Tot Hot or Not is Victoria’s most-read independent family media platform. We help parents and carers across Melbourne and regional Victoria find things to do, places to go, and experiences worth having with kids.
We’ve spent 15 years building a website, newsletter and social community that families actually trust. Over 1,000 reviews, gathered by founder Joyce Watts and a team of local experts, mean our recommendations carry real weight.
We’d love to talk about working together. We take on sponsored posts, brand campaigns and ambassadorships for anything relating to:
- family-friendly places to eat
- family-friendly travel destinations and locations
- family travel-related products and services
- places to go and things to do with kids
Tot Hot or Not Ambassador Application
As Tot Hot or Not continues to grow, we’re looking for ambassadors and content creators across Melbourne to join the adventure ✨
We’re on the hunt for families who love getting out and about, discovering hidden gems, testing kid-friendly experiences, and sharing their tips with other parents and carers.
We’re looking for someone who:
- Has a keen eye for photography and short form videos
- Loves creating engaging content
- Is organised and reliable
- Enjoys storytelling and writing in a fun, relatable way
- Feels comfortable using social media
- Is open to talking on camera and filming reels/stories
- Loves exploring Melbourne and Victoria with their family and capturing fun moments
- Is happy including themselves and their family members in their content
If this sounds like you, complete the form below to apply.
Our ambassadors are invited to experience family-friendly venues, events, activities, businesses, locations and destinations across Melbourne and Victoria in exchange for creating content and sharing their honest experiences with the Tot Hot or Not community.
Opportunities may include:
- Ad hoc paid collaborations
- Gifted experiences and hosted visits
- Reimbursement for approved expenses
- Invitations to launches, events, premieres, and family experiences
There is also the opportunity to commit to ongoing work and to be integrated as a contractor within the greater Tot team.
This role offers flexibility and is perfect for mums, dads, carers, creators, or families who already love exploring Melbourne and sharing their experiences online.
Make your application:
Advertising & Sponsorship
In the last 12 months, the site reached 335,000 unique visitors, 415,000 sessions and 621,000 page views. In the past 90 days alone, that’s 102,385 users and 177,393 page views.
20,000+ families get our weekly newsletter, split across three age-targeted editions — Fast 5 for under 5s, What’s On for ages 5–12, and Tot Teens for 12–17s. Our open rate sits at 42%, nearly double the industry average for media publishers.
Across social, we’ve got 31,000 Facebook followers and 23,500 on Instagram — 54,000 followers in total. Every paid campaign includes Meta ad spend as standard, so your post reaches well beyond our organic following with precise geographic and demographic targeting.
Most of our audience is based in Melbourne and Victoria — 70% Victorian, 89% Australian. If your target market is families with kids under 17, advertising and sponsorship with Tot is a great way to reach them.
For a media kit and rate card, get in touch with Marlieke Kemp-Janssen, our Affiliates & Partnerships Manager, at collaborate@tothotornot.com.
Because of the scale of the site, we can no longer offer free advertising for commercial businesses.
Service/Product Reviews
Want to send a product for editorial consideration? We’re happy to take a look. A feature on the blog or social media isn’t guaranteed — it’s subject to Joyce’s discretion, and will be published to fit our content schedule. If you’d like any products returned, that’s at your own cost.
Got a service or business you’d like reviewed? Email Marlieke at collaborate@tothotornot.com.
GIVEAWAYS
We run giveaways with a total prize pool of at least $300. There’s a small admin and content production fee for social media and blog post giveaways. Get in touch for a media kit and rate card.
Speaking & Consultancy
Joyce is an experienced, confident speaker and workshop facilitator on online business, small business marketing and parenting.
Recent engagements include speaking at the Young Tourism Conference 2025, MCing Mainstreet Australia’s National Conferences in 2024 and 2025, and a seven-year ambassadorship with Merlin Entertainments Australia (2018–2025). Joyce has also contributed to ABC Everyday and Mamamia.
As the founder of three small businesses with 15+ years in online business, Joyce is passionate about helping other small business owners turn a side hustle into a full-time income. She’s available for one-on-one consultations, mentorships, and group presentations. Email joyce@tothotornot.com for rates and availability.
Media & Key Brand Collaborations
Tot Hot or Not works with some of Victoria’s most recognised family brands — across major attractions, arts and culture, retail, hotels, regional tourism, government and hospitality. That includes Museums Victoria, the NGV, ACMI, Zoos Victoria, Chadstone, Highpoint, Hyatt, Crowne Plaza, Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism, Visit Ballarat, Geelong & The Bellarine, and the City of Melbourne.
Recent highlights:
- FeedSpot Top 60 Australia Travel Blogs, 2025
- Speaker at the Young Tourism Conference, 2025
- MC of Mainstreet Australia’s National Conferences, 2024–2025
- Seven-year ambassadorship with Merlin Entertainments Australia, 2018–2025
- Contributor to ABC Everyday and Mamamia
- Featured in City of Maribyrnong’s Choose Vaccination campaign
- Featured in The Age’s Melbourne Magazine as one of Melbourne’s top bloggers
- Appeared in Bank of Melbourne’s ‘We Are Melbourne Made’ TV ad
Get in Touch
Thanks for your interest — we’d love to work with you.
Joyce Watts, Founder & CEO joyce@tothotornot.com | 0409 606 773 [Book a 15-minute call]
Marlieke Kemp-Janssen, Affiliates & Partnerships Manager collaborate@tothotornot.com
PO Box 2511, Footscray VIC 3011