How to Become a UGC Creator (Step-by-Step)

Brands are spending billions on content that looks like it wasn't made by a brand. That's user-generated content — and the people creating it are building real businesses without needing a following, a film crew, or even showing their face.

If you've been thinking about becoming a UGC creator, here's exactly how to do it — from zero to paid gigs.

What Does a UGC Creator Actually Do?

A UGC creator produces content that feels organic and authentic but is made specifically for brands to use in their marketing. Think product unboxings, testimonials, how-to clips, and "day in my life" videos featuring a product — except the brand commissioned (and paid for) every one of them.

The key distinction: UGC creators aren't influencers. You don't need followers. Brands aren't buying your audience — they're buying your ability to make relatable, scroll-stopping content.

This is why 80% of consumers trust UGC more than traditional brand advertising. It works because it doesn't look like advertising.

For a deeper look at the role itself, check out our complete guide to what a UGC creator is.

Step 1: Pick Your Niche

You can make UGC for virtually any industry, but the creators who get hired consistently are the ones brands can picture working with their product. A few niches that pay well right now:

• Beauty and skincare — always in demand, easy to demo
• Food and beverage — unboxings, taste tests, recipe integrations
• Tech and gadgets — setup videos, first impressions
• Fitness and wellness — supplement reviews, workout gear
• Fashion — try-on hauls, styling clips
• Home and lifestyle — product-in-context content
• SaaS and apps — screen recordings, walkthrough testimonials

You don't need to commit to one niche forever. But starting with a focus gives you a tighter portfolio and makes it easier for brands to say "yes, this person gets our product."

Step 2: Study What Good UGC Looks Like

Before you create anything, spend a week studying. Watch the ads that show up in your TikTok and Instagram feeds. Notice which ones feel like real posts versus obvious ads.

Pay attention to:

• Hook structure — how do the first 1-3 seconds grab you?
• Lighting and framing — most good UGC uses natural light and a phone camera, but the framing is intentional
• Script flow — there's usually a problem-agitation-solution structure, even in 15-second clips
• Call to action — subtle or direct, there's almost always one

Save examples. Screenshot them. Build a swipe file. This is your curriculum.

Step 3: Get Your Equipment (It's Less Than You Think)

Here's what you actually need to start:

Total startup cost: under $100. Brands don't want polished commercial-grade footage — they want content that looks like a real person made it. Your phone is your best tool.

Step 4: Create Practice Content

Don't wait for a brand deal. Start creating UGC with products you already own.

Pick 3-5 products around your home and create sample videos for each:

• A 15-30 second product testimonial
• An unboxing or "first impressions" video
• A problem/solution style clip ("I used to struggle with X, then I found this...")
• A "get ready with me" or "day in my life" format featuring the product

Film multiple versions. Experiment with different hooks, different lighting setups, different energy levels. The point isn't perfection — it's developing your style and building portfolio pieces.

Step 5: Build Your Portfolio

Your portfolio is what gets you hired. No portfolio, no gigs — it's that simple.

What to include:

• 5-8 of your best sample videos (diverse styles and niches)
• A brief "about me" section explaining your niche and content style
• Your rates (or at least indicate you're open to discussing pricing)
• Contact information

Where to host it:

• Google Drive or Notion — quick, free, easy to share
• Personal website — more professional (Carrd, Wix, or a simple one-page site)
• Social media — a dedicated UGC portfolio account on TikTok or Instagram

The best portfolios show range within a niche. If you're targeting beauty brands, show a testimonial, a tutorial, an unboxing, and a lifestyle clip — all beauty-related but each a different format.

Step 6: Set Your Rates

Pricing is where most new creators either undercharge or freeze up entirely. Here's a realistic starting framework:

Factors that affect pricing:

• Video length and complexity
• Usage rights (organic only vs. paid ads — charge more for ad usage)
• Exclusivity period
• Number of revisions included
• Turnaround time (rush fees are normal)

Start at the lower end to build your client list and testimonials. Raise your rates as demand grows. And always charge more when a brand wants to run your content as a paid ad — that's a different level of value.

For more on packaging your creative work effectively, read why selling packages beats hourly rates.

Step 7: Find Brands and Pitch

This is where most aspiring UGC creators stall. They build a portfolio, set their rates... and then wait. Don't wait. Go get the work.

Where to find UGC opportunities:

• UGC platforms — Billo, Insense, Trend, JoinBrands, and others connect creators directly with brands posting briefs
• Job boards — search "UGC creator" on LinkedIn, Indeed, or Twitter/X
• Direct outreach — DM or email brands you genuinely like and use
• Facebook and Reddit communities — UGC-specific groups regularly post opportunities
• Freelance marketplaces — Fiverr and Upwork have growing UGC categories

How to pitch effectively:

1. Lead with value, not with yourself. Instead of "Hi, I'm a UGC creator," try: "I noticed your TikTok ads are mostly polished brand content — here's a quick idea for a UGC-style testimonial that could perform well."
2. Attach 1-2 relevant portfolio samples. Not your whole reel — just pieces that match their product.
3. Keep it short. Three to five sentences. Brands get hundreds of pitches.
4. Follow up once after 3-5 days if you don't hear back.

Step 8: Deliver Great Work (and Get Rehired)

Landing the first gig is the hardest part. Keeping clients is much easier if you:

• Over-communicate. Send progress updates. Ask clarifying questions before you start, not after.
• Deliver on time or early. Reliability beats talent in the freelance world.
• Follow the brief exactly — then include one bonus variation as a "gift." Brands love this.
• Make revisions painless. Don't take feedback personally. Turn revisions around fast.

Repeat clients are where the real money is. One brand that hires you monthly is worth more than chasing ten cold pitches every week.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overthinking your setup. You don't need a studio. A clean background, decent lighting, and a phone camera are enough.

Copying other creators exactly. Study them for structure, but your authenticity is your selling point. If you sound like everyone else, you're replaceable.

Not understanding usage rights. Know what you're selling. Organic posting rights and paid ad rights are different things with different price tags. Always clarify this upfront.

Ignoring analytics. Once your content runs, ask brands how it performed. That data becomes your best sales tool for future pitches — "my last UGC video for [brand] achieved a 3.2% CTR" is more convincing than any portfolio.

Underpricing to "get experience." Free work sets a precedent. Even at the start, charge something. Low rates are fine. Free is not.

How Long Until You Start Earning?

Honest answer: most creators land their first paid gig within 2-8 weeks of actively pitching, assuming they have a solid portfolio and are reaching out consistently.

The timeline depends on:

• How strong your portfolio samples are
• How actively you're pitching (5+ pitches per week is a good baseline)
• Your niche (some categories move faster than others)
• Whether you're using UGC platforms, direct outreach, or both

It's not passive income, especially at the start. But once you build a reputation, brands start coming to you — and that's when the economics get really interesting.

The Bottom Line

Becoming a UGC creator is one of the most accessible ways to build a creative business right now. The barrier to entry is low — a phone, some practice, and the willingness to pitch. The ceiling is high — experienced creators are earning six figures producing content brands desperately need.

The formula is simple: pick a niche, build a portfolio, set your rates, and start reaching out. The creators who make it aren't necessarily the most talented — they're the ones who started pitching before they felt "ready."

So start before you're ready. Your first video won't be your best. That's the point.