A Fulfilling Journey
The team at Warmshowers was buzzing with energy and new ideas, all centered around strengthening their incredible community of bicycle travelers and hosts!
It was fascinating to observe what went on behind the scenes of this international non-profit and how they were looking to better connect and support their users (they referred to them as users, not members, to manage liability).
I began working with Warmshowers when they decided they needed to amplify the voices and experiences within the Warmshowers network, particularly through video content.
As Tahverlee Anglen, Warmshower’s Executive Director shared, Warmshowers had done a fantastic job of keeping their work very separate from other ventures, allowing the organization to focus on its core mission of fostering a global community based on caring and shared values.
One of the key areas of focus was the Warmshowers YouTube channel.
For a while, it had primarily featured podcast interviews. However, the team recognized the immense potential to showcase the vibrant experiences of their users through video.
Their goal wasn’t necessarily to become a massive, searchable channel, but rather to support their existing community by sharing more of the great content that already existed and creating new opportunities for connection.
It was envisioned that the Warmshowers YouTube channel could be brimming with:
- User-generated content: Ideas included virtual tours of amazing cycling routes, behind-the-scenes glimpses of tour preparations, or simply cyclists sharing their personal journeys and what cycling meant to them. During our initial consultations, I mentioned that many cyclists already documented their journeys with videos, and therefore sharing these videos on the official Warmshowers channel could be as simple as providing a URL link. This would give more exposure to the creators’ own channels while enriching the Warmshowers content.
- Stories from cyclists and hosts: There was a desire to hear more about how people got into cycling, where their adventures had taken them, and the impact it had on their lives. The result? We shared existing user-created videos and custom produced virtual interviews featuring cyclists and hosts users simply sharing their stories.
- Spotlighting Community Users: While cyclist content was abundant, highlighting the experiences of hosts was also a priority. In addition to virtual interviews of hosts, we also discussed the concept of eventually including videos where cyclists interviewed their hosts, showcasing the hospitality and unique aspects of staying with Warmshowers hosts around the world. An idea that may be actively pursued in the future.
The Warmshowers team was also enthusiastic about their Global Ambassador program.
These ambassadors represented the spirit of Warmshowers, and there were plans to feature them in interviews on the YouTube channel.
Interestingly, Warmshowers is also considering how to make their content more accessible to a global audience.
With users around the world, the possibility of incorporating Spanish language content, whether through subtitles or even dubbed versions, is being explored.
This move towards richer video content is a testament to Warmshowers’ commitment to their community.
By leveraging the existing passion and content creation of their users, and by introducing initiatives like the Global Ambassador interviews, Warmshowers is embarking on an exciting new chapter of connection and storytelling.
It’s anticipated that the Warmshowers YouTube channel will offer valuable and engaging content for their user base.
And if you are a Warmshowers user with video content to share, there will likely be opportunities to get involved.
