The follower count myth... (What brands really want)
Issue #76
Today’s issue is brought to you by Constant Contact.
Today I want to debunk a common misconception: Your follower count, engagement rate, or blog stats matter when it comes to travel sponsorship.
The truth is, your follower count, page views, engagement rate, or blog sessions are unimportant to brands. 🙅♂️📈
This misconception is leftover from the days when there was only one way to work with brands (post content on your IG or blog and hope it gets likes/comments/views/shares).
Let's get real…
If you're pitching to create content that brands will share on their OWN platforms—be it their website, social media, email campaigns, or blog—they're not losing sleep over your follower count or even you personally. 🤷♀️🌐
It's not about you; it's about them.
What truly matters to brands is the quality of the content you produce for them. 📸
Your work is your calling card, your masterpiece. That's what you should be focusing on when pitching to brands. 🖼️🤝
So, shift your focus from the numbers game to the content creation game. 💪🎨
It's the quality, creativity, and value you bring to the table that will win you those coveted collaborations. 🌟✨
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Please do *not* mention me as the person who referred you in your applications and pitch emails. Just because I'm sharing these with you does not mean I am a reference and dropping my name won’t help you get the job :)
👉 Katie is looking for pitches from writers who live in or are deeply familiar with Bangkok or Chang May, Christchurch or Wellington, Fiji, Kentucky, São Paulo, Rhode Island, Panama, Patagonia, and Crete. Example here. Deadline is Oct 20. Submit pitches here.
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👉 Cat helps with PR for Route YC and they are promoting the region this Autumn and Winter it is a theme they are hoping to highlight, anytime from now till 31st March 2024. If anyone is keen they can help with vehicles, pitches, meals, and activities, etc. But in return, they are looking for UK national coverage or similar based on the trip for Route YC. Just email Cat via catthomsonwrites@gmail.com if it appeals.
👉 SleepKeeper would love to partner with travel bloggers if you’ll feature their travel pillows in your Xmas gift guide. If interested, email Diane via diane@sleepkeeper.com.au
👉 Wyndham Hotels is to open its flagship Dolce by Wyndham Versailles - Domaine du Montcel in December 2023. Want to cover the opening? Contact Olivia Pascoe at team6@grifcopr.com
👉 Lumiere is the UK’s light art biennial produced by leading arts producers, Artichoke, and commissioned by Durham County Council with funding from Arts Council England. Want to attend? Reach out to Tracy Jones at tracy@brera-london.com
👉 Singapore Tourism has launched Made in Singapore, a global campaign to inspire travelers to choose their destination. Want to work with this Tourism Board? Contact Olivia King at olivia.king@onegreenbean.com
*Remember if you want first access to these leads, call-outs, and opportunities as well as the ones I don’t share in the newsletter, plus exclusive guides, templates, resources, and pitching sprints, you can join the Wildly Successful Travelpreneurs membership for only $9!
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Until next week…
Happy pitching!
Daniella
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"The truth is, your follower count, page views, engagement rate, or blog sessions are unimportant to brands."
Good call. As a marketer who's worked for years in the travel industry, I've seen brands evolving in their approach and shifting their focus from "big volumes only" to quality of the audience.