In partnership with
Rentless
Adventure outside the ordinary
What happens when one of the most trusted specialty outdoor retailers, REI Co-op, teams up with the world's largest travel company, Intrepid Travel? You get a unique collection of active trips that offer meaningful, immersive travel experiences in the outdoors.
It’s travel inspired by REI, operated by Intrepid. Think community farm stays in Costa Rica, camping in Joshua Tree’s wild backcountry, cycling in Peru’s Sacred Valley, or sleeping in mountain huts before summiting Mount Kilimanjaro.
So, where will you go? Explore more than 85 destinations worldwide with a small group of up to 16, and an expert local leader who’ll help you to truly experience the destination.
REI Co-op members save 15% on REI Exclusive trips and receive a 20% off coupon to use at REI Co-op after booking REI Recommended trips.
For T&Cs and to view the full collection of trips in 85+ destinations, visit rei.com/travel.
Hi 👋🏻
We’re budget travellers, we always look for ways which can help us travel the world on a very minimal cost or for almost free.
And for that, content creation should be your #1 priority.
But only creating content isn’t sufficient, because when you start, no one cares about you. So today, let me tell you how you can pitch homestays to stay for free. Without having a huge following.
Understand what homestays actually want
Homestays do not care about fame. They want guests i.e. make money.
Most owners struggle with visibility and consistent bookings, especially outside peak season.
When you pitch, your job is to show how you help with these problems.
Do not start with your follower count
If you start your message with how many followers you have, you will lose the chance of getting the deal.
Low numbers will make the owners stop engaging with you.
Instead, talk about what you can create for them. Photos, videos, reviews, and content they can reuse matter more than reach.
Pitch value
Do not say you will ‘give exposure’. Say exactly what you will do.
Tell them how many photos/videos you will share. Tell them you will write a detailed review. Tell them you will tag the location and mention nearby attractions.
A specific value will be more promising than vague promises.
Use past work, even if it is small
If you have stayed anywhere before, and helped them anyhow use that reference. It does not have to be viral. It just needs to show your effort, and you can do what you’re promising.
If you are starting from scratch, share sample photos or short travel clips to show your style.
Timing matters a lot
Pitch during off season or on weekdays.
Owners are more open when rooms are empty. A free or discounted stay feels less risky when demand is low.
This is where small creators win.
Things to keep in mind
Long messages do not work.
Introduce yourself. Explain what you offer. Ask politely if they are open to collaboration.
Sample pitch
Hi [Name],
I am travelling to [place] in the coming days and came across your homestay. I really liked the vibe and the location.
I document my travels and create simple photos, short videos, and reviews that help people decide where to stay.
I would love to know if you are open to a collaboration where I stay with you and create content that you can also use on your website or social pages.
If this sounds interesting, I am happy to share my work and discuss what works best for you.
Thank you for your time.
Best, [Your name]
Thank you!
Homestays care about bookings, trust, and useful content, not your follower counts. If you focus on helping them instead of selling yourself, low followers will not be the problem in your path.
I’ll see you on Tuesday. Till then, keep travelling.
See ya!
