VisitErie Local Creator Program

VisitErie is excited to launch its first ever Local Creator Program, an initiative that allows VisitErie to collaborate with talented local creators to showcase the best of Erie County, PA to visitors through the lens of a local.

Living in Erie is truly living the good life. Combine Erie’s scenic outdoor spaces with its cool, small-city charm, and you have a region overflowing with things to explore. From its unique shops to cultural happenings, mouth-watering dining, and scenic trails, Erie is truly a one-of-a-kind place where visitors escape the day-to-day.

Selected creators will work closely with the VisitErie marketing team to produce engaging, high-quality content that showcases the experiences, events, and unique attractions available in Erie.

Program Details

• Number of Creators: A maximum of four content creators will be selected to create a minimum of one Reel, TikTok, or blog, based on area of expertise and audience type. Content could be itinerary-based, or otherwise.
• Compensation: Each creator will receive $250 per video or blog produced after the assigned piece of content is published. Additionally, all approved costs incurred related to the production of program content will be reimbursed by VisitErie (to include, but not limited to, admission fees, meals, and travel costs).
• Duration: The program will run for the duration of 2026, with the first video scheduled for publication in February 2026.
• Commitment: Creators are expected to produce a minimum of one piece of content in 2026, with opportunities for more based on results and availability.
• All video-based content will be produced on creators’ channel(s), in collaboration with VisitErie’s channel(s). Blogs will be produced on VisitErie.com with proper credit given and linked to the creator.

Content Focus Areas

Selected creators will focus on producing videos that highlight various areas of focus in alignment with VisitErie’s content calendar. Topics could include (but are not limited to):

• Local events and seasonal festivals
• Outdoor recreation: Local and Regional (hiking, fall foliage, nature walks, etc.)
• Erie County’s food scene (restaurants, breweries, wineries, etc.)
• Historical and cultural attractions
• Family-friendly activities and recreational opportunities

Each video should authentically capture the vibe and appeal of Erie, connecting primarily with visitors. Topic, specific activities, and desired audience, will be discussed with creators collaboratively. Businesses featured are required to be official VisitErie partners.

Key Dates

• Application Deadline: January 30
• Selection Period: January 19-30
• Kick off meeting (Zoom or in-person): February 11
• First Content Due: February 2026 (specific deadlines will be provided during the kickoff meeting)

Eligibility

Selected creators should:

• Be based in Erie County, Pennsylvania.
• Have proven experience in producing quality content that reaches intended audiences.
• Love Erie! This program is intended to showcase Erie County to potential visitors through the eyes of a local. Creators must be able to showcase experiences in a way that is authentic, interesting, and clearly shows a sincere appreciation for the region.
• Be comfortable working within brand guidelines and delivering professional-quality content within prescribed deadlines.

Selection Process

Creators will be evaluated based on:

• Creativity, originality, and relevance of past work.
• Platform audience and reach (for video content creators) or writing skills and subject matter expertise (for written content creators).
• Technical skills and quality of previous.
• Relevance to VisitErie’s tourism and brand goals.
• The ability to tell a story, connect with diverse audiences, and highlight Erie in engaging ways.
• Willingness to capture activities and content based on assigned content areas.

Partnership Guidelines

• All videos will be featured across VisitErie’s digital platforms, including social media, website, email campaigns, and more.
• Content should align with provided brand guidelines. 
• All creators will be considered hired independent contractors. VisitErie will own all content created under this program.

Creator Responsibilities

• Meet with VisitErie marketing staff at planned times to review upcoming themes, and to propose fresh content ideas. Discuss assigned topics that align with content goals.
• For each video assignment, develop one short-form video (30-60 seconds long) that can be published on the assigned platform.
• For each blog assignment, develop one blog (between 250-750 words) to be published on VisitErie.com in an approved format.
• Share draft content with VisitErie for review before publishing. All assigned video and blog projects are subject to review and approval by VisitErie staff. Edits will be discussed collaboratively, so that the produced content feels authentic to the creator and adheres to the VisitErie brand.
• Video comment moderation: VisitErie and the creator should both monitor comments once the content is live. VisitErie will respond where appropriate. If any comments contain information that is deemed harmful, false or misleading, VisitErie reserves the right to remove the comment.

Adhering to Production and Submission Standards

Video Production:

• Edit all video content independently, including voiceover and music, ensuring each piece is fully prepared for upload. All music used must have commercial licensing.
• Note that video editing must occur in an external application (e.g., CapCut, Edits, or Premiere Pro) rather than in Instagram or TikTok.

Submission and Review Process

• Submit monthly videos by the agreed date each month.
• A shared Google Drive folder will be provided for file delivery.
• Accompany each video with a “social copy” document containing proposed captions and relevant tags for TikTok and Instagram.
• Please notify staff via email content has been uploaded.
• Content may be subject to a round of revisions based on VisitErie’s feedback.

Posting, Sharing, and Ownership

All videos will be owned by VisitErie, and distributed solely through its channels, with an invitation to collaborate on posts. If collaboration is not available on TikTok, VisitErie will credit by tagging the creator.

To Apply:

Send an email to mmorgan@visiterie.com by January 30 that includes:

• A little bit about yourself and your journey in content creation or as a writer.
• Tell us about your hobbies. What do you like to do in your free time? What are your favorite things to do in Erie?
• Why you want to be part of VisitErie’s Local Creator Program, and what type of content you’d be interested in creating (blogs or video, and if there is a specific style or type of content/topic that you’re interested in producing).
• Attach a Media Kit if you have one (or send information about your social media channels, including audience, followers count, audience location and most prominent age range).

If you have questions regarding the Creator Program, please reach out to Mary Morgan, Marketing Manager, at mmorgan@visiterie.com.