What is UGC and How Do I Get Started?
I heard you’ve been scrolling on TikTok and keep seeing people talking about UGC (user generated content) and how they’re getting paid to create content for brands, and now you’re wondering:
“What the hell is UGC???”
“Can I be a UGC creator and work with brands too?”
… “HOW ON EARTH DO I START???”
Easyyyy trigger lol, you’re in the right place! Take a deep breath, because I got you!
Get comfy, grab a pen and some paper to take a few notes and let’s break it all down so we can get you on your way to making REAL money and working with REAL brands as a UGC creator (because yes, you can absolutely do this, and no, you don’t need a huge following to start!).
Let’s begin ?
What is UGC?
Short and simple, user-generated content (UGC) is when everyday people (like you and me) create content for brands to use in their marketing.
You know when you’re scrolling on your instagram feed and like every 3-4 post or 2-3 story post is some random person making a post about about a product that helped them solve some huge problem they’d been having and couldn’t figure out what to do, and it has one of those “sponsored” labels at the top left corner of the vid??
YUP! 9/10 thats UGC.
And as authentic (or sometimes cringe-ily non authentic depending on the creator lol) as it may seem, it’s totally a brand deal and that creator likely got paid to make the video for the brand to use and run as an ad.
Now, despite a common myth regarding content creation and brand deals.. UGC isn’t about being an influencer or having thousands of followers (because you can literally have no social media accounts and be a successful UGC creator) it’s about brands wanting authentic, relatable content that speaks to their audience in a natural way.
Literally think TikTok videos, Instagram reels, or product photos that feel real rather than polished, nothing that has influencer lever high quality $1,000+ professional camera type, overproduced or edited, standard “collab” styled videos. THAT’S UCG!
Brands love UGC because for one, it builds trust. It feels like real people, using their products and posting about it because they like to post, not because they’re famous on social media and are getting paid to promote a link or something like that.
And for two, brands (especially new/small businesses) can’t always afford to pay influencers the rates they’re asking for which tend to be $10’s of $1,000’s of dollars for one post!
From a standard Instagram or TikTok/social media user, consumers would rather see a real person using a product than a staged commercial by an unrelatable celebrity they love like the newest winner of love island, or Alix Earle.
So because of this, companies are willing to pay smaller creators a pretty penny for good-quality content they can use in ads, social media, or on their websites.
How to Get Started with UGC
Getting started with UGC doesn’t require an overpriced, super fancy setup or even years of experience. It’s actually quite simple. Here’s everything you need:
A Strong Portfolio
YOUR PORTFOLIO IS GOLD!!!!
TAKE YOUR TIME WITH HER, LOVE HER, NURTURE HER, BECAUSE SHE TELLS A BRAND EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU CAN OFFER THEM AS A CREATOR.
This is where brand go to see what kind of content you can create before they’ll be willing to collaborate with you.
DON’T MAKE ME MAD! NO- YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT CAN NOT SERVE AS YOUR PORTFOLIO. STOP BEING LAZY, GET ON CANVA, AND MAKE SOMETHING NICE.
Depending on how serious you are about getting started, it won’t even take long.
When I first started UGC I had just gotten fired from my 9-5 that I HATED so I wasn’t playing any games at all. I had rent to pay so I knocked out my portfolio in like 5-6 days. There’s a ton of free templates you can use on canva. Do some research about what types of videos you should include in your portfolio, grab some everyday products you use and love that you find laying around in your home. And start filming!
You’ll need about 9-12 videos for a well thought out, and organized portfolio to put together and present to brands that will showcase your abilities to create content centered around the benefits of buying their products in an engaging way.
Pro tip: Just re-emphasizing this once more… you don’t need brand deals to create a portfolio! Just grab products you already own and start filming mock UGC content. No one will know if you’ve actually worked with the brand or not. Fake it till you make it.
A Compelling Pitch
Once your portfolio is ready, it’s go time!! It can seem scary, but whomp whomp, who cares… it’s officially time to reach out to brands.
Since you aren’t someone with a ton of followers, and automatic brand visibility, it’s your job to make sure brands notice you, and the only way to do that is to reach out to them.
Start in the dm’s, introduce yourself, tell them the type of content you create (your niche), and let them know that you love their brand, what it stands for, and after doing some research on their audience + their current marking strategy you have some ideas you would love to share with them. Ask for an email address you could send more info to and BOOM! Wait for a response (that you may, or may not get but hey! that’s the name of the game, the answer will always be no if you dont try), you’s be surprised at the number of brands that are willing to give out their email address even to people like you who have never worked with a brand a day in their life.
Once you’ve been given an email address basically just follow up with them via e-mail, re-introducing yourself as a creator, expressing your interest in working with them in an official collab, and pitching a few ideas you have as to how you can best deliver engaging content that converts to that specific audience.
Both of your pitches should be short, compelling, and personalized. Brands get tons of emails and DMs daily, so you need to stand out.
Your pitch should:
- Show that you understand the brand and its audience.
- Highlight your skills and how your content can benefit them.
- Have a clear ask (Are you offering a free sample video? Asking for a paid deal upfront?).
Engaging Content
Your content needs to stop the scroll, plain and simple. The attention spans of people scrolling on social media these days lasts about 3 seconds before they scroll to the next video, so capitalize on those three second seconds because they are valuable.
UGC has evolved so much. These days, it isn’t really so much about just being able to show a product, it’s more so about storytelling and making people feel like they need to try it themselves because it made such an impact on you (a “regular-degular” human being).
Tips for engaging UGC:
- Keep it short and to the point (5-15 seconds is ideal for TikTok & IG Reels).
- Show how the product fits into your everyday life.
- Use trending sounds and fast-paced cuts to keep it engaging.
What Equipment Do You Need?
Listen carefully, you DON’T need a $3,000 camera setup to create amazing UGC!! I’ve ran a successful UGC business for going on 3 years now and I literally USE my iPhone! I have multiple high end camera’s and literally prefer my phone.
ANDDD, believe it or not… most brands prefer content filmed on a phone. Why? Because like we discussed earlier, it looks and feels more authentic to the average consumer eye. You can still get amazing high-quality footage on an iPhone (and no, not the newest model) and good lighting.
Here’s a few tips to help you level-up on a budget:
Smartphone – An iPhone or high-quality Android works perfectly fine!! Just make sure your camera settings are optimized.
Good lighting – A ring light or filming directly near a window during peak sunlight hours will do wonders.
Tripod – This is a necessity, not gonna lie. It really helps with keeping shots steady, unique and professional looking.
Microphone (optional) – I don’t typically use one tbh, but.. if you plan on doing voiceovers, a small mic can help with crisp audio (caput has nice audio effect that will give you the same quality though).
That’s it! I told you nothing crazy was required, honestly just solid knowledge on basic content creation skills.
Ready to Land Your First Paid Brand Deal?
Now that you’ve gotten a full overview of UGC is and how to get started, it’s time to take action!! I know how it can feel, but please dont be intimated or scared. You literally got this!
If you’re feeling overwhelmed (or just want a shortcut to landing your first paid brand deal in 30 days), I can help you a little bit more!!
I created This 4-step UGC Beginner’s Guide to walk you through every step. We cover building a strong portfolio, crafting a pitch that gets responses, and actually securing paid partnerships with brands!!
Want in? Grab my guide and start getting paid for your content today!
Get the FREE instant download UGC Beginner’s Guide Here!
As always, I’m here for WHATEVER you need. Shoot me a msg on social media, or you can even sign up for a 1-on01 consultation on my website!
Until next time, Dru <3