In today's digital age, the travel industry thrives on user-generated content (UGC) and short-form video. Destinations, accommodators, and attractions are always on the hunt for engaging content from passionate travelers to showcase their experiences and engage with their target audiences.
If you're an aspiring or current travel content creator, now is the perfect time to capitalize on this growing demand and turn your love of travel into a lucrative career or side-hustle.
Let’s dig into everything you need to know!
What is a Travel UGC Creator?
Simply put, a travel UGC creator creates, shares, and monetizes authentic travel content specifically on video platforms.
How Travel UGC Creators Differ From Influencers
It feels like we’ve always had influencers trying to sell us stuff. It’s so subtle, but we get drawn into the ‘Instagram’ life that these influencers appear to have and we want a piece of it too.
Unlike traditional influencers, however, UGC creators are not necessarily tied to specific products, brands, or sponsored campaigns. They focus on capturing and sharing their genuine travel experiences in exchange for compensation from brands or hosts seeking to leverage their content. Truly ‘influencing’, and not selling, if you will.
Traditional influencers often boast large follower counts and promote products or services in a sponsored capacity, which can make them very expensive to work with. travel content creators, on the other hand, are generally smaller-scale and offer a more relatable perspective, putting their own spin on what they like about destinations and the experiences they have.
The Importance of UGC in the Travel Industry
As the travel industry recognized the power of word-of-mouth marketing, UGC has become the modern equivalent. With travelers increasingly relying on user-generated content to inform their travel decisions, travel brands that tap into UGC are building trust, credibility, and emotional connections with their audience. This ultimately drives bookings and purchases of their experiences. What’s not to love?
Our recent Trends Report, which surveyed our community of over 900 DMOs, highlighted that a majority of destination marketers agree that short-form video reigns supreme. Unsurprisingly, Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts continue to take the buzziest channel spots.
As well as creating buzz, content creators offer huge opportunities for travel brands to tap into diverse perspectives, allowing them to fill their marketing channels with content from locals, POC travelers, LGBTQ+ voices, and more.
Why Do Destinations and Travel Brands Work With Content Creators?
UGC creators offer numerous benefits for destinations and brands. Hotels and attractions may want photos and videos created that they don’t have the time or means to capture in-house. What’s more, destinations service hundreds of business owners and a wide geographical reach with a mandate to promote experiences in their area. Our customers tell us that, often, it’s too much ground to cover for a small team.
While travel brands try to fill their marketing channels with existing UGC from local residents and travelers, not every experience can be captured this way. That’s where UGC creators come in!
By hiring a UGC creator, destination marketers can focus on their day-to-day tasks while being rest assured that their content gaps will be filled by a pro.
How to Become a UGC Travel Content Creator
Has all this talk of content creation made you think it might be something you’d want to try for yourself? If you're passionate about travel and have a knack for creating Reels or TikToks, becoming a UGC travel content creator could be the perfect career path for you. And trust us, destination markets need you!
Here are some essential steps to get started:
Lean in to your passion for travel
The foundation of a successful UGC travel content creation career is a genuine passion for travel and exploration. It sounds easy enough, but pushing yourself to step outside of the normal touristy spots will help you see destinations in a different light and put personality into the visuals you capture. Remember - authenticity is key. Audiences can smell when content is cookie-cutter, so work on creating a genuine connection with the destinations you visit.
Start capturing content
Now we’re really getting into it. A UGC travel content creator would be nothing without their portfolio, so start documenting your travels through high-quality photography and videography on your social channels. This helps travel marketers get a sense of your style and shows them what you can do. Consistency is key so make it a habit to capture and share content regularly, and stay on top of algorithm changes and ever-evolving video trends.
Mastering Photography and Videography Skills
While passion and authenticity are essential, mastering the technical aspects of photography and videography is equally important. Invest time in learning composition, lighting, voice overs, captions, and editing techniques to elevate the quality of your content. You could even consider taking online courses, attending workshops, or seeking mentorship from experienced creators if the content you’re capturing isnt quit hitting the mark. (We also just so happen to have a blog about Social Media Video 101 which will help you get started 😉)
Become A Destination’s Best Partner
Destination marketing organizations have extensive rules they have to follow when it comes to posting on social media. You can help set yourself up for success by planning ahead and making sure your shoots are ethical, safe, and sustainable.
Practice and preach ‘Leave No Trace’ protocols, ensure you’re wearing proper safety equipment in outdoor adventures, and encourage sustainable practices. If you’re unsure what the destination requires, you can always ask!
Different Content for Different Social Media Platforms
UGC travel content creators must have a strong presence on various platforms in order to maximize reach and engagement. While it might seem easy to copy and paste the same content on each platform, it’s super important to tailor your content to each channel. Let us explain:
Instagram: With its love of visuals, Instagram is an ideal platform for sharing travel photography and short video clips. To do well on this platform, we suggest utilizing relevant hashtags, engaging with your audience, and leveraging Instagram Stories to showcase behind-the-scenes glimpses of your travel experiences.
TikTok: TikTok has become the mother of all short-form video platforms so, despite the ban across many states, this one is a no-brainer. Use the opportunity to express your silliness and creativity on TikTok and embrace emerging trends, use hot hashtags, and collaborate with other creators to expand your reach.
YouTube Shorts: Though you may be more familiar with YouTube for its longer-form video content, YouTube Shorts are on the rise as one of the most popular short-form video platforms. With over 70 billion daily views, this is one platform not to ignore! Think catchy taglines, scroll-stopping thumbnails, and hot takes on the latest news.
Making Money as a Travel Content Creator
Though traveling may be a passion, making some dough never goes amiss.
Luckily for you, we created a solution that connects travel content creators with brands seeking original content. By signing up with CrowdRiff Creators, you can tap into current opportunities in your area, allowing you to showcase your skills and monetize your passion for travel.
CrowdRiff Creators: How It Works
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Submit a creator application & get approved: Apply to become a CrowdRiff Creator here. Our team will assess your application and let you know within a few days if you are a fit!
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Download the app & set up payment: Creators will be sent info from our team on how to download the Creators app, and how to get set up for payments in Stripe.
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Browse Opportunities: When ready to work, explore the available opportunities in the app, where brands post their content needs and requirements.
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Accept and Collaborate: Once you find an opportunity that aligns with your skills and interests, accept the assignment and let us know when you plan to shoot it. Then, get out there and start creating your content!
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Get Paid: Upon successful completion of the assignment, you'll receive compensation directly from CrowdRiff.
CrowdRiff has worked with hundreds of creators across North America to turn their passion for travel into cold, hard cash, and you could be next!
Conclusion
The world of travel content creation is alluring for many reasons, but it can also be lucrative. While we don’t promise to have the magic recipe, following the steps outlined in this guide will help put you on the path to becoming a successful travel content creator.
Remember, authenticity is so important for audiences to connect with you and DMOs to book you, so embrace your unique perspective and let your genuine enthusiasm for travel shine through your work. With some hard work, you can turn your love for travel into a career as a UGC travel content creator.
To kickstart your journey, sign up on CrowdRiff and start seeing the opportunities from brands and hosts that want YOUR perspective on their destination.
