👋 Hey !

I’m excited to announce we’ve officially launched the Talewind Beta!

We’ve invited a small group of creators from the waitlist to start, so we can gather feedback and rapidly improve. New features are rolling out daily based on what we’re learning.

If you haven’t received an invite yet, hang tight — it’s on the way. Can’t wait? Email me and we’ll bump you into the next batch.

Our mission to help creators sell travel is becoming more urgent every day. We’ve seen some big developments with major OTAs recently, and not all of them creator-friendly. See the News section for more details.

AI is driving such rapid change, it’s difficult to keep up. But that’s why we’re here, using state-of-the-art technology to ensure AI becomes a tool for creators, not a threat.

We can’t wait to see your new Talewind profiles soon!

Matt Stevens

Talewind Co-Founder & CEO

In today’s newsletter

1. Featured Creator: A new section, featuring Talewind creator profiles

2. Product Updates: How to edit your Talewind profile

3. How to Sell Travel: Commissions & payouts

4. In the News: Top stories for travel creators

5. Events: What’s on your calendar?

6. Fun Stuff: This week’s quote, and your trivia answer

🤔 Trivia Question

What is the southernmost capital city in the world?

_{(read on to find out…)}

Commissions & Payouts

So how do you actually get paid for bookings?

Each type of product, and each different supplier, will generate a different level of commission.

Today, when you sell experiences on Talewind, you’ll earn commission on any experience booked, with a 30-day cookie window.

This means if someone clicks a link on your profile to view an experience on Viator’s website and they come back to Viator within 30 days and complete a purchase, you will be credited for that sale.

You will be credited for the sale whether the person books the experience you recommended or chooses to book a different one.

Commissions are actually paid after the experience has taken place.

For example, if you receive a booking today for an experience that will take place in June, you would receive the commission for that booking in the beginning of July.

What kind of travel products are you most excited to sell?  Let us know, and we’ll add them to the platform!

Want to learn more?

AI transforms video creation

The Story:

You may have heard about Google’s newest video production suite, but did you also know about the first YouTube video edited using a brain-computer interface? (aka, mind control?!)

The Details:

• Google steps up AI filmmaking today: Google just released Flow, powered by Veo 3, which offers content creators a cinematic AI filmmaking tool that simplifies video production through natural language prompts, asset reuse, and advanced scene-building features.

• While Neuralink gives us a glimpse into the future: Neuralink enabled a nonverbal content creator with ALS to script, edit, and publish a YouTube video using only brain signals (i.e. his own thoughts), demonstrating how brain-computer interfaces can revolutionize accessibility and creative expression.

Why It Matters:

Video production is becoming easier and more automated already, making it accessible to more creators, and allowing skilled creators to up their game. What’s really crazy though is the idea that in the future, we could all be able to create videos entirely with our thoughts. It’s not science fiction, it’s real today!

Learn more about Google Flow, or read the full Neuralink article on Tubefilter

Major online travel agencies make a big splash

The Story:

It’s been a busy news cycle for the major OTAs. Expedia and Booking.com are under scrutiny for announcements impacting creators, while Airbnb re-launched their Experiences vertical to much fanfare.

The Details:

• Expedia has launched an AI-powered Trip Matching tool that lets users turn Instagram Reels into personalized travel itineraries. They’re using similar technology to Talewind, with one major difference. It appears they won’t be paying creators if their content drives bookings!

• Booking.com abruptly ended many direct affiliate partnerships with content creators via email, signalling a strategic shift toward managing partnerships through third-party platform Awin. However, it’s unclear whether all affected creators will be able to re-join the affiliate program.

• Airbnb is shaking things up by introducing a range of new services like catering, massages, and personal training. This move comes as part of a $250 million investment into new business lines.

Why It Matters:

If nothing else, the moves by Expedia and Booking.com signal a shakeup in how affiliate programs will work in the age of AI. Developments like this only reinforce our mission to build a booking platform that truly benefits creators, especially in a time of change and uncertainty.

Read the full articles about Expedia, Booking.com, and Airbnb

YouTube is absolutely killing it

The Story:

Not only is YouTube the most watched content distributor in the U.S., they also snagged some exclusive NFL rights.

The Details:

• YouTube announced it has been the most-watched content distributor in the U.S. across all TV and streaming platforms since February, emphasizing its dominance in the streaming space.

• They also secured exclusive rights to broadcast an NFL game in Brazil, featuring the Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs. This move aims to attract football fans and enhance its international sports offerings.

Why It Matters:

YouTube is transforming itself from online UGC platform to serious contender (leader?) for the top viewing platform of any kind in the U.S. It is also the next platform we’ll be integrating into Talewind, so for those of you with YouTube channels, look out for that coming soon!

Read the full article on Tubefilter

*I’ll be there! Send me an email at [email protected] if you want to meet up.

Missing an event? Let us know and we’ll add it to the list.

📣 Quote of the Week

🙋‍♂️ Trivia Answer

What is the southernmost capital city in the world??

Wellington, New Zealand!

At 41.29° S, Wellington is the southernmost capital city in the work, followed closely by Canberra, Australia (35.28° S) and Montevideo, Uruguay (34.90° S) in second and third place.