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

Everyone wants to be paid to travel ( that is why you listen to this podcast)… but no one talks about what it actually costs you. Today, I’m pulling back the curtain on travel UGC, burnout, and why I stopped chasing free hotel stays (even though I still make money as a content creator.)

If you’ve ever scrolled Instagram thinking, “I want that life,” this episode is for you.

Today I’m getting very real and very honest about my journey as a UGC creator and what three years of being a full-time travel and outdoor content creator actually taught me. We see reels all the time about creators getting paid to travel, working with hotels, Airbnbs, and tourism boards—and yes, it can be amazing. But there’s another side that doesn’t get talked about enough.

I share how building my UGC business while living full-time in a van slowly led to burnout, why turning your hobbies into work can take the joy out of them, and how constantly filming while traveling started to feel exhausting instead of exciting.

You’ll hear exactly why I’ve shifted away from hotel and tourism board work, how I structure my business now, and why focusing on product-based travel UGC has allowed me to enjoy my life and still fund my adventures. Spoiler: I still get paid… I just don’t work on vacation anymore.

This episode is your reminder that you don’t have to do UGC the way everyone else is doing it. You’re allowed to change your mind, set boundaries, and build a business that actually supports your life—not consumes it.

✨ What We Cover:

• The glamorized vs. real reality of being paid to travel
• Why travel UGC can lead to burnout if you don’t set boundaries
• How turning travel and hiking into work affected my mental health
• Why I no longer prioritize hotels and tourism boards
• How I make money as a content creator without working on vacation
• The mindset shift that helped me move away from scarcity
• Practical boundary-setting tips for travel and outdoor creators
• Why consistency (not perfection) built my UGC career

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

I met up with 9 top UGC creators in Nashville and that weekend changed the way I see the UGC industry, and today I’m spilling everything.

Welcome back to the Paid to Travel Podcast, where we talk all things content creation, getting paid to travel, and building a freedom-first life as a UGC creator.

Let’s dive into what really went down at the Nashville UGC meetup… and the biggest lessons YOU can apply to grow your own creator business.

We talk about:
1. What is the #1 important thing to grow in the  UGC Industry

2. How to Scale your UGC Business

3. Why There Is No One Way To Succeed in UGC

4. Why UGC Is NOT Too Saturated

5. How the Top Successful Creators Invest in Themselves

✨ Upcoming Events + Resources Mentioned
🎤 UGC Creator Connect — Utah, March 14th

I’m a keynote speaker (!!)
There will be 400+ UGC creators and 15+ top coaches.
This is the #1 event to meet other creators, network, learn, and build friendships that make the journey so much more fun.

Come meet me in person!!! 💛

📩 Bento — Automated Pitching for Creators

The Bento VA version sends 300–400 pitches for you every month.
If you want consistent deals without spending hours pitching, this is the tool you need.

>>https://app.onbento.com/?acode=MADDY
Use the Code : MADDY 

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

If you’ve been grinding so hard in your UGC or content creation journey that you can’t tell the difference between hustle and full-body burnout… this episode is your permission slip to slow down, reconnect with yourself, and build a business that doesn’t drain your soul.

Today, I’m sitting down with my friend Jordan Flynn — a life transformation coach and somatic practitioner — to talk about the real reason creators burn out, what “high-functioning burnout” actually looks like, and how to get back into alignment so your creativity (and confidence) can come back online.

Jordan has lived the corporate burnout cycle, rebuilt her life from the inside out, and now helps women regulate their nervous systems, rebuild self-trust, and step out of survival mode. If you’ve been feeling out of alignment, stuck, overwhelmed, or just off in your content creation era… buckle up. This convo will hit home.

✨ What We Talk About

• The truth about burnout and why it’s not just “being tired”
• How creators end up in high-functioning burnout without realizing it
• Signs your nervous system is stuck in fight-or-flight
• Why misalignment — not workload — is often the real cause
• How to reconnect with your body so you can make aligned, confident decisions
• Daily micro-resets to regulate your nervous system
• How to prevent burnout before you hit the wall
• What to do if you’re exhausted from content creation or UGC client work
• Boundaries, delegating, and raising your rates so you can work less & earn more

✨ Connect With Jordan

Instagram: @thejordanflynn
Website
 

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

November was one of my biggest months ever . Today I want to show you how I made $14k in one month in UGC so you can too while working an average of just 20 hours a week. 

We’re diving into:
 ✨ The exact breakdown of every deal
 ✨ Where each client came from (inbound, returning, or Bento cold pitch)
 ✨ How I crossed my Q4 goal early with $22,150 earned so far
✨ What this means for YOU as a new or growing UGC content creator

If building a lifestyle where you can travel, create, and get paid feels like a dream — it’s closer than you think.

💸 November UGC Breakdown

• Total earned: $14,050
• Hours worked: ~20 hrs/week
• Avg per video: ~$520
• Total videos booked: 27 (plus photos + extended usage)
• Where deals came from:
  • Returning clients: $6,200
  • Inbounds: $3,100
  • Bento cold pitches: $4,750
• Multiple new footwear, snack, haircare, outdoor, and tech brands
• Biggest deal? A Bento cold pitch that turned into a $3,250 contract 🙌

This month proves (again): there is zero shortage of brands needing UGC content creators… and so many ways to make money online through this industry.

✨ Sponsor: HUEL

You guys… we got our first podcast sponsor and it’s literally my favorite thing ever: HUEL.

Their ready-to-drink meals are insane:

• 35g protein
• 27 vitamins + minerals
• 7g fiber
• Plant-based
• Under $5
   My fave flavor? Iced Coffee — it’s my breakfast AND caffeine in one.

PLUS, their Daily Greens are ✨that girl✨. Peach & hibiscus = elite.

New customers get 15% off using code: PAID
➡️ huel.com/PAYED 

Use my code + fill out the post-checkout survey to support the show! 💛

📲 Follow My UGC Instagram

Want to see the actual UGC examples brands are hiring me for — even though I post there maybe twice a month?
 👉 @maddyoutdoors.ugc

It brought me TWO inbound deals this month alone. Don’t sleep on socials.

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

If I had to start your UGC journey completely from scratch, here is what I would do to make my first $100. 

In today’s episode, I’m breaking down the exact 14-day game plan I’d follow to make my first $100 in UGC, even with zero experience, zero portfolio, and zero connections.

Whether you dream of getting paid to travel, want to become a UGC creator, or you’re ready to finally start landing paid brand deals, this episode is your no-fluff roadmap.

✨ What We Cover in This Episode

In this quick but powerful episode, I walk you through the step-by-step system I’d follow if I was starting my entire UGC career over again:

• Why you should NOT start with building a huge portfolio or cold emailing brands
• The right way to study UGC ads
• How to access my 50+ UGC Ad Examples Library (linked below!)
• How to practice filming with products around your house
• The editing apps I recommend (CapCut or InShot) and how to get comfortable quickly
• Creating your first 2–3 strong example videos you’ll use to apply for paid campaigns

The UGC platforms you should be on:

• Fiverr
• Creator.co
• Upfluence
• Aspire
• JoinBrands
• Popular Pays
• (and more!)

🔥 Sponsor of the Week — HUEL.

My favorites:

• Ready-to-Drink Meals — 35g protein, 27 vitamins/minerals, plant-based, under $5
• Daily Greens — Peach + Hibiscus flavor is elite. Packed with vitamins, electrolytes, antioxidants + Lion’s Mane.

💸 Get 15% Off Your First Order:
Use code P A Y E D at checkout.
Shop here: huel.com/payed

Every time you use my link + code, it supports the show!

🔗 Episode Resources

• 50+ UGC Ad Examples Library

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

If rejection has ever made you want to curl up and never pitch a brand again and you want better pitching strategies, and the confidence to run your business like a CEO, this one's for you.

Today I’m joined by my girl Ericka, founder and CEO of Silkenn, and host of the Boss Babe Reset Podcast. We dive deep into how to handle rejection (as a founder and as a creator), emotional regulation, and stepping into your role as a business owner, not “just” a UGC creator.

What We Talk About in This Episode

• Why rejection is non-negotiable in building a business — whether you're pitching brands, raising capital, or landing paid UGC deals
• How founders REALLY feel about content creators pitching (and what brands look for)
• Why rejection is not personal — it’s just information, not a verdict
• How to shift from “I’m just a content creator” to “I’m a CEO with a business”
• Practical ways to reframe rejection so it doesn’t derail your confidence
• Erika’s personal journey founding Silkenn after grief, burnout, and a career pivot
• The nervous system tools you NEED as a freelancer or UGC creator
• How to regulate your body before regulating your mind (game-changing!)
• Pitching to brands when you feel scared or unqualified
• The truth: even after 6 figures in UGC, I STILL get rejected
• Why faking it ’til you make it is sometimes exactly the energy you need
• Embracing the long game — why success in UGC requires consistency and boldness

Where to Find Ericka:

 Ericka Nicole — Founder & CEO of Silkenn

• Podcast: Boss Babe Reset
• Brand: Silkenn — pollution-protection skincare rooted in microbiome science
• Instagram & Threads:  @theerickanicole
• Website: silkenn.com

If you’re a content creator constantly running around filming UGC…
you need Huel in your bag.
 Use code PA Y E D for 15% off your first order.
Link is HERE 💛

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

If you’ve ever wondered, “Can I actually make money doing UGC?”  this episode is your proof. Krista joined the UGC Accelerator just two months ago and made $1,000 in her very first month—all through Upwork. Now she’s landed over $2.5K in paid brand deals and is turning UGC into her dream remote career (all while being a mom of three.)

In today's epsiode,  Krista shares exactly how she discovered UGC, built her first portfolio, and landed her first $1,000 project on Upwork within 30 days.

We dive into:

• The step-by-step of how Krista landed her first paid deal on Upwork 
• What types of UGC projects she took on (and how much she charged)
• How she balanced building her portfolio with being a full-time mom and small business owner
• The mindset shifts and “why” that kept her motivated through it all

Fuel your day the smart way with Huel — my go-to complete meal packed with 35g of protein, 27 vitamins & minerals, and 7g of fiber (plus, it’s totally plant-based ).

Get 15% OFF your first purchase using code PAYED at [huel.com/PAYED](https://www.huel.com/PAYED)& make sure to fill out the post-checkout survey to support the show! 💫

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

This month, I averaged $130 an hour working part-time as a UGC creator.

Today I’m breaking down exactly how I did it — every brand deal, every deliverable, and how I balanced it all while only working around 10 hours a week. This isn’t influencer content. This is real, sustainable user-generated content (UGC) that pays you to travel, create, and work remotely. 

If you’ve ever dreamed about landing paid brand deals or building a flexible remote work lifestyle,  this is your episode.

In This Episode:

• 💸 The exact breakdown of my $5,175 month in UGC income
• 📸 How I structure retainer clients and one-off paid brand deals
• 💼 Why taking a slightly lower rate can build long-term client relationships
• ✉️ My go-to pitching strategy using Bento (use code MADDY for a discount!)
• 🧠 How I keep my workload light and still average over $130/hour
• 🌍 How UGC allows me to get paid to travel while working part-time

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Bento – My favorite platform for pitching UGC deals. Check it out here
  and use code MADDY for a discount 💌

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

Today I’m breaking down how to pitch yourself for holidays and seasonal campaigns — from Black Friday to Valentine’s Day — so you can land more UGC brand deals and grow your income doing what you love.

This week we’re diving into how to tailor your UGC pitches for holidays and special seasons to stand out in brand inboxes. I’ll walk you through:

✨ How to tweak your general pitch for Q4, Black Friday, or Christmas campaigns
 💌 What timeline to use when pitching for each season
 ⚡️ A simple strategy to make your outreach more effective (and stress-free)
 💸 How to use discounts and incentives to book more brand deals

Plus, I’m sharing my go-to pitching tool — Bento — that helps me send 50+ personalized pitches in an hour! (Use code MADDY for 10% off your subscription 💌)

Whether you’re a new creator or already landing UGC gigs, this episode is your crash course in leveling up your UGC pitching strategy — so you can spend less time at your desk and more time exploring the world. 🌎

🔗 Resources Mentioned

• Book: The Big Leap by Guy Hendricks — my yearly mindset reset 📚
• Tool: Bento
  — my go-to platform for email pitching (code MADDY for 10% off)

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