In the world of brand collaborations, landing your first partnership is exciting—but turning that into repeat collaborations (both gifted and paid) is where the real magic happens.
Over the past few years, I’ve been lucky enough to build ongoing relationships with brands like Ocean Stays (6 collaborations across 5 years), Oaks Hotels & Resorts (more stays than I can count and across their network), and AYANA Hotels (twice—and hopefully more to come).
These weren’t one-off wins—they were built intentionally. Here’s how.
1. Treat Every First Campaign Like a Long-Term Relationship
Most creators focus on getting the deal. The real goal should be:
“How do I make this brand want to hire me again?”
From the very first collaboration:
- Overdeliver on content (more options, formats, angles and quantity)
- Be easy to work with (fast replies, clear communication, friendly and professional attitude)
- Hit deadlines early—not just on time
With brands like Ocean Stays, consistency over time built trust. After a few successful campaigns, I wasn’t just another creator—I became a reliable partner.
2. Make the Brand Look Good (Not Just Yourself)
The biggest mistake creators make?
Creating content that’s beautiful—but not useful for the brand.
Think like a marketer:
- Does this content highlight their key selling points?
- Would they repost this? Would they accept a collaboration post.
- Does it align with their brand identity?
For example, working with Oaks Hotels & Resorts across multiple properties meant adapting content to:
- Different audiences (families vs couples vs business travellers)
- Different locations
- Different campaign goals (e.g. a recent campaign highlighting their deal with Australia Zoo
That flexibility is what keeps brands coming back.
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3. Be Low Maintenance, High Impact
Brands LOVE creators who:
- Don’t need constant follow-ups
- Understand briefs quickly
- Solve problems without drama
This is especially important with large hotel groups like Oaks Hotels & Resorts, where internal teams are busy and juggling multiple campaigns.
If you can make their life easier, you instantly become more valuable.
4. Show Results (Even When They Don’t Ask)
Most creators deliver content and stop there.
Instead:
- Share performance stats (reach, saves, clicks, bookings if possible)
- Highlight what worked best
- Suggest what to do next time
After working with AYANA Hotels, following up with insights helped position me not just as a creator, but as a strategic partner, who was ready to take on a second stay at one of their resorts.
5. Stay Top of Mind
Brands won’t always come back automatically—you need to stay visible.
Simple ways to do this:
- Tag them in organic content
- Send a quick check-in email every few months
- Share new ideas tailored to them
With Ocea Stays, staying in touch between campaigns helped turn occasional work into a long-term relationship.
The Luxury Travel Influencer Playbook
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6. Build a “Signature Style” They Come Back For
Why should a brand rehire you instead of someone else?
Develop:
- A recognisable visual style
- A clear niche (luxury travel, lifestyle, etc.)
- A consistent voice
- Don’t let your content dip in terms of quantity and quality
When brands know exactly what they’ll get from you—and that it works—they’re far more likely to rebook.
7. Think Beyond One-Off Campaigns
Instead of pitching single collaborations, try:
- Series content (e.g., “3 stays across your network”)
- Seasonal campaigns
- Ongoing ambassador roles
Case Study Snapshot
Ocean Stays (6 collaborations over 5 years)
→ Built on consistency, strong storytelling, and staying in touch
Oaks Hotels & Resorts (multiple ongoing stays)
→ Flexibility + reliability across different properties
AYANA Hotels (2 collaborations)
→ Strong results + strategic follow-up
Getting a brand deal is a win.
Getting the second, third, and sixth deal? That’s a system.
If you focus on:
- Making the brand’s life easier
- Delivering real value
- Building genuine relationships
You won’t have to constantly chase new opportunities—brands will come back to you.
