Paid To Travel: The UGC Podcast
Welcome to the side of the internet where we get paid to travel. In this podcast, I will teach you how to create UGC content so you can work part-time creating fun content and spend the majority of your days exploring the world, rather than sitting at a desk. All while making MORE money than we did at our soul-sucking 9-5. Does that sound like a dream? Well, it’s my reality and it can be yours too.
I’m your host Maddy Garrett, your UGC Travel Bestie. I help everyday people just like you start their own UGC digital nomad business so that they can achieve this kind of life-changing freedom, too. I’ve taught over 2,000 students in my Masterclasses, Programs, and 1:1 Coaching, and I educate my audience of 40,000+ ambitious dreamers daily on social media.
So tune in every week so you can quit your job and start getting paid to travel.
Paid To Travel: The UGC Podcast
36: How to Land Paid Stays Without Being an Influencer
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Today we are sharing our most POPULAR episode of 2025 with Emma—Airbnb content creator and social media manager—who went from free stays to fully booked and fully paid… all without a massive following or photography degree.
If you're ready to land paid stays, build your travel creator portfolio, and break into the UGC (user-generated content) world—this one’s PACKED with actionable tips.
In This Episode:
- Exactly how she landed her first free and then paid Airbnb stays
- Why professional photography isn't required to get started (but what helps!)
- What kind of content packages actually convert—and what she charges 💸
- How to stand out when pitching Airbnbs (spoiler: stop copying and pasting bad DMs 🙃)
- The difference between UGC for Airbnbs vs. hotels
- Why adding social media management can 2X your income as a creator
- What Emma would do step-by-step if she were starting over today
Emma and I break down the mindset + game plan to:
- Build your portfolio (even with no experience)
- Pitch with confidence and intention
- Move from free stays → paid packages
Connect with Emma:
- Website: elevatedescapesmgmt.com
- Instagram: @eiffelemma + @elevatedescapesmgmt
For Talented A.F. Podcast Production:
Follow: @yourgirlmedia
Find us: www.yourgirlmedia.com
🏔 Ready to start hitting consistent 4-figure months? Sign Up For UGC Basecamp—podcast listeners get 25% off for life: https://app.heartbeat.chat/ugcmastermind/invitation?code=4AFJA2&promo_code=SAVE25#landing-page
Follow Me on Instagram: @maddyoutdoors.coach
3-Month UGC Accelerator Program: https://maddyoutdoors.mykajabi.com/ugc-accelerator
Free UGC Masterclass: I've distilled my 3-month process into an easy-to-understand training that will give you clarity on your next steps to becoming a successful UGC creator, so you can work less and travel more! https://maddygarrett.myflodesk.com/accelerator-masterclas
FREE 50+ UGC Ad Examples Library