HOW TO BECOME A UGC CREATOR IN 2025
In this article, we will explore practical insights on how to become a UGC creator. I will dive deep into the process of creating high-quality UGC, pitching brands, and building long-term brand partnerships.
Whether you are a beginner looking to make your mark as a UGC creator or an experienced creator seeking to take your content to the next level, this blog will provide you with valuable insights and strategies to succeed.
Need a refresher on what UGC (user-generated content) is before diving into how to become a UGC creator? I got you. Check out my blog post, "What is UGC."
My UGC Journey
First things first...Hey! My name is Maddy :) I have been a UGC creator and coach for over a year now. I stumbled upon user-generated content as a way to sustain my full-time travel lifestyle, and it has turned into a thriving career for me. I have made over six figures with UGC, all while working part-time, sooo you could say I kinda know what I'm talking about.
I am passionate about the UGC creator journey and its potential to provide financial freedom and creative fulfillment! Below, I will share my step-by-step process for going from a beginner to an expert UGC creator.
Understanding User Generated Content (UGC)
UGC, which stands for user-generated content, is a form of advertising and social media content that brands utilize to connect with their target audience. Unlike influencer marketing, sponsored content, or brand-created content, UGC is created by everyday users of a product, not brands, professional actors, or big influencers.
Content that UGC creators make is more authentic and relatable, as it showcases real people using and sharing their experiences with a brand's product or service.
One of the biggest misconceptions about becoming a UGC creator is that you need to be an influencer or have a large following to participate. This is NOT the case! UGC creation is accessible to anyone, regardless of their follower count or influencer status. What matters way more than your online presence is your ability to make high-quality, relatable videos that brands are eager to post.
As you are creating authentic content, you have the opportunity to showcase your unique personality and perspective, making your content valuable to brands.
Many brands use UGC on their own social media accounts and advertising campaigns to establish a genuine connection with their target audience. By leveraging user-generated content, brands can share authentic and engaging content with their followers and make more sales. As a UGC creator, you have the power to create content that resonates with viewers and drives brand engagement.
The Elements of A Good UGC Video
Successful UGC creators create high-quality content. It is important to understand the key elements in content creation that make a video (and your work as a UGC creator) stand out. These elements include:
A Good Hook
The first three seconds of a video are crucial. As a UGC content creator, you need to capture the viewer's interest and entice them to continue watching. This can be achieved through an intriguing opening line, visually captivating footage, or text on the screen that piques their curiosity. UGC creators—DON'T sleep on this step!!
Clear Message or Story
Your video should have a clear message or story that resonates with viewers. This can be conveyed through voiceover narration or visually through the actions and interactions with the product. Clarity is key, as a confusing video will likely result in viewers scrolling right on past. As UGC creators, our job is to get as many people to watch the video for as long as possible. While hooks get someone to watch past the first three seconds, a clear story or message keeps them watching the entire video.
Good Camera and Audio Quality
While it is not necessary to have professional equipment, it is important to ensure that your video has good audio and camera quality. Most smartphones today have high-quality cameras that can produce excellent user-generated content. In addition, clear audio is crucial to ensure that viewers can hear and understand your message. I've found that my iPhone microphone usually does the job, but you can also purchase external microphones if you're a UGC creator who lives or travels in busy and loud areas. Content quality is key, y'all!
Multiple Angles and Shots
To keep viewers engaged, it is important to incorporate multiple angles and shots in your video. This adds visual interest and allows the audience to see different perspectives of the product or experience. Changing angles every three to five seconds can help maintain viewer engagement. Your life as a UGC creator will be 10 times easier if you just commit to getting more shots than you need when going out or sitting down to film. I can't emphasize this enough to the UGC creator community—it's WAY better to have too much content when you sit down to edit than to not have enough and have to go out and get additional footage.
Personality
Your personality is what sets your personal brand and content creation apart and helps your UGC stand out. Be yourself, be authentic, and let your unique qualities shine through. Smile, make eye contact with the camera, and be interesting!! Viewers are more likely to connect with content that shows genuine personality and enthusiasm. Skip the monotone script reading and work on those facial expressions—this is how you become a UGC creator who stands out from the rest. :) You can also stand out by getting really good at one type of content format, or a few! Think: ASMR videos, cool transitions, etc.
Captions
On-screen captions are an important element of UGC videos. They make the content accessible to viewers who watch videos without sound or who are deaf or hard of hearing. Including captions also increases the likelihood that viewers will watch the video, even when sound is not available. You can add captions in Instagram or TikTok, or you can use an app called Captions.
Call to Action (CTA)
UGC ads usually include some call to action (CTA). This prompts viewers to take a specific action, such as visiting a brand's website, making a purchase, or leaving a comment. A compelling call to action keeps the target audience engaged and encourages them to take the desired action. You may not need a call to action if it is more of an inspirational or trend video that the brand will post organically to their social media. If it feels out of place to add a clear CTA, it probably is!
Create High-Quality Content
Now that you understand the elements of creating content, it's time to start using your content creation skills. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Keep a Running List of Ideas
Always be on the lookout for video ideas. A lot of successful UGC creators keep a running list of potential concepts or products that they can create user-generated content for. This ensures that you always have a pool of ideas to draw from for UGC content creation.
Utilize Your Environment
Your home, car, office, and surroundings are filled with potential UGC opportunities. Identify products that you already own and love, and create content showcasing their use and benefits. You don't need the newest products; your genuine experience with a product that you use and love is what matters.
Focus on Lighting and Environment
Good lighting and a clutter-free, quiet environment are essential for creating high-quality UGC. Natural lighting is often the best option, but you can also experiment with artificial lighting sources. Ensure that the background is clean and free from distractions.
Capture Multiple Angles and Shots
To make your user-generated content visually engaging, aim to capture multiple angles and shots. Experiment with close-ups, wide shots, and everything in between. Variety in your footage will make your content more interesting and dynamic. Pro tip: Get yourself a tripod!! It will make your life SO much easier.
Building Your UGC Portfolio
Your portfolio is your visual resume and showcases your skills as a UGC creator. Here are some key elements to include:
Examples of Your Work
Your portfolio should feature examples of your best UGC videos. Choose a variety of videos that showcase your ability to create engaging content, editing skills, and creativity within different brands and various social media platforms.
Services Offered
Clearly outline the services you offer as a UGC creator. This can include organic UGC videos, advertising, whitelisting, and more. Brands should know exactly how they can work with you and what services you can provide.
Brand Collaborations
If you have previously worked with brands, highlight those collaborations in your UGC portfolio. This adds credibility and social proof and shows that you have experience creating user-generated content for established brands.
About You and Your Expertise
Include a brief section about yourself and your expertise as a UGC creator. Highlight any relevant experience or skills that make you stand out in the industry.
Contact Information
Make it easy for brands to get in touch with you by including your contact information in your portfolio. This can be an email address or a link to a contact form.
Check out my portfolio as an example!
Finding Brands and Pitching As A UGC Content Creator
Now that you have a solid UGC portfolio, it's time to find brands and land ugc deals. Here are some effective strategies based on different social media platforms:
Start by exploring suggested accounts on Instagram. This will lead you to brands that are similar to the ones you already follow and engage with. Scroll through their content and see if they align with your UGC style. You'll DM their social media managers to get a good email contact.
LinkedIn is a valuable platform for finding brands to pitch and land ugc jobs. Utilize its search function to find brands in your specific niche or industry. Connect with professionals in the partnerships or content teams and explore collaboration opportunities.
Email Database Platforms
Explore email database platforms that provide direct email contacts for brands. These platforms offer extensive databases of companies and their contact information. Use this information to reach out to brands directly.
Meta and TikTok Ads Libraries
Meta and TikTok Ads Libraries are valuable resources for finding brands that are already running ads. Browse through these libraries to see the type of user-generated content brands are using in their advertising campaigns. This will give you insights into what works and what brands are looking for.
Use Google to search for brands in your niche or industry. Look for brands that align with your UGC style and values. This is a simple yet effective way to discover potential collaboration opportunities.
UGC Job Platforms
Similar to a influencer marketing platform, UGC job platforms connect brands to UGC creators. They work as marketplaces for brands to search for creators and vice versa. These are a great way to get your first few deals as a creator!
Follow UGC Creators and Brands
Follow UGC creators and browse the reels of your favorite brands. This will give you inspiration and insights into the type of content that performs well. Learn from the success of others and apply those strategies to your own UGC.
Pricing and Packages
Setting your rates as a UGC creator is an important aspect of building your career. Here are some price ranges to consider:
Beginner Level
For beginners, rates can start at around $150 per video. As you gain experience and build your portfolio, you can increase your rates.
Intermediate Level
Intermediate UGC creators (3-6 months of experience) can charge between $150 and $250 per video. This range reflects the increased skill and experience of the creator.
Expert Level
Expert UGC creators, with extensive experience and a strong portfolio, can charge between $250 and $350 per organic video. Their expertise and proven track record justify higher rates.
Usage Rights and Add-Ons
In addition to base rates, consider offering usage rights and add-ons to increase your income. Usage rights allow brands to use your content for advertising purposes in their marketing campaigns as well as organically on their marketing channels (social media), and you can charge an additional fee for this. Look at charging around 25% of the base rate of the video per 30 days of usage rights. Additional hooks or calls-to-action can also be offered as add-ons at an extra cost.
Securing Long-Term Partnerships
Long-term partnerships are valuable in the UGC industry as they provide stability and consistent income. Here's how to build and maintain these relationships:
Offer Long-Term Package Incentives
Create packages that bundle multiple videos or services together at a discounted rate. This incentivizes brands to sign long-term contracts and ensures a steady flow of work for you.
Follow Up with Brands
After working with a brand, follow up with them and express your interest in continuing the partnership. Remind them of your services and the value you bring to their brand. This proactive approach can lead to long-term collaborations.
Create Exceptional Content
The best way to secure long-term partnerships is to consistently create UGC content that blows brands away! When brands see the value and success of your UGC, they will be more inclined to continue working with you.
Communicate the Value of Long-Term Partnerships
When pitching long-term partnerships, highlight the benefits for both parties. Emphasize how you are reliable and create high-quality content can provide consistent engagement and conversions for the brand. Showcase the value of working together in the long run.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You now have the knowledge and content strategy to become a successful user-generated content creator. Remember, creating high-quality content, building a strong portfolio, and pitching brands are key steps in your UGC journey.
With practice and dedication, you can turn your passion for UGC into a fulfilling and lucrative career. I know SO many UGC creators who have started this journey in the past six months who are already making $5k+ months as UGC content creators. WILD. The possibilities are endless, so go out there and start creating amazing UGC!
Take Your UGC Skills to the Next Level
If you're looking for a comprehensive and guided program to accelerate your journey to becoming a successful UGC creator, consider joining my UGC Accelerator. In this 3-month program, you'll receive in-depth training, personalized feedback, and valuable resources to help you start creating UGC, land paid deals, and maximize your UGC potential.
Over 200 other UGC creators have gone through the UGC Accelerator already and secured thousands of dollars worth of brand deals!! Join these other creators, and let's get you your first paid brand deals!
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