How Putnam County Tourism
Transformed Destination Storytelling
& Simplified Creator Collaborations
The Challenge: A Small Team with Big Ambitions
Like many small destination marketing organizations (DMOs), Putnam County Tourism understood the power of working with content creators—but lacked the time and resources to effectively implement these partnerships.
"It was overwhelming," explained Kelli Steele, Director at Putnam County Tourism. "I knew content creator visits would be great for us, but I had no idea where to start."
Their previous experience with influencer campaigns came from state-led initiatives managed by outside agencies, often resulting in chaos, inflated costs, and minimal returns. "You're spending a ton of money for just two social posts? And then you don't even have any reusable assets," Kelli shared. "Every story I heard was a nightmare."
The Solution: From Overwhelmed to Empowered
The situation changed dramatically once Kelli discovered Shrpa. What previously seemed daunting quickly became manageable, efficient, and enjoyable.
"Shrpa has made it so easy. Finding the right creators, communicating with them, and coordinating—it's all just effortless now."
With support from Chloe, the content coordinator, Putnam County Tourism developed a seamless selection process:
Streamlined Creator Selection – Chloe first reviews creator applications and identifies top candidates, after which Kelli makes the final decision. "It's a huge time-saver," said Kelli. "We no longer have to sift through dozens of applications on our own."
Efficient Communication – The platform provides a centralized hub for all creator communications, making it easy to coordinate visits and manage expectations.
Simplified Coordination – From initial contact to final deliverables, Shrpa's structured approach ensures nothing falls through the cracks.
The Result: Increasing Interest, Quality Content, and Visibility
Since their first creator visit, the results have consistently improved:
Expanded Creator Pool – "Our creator pool gets larger and more diverse with every new opportunity," Kelli said. "It's exciting to see how much attention our small destination is now receiving."
High-Quality Content – The impact has been immediate, delivering more creators, better content, and heightened visibility.
Strategic Planning – With future visits already scheduled around flagship attractions such as mountain biking trails and local festivals, Putnam County Tourism is set to capture and showcase authentic community experiences.
Looking Ahead: Tangible Results and a Platform Worth Sharing
Kelli noticed clear distinctions between using Shrpa and their past experiences:
"The whole process is streamlined and intuitive. Now that we've used it, it's even simpler than I anticipated. I'm extremely happy with the service. It makes my life significantly easier."
Regarding ROI, Kelli noted, "After these upcoming visits, I plan to recommend Shrpa to colleagues throughout the state. It's a platform I wholeheartedly endorse."
🌟 Results at a Glance
- 30+ creator applicants for one event (Tulip Festival)
- Significant time savings through efficient creator selection
- High satisfaction levels among internal teams and local partners
- Increased quality and quantity of content aligning with destination goals
- Intuitive platform managed easily by a small team of three
📣 Ready to Share Your Local Story?
If Putnam County Tourism can achieve success with a lean team, you can too. Shrpa simplifies the process of connecting with ideal content creators, generating impactful content, and showcasing your community to the world.