92: How to Land Brand Deals Without a Large Following

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 👇).🚀 Ready to stop chasing trends and start building a real travel business? 👉 DM @travelcontentwriting on Instagram today to secure your spot in the Travel Creator Business Plan — limited spaces available! 🎧 Talented A.F. Podcast Production by Your Girl Media 📲 Follow: @yourgirlmedia 💻 Visit: www.yourgirlmedia.comFollow 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/

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]🚀 Ready to stop chasing trends and start building a real travel business? 👉 DM @travelcontentwriting on Instagram today to secure your spot in the Travel Creator Business Plan — limited spaces available! 🎧 Talented A.F. Podcast Production by Your Girl Media 📲 Follow: @yourgirlmedia 💻 Visit: www.yourgirlmedia.comFollow 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/

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.🚀 Ready to stop chasing trends and start building a real travel business? 👉 DM @travelcontentwriting on Instagram today to secure your spot in the Travel Creator Business Plan — limited spaces available! 🎧 Talented A.F. Podcast Production by Your Girl Media 📲 Follow: @yourgirlmedia 💻 Visit: www.yourgirlmedia.comFollow 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/

Everyone loves your content… but no one’s buying? Yep, you’re trapped in the bestie zone.Today we are digging into the real strategies behind standing out online and growing your content into a business. Today I’m joined (again!) by one of your all-time favorite guests, the queen of messaging herself — Lucy from My Write Hand Woman.Lucy is a messaging strategist and copywriter who helps creators stop sounding like everyone else and start standing out with stories, personality, and messaging that sells. And in this episode? She’s here to call us all out.We dive into:How to know if you’re stuck in the “business bestie zone” (aka your content is fun but not converting).Why being relatable isn’t enough to grow your content or land travel creator brand deals.The importance of adding dissonance and a point of view in your sales copy and messaging.Why 2025 is actually the easiest time to get attention online (hint: the bar is low).The balance between behind-the-scenes content and strong storytelling that connects to your offers.What the Nike Super Bowl “So Win” campaign can teach us about brand messaging.Why you don’t need to wait until everything is perfect before launching something new.Lucy is a breath of fresh air, giving us the reminder that content creation doesn’t have to be formulaic or over-polished. Sometimes, it’s the messy, human stories that move your business forward.👉 Take Lucy’s Superpower Quiz to find out your unique messaging style and how to use it 👉 Rewatch the Nike Super Bowl “So Win” ad we mentioned: [link in show notes] 👉 Connect with Lucy on Instagram at @myrighthandwoman 👉 Check out her website for all things copy, messaging: HERECheck out the Culture Cult ShowCheck Out the Episode about The Man with Nine Lives in CroatiaAnd don’t forget — if you’re ready to get serious about scaling your content creation into a business, start with the Travel Creator Business Plan. DM me “travel content writing” on Instagram for all the details.🚀 Ready to stop chasing trends and start building a real travel business? 👉 DM @travelcontentwriting on Instagram today to secure your spot in the Travel Creator Business Plan — limited spaces available! 🎧 Talented A.F. Podcast Production by Your Girl Media 📲 Follow: @yourgirlmedia 💻 Visit: www.yourgirlmedia.comFollow 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/

If you’ve ever stared at your inbox wondering how the heck to pitch a brand without sounding awkward (or getting ghosted), this episode is for you, bestie. Today I’m joined by Jaclyn, the CEO and co-founder of OnBento, the AI tool that has completely transformed how I run my UGC business. Whether you’re a travel creator, a UGC content creator, or just trying to figure out how to pitch without second-guessing yourself, this conversation will change the way you look at pitching.We cover: ✨ The most common mistakes creators make when pitching (and how to fix them) ✨ Why UGC creators need to niche down (but also keep it fun!) ✨ Bento’s backstory and how Jaclyn built it in just 18 months ✨ How to use pitching analytics to improve your response rate ✨ Tips to humanize your emails so brands actually reply ✨ How to re-engage past partners and keep the UGC deals rollingOh—and if you’ve ever wondered how to land long-term partnerships as a travel creator or UGC pro, you’ll want to take notes during this one.Where to find Jacqlyn & OnBento:Instagram: @onbentoWebsite: www.onbento.comAFFILIATE CODE: Use my code LAURA1 for 10% off any Bento plan, use this CODE LINKWant more UGC tips? Go listen to my girl Maddy Garrett on her show Paid to Travel: The UGC Podcast, where she shares everything about making money as a UGC creator without being an influencer.And if you loved today’s episode, don’t forget to follow the podcast wherever you listen, so you never miss insider tips on building your travel creator business.🚀 Ready to stop chasing trends and start building a real travel business? 👉 DM @travelcontentwriting on Instagram today to secure your spot in the Travel Creator Business Plan — limited spaces available! 🎧 Talented A.F. Podcast Production by Your Girl Media 📲 Follow: @yourgirlmedia 💻 Visit: www.yourgirlmedia.comFollow 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/

Today I sit down with Danielle, a travel content creator and podcaster who has mastered the art of content repurposing, pitching tourism boards, and turning her show into something powerful enough to land in-flight entertainment deals.We get into:Why ebooks are an underrated income stream for travel creators (and how they can position you as an expert)Danielle’s strategy for repurposing podcast episodes into blogs, ebooks, and lead magnets that actually convertHow to pitch tourism boards (and deal with hearing no more times than you can count)The truth about podcast promotion—why social media isn’t the golden ticket and what really works insteadWhy storytelling and relationship-building matter way more than follower count when it comes to brand dealsThis episode is a must-listen if you’re a content creator trying to grow your podcast, figure out content repurposing that doesn’t burn you out, or just want some behind-the-scenes podcast tips from someone who’s been in the game since 2018.✨ Resources & MentionsDanielle’s Podcast: The Thought Card Podcast (Travel + Money tips!)Website: thoughtcard.comIf you’ve been thinking about starting your own travel podcast or want to scale the content creator business you already have, don’t forget to check out my Travel Creator Business Plan—the membership where I help successful travel creators build a business that’s manageable, scalable, and way less work. DM me on Instagram @travelcontentwriting to learn more.And hey—if you’re reading these show notes, I have a tiny favor! Linked right below is a quick Google Form (3 questions only!). I want to know how you found this podcast—was it SEO, Instagram, or a friend? Your feedback helps me create more of the content you love. 💌👉 https://forms.gle/PiR8QnaQvFYivF5a6 If you loved this episode, you’ll also want to check out Episode 84: Why Building an Audience is Not the Same as Building a Content Business.🚀 Ready to stop chasing trends and start building a real travel business? 👉 DM @travelcontentwriting on Instagram today to secure your spot in the Travel Creator Business Plan — limited spaces available! 🎧 Talented A.F. Podcast Production by Your Girl Media 📲 Follow: @yourgirlmedia 💻 Visit: www.yourgirlmedia.comFollow 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/

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.🚀 Ready to stop chasing trends and start building a real travel business? 👉 DM @travelcontentwriting on Instagram today to secure your spot in the Travel Creator Business Plan — limited spaces available! 🎧 Talented A.F. Podcast Production by Your Girl Media 📲 Follow: @yourgirlmedia 💻 Visit: www.yourgirlmedia.comFollow 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/

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.🚀 Ready to stop chasing trends and start building a real travel business? 👉 DM @travelcontentwriting on Instagram today to secure your spot in the Travel Creator Business Plan — limited spaces available! 🎧 Talented A.F. Podcast Production by Your Girl Media 📲 Follow: @yourgirlmedia 💻 Visit: www.yourgirlmedia.comFollow 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/

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.🚀 Ready to stop chasing trends and start building a real travel business? 👉 DM @travelcontentwriting on Instagram today to secure your spot in the Travel Creator Business Plan — limited spaces available! 🎧 Talented A.F. Podcast Production by Your Girl Media 📲 Follow: @yourgirlmedia 💻 Visit: www.yourgirlmedia.comFollow 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/

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.🚀 Ready to stop chasing trends and start building a real travel business? 👉 DM @travelcontentwriting on Instagram today to secure your spot in the Travel Creator Business Plan — limited spaces available! 🎧 Talented A.F. Podcast Production by Your Girl Media 📲 Follow: @yourgirlmedia 💻 Visit: www.yourgirlmedia.comFollow 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/