UGC: How To Find Hotels That Work With Content Creators

Introduction To Finding Hotels That Work With UGC

Ever wondered why hotels are increasingly working with influencers and UGC creators?

We’ll lift the veil for you in this article.

We’ll guide you through exactly what UGC is and why it’s such a powerful tool. We’ll examine why hotels seek collaborations with influencers, and the numerous benefits reaped by both parties. Moreover, we’ll take a close look at how to start UGC campaigns with hotels, as well as tips on navigating the fun yet nuanced world of brand collaborations as a UGC creator.

According to Business Insider, an astounding 79% of users admit UGC highly impacts their purchasing decisions.

So, are you ready to unlock the potential of UGC in the hospitality industry? Let’s get started!

Tip: Use Skipful.com to find hotels to collaborate with – we're a platform that tracks social media to find influencer-friendly hotels, with over 10,000 properties so far.

Understanding UGC and Hotel Brand Collaborations

What is User-Generated Content (UGC)?

User-Generated Content (UGC) is any form of content created by the users or guests of a brand.

It includes photos, videos, reviews, and blog posts.

UGC is organic, authentic, and can be a powerful marketing tool.

Why Hotel Brands Collaborate with Influencers

Hotels collaborate with influencers for several reasons:

• Authentic endorsements
• Expanding their reach
• Targeted marketing

Influencers can create genuine content that resonates well with potential guests.

Benefits of UGC for Hotel Brands

User-generated content offers many benefits to hotels, including:

• Increased trust
• Higher engagement rates
• Cost-effective marketing

Studies show that 79% of people say UGC highly impacts their purchasing decisions (Business Insider).

How to Initiate UGC Campaigns

Starting UGC campaigns requires careful planning:

• Create a unique hashtag
• Offer incentives
• Engage with contributors

A memorable hashtag encourages guests to share their experiences.

Leveraging Influencers for UGC

Select the right influencers who align with your brand’s values.

Provide clear guidelines for content creation.

Promote genuine engagements over polished advertisements.

Best Practices for UGC and Collaborations

To make the most out of UGC and collaborations, follow these best practices:

• Get permissions to use UGC
• Showcase UGC across channels
• Measure the campaign’s impact

Always ask for permission before using UGC to avoid legal issues.

Case Study: Successful Hotel Campaign

Look at the Marriott’s #TravelBrilliantly campaign.

They encouraged guests to share their experiences using the hashtag.

The campaign generated thousands of authentic content pieces and increased brand visibility significantly.

Finding Brands to Collaborate With As a UGC Creator

Identifying Potential Brands

As a UGC creator, identifying the right brands can be a critical component of your business development strategy. Start by pinpointing the brands that are likely to resonate with your audience. These may be companies whose products or services you use and enjoy, or they could be businesses that align with your values or interests. Once you have a target list, it’s time to reach out.

Making the First Move

Making a good first impression is key. Start by connecting with these brands on social media platforms – follow them, engage with their posts or even DM them on Instagram. Develop a pitch that is passionate, professional, and tailored to the specific brand. Explain how your UGC helps promote the hotel brand’s values and interests, and how the collaboration can be mutually beneficial.

Consider your Audience

Before proposing a partnership, reflect on whether the brand’s products or services will benefit your audience. Your followers trust your recommendations and it is important to maintain that trust by only connecting them with brands that align with their needs and interests.

Networking Events

Networking events or conferences are great opportunities for UGC creators to meet potential brands for collaboration. Such events are often filled with representatives from various brands looking for opportunities to enhance their marketing strategies.

UGC Platforms

UGC platforms such as Tribe, Foap, and TINT are online marketplaces that connect brands with content creators. Signing up for these platforms can also open doors for brand collaboration opportunities that you may not have stumbled upon otherwise.

Negotiating Your Role As a UCG Creator

Define Your Deliverables

Clarity is key in brand collabs. Define what is expected from you, the kind of content to create, how much content to be delivered, and the timeframe.

Set Your Price

Knowing your worth as a content creator is important. Set a price for your work that accurately reflects your time, effort, and the potential reach and influence you offer.

Know the Brand

An understanding of the brand enables you to negotiate effectively. Be conversant with their values, target audience, and existing marketing strategies. This knowledge allows you to position your UGC as complementary to their marketing approach.

Sign An Agreement

Execute a written agreement with the brand that outlines your duties, the brand’s responsibilities, payment and other critical details. It gives your collaboration a legal structure and spells out what’s expected from both parties.

Managing Brand Collaborations

Track Your Results

Tracking the results of your collaborations is important to demonstrate the value of your work. Consider using tools to track metrics such as reach, engagement, website traffic, and others relevant to your agreement with the brand.

Deliver on Time

Reliability is key for maintaining and cultivating future opportunities. Always deliver as per the agreed timeline.

Finding UGC Collaborations in the Hotel Industry

Hotel Industry Collaborations

In the hotel industry, collaborations between brands and influencers are a common strategy used to bring authentic experiences and broaden reach. Identifying the right platform to find these collaborations is critical for successful partnerships.

Explore Influencer Networks

Several influencer networks specialize in connecting brands with content creators, including those in the hotel industry:

• Influence.co: Facilitates partnerships between influencers and hotels by offering a searchable database.
• Upfluence: A comprehensive platform that helps hotels find and manage influencer campaigns.
• AspireIQ: Known for its robust tools that enable hotels to discover, manage, and analyze influencer collaborations.

Participate in Travel and Tourism Trade Shows

Travel and tourism trade shows provide an excellent opportunity for UGC creators to network directly with hotel representatives:

• ITB Berlin: One of the world’s leading travel trade shows where hotels and creators can forge valuable connections.
• World Travel Market (WTM): A premier event that gathers travel professionals, including hotel brands looking for fresh marketing strategies.
• IMEX America: An international exhibition for the incentive travel, meetings, and events industry where you can meet potential collaborators.

Tap into Social Media Marketing Agencies

Certain marketing agencies specialize in social media strategies and can connect UGC creators with hotel brands:

• Social Chain: Works closely with various hotel brands to execute influencer marketing campaigns.
• Goat Agency: Known for targeting precise audiences, they frequently collaborate with hotels on UGC campaigns.
• Viral Nation: A full-service agency with a robust network of influencers, including those specializing in travel and hospitality.

Leverage Online Marketplaces

Online marketplaces for UGC are another avenue for connecting with hotel brands:

• Tribe: A platform where content creators can pitch ideas directly to brands looking for UGC.
• Foap: Allows creators to upload photos and videos that brands, including hotels, can purchase for their promotional use.
• TINT: Aggregates user-generated content and makes it available for brands to license and display in their marketing campaigns.

Utilize Travel Blogging Networks

Travel blogging networks often have established relationships with hotel brands and can facilitate collaborations:

• Travel Bloggers Club: Connects travel bloggers with hotels looking to enhance their online presence through UGC.
• iAmbassador: Specializes in creating opportunities for travel bloggers to work with global hotel brands.
• Travel Massive: A global movement that brings together travel industry professionals and media to collaborate.

Engage in Social Media Challenges

Participating in social media challenges can catch the eye of hotel brands looking for engaging UGC campaigns. Hotels often run these challenges to encourage UGC, such as photo contests, travel diaries, and other creative initiatives that invite guest participation.

By exploring these various avenues, UGC creators can find numerous opportunities to collaborate with hotel brands. Whether through formal networks, trade shows, marketing agencies, or social media platforms, the goal remains the same: to produce genuine and engaging content that resonates with potential guests.

Maximizing Brand Deals in the Hospitality Sector

Leveraging Your Unique Style

Different content creators bring unique value to the table. Understand what makes your content special. Is it your storytelling ability, photography style, or a specific niche like eco-friendly travel? Highlighting your unique style can make you more attractive to hotel brands looking for specific types of content.

Concept of Micro-Influencers

Micro-influencers, those with smaller but highly engaged audience, can be highly effective for hospitality brands. Their recommendations tend to be more trusted, and they offer a more intimate and engaged community experience. Studies have shown that micro-influencers are often seen as more authentic and relatable compared to major celebrities.

Collaborative Campaign Planning

Involve brands in your content planning process. By doing this, you can ensure that you meet their marketing goals while staying true to your creative vision. This collaboration can also lead to long-term partnerships rather than one-off deals.

Utilizing Analytics to Showcase Value

Use tools like Google Analytics, Instagram Insights, and other social media metrics to showcase your performance. Data on engagement rates, click-through rates, and audience demographics can provide compelling arguments for why a hotel brand should collaborate with you.

Engage in Co-Creation Projects

Propose co-creation projects where you work closely with the hotel brand to create compelling narratives or series. This can be a mix of blog posts, Instagram takeovers, and live-streaming events. Co-creation projects can provide a breadth of content that benefits both parties.

Highlighting Past Collaborations

When pitching to potential hotel brands, highlight successful past collaborations. Showcase previous campaigns where you helped a brand achieve measurable goals. Case studies serve as social proof of your capabilities and can be more persuasive than just metrics.

Personalized Pitches

Craft personalized pitches instead of generic ones. Mention specific recent initiatives by the hotel, and how your UGC can support those. For instance, if a hotel is focusing on sustainable tourism, emphasize how your content aligns with this narrative.

Building Long-Term Relationships

After initial collaborations, continue to engage with the hotel brand. Send them periodic updates on how your content is performing or offer to create additional content at periodic intervals. Building a long-term relationship can lead to recurring revenue and more significant partnerships down the line.

Understanding Contractual Obligations

Understand the fine print in contracts. It’s crucial to know your rights and obligations, such as content ownership, exclusivity clauses, and usage rights. Clarify whether the hotel can use your content indefinitely or for a limited period.

Continuous Learning and Adaptation

The digital marketing landscape is ever-changing. Stay updated on new trends, tools, and platforms that can make your content more engaging. Continuous learning not only improves your content but also makes you a more valuable partner for hotel brands.

By implementing these advanced strategies, UGC creators can optimize their efforts to secure brand deals in the hospitality sector effectively. For additional resources on how influencers impact consumer behavior, check out this Forbes article.

In Conclusion: Finding Hotels To Collaborate With

In today’s digital age, User-Generated Content (UGC) and hotel brand collaborations have emerged as influential marketing strategies.

UGC, being genuine and relatable, significantly influences customers’ purchasing decisions, making it an effective marketing tool. Hotel brands often allure to influencers to foster these authentic experiences while broadening their reach and targeting their marketing.

While hotels benefit from increased trust and engagement through UGC, these collaborations also offer opportunities for content creators. The right connections with resonating brands can fuel their content generation and creativity. However, maintaining upfront clarity about deliverables, knowing your worth, understanding the brand, and formalizing collaborations with written agreements remain critical aspects.

Finding and managing UGC collaborations involves discovering the right platforms, participating in networking events, joining UGC platforms, using smart tools, and delivering on time. Notably, identifying yourself as a micro-influencer can optimize your chances for hotel collaborations.

Lastly, staying updated with evolving trends and adapting to them can significantly enhance the value brought to your partnerships.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs