I became a UGC creator because I needed an additional revenue stream. I had a great job, but I knew at any point I could get laid off. That was just the reality of the economy we were in.
I had no idea if I would be successful. I had seen other creators making money from UGC, but I did not know if that could happen for me.
To fully understand UGC, you have to start from the beginning.
UGC started when brands realized that paying customers were already creating content about their products. Instead of paying to film social content themselves, brands could simply pay these creators for the rights to repost the videos on their own pages.
UGC then evolved. Brands realized that creator content was often performing better than their own. Because of that, they began paying creators specifically to make content intended to live on the brand’s page, not the creator’s.
This shift changed everything.
It meant that people who were great at creating videos, but not great at building an audience, could still get paid for their skills.
As a small creator myself, I have gone on to make over six figures creating videos for brands. If this is something you want to do, here are three simple steps to get started.
1. Start where you are
You already own products you can create content around.
For example, if you have a Nespresso machine, you can easily make multiple videos:
A review of the product
A tutorial showing how to use it
A video sharing your personal experience with it
If you want to go further, a video showing different ways people use it
The goal is to build a small batch of content that shows your range.
Aim for at least three different products and a total of six videos. This gives brands proof that you can create content across different formats and use cases.
You do not need perfection. You need examples.
2. Start reaching out to brands
You need to get in front of brands consistently.
How you do that depends on what works for you.
For me, it is in-person networking events. If I meet someone face to face, the chances we work together are high.
For my brother, it is cold emails and cold calls. He treats it like sales, because it is.
Figure out what works for you and commit to it. Consistency matters more than creativity here. Two emails a day is non-negotiable if you want results.
3. Evaluate and adapt
This step requires honesty and curiosity.
You need to pay attention to what is happening and adjust accordingly.
If brands respond to you but never move forward, something in your offer is off. Your portfolio may not be strong enough, or your pricing might be too high.
If brands rarely respond, but when they do they usually agree to work with you, your outreach is the problem. Your emails are not compelling enough.
The data is always telling you something. Your job is to listen and adapt.
There are many ways to get into UGC. This is just one path.
The most important thing is that you start somewhere. Even researching how UGC works is still progress.
This journey changed my life. I hope it changes yours too.
Until next time.