36: How to Land Paid Stays Without Being an Influencer

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

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