The exact habits and pitching frameworks that took me from corporate finance to landing paid brand deals and traveling full-time.
Hey, I’m Ella. Three years ago, I was working in government finance in London. I was good at the numbers, but I hated the desk life. I started creating content on the side with one goal: to work remotely and travel freely on my own terms.
Here are the 10 non-negotiable habits that make brands take you seriously and pay your actual rates.
Fast forward to today: I’m traveling Asia (I’ve already been to USA, Fiji, Japan, Korea & Bali this year), work with dream travel and lifestyle brands, and create content full-time. Landing consistent paid deals isn't about having 100k followers or expensive equipment. It comes down to strategy, positioning, daily habits and actually WANTING IT✈️🏝️
1. The 60-Second Feed Audit
Before you pitch any brand, spend 60 seconds auditing their feed. Look for what is actually missing—whether that is a talking-head review, a problem-solution angle, or clean aesthetic b-roll. Pitch that exact missing piece instead of a generic "I love your brand."
2. The Paid Hook Add-On
While your lighting and camera are already set up, film two extra hook variations. Never give them away for free. When you deliver the final video, offer those two extra hooks as a paid add-on so the brand can split-test what converts best.
3. The Retainer Follow-Up
Two weeks after a campaign wraps, reach out and ask for the performance numbers. Use their own data as a case study to pitch them a monthly retainer.
4. Pitch Concepts, Not Hands
Never pitch yourself as just an extra set of hands to hold a product. Pitch a specific concept with the hook, angle, and audience intent already mapped out. Brands pay for creative strategy, not just filming.
5. The Always-On B-Roll Vault
Keep an organized b-roll album on your phone. Every time you are at a cafe, hotel, pool, or scenic spot, shoot 10 seconds of clean aesthetic footage. When an app or travel brand books you, half your video is already in your camera roll.
6. The Mini Visual Mood Board
Build a quick visual mood board using Pinterest images and aesthetic video stills. Brands do not just buy scripts; they buy the vibe. Showing the lighting, color palette, and framing beforehand makes saying yes an absolute no-brainer.
7. The 2-Take Tone Rule
Film every spoken line twice in different tones and energies. Having both options in your editor means you can test what flows best rather than realizing in post-production that a delivery felt flat.