Marketplace Tech Connects Creators & Hospitality

Aris Yeager, the creator behind 'The European Kid' persona, witnessed classmates living lavish lifestyles while growing up in Brussels. He channeled those observations into a French-accented character amassing 3.5M+ fans across TikTok and Instagram. The character has generated over 3 billion views. Yeager's initial concept for Storytime stemmed from his own need for a simpler way to connect with local businesses for collaborations. He wanted to easily discover opportunities for content creation in exchange for products, like a free acai bowl. The Storytime app officially launched in April. Storytime focuses on connecting local businesses with nano and micro-influencers. These influencers typically have between 5,000 and 15,000 followers with a strong local audience. Storytime automates the influencer marketing workflow, including matching, voucher activation, and ROI reporting. Businesses pay a monthly subscription fee to access Storytime's vetted influencer network and campaign management tools. Unlike traditional agencies, Storytime doesn't require long-term contracts or per-campaign fees. Storytime's business model projects $3 million in revenue. Influencer marketing in the hospitality industry can boost brand awareness through visual storytelling. Hotels and restaurants collaborate with influencers to showcase unique offerings and experiences. Influencers create content, like reviews, which builds trust with potential customers. These collaborations often involve a barter system, where influencers receive free stays, dining experiences, or amenities in exchange for content. This allows businesses to generate authentic content and reach a wider audience. Micro-influencers are perceived as more relatable, leading to higher engagement rates. Hospitality businesses can track the success of influencer campaigns by monitoring engagement rates, website traffic, and booking conversions. A successful influencer program can increase brand awareness, drive inquiries, and improve occupancy rates. Influencer marketing allows businesses to connect with audiences in ways that traditional advertising cannot. Alternatives to Storytime include Barter, an UGC and influencer marketing platform where brands exchange products for content. Barter boasts 12,000+ content creators with a total reach of over 250 million. Other platforms include Palate App, and Velvet Passport.