How To Become A UGC Creator in 2024

UGC can be a lucrative career once you get going, but often, knowing how to get started as a UGC creator is the hardest part. 

#UGCcreator has 1.2 billion views on TikTok, and it’s growing every day. But while creators are quick to share their how-to’s, these are often found in the form of a downloadable PDF that will set you back $37.99 and not tell you much.

This article is for the creators who just want to be told how to make those first moves in the industry. We’ll explore the essential steps to creating your first piece of content and starting your UGC portfolio, to pitching brands and setting your rates. 

Follow it to a tee, give it a few months and you’ll be a successful UGC creator in no time.

Ready? Let’s get started.

What is UGC?

UGC, or ‘User Generated Content’ is a type of content creation that looks like it was created by a consumer (believe it or not). More often than not, it’s shot on mobile and has a raw, unpolished and authentic feel to it. 

And it works: 86% of consumers think that UGC is the most authentic form of content. Because of this, a lot of brands rely on it for their marketing campaigns.

But, instead of waiting for customers to post content organically, brands pay creators to make UGC-style content that does the same job.

Which is where you come in.

You don’t need followers. You don’t need a lot of equipment. What you do need is the know how, the creativity and the confidence to take the leap.

How much do UGC creators make?

Ah, the million dollar question — how much do UGC creators make? The answer is that it really depends. Not all UGC creators are made equal. Typically, creators charge $150-200 for a single 15-60 second video, but most will boost their income with upsells and packages. 

It’s not unusual for creators to take home upwards of $1000 for a set of deliverables. With a quick search on TikTok, you’ll find many UGC creators sharing exactly how much they make — @lorraemarketing makes $7,000 to $8,000 a month from UGC. Sounds good, right?

UGC creators who get into the swing of things have the potential to make thousands of dollars.

How to become a UGC creator

So, how do you get into the swing of things? Becoming a UGC creator is not an overnight process, but it’s a much quicker route to riches than climbing the corporate ladder, so it’s worth the effort. 

You’ll get in what you put in, so get ready to put in the work.

Here’s the 8 step process to get started as a UGC creator.

1. Learn how to film

If you want to become a UGC content creator, you’re going to need to be able to create UGC content. If I were you, I would work on replicating what’s been done before (and worked well). You can find great examples in the TikTok ad library. Write down their scripts and shot lists, and practice replicating the videos.

Remember to film in 1080HD & 60FPS: Adjust this in your phone’s settings > camera > record video. Ensure HDR (High Dynamic Range) is turned off. This is a feature that can make your UGC look overexposed. 

Once you know you’re comfortable filming yourself and running through existing scripts, get to work on writing your own versions. You can do this with the help of AI tools, but ultimately, you’re going to look to include: 

Hooks: A hook is that aspect that grabs the viewer’s attention. Use intriguing visuals, compelling questions, or unexpected statements to pique curiosity and make them want to keep watching.

Pain Points: Identify the pain points or challenges your target audience faces and highlight them in your video. Outline the problem they’re experiencing, emphasizing the emotions and frustrations associated with it. This helps create a strong connection with the viewer, making them feel understood.

Solving a Problem: Once you’ve established the pain points, present your product or service as the solution. Demonstrate how it can effectively address the viewer’s needs and alleviate their pain points. Show how your product solves the problem better than any other alternative in the market.

2. Create a UGC portfolio

A UGC portfolio is essential for creators looking to secure paid brand collaborations. The portfolio allows you to demonstrate your skills and your worth to the brand.

Without a portfolio, you’re arguably just a customer to these brands  – creating social content for them organically. Learn the craft, create a portfolio, and you move into a different space entirely.

Luckily, creating a UGC portfolio isn’t nearly as hard as you might think. You can create a UGC portfolio for free on Canva. For beginners, it’s the most accessible way to create a UGC portfolio to share with brands.

You can find five free Canva templates in the Portfolio module in The Academy. It’s the single best way for new creators to find their feet and get started on their journey.

3. Set up your profiles

Social media is a must when trying to build a personal brand as UGC creator. You don’t need to have a presence on every single platform, but consider where you could potentially show up every day.

TikTok/Instagram: A creative showcase. If short form video content is your thing, this is for you. There are a lot of creators who have built successful 5-6 figure UGC businesses here.

Twitter: . Twitter is one of the best ways to tap into the UGC community and find entry-level work. It is also notorious for low offers from the ‘marketing bro’ type, so prepare yourself for that.

Linkedin: Linkedin is one of the most underrated platforms for UGC creators. Unlike the other social platforms, the audience you build on Linkedin will primarily be decision makers at brands — aka your target audience.

4. Join UGC platforms

UGC platforms provide a space where brands can discover UGC creators, review their work, and engage in collaborations. It’s a mixed bag, with some better than others, but these are worth signing up to and checking as part of your daily routine.

Some of the top UGC platforms include:

Brand Meets Creators is a 100% free creator platform that connects you directly with brands. Unlike most others, when a brand selects you from the platform, you’ll be connected directly via email to negotiate your own terms — there’s no need to stay on the platform.

 #paid was one of the first platforms to target campaigns for different sections of the sales funnel. To apply for a brand campaign, you’ll “raise” their hand to indicate interest. You’ll then write a message describing why you’re a good fit for a job, and what your approach would be.

Collabstr is a great place to start when you want to dip your toe in the water of paid collaborations. Think of it as Tinder, but for UGC creators jobs. 

Freelancer platforms have also emerged as valuable hubs for creators to get their first jobs. Platforms such as Fiverr and Upwork tend to offer pittance as payment, but as a new creator, they can offer a great way to just get over that hurdle of finding your first paying client.

5. Pitch To Brands

When we’re talking about a UGC pitch we’re talking about the email sent to decision makers to pitch your services as a UGC creator. It’s short, sweet and to the point.

An example pitch might look like:

Your first pitch likely won’t get you that lucrative deal you’re hoping for, but it’ll get you to your second pitch, and your third, and so on. The more you pitch, the better your chances of getting UGC work.

Keep these tips in mind when reaching out to a brand:

• Do your research: If whoever’s reading your email feels like you just plugged their name in a template, they’re not likely to write back. With just a bit of research, you can find a unique angle to make your pitch stand out.

• Make your pitch relevant to them: When pitching, many creators focus exclusively on what they can bring to the table and how they’re going to do that. Instead, write about the brand’s needs and how you plan to meet them.

• Don’t forget your UGC portfolio: Double-check that you’ve linked your UGC portfolio, and make sure you’ve tailored it to that brand’s specific needs. You might only get one chance at making an impression.

6. Set Your Rates

If you’re looking to set your rates as a UGC creator, you can use the below as basic guidelines to start with. 

You’ll quickly work out what brands are willing to pay you as a creator and what you’re comfortable charging, so you can adjust these as needed.

7. Create A Contract

If you’ve managed to negotiate a rate that you’re happy with and you’re on the same page as the brand when it comes to deliverables, it’s time to get that in writing. 

Having a solid UGC contract is key to protecting your rights and ensuring that you get paid fairly. However, knowing what to include in a UGC creator contract can feel like a minefield, and professional contract templates can often break the bank.

Thankfully, there are a number of free UGC contract templates out there for creators. You can get your own in The Academy.

8. Get Paid

You’re almost there…. You’ve delivered your first paid for content, and you’re patiently waiting to watch the $$$ roll in. Assuming you sent the invoice…

To put it bluntly, no invoice, no payment. 

Presenting a clear and concise invoice not only helps avoid payment delays, but also establishes a strong basis for future partnerships.

You can use platforms such as Bonsai or Honeybooks to automate your invoices for a small fee, or you can create your own and send via email.

Ready To Become A UGC Creator?

Don’t let TikTok fool you. Becoming a UGC creator isn’t an overnight success, as much as that would be great. It can be a challenging journey and one that takes time, but if you can overcome the initial hurdles you can build the life of your dreams.

Commit to these steps, dedicate six months, and get ready to make bank. If you’re ready to take your UGC game to new heights and you want to join a community of creators that are dominating the space, you gotta check out The Academy. It’s the best way to kickstart your UGC creator adventure.