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Travel Portland Seeks Video Creators

Read on to learn more about our short-form video project.

⚠️ Editor’s note: The 2024 application window is now closed — please check back for future calls for creators and opportunities for collaboration.

Travel Portland works with local freelance video creators to produce intriguing and entertaining short-form content for our TikTok and Instagram accounts. We collaborate with creators who have meaningful connections in the myriad communities that make up our city. We want to learn from and support creators who know and care about what’s going on in our vibrant neighborhoods and who want to share the stories of the people and businesses that make Portland a culturally rich destination.

Our Vision and Values

In keeping with our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, Travel Portland’s content vision helps visitors go beyond recreation and into reflection. Through our content, travelers better understand the city’s complex and diverse histories, politics, movements and cultures, while enjoying and supporting its vibrant and resilient communities.

The Travel Portland Content Team endeavors to continue learning and remain accountable to our values. Our content represents a diversity of stories, perspectives and voices. We seek collaboration from our creators and strive to cultivate a genuinely welcoming atmosphere in Portland. It’s our responsibility to create equitable opportunities within our community as we carry out our mission of generating travel demand through content.

Creator Responsibilities

  • Producing 12 short-form videos – four videos per month
    • Each video will be 30–60 seconds in length
  • Pitching new content ideas or accepting assignments that further Travel Portland’s content objectives, via monthly virtual meetings.
    • Topics will map to one or more of Travel Portland’s main content pillars:
      • Adventure/Outdoors 
      • Culture 
      • Shopping 
      • Food & Drink 
  • Submitting completed assignments in the specified format and on deadline.
  • Liaising with staff to ensure that your content attracts maximum viewer engagement.
  • Following production and submission guidelines outlined below.
    • Video production:
      • Video content will be edited by you. Each video should include voiceover and music and be ready to upload before submission. Any music must be licensed for commercial use.
      • Please be aware you cannot build this content in TikTok; it must be edited in an external application like CapCut or Premiere Pro.
    • Submission and review:
      • All videos for each month must be delivered by the 20th day of the month.
      • A Google Drive folder will be provided for video delivery.
      • For each video, provide an accompanying “social copy” document with proposed post copy, all relevant TikTok and IG tags.
      • Alert us via Asana when videos are uploaded for review. Email us when all videos are uploaded.
      • Each video will be subject to a single round of revisions in response to Travel Portland’s feedback.
    • Posting, sharing and ownership:
      • All submitted video content will be owned by Travel Portland and shared organically only through our channels.
      • Travel Portland will give creator credit by tagging on both TikTok and IG and we encourage you to share the video via the share function on your personal TikTok. We will post collaboratively on Instagram if appropriate. 

Candidate Must-Haves 

  • Examples of completed works.
  • Familiarity with social media video editing software like CapCut or Premiere Rush.
  • Knowledge of Portland’s diverse communities and history within the context of social issues and equity gaps.
  • Videography skills.
  • Active, engaging social media presence on TikTok and/or Instagram.
  • Experience creating content that features travel, food, events, music and/or culture.
  • A finger on the pulse of what is new and exciting in Portland.

Compensation

  • $2,000 for four (4) videos (30-60 seconds in length) per month, for a three-month total of $6,000.
  • A three-month contract, which may be extended upon mutual agreement.
  • Expenses will be covered, up to $250 per month. You must provide images of all available receipts and itemize your monthly expense total in a separate line on your invoice.
    • Examples of reimbursable expenses include:
      • Food and beverage purchased while producing a video that features restaurants, food carts and/or bars.
      • Gratuity for food and beverage purchases, up to 25%.
      • Admission to an event or attraction featured in a video.
    • Expenses that are not reimbursable include:
      • Mileage and transportation costs.
      • Durable goods.
      • Anything not directly related to production of a Travel Portland video.
  • Support and collaboration, including:
    • Editorial guidance and input.
    • Quarterly networking opportunities with other creators.
    • Promotion of published videos via social media and/or advertisement.
    • Acknowledgment and celebration of the creator’s accomplishments.

Application Process and Schedule

⚠️ 2024 Application Closed: The below list reflects the flow of our general process and will be updated, including new dates, when our next round of applications opens. Keep an eye on this page for updates.

  • Application announcement
  • Application reviews begin
  • Application period closes
  • Interviews for finalists on a rolling basis
  • Offers and contracts for work
  1. Every application will be reviewed by our content team.
  2. Finalists will be emailed for a 15-minute interview via phone or Zoom.
  3. Application reviews begin.
  4. Offers and contracts are sent .

Content Examples

Please check out our TikTok channel to see recent examples of the types of content we’d like our new creators to help us produce more of.

FAQ

Are you accepting applications from creators outside of Portland?

For this program, we are seeking creators who live in Portland neighborhoods or the Portland region. However, we do work with creators and influencers visiting Portland. For more information about that program and how to apply, please visit this page.

Are creators considered independent contractors, and if so, would all content belong to Travel Portland as work for hire?

All creators are considered independent contractors, and Travel Portland will own the content created under contract.

Will my expenses be covered?

Yes, up to $250 per month (details above, under Compensation).

Who is the Travel Portland target audience? 

Creators should aim to reach a general audience interested in traveling to Portland. They can be old, young, have families, be married or single just as long as they’re interested in experiencing the City of Roses.

Can we submit multiple pitches (i.e., music-related and dining) or is each hired creator expected to stick to a specific topic?

Multiple pitches covering a variety of topics are welcome. Creators are expected to cover topics they are passionate about and interested in. We will never pigeonhole our creators or expect them to stick to only one subject or “beat.”

What day and time are monthly pitch meetings held?

Our monthly pitch meetings will be held at a time that is convenient for all contracted creators. If you miss a meeting or can’t attend, you can connect with your primary contact, Melissa Mattson, and coordinate assignments through email, phone call, or virtual meeting.

More About Travel Portland

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Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

At Travel Portland, we hold ourselves accountable for making equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) more than just words. Learn about our commitment, strategic priorities, values and more.

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Content Equity at Travel Portland

Travel Portland’s content brings our organizational vision to life by centering equity, diversity and inclusion.

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Travel Portland Editorial Practices

Learn how Travel Portland determines the content of our articles and other editorial pieces, how your business can be represented on this site, and how Travel Portland works to drive traffic to local business websites.