Becoming a UGC creator is a great way to earn money and monetize your skills. It’s important to know how to make the most of these opportunities. Here are some tips to become a UGC creator & land paid brand deals.
If you’re here you probably know what uGC means already, but if you don’t:
User-generated content (UGC) refers to any type of content that is created by users, rather than the brand itself. This could be anything from product reviews and testimonials to short-form trendy videos and photos featuring a brand’s products or services. Brands love user-generated content because it is authentic, relatable, and engages their target audience in a way that traditional advertising often cannot. Additionally, it is often cheaper for brands to hire UGC creators rather than produce the content professionally.
70% of consumers trust UGC more than branded content.
By creating a UGC specific social media account, you can upload all of your UGC content which will make you more discoverable. Make sure to include “UGC” somewhere in your account handle, for example “sofiasolisb.ugc”.
It will also be helpful to follow other UGC creators on TikTok. You’ll gain insight into the industry, build connections and also learn tips and tricks you can use when creating your content.
Before you reach out to potential brands, do your research. Look into brands that may be a good fit for you. What kind of content do they produce? What kind of content would you create for them? What kind of audience do they have? It’s important to understand the brand before you make contact.
It can be helpful to focus on a specific specialty when creating content. This will allow you to charge extra money to create content using a specific technique. For example, you could specialize in transitions, ASMR content, dances or professional video editing that includes animation.
Having a portfolio of your work is essential for showcasing your skills and experience to potential partners. This can include links to your social media accounts, as well as examples of your best content and any partnerships you have previously worked on.
The structure of your portfolio should be as follows:
PRO Tip: Create a portfolio using Canva and convert it into a website so it’s easy to link when reaching out to brands.
When creating a portfolio, avoid including your rates. Different brands have different budgets and you risk your rates being perceived as “too high” or “too low”. Instead, let them know your rates are negotiable. It is important to keep two figures in mind: your requested amount and the actual lowest amount you’d be willing to accept. The lower figure should still be reasonable – you deserve to be compensated fairly.
Once you have built a portfolio, it’s time to start reaching out to companies and offering your services as a UGC creator. This can be done through email or social media. We recommend sending an email, or if you can’t find it, send a DM asking for an email address.
PS. We are developing a database full of verified brand emails. Sign up for our newsletter to get an email when it’s live!
Always make sure to link or attach your portfolio to your email. Brands receive multiple emails a day regarding collaborations, so you want to make it easy for them to see your content and what you can offer.
Related: Building Your Portfolio as a Content Creator
Again, brands get multiple emails a day. Your email should consist of 3 paragraphs: introduction, offering + content ideas, and closing.
Once you have a partnership, it’s important to create high-quality content that showcases the brand’s products in a unique and authentic way. Make sure to follow their guidelines and standards, but also bring your own creativity and personality to the content.
Once your collaboration is finished, make sure to reach out to the brand and discuss the results. If the brand is happy with your work, negotiate for a renewal or a new project. If not, don’t be discouraged. Use this opportunity to learn from your experience and make improvements for the next partnership.
Related: Invoicing Brands as a Content Creator + Free Invoice Templates
Becoming a UGC creator is a great way to monetize your skills and earn income. By following the steps outlined above, you can increase your chances of success and monetize faster!
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