Many local guides already know how to create great tours on digital audio guide platforms like SmartGuide; however, they often get stuck at one key question: how do I actually sell this? Creating the guide is only the first step—turning it into income is where most content authors hesitate. This step-by-step manual is designed for small tourism creators, inbound operators, and independent guides who are just starting, especially those without a website, a big budget, or a technical background.
Let's deep dive into how you can start offering and selling your guides, set up a basic payment flow, and grow your business with simple tools and the channels you already have.
Turning your guide into a sellable product
Below are the basic steps to help you move from crafting a guide to selling it. These are practical actions that don’t require complex systems or technical setup.
Start by signing up for the SmartGuide Content Management System (CMS) for free. Once you’re inside, focus on building your tour content by adding points of interest and planning your routes in a clear structure. Write simple, descriptive texts for each location and support them with photos or videos to make the content more informative. You can also add translations to make your tour available in multiple languages.
The platform automatically creates audio from your written descriptions using text-to-speech. If you prefer a more personal approach, you can record your own narration or hire voice recordings and upload them directly to the CMS. As a cost-friendly option, AI-based text-to-speech is also available, with improved pronunciation for local names and terms.
Before publishing, test everything on your phone—ideally on-site—to make sure all elements like narration and triggers work correctly. After testing, make any final adjustments.
If you prefer not to handle the setup yourself, the SmartGuide team can also manage the full guide creation process for you as a complete service.
Creating a guide on SmartGuide's CMS
Once the tour is ready, the next step is to make it available for purchase. If you are not using SmartGuide Prime, your content will remain private by default and will not appear publicly in the SmartGuide app. This means only people who receive access from you will be able to use it.
There are several options where you can offer tours, depending on how you already connect with your audience and partners.
1. Social media channels
Use platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, where you may already have an audience. You can share your tour links in your bio, promote them through direct messages, or use available shop features to handle sales directly.
2. Travel and booking platforms
Platforms such as Viator and TripAdvisor help you reach travelers who are actively looking for activities. These channels are especially useful for increasing visibility and attracting inbound tourists.
3. Simple online store
You can also set up a basic online store using tools like Shopify. This option is helpful if you want a more structured checkout process and automated payment handling.
4. On-ground partnerships
Local partnerships can be very effective. Hotels, hostels, tourist centers, and other nearby businesses can help promote your tours by displaying your QR code or printed materials directly to visitors.
Here are a few simple ways you can structure and sell your tours based on different customer needs and travel setups.
1. Standalone digital product
Sell your audio tour as an independent product. Visitors purchase access to the guide on their own and use it during their visit.
2. Bundle with other services
Combine your tour with other travel services such as transport (bus or boat rides) or attraction tickets.
Example: A boat tour that already includes the audio guide as part of the experience.
3. Add-on experience
Offer your guide as an optional upgrade to an existing service. This works well for agencies and inbound operators who want to enhance their current tour packages without changing their main offering.
To start selling your tours, you only need two basic things: a way to receive payments and a way to share access with your customers.
You don’t need a complex setup in the beginning. The goal is to keep it easy and manageable so you can start quickly and improve over time.
Options you can use:
Once the payment is completed, the final step is to share access with your customer.
Sample Email Template
Hi [Name],
Thank you for your purchase!
Access your tour here:
[Activation Link]
Or scan your QR code below:
[QR Code]
Enjoy your experience and feel free to contact us if you need help.
Best regards,
[Company Name / Your Name]
At this stage, focus on using the channels you already have and keep your promotion consistent. Share short videos that highlight your tour and give potential customers a clear idea of what they can expect. Post regularly so you stay visible to your audience over time. Make sure to add your tour links to your social profiles and bio sections so they are easy to find. You can also collaborate with local businesses that already serve tourists to help spread awareness. The goal is to stay active without overcomplicating your promotion.
Offline promotion can be very effective for attracting travelers directly at the destination.
This approach often works better than expected because it reaches travelers at the exact moment they are exploring the city.
AI-generated image
Essentially, by combining a simple digital setup with steady promotion, you can start earning from your guides without heavy investment. Focus on clear content, easy access, and visibility where travelers are already active. Use both online and offline channels to reach more people, then adjust your approach based on what works best. With consistency, your guide can become a scalable source of income.
When starting your tour business, a few simple mistakes can slow down your progress. Many guides wait too long for a “perfect” setup instead of starting with what they already have. Others make things unnecessarily complicated by adding too many systems or steps, which only delays action. Offline promotion is also often ignored, even though it can be highly effective in reaching travelers directly. Another common issue is not using QR codes properly, which can make it harder for customers to access your tour quickly.
To avoid these issues, the key is to keep your approach simple and practical from the start. Instead of waiting for everything to be perfect, begin with a basic setup that has low cost and no technical barriers, and improve it gradually as you gain experience. Keep your process flexible so you can adjust your selling methods based on what works best for you, whether online or through local partnerships. Make sure to actively use both digital and offline promotion so you can reach travelers in different ways, and always ensure your QR codes are easy to access and properly placed. This straightforward approach works well globally and allows you to focus more on growing your business instead of managing complex systems.
Creating a digital guide is just the starting point—real success comes when you convert it into an earning opportunity that generates income. SmartGuide enables you to focus less on technical complexity and more on building a genuine business based on your local expertise. With a simple setup, clear selling process, and the right use of online and offline channels, any local guide and inbound operator can start offering their tours in a structured way. The key is to begin small, stay consistent, and improve as you grow.
Start today with SmartGuide and follow a simple path from creation to sales!