How Influencers Pitch Hotels and Tourism Boards for Free Stays

“I often do not attain out to smaller lodges — they want the income. Chains generally is a higher method to go.” — Eric Stoen (332,000 Instagram followers), @travelbabbo

Eric Stoen, 50, of @travelbabbo has accrued over 332,000 Instagram followers within the eight years he is been touring and logging his journeys on-line full-time. As his one-page media package states, he is been to 62 nations throughout seven continents in that point.

Stoen advised Insider that 90% of the time lodges will pitch him a free keep first. Nonetheless, he nonetheless workouts the muscle to pitch lodges from time to time the place he could be staying for an prolonged time frame so he can get a greater price. 

“I would estimate one-third of the time I am rejected, one-third I obtain a free keep, and one-third I am provided a reduced media price,” he stated.

For many who are nonetheless breaking into the trade, and will save much more cash upfront with comped lodges, he suggests pitching to chains that may afford to surrender a room for promotion. And, most significantly, decide to selling the lodge authentically.

“Attain out to lodges the place you realize that there is a match together with your followers and the place you are assured your posts can ship income,” stated Stoen. “And do not have a look at something as a free keep; it is a advertising partnership the place you are anticipated to offer actual worth in alternate for a keep.”

“Make sure that it’ll be a good partnership,” he added. “I often do not attain out to smaller lodges – they want the income. Chains generally is a higher method to go, particularly as you are beginning out.”