UGC is a real job now. It’s also full of people selling dreams, underpaying creators, or straight-up taking free work.

This guide is built to do two things:

1. Help you start as a UGC creator fast (with a real system).

2. Help you avoid the scams and nonsense that waste your time.

If you want brands to pay you, you don’t need followers. You need proof you can produce content that sells.

What a UGC creator actually does (quick definition)

A UGC creator makes short-form content that brands can use in:

• paid ads (Meta, TikTok)

• product pages + landing pages

• email marketing

• organic social

You are not being paid for your audience. You are being paid for the asset.

If a brand cares about your follower count, that’s influencer work. Different job.

Step 1: Build a UGC portfolio that gets you booked (not admired)

Most beginner portfolios fail for one reason: they look like pretty content, not conversion content.

What to include (minimum viable portfolio)

Aim for 9–12 videos total:

• 3 product demos (show use clearly)

• 3 problem/solution videos (pain point → fix)

• 2 testimonial-style videos (results or “why I’d repurchase”)

• 2 comparison videos (vs alternative / “this or that”)

• 1 FAQ video (shipping/fit/how it works)

No brand deals yet? Use products you already own. Brands are hiring for skill, not your receipts.

Portfolio rules that matter

• Hook in first 2 seconds (always)

• Show the product early (don’t hide it)

• Use natural light + clean audio (good enough beats fancy)

• Keep it tight: 20–35 seconds is a safe range

• Make versions: one concept, 2–3 hooks

Where to host your portfolio

• A simple page (Framer, Notion, Canva site) with:

  • 9–12 embedded videos

  • your niches

  • your deliverables (what you offer)

  • your contact + location + turnaround time

Keep it boring and easy to evaluate.

Step 2: Pick a niche (so brands know why they should hire you)

“Niche” doesn’t mean you can’t work with other industries. It means you’re easy to place.

Beginner-friendly niches that buy lots of UGC:

• beauty/skincare (careful with claims)

• haircare

• food/snacks

• home + lifestyle

• fitness accessories

• apps and subscriptions (screen recordings)

Pick 1–2 niches for your positioning, then expand later.

Step 3: UGC creator rates (realistic pricing, no fluff)

Rates depend on: experience, complexity, turnaround, and usage rights.

A simple way to price as a beginner:

• 1 video (15–30s): base rate

• bundle pricing (3, 5, 10 videos): better value, more consistent work

• add-ons: hooks, raw footage, extra aspect ratios, faster delivery

What you should charge (practical structure)

Instead of quoting random numbers, quote like a professional:

• Deliverables (how many videos, length)

• Inclusions (script, filming, editing, captions, 1 revision)

• Usage rights (organic only vs paid ads)

• Timeline (delivery date)

• Payment terms (deposit, net 7/14)

If you want a clean pricing menu:

• Starter bundle: 3 videos

• Growth bundle: 6 videos

• Performance bundle: 10–12 videos + hook variations + raw footage

Brands love clarity.

The biggest rate trap

“Exposure” is not payment.
“If it performs we’ll pay you later” is also not payment.

Step 4: Outreach that actually works (copy-paste scripts)

UGC outreach fails when it’s generic. Brands don’t care about your passion. They care about outcomes.

Who to pitch (best targets)

• DTC brands running paid ads (Meta Ad Library is your friend)

• new product launches

• brands with weak TikTok/Reels (you can immediately improve it)

• brands with ugly product pages (they need conversion assets)

The 3-message outreach sequence (short and effective)

Message 1 (email/DM):
Subject: UGC videos for [Brand] (ads + product page)

Hi [Name] — I’m a UGC creator focused on [niche].
I made 3 quick video concepts for [product]:

1. [Hook idea]

2. [Hook idea]

3. [Hook idea]

If you want, I can produce a 3–6 video batch this week for ads + your product page. Portfolio: [link]
What’s your best email to send a one-page package?

Message 2 (2–3 days later):
Quick bump — do you want me to send a bundle option (3 / 6 / 10 videos) with deliverables + usage rights?

Message 3 (final, 3–4 days later):
All good if timing’s off. If you’re testing new creatives this month, I can turn around a batch in [X] days. Want me to send options?

That’s it. No essays.

Step 5: Contracts + usage rights (where beginners get cooked)

If a brand is using your face to sell things in ads, usage rights matter.

The simplest safe setup

• Organic usage: brand can post on their social

• Paid usage: brand can run it as ads (more valuable)

• Term: 30/60/90 days (don’t give “forever” by default)

• Whitelisting/Spark Ads: if they want to run ads from YOUR handle, that’s separate permission

If you don’t control usage, you don’t control value.

Payment terms you want

• 50% upfront, 50% on delivery (or full upfront for new clients)

• clear revision limits (1 round included)

• late fees if they delay payment (optional but serious)

Step 6: Scam and red-flag list (save this)

Hard no:

• “We’ll pay if it performs.”

• “Do a free sample first.”

• “Send us the raw footage first and we’ll decide.”

• “We need unlimited revisions.”

• “We can’t do a contract.”

• “Paying in product only” (unless you choose that intentionally)

• They avoid answering usage rights questions.

Soft red flags (proceed carefully):

• unclear brief (“just be creative”)

• no timeline

• they want 10 deliverables for the price of 1

• they won’t specify where the content will be used

Legit brands can answer basic questions quickly.

How UGC agencies actually work (and how to get on their roster)

A real agency is basically a bridge:

• brands want consistent creators

• creators want consistent work

• the agency manages briefs, quality, timelines, and sometimes payment

What agencies look for

• reliable turnaround

• clean communication

• consistency (you can repeat results)

• performance thinking (hooks, angles, CTA)

• ability to follow a brief without killing authenticity

How to get accepted

• portfolio link with 9–12 strong videos

• niche clarity

• a short intro + deliverables you offer

• proof you can hit deadlines (even just stating your turnaround clearly)

If you’re easy to work with, you’ll get repeat jobs.

“Juicy” advantage: the UGC framework brands pay for

If you want to stand out fast, don’t sell “videos.” Sell angles.

Here are 12 angles that consistently convert:

1. Problem → Solution demo

2. “Things I wish I knew before buying”

3. Myth vs reality

4. 3 benefits, 1 story

5. Before/after (only if truthful + allowed)

6. Comparison vs alternative

7. Unboxing → first impression → first use

8. “I was skeptical until…”

9. Routine integration (day/night/weekly)

10. FAQ machine (shipping, sizing, how long results take)

11. Objection killer (price, quality, learning curve)

12. “POV: you finally found…” (done tastefully, not cringe)

Put these in your outreach and briefs. It shows you understand sales, not just aesthetics.

Quick checklist (print this mentally)

To start UGC the right way:

• Build 9–12 videos with hooks + proof

• Pick 1–2 niches

• Pitch brands with specific concepts

• Bundle your offers (3/6/10 videos)

• Lock usage rights + payment terms

• Don’t do free samples

• Keep your workflow fast and clean