbers. You’re probably doing way better than you think—and I’m here to prove it.💡 What You’ll Learn:Why 47 likes is not a failure—it’s a whole restaurant full of people.How to reframe your metrics using “the living room rule.”The mindset shift that will help you stop chasing the algorithm and start creating for actual people.Why smaller engagement often means deeper trust (especially in travel content).Practical perspective shifts to get you out of your engagement rut—fast.The surprising power of word-of-mouth growth (yes, it still exists!).🧭 For Travel Creators Who Want To:Understand how to grow on Instagram without burnoutGet out of a creative slump and back into aligned content creationFocus on real impact over vanity metricsBuild deeper relationships with their existing audienceLearn the difference between chasing viral trends and building sustainable influence💌 Resources Mentioned:Want to get off the hamster wheel of Instagram and into sustainable strategy? Join my 7-Day Newsletter Challenge and start building your own list of raving fans.Check out the The Culture Cult Show where we covered Denmark’s: Mad King and Royal Affair . If this episode hit home, I want to hear from you! 👉 Slide into my DMs with your next trip or episode idea over on Instagram @travelcontentwriting 👉 Share this episode with a fellow travel creator who needs a reminder that their content is making real impact.For Talented A.F. Podcast Production:Follow: @yourgirlmediaFind us: www.yourgirlmedia.com 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 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 creationFor Talented A.F. Podcast Production:Follow: @yourgirlmediaFind us: www.yourgirlmedia.com 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/