Welcome to the Creator Exchange area. If you’ve seen my posts calling for creators, this is it. It's a project I've worked on since last year. I noticed more and more volunteers asking for exchanges doing social media. So it's only right it gets its own space.

My goal is to help creators who are starting out—or maybe struggling to get noticed—get real clients on their portfolio. Working on real projects with real people is the best way to eventually win hotel pitches (which I know is what you want) 💼.

What is a Creator Exchange?

A Creator Exchange requires you to create social media content for a hostel based on a specific brief or volunteering in being their social media manager (for your exchange period) in exchange for free stays 🎬.

It’s like a hostel exchange, but your task is limited to content creation.

You’ll usually post the content on your own account (tag the hostel or add them as a collaborator). In most cases, you give the hostel rights to use the footage for their own marketing.

The differences to hostel exchanges:

• ⏳ Duration: The stay can be shorter, averaging about two weeks.

• 🎯 Requirement: Sometimes it’s project-based (like filming a specific event only) rather than staying there for a month.

• 📊 Follower Count: Hostels might ask for a specific number of followers.

Why should you do a Creator Exchange?

You get the usual perks of a hostel exchange with the added bonus of building your portfolio. You get to work with real clients and projects.

Who are Creator Exchanges for?

They're designed for travel creators at these stages:

• 😎 Established Creators: You already have an audience and want to work with more brands or use your work to score perks and stays.

• 🥸 Struggling Creators: You haven't "made it" yet. You need more live projects to show what you can do and more connections.

• 🤓 Aspiring Creators: You’re posting for friends and family right now, but you want to take content creation seriously and need some "starter" projects to get the ball rolling.

How does it work?

The process is almost exactly the same as a hostel exchange. The only difference is your message.

Include your content creation skills/experience rather than your volunteer experience. Show your work, your style, and what you can deliver. The hostel will judge your application based on the quality of your content.

Start by checking out the Creator Exchanges listed on the Notice Board.

How to Get Started?

Start by finding a hostel that offers Creator Exchanges. I post the latest exchanges on my Instagram page for you to apply directly. You can also use the free resources here (on this platform) to get tips and read up about how it works 📖.

If you're planning a longer trip, Join my Membership 🎉. It gives you access to a list of over 200+ verified hostel exchanges that I hand-picked and selected. You'll also get access to the Value Calculator and the Content Exchange Tool.

It's just £4 a month (with a yearly subscription).

Want Exchanges Delivered to your Inbox Every Week?

Sign up to my Espresso Club—a free weekly newsletter where the newest exchanges hit your inbox first. 📧

Whatever you choose is good for me!! Welcome and thank you for being here.

Let's get you on the road 🛣️.