Connecting Influencers With Local Brands

We hear from Mike Tewel, Miami Travel Massive leader and founder of AXCESS which is on a mission to connect micro-influencers with local businesses.

Mike is the publisher of ARTRPRNR, a media company for creative lifestyle entrepreneurs, and founder of AXCESS — a community platform for content creators supporting local businesses around the world.

Why did you create AXCESS?

Two years ago, a story went viral about a young woman named Elle Darby, a YouTube content creator who requested a complimentary hotel stay from a hotel in Ireland.

The hotel not only declined her request, but they also went as far as humiliating her on their social media in a long, nasty rant.

The story went viral.

It made me realize that there is a major problem in the industry – why should a content creator need to deal with all these hoops when there are many businesses that would be happy to work with her?

How will AXCESS impact the travel industry?

Social Media is where most millenials get inspired to travel (87% are looking at Facebook for travel inspiration, according to Internet Marketing Inc).

More and more brands in our industry are starting to recognize the benefits of influencer marketing.

While influencer marketing is still at its infancy, we will make it more simple, affordable, manageable, and measurable for the travel industry.

How is AXCESS different than other influencer marketing platforms?

First off, we are more like a barter network that caters to a lifestyle — no fees, just complimentary experiences.

AXCESS solves the challenges and reduces the cost of influencer marketing for local experience-based businesses.

We are the only platform that is not focused on products and only focuses on experience-based businesses such as hotels, restaurants, salons and fitness clubs, not products.

Influencers choose you because they want to enjoy your experience and not because they want to get paid. This raises the level of authenticity.

We focus more on micro-influencers with higher engagement.

What is the biggest misconception about influencer marketing?

The biggest misconception is that influencers with more followers will generate more business. It has been proven that micro-influencers have a much stronger and more authentic relationship with their followers and lead to higher sales conversions.

What is your big picture vision for AXCESS?

I am envisioning a global network of content creators, traveling the world and enjoying the AXCESS lifestyle while giving local businesses around the globe an easy and affordable way to market themselves.

— Thanks, Mike for your insights!

Follow Mike Tewel on Travel Massive and connect with him on Instagram.