Beyond the Invite: What to Know When Working with Paid Creators

Three essentials for building thoughtful, strategic, and measurable partnerships

The rise of the creator economy has forever changed how hospitality brands connect with audiences. What once lived purely in the world of earned media — organic press coverage and hosted visits — now often extends into paid collaborations, where creators are hired to develop content that reflects a brand’s identity and story.

At Isabelli Partners, we work with both sides of that spectrum. We host creators organically, yes, but we also negotiate structured campaigns where creators are compensated for their time, their production quality, and their influence.

These partnerships can be incredibly valuable when they’re managed with clarity, professionalism, and alignment.

Here are three essential things to know when working with paid creators:

1. Establish open dialogue with agents from the start

Most top-tier creators now work with agent representatives, and those agents are instrumental in shaping every aspect of a collaboration. From the first outreach, it’s important to build a sense of partnership, not negotiation.

We always begin by sharing the client’s vision — the story we want to tell, the type of content we’re hoping to capture, and the kind of audience we want to reach. The agent then helps determine whether their creator is the right fit or might even present other talent in their roster who might align more closely.

Once everyone’s aligned on the right match, the conversation naturally moves toward scope, budget, and deliverables.

This is where transparency and trust matter most. By inviting the agent into the creative process early — rather than treating them as a gatekeeper — we create a shared sense of purpose. Everyone’s working toward the same goal: high-quality, authentic content that benefits both the brand and the creator.

2. Define the budget, deliverables, and usage rights clearly

Paid collaborations require thoughtful planning and clear boundaries — financially and creatively.

Every campaign should start with a detailed scope and contract that outlines exactly what’s being exchanged:

• Number and type of deliverables (Reels, Stories, still images, video snippets, blog posts, etc.)

• Posting timeline and review process

• Visual direction and key messaging

• Licensing rights and duration

• Any exclusivity clauses or blackout periods

That agreement often also includes:

• Hosted accommodations (typically two or three nights)

• Dining experiences or credits for on-site restaurants

• Budget for production support (photographer, lighting, stylist, or assistant)

• Model fees, if necessary

• Clearly defined usage terms for brand-owned and paid advertising

One key consideration: if the brand plans to use any of the creator’s imagery for advertising, especially those that include the creator’s likeness, that will likely incur an additional licensing fee. It’s important to discuss that upfront rather than after the fact.

The best collaborations are grounded in fairness — creators are compensated appropriately, and clients know exactly what they’re receiving and for how long they can use it.

3. Measure what matters — with precision and perspective

One of the first questions clients ask is: “What will this do for us?”

And it’s a fair question. Beyond likes and impressions, brands deserve to understand how a paid creator campaign performs in measurable, tangible ways.

We always recommend building custom tracking links that tie directly to each creator’s content. This allows clients to trace not just awareness, but actual engagement — click-throughs, site visits, and conversions.

Yes, the standard metrics still matter (reach, engagement rate, saves, shares, sentiment). But true ROI lies in what happens after someone interacts with that content. Do they visit the website, make a reservation, or book a stay?

Every campaign should be designed with those KPIs in mind from the start. Tracking infrastructure, creative strategy, and storytelling should all work in sync.

A note on authenticity and alignment

Even in paid partnerships, authenticity is non-negotiable. The best creator collaborations feel natural, as though the creator is introducing their audience to something they genuinely love.

That’s why alignment matters as much as reach. It’s not about who has the most followers; it’s about who has the right voice, the right tone, and the right connection to their audience.

When we match the right creator to the right brand — and structure the collaboration transparently — paid content can feel authentic.

Key Takeaways

• Paid creator campaigns require collaboration with agents, clear scope, and open communication.

• Define all deliverables, costs, and licensing terms in writing — clarity prevents confusion.

• Consider additional fees for ad usage of a creator’s likeness.

• Use custom tracking links to measure meaningful engagement, not just vanity metrics.

• Authenticity and alignment are what make paid partnerships truly effective.