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Matt Schueller's Tips for Going from "I'm Interested" to "I'm In"
When it comes to filling trips, Creator and Trova Host Matthew Schueller has cracked the code.
Spoiler alert: it’s not about having millions of followers or viral videos. It’s about connection.
In his webinar, Followers to Fliers, Matthew shared his five-step method for transforming online community members into booked Travelers. Whether you’re just launching your first trip or looking to strengthen your hosting strategy, his insights prove that authenticity and care are what truly drive bookings.
Why Community Wins Every Time
According to Matt, Travelers don’t just book trips, they buy into belonging.
“People aren’t just booking for the itinerary,” he explained. “They’re booking because they want to feel welcome, represented, and understood.”
From his own experience hosting LGBTQ+ group trips, Matthew’s seen firsthand that connection beats perfection. Gorgeous photos might catch attention, but a sense of safety, acceptance, and friendship is what fills trips and keeps Travelers coming back.
The proof? Matthew’s Travelers have a 25% return rate, with most trips selling out between 16–26 Travelers.
As Matthew puts it: “When people sign up for something alone, they’re looking to meet others and make new friends. That’s the heart of group travel.”
The 5-Step Method: Who, Why, Warm, Win, Keep
To help Hosts replicate his success, Matthew broke down his five-step method for converting followers to Travelers.
1. Who – Know Your Audience
Before you can sell a trip, you need to know who it’s for. Matthew identifies his Travelers as LGBTQ+ members in their 20s to 50s with a moderate budget and a love for community-driven experiences.
He recommends using your TrovaTrip survey to understand your audience’s travel style, budget, and dream destinations. Then, reflect that in the trip you plan and the content you share so they can see themselves on your trips.
2. Why – Share Your Story
Your “why” is the engine behind your trip.
For Matt, it's to create safe, affirming spaces for people to connect beyond screens. He encourages fellow Hosts to talk openly about why they lead trips.
“People book when they know your heart is in it,” he said. “Your ‘why’ makes your trip unique.”
3. Warm – Build Real Relationships
Engagement doesn’t stop at likes. Matt uses Instagram DMs strategically, searching keywords like “Greece” or “Thailand” to reconnect with potential Travelers and follow up meaningfully.
He saves common responses to a page titled 'FAQ' in his Notes app, ensuring every message stays consistent, welcoming, and kind.
They key to building relationships before you even meet? “Show people that you care. Keep the conversation going, even if it takes 11 months—some of my Travelers booked after a year of chatting!”
👉 Request a free 1:1 coaching call with Matthew here!
4. Win – Follow Up With Intention
In the age of social media, we’ve grown accustomed to instant gratification—likes, comments, and replies that happen in seconds. But leading a trip with your community is a different kind of journey. It takes patience, persistence, and genuine connection. It's important to remember that a booking rarely happens after one message.
On average, Matthew says it takes nine touchpoints before someone says “I’m in.”
He labels DMs as lead or booked to stay organized and sends personalized voice notes to make conversations feel human and genuine.
“Stop when they say no,” he added, “but never be afraid to follow up again later. Timing is everything.”
5. Keep – Create Belonging Before Takeoff
The connection doesn’t stop after someone books, it deepens.
Once a trip Confirms, Matthew starts WhatsApp group chats and monthly Zoom calls, helping Travelers connect long before they meet in person.
From sharing playlists to introducing Travelers with icebreaker questions, these small touches reduce cancellations, calm pre-trip nerves, and spark real friendships.
“When belonging becomes visible, people stay excited—and they book again.”
Lessons from Matt’s Journey
Matthew didn’t start out with all the answers. He refined his approach over time, experimenting with what worked best for him and his audience.
The result? A hosting strategy grounded in empathy, organization, and community.
Here are a few of Matt's quick tips for aspiring Hosts:
- Promote your trips twice a week to keep them top of mind.
- Use multiple platforms. What doesn’t perform on Instagram might thrive on Facebook or TikTok.
- Stay authentic. Your personal story is what sets your trips apart.
- Don’t give up. Even if your first trip doesn’t fill, you’ll learn what to adjust next time.
The Takeaway
If there’s one message Matthew wants Hosts to remember, it’s this:
“You don’t need a huge following, you just need to care.”
By focusing on human connection, consistency, and clarity, any creator can transform followers into Travelers, and Travelers into lifelong community members.
👉 Request a free 1:1 coaching call with Matthew here!
Ready to take your community from followers to fliers?
Explore how you can start hosting with TrovaTrip and bring your audience together on the trip of a lifetime. Learn more about hosting with TrovaTrip.
About Matthew Schueller
Matthew Schueller is a seasoned Trova Host who has led five trips and already has five more (and counting!) planned through 2025 and beyond. To date, he has led 139 Travelers, with nearly 25% joining him on multiple adventures. With over 30 five-star reviews, Matt’s reputation as a trip Host speaks for itself.
Matthew is a full-time travel creator, photographer, and community builder who has inspired over a million people across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and his blog. In 2024, he began hosting trips with Trova and founded SideQuests Travel, an LGBTQ+ group travel initiative that curates small-group experiences centered on connection and community.
Named GayTravel’s Top Content Creator of 2022 and featured in outlets like HuffPost, Out Traveler, and DRIFT Travel Magazine, Matthew blends his background in healthcare and media with his passion for storytelling to create experiences and content that celebrate self-acceptance, belonging, and love above all.