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Ask Carmen
Can I be a travel creator without traveling?
Q: I work full-time and don't get much PTO. Can I be a travel creator if I'm not able to travel that often?

A: Many of us tend to take our hometowns or home states for granted, but keep in mind that where you live could be someone else’s dream destination.

Even if you live in a small town or suburb, chances are there’s a city, a mountain, or a lake that’s driving distance from you that is a tourist destination.

So remember that you don’t always have to hop on a plane to create travel content. Build up a library of content about your hometown or home state because there will be travelers out there looking for this information.

Wondering where to start? Consider where you would take out-of-state visitors. What are the must-see locations and the must-try foods? Are there any unusual claims to fame that someone might have to see to believe? Where’s the best shopping and dining? Think about state parks, hiking trails, sports, and nature activities available for the outdoor enthusiasts. Google “things to do in…” and add your state or city to see what historical sites, festivals, museums, and even theme parks pop up.

When you visit a nearby attraction, make the most of it. Many people assume that one trip equals one blog post or vlog or social media post, but that’s just not the case. There are many forms of travel content you can create from one trip or from combining a few trips, like:
  • Top 5 or top 10 lists
  • Travel tips or hacks
  • Versus videos that compare two things
  • Room tours or resort tours
  • Share your favorite travel gear
  • Do a Q & A with your audience
  • How-to tutorials (how to travel for cheap or how to pack light, for example)
  • Opinion videos 

All of the above can be done in the form of a YouTube video, a social media post, or a blog post, so repurpose every trip in several ways and you’ll be set for a while. The key to doing this is to capture way more photos and videos than you think you’ll actually need. Be sure to take both horizontal videos for YouTube and vertical videos for TikTok and Instagram stories. That way you’ll have lots of B-roll that you can integrate into future videos. 

Once you’ve got a nice little library of local content to show, you can reach out to local attractions and pitch them for low-cost experiences, like tickets to a museum or a one-hour walking tour. Send them an email to introduce who you are, what type of travel you specialize in, who your audience is, and why they should work with you. Let them know that if they’re interested in partnering with you, you can offer them X amount of content deliverables (like a set of Instagram stories, a TikTok or Reel, a YouTube video, or a combination of all of these) reviewing the experience in exchange for comped tickets. You’re bound to get some no’s, but eventually someone will say yes and then you’ve landed a partnership!

Get out of the mindset that you have to travel far or travel often to be a travel creator. You just have to be willing to explore, capture tons of content, and share it consistently in creative ways. 

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Take care,

Carmen Sognonvi
Creator Economy News
Facebook-Hired Firm Promoted Fake TikTok Challenge To Generate Bad Press
Facebook hired Targeted Victory, a marketing firm that was launched by former GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney's 2012 digital director, to orchestrate and carry out an anti-TikTok campaign. One area that Targeted Victory appears to focus on is getting local media outlets to cover TikTok trends that could be dangerous or harmful to young people.

Nobody wants more crappy videos on Instagram. Too bad.
Reels hasn’t been able to replicate the magic of TikTok’s addictive and powerful algorithm. Instead, Facebook has ensured the success of Reels by shoving its videos in your face every time you open the Instagram app. It’s unclear whether people are watching because they’re seeking it out or because Instagram won’t let them avoid it.

Why Instagram Gives Gen Z the Ick
But then came TikTok in 2019. I felt free and entertained; my anxiety of being perceived on social media wasn’t as much of a worry when it was a constant conversation on TikTok. Instagram suddenly felt boring, exhausting, and generally not fun compared with it.

The Gear I Use
iPhone 13 Pro Max

What's the best camera to use for travel vlogging? Unless you're already a proficient videographer, I always recommend starting with an iPhone! It's so easy to use and the quality is amazing.

Insta360 GO 2

If you want an action camera that is super unobtrusive, the GO 2 is a great choice! The stabilization is amazing, and because it's so tiny, it allows you to get some really creative shots!

GoPro Hero 10

There's a reason GoPro has been popular with creators for so many years - it's a fantastic all-purpose action camera. Stabilization is great, and it's hardy enough to handle wear and tear.

Insta360 ONE X2

If you haven't hopped on the 360 camera bandwagon yet, this is your sign to do it! These cameras capture what's in front, back, above, below all at the same time!

13-Inch Macbook Pro

This laptop pretty much powers my entire business as a travel creator. Not only do I use it to edit all my photos and videos, but it's also a great productivity tool for email, writing, and research.

Tascam DR-10L Audio Recorder

Viewers can forgive bad video quality, but they won't put up with poor audio. This audio recorder is my go-to for capturing crisp, clear audio. It's so easy to use and the output always sounds great.

Travel Industry News
Mexico City and the pitfalls of becoming a remote work destination
Many residents believe that the rate of gentrification and displacement in Mexico City is accelerating — and that the pandemic-era travel boom is partly to blame. Furthermore, residents have complained of foreigners blatantly flouting Covid-19 safety and masking guidelines, while being negligent of cultural norms and sensitivities.

Luxury Hospitality Is Losing Its Mystique
You might not have noticed, but luxury hospitality is in the middle of a major reboot. Old, storied reputations mean nothing anymore if today’s service is lost. The market is a blank slate where all relationships, preferences, and loyalty need to be re-examined and rebuilt by luxury travelers. Brands have to re-think their value propositions.

After 2 years — an iconic part of a Disney trip is finally returning
I’m happy to report that the days of staying six feet away from Mickey – and your other favorite Disney characters – have come to an end. Disney announced today that traditional character meet-and-greets are returning not only to Disney World, but also to Disneyland, Aulani and the Disney Cruise Line. And — that’s not the only much-beloved pre-pandemic offering that’s finally returning to Disney.

A Travel Must-Have
How to Avoid Getting Stuck in a Foreign Hospital
What if you’re on a trip, but you suddenly have a medical emergency? Travel insurance or credit card benefits will only get you to the “nearest acceptable facility" -- not your home hospital.

Medjet is the premier global air medical transport and travel security membership program for travelers. If you become hospitalized internationally, Medjet will arrange medical transportation to a home-country hospital of your choice for inpatient care.

Culture and Society
Are You ‘Mask Fishing’?
Now that the city has ended its mask mandate for public schools, students are dealing with old anxieties about appearance and the pressure to fit in. And as they get a closer look at each other’s faces, they’re finding out who among them has been mask fishing — in other words, using facial coverings to cover up what they really look like.

This Year’s Grammys Owe More to TikTok Than Ever Before
Thanks to TikTok’s ability to take a song and run with it, everyone from Olivia Rodrigo to Saweetie to Glass Animals have become household names and Grammy-nominated performers. No matter who the Recording Academy decides to hand out awards to, when it comes to star-making ability, it’s social media that makes the call.

The Millennial Aesthetic Comes for Your Vacuum Cleaner
A twentysomething could sleep on a Casper mattress made up with Parachute sheets, dress in minimalist Allbird sneakers and Everlane clothes, and throw rustic-chic dinner parties with the help of Great Jones Dutch ovens. Now: vacuums.

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