Many creators don’t struggle with sending pitches.
They struggle with running out of brands to pitch to.
They pitch:
- a handful of hotels
- a few obvious brands
- then hit a wall
This lesson shows you how to constantly find new pitch opportunities - without relying on luck or endless scrolling.
The Core Principle
You don’t “find” brands once - you build a system that keeps producing them.
Pitching works best when:
- you’re never desperate
- you’re not pitching the same obvious brands as everyone else
- you always have a short list ready to go
It doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to be consistent and aligned.
The Brand Discovery Loop (Use This Every Time)
Think of brand discovery as a loop, not a one-off task.
- Start with a location or theme
- Pull multiple brand types from it
- Add them to a list
- Qualify them later
This keeps momentum high and friction low.
Step 1: Start With a Location, Not a Brand
The fastest way to find brands is to focus on places, not companies.
Examples:
- a city you’re visiting
- a region you’ve posted about
- a destination you want to work in
- a theme (eco stays, surf towns, mountain cabins)
From one location, you can pull hundreds of potential brands.
Step 2: Pull Brands From Google Maps
Google Maps is one of the most underrated tools for creators.
Search for:
- boutique hotel
- eco lodge
- tour company
- experience + location
- cafe + city
Click into listings and look for:
- strong photos
- updated profiles
- active websites
- Instagram links
If a brand cares about how it looks on Maps, they usually care about visibility.
Step 3: Use Instagram as a Discovery Tool (Not Outreach)
Instagram is best used for finding brands, not pitching.
Ways to discover brands:
- search by location tag
- browse posts tagged at a hotel or cafe
- look at who tourism boards follow
- check who creators you like are tagging
Instagram makes it easy to spot brands that are already active - and open to collaborations.
Step 4: Identify Similar Brands
This is a shortcut most creators ignore.
When you find one good brand:
- check who they follow
- look at similar accounts they’re tagged with
- see which brands comment on their posts
One good find usually leads to five more.
Step 5: Look for “Signal Moments”
Some brands are easier to pitch right now, and some are easier to save for later.
Good signals to look for:
- new openings
- rebrands
- renovations
- recent influencer reposts
- low-quality or outdated visuals
These are moments when brands are actively thinking about marketing.
Step 6: Build a Simple “Pitch Bank”
Don’t pitch immediately - instead, build a list of brands.
Your only job here is to:
- add brands
- note the location
- jot one reason they stood out
You'll qualify the leads after you’ve built a big list.
Light Qualification (Don’t Overthink It)
Once you have a list, quickly check:
- Are they active on social?
- Do they care about visuals?
- Can I imagine content here?
That’s enough at this stage to qualify the lead.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Only pitching brands you’ve stayed at
- Only pitching “big” or luxury brands
- Waiting until you travel to start finding brands
- Over-qualifying before building a list
- Pitching randomly instead of in batches
Running out of brands is usually a process problem, not a niche problem.
Your Next Steps (Take Action)
- Pick one location or theme.
- Spend 15 minutes on:
- Add 10-15 brands to a list.
- Write one short note for each
When you’re done, you should have:
- a fresh pitch list
- zero pressure to pitch immediately
- a repeatable system to find new brands
Your Next Lesson
Travel Collabs Team