What is UGC, and how to get your first deals
UGC creators make content for brands to use in their own ads and pages. What it is, what to charge and how to build a portfolio from nothing.
UGC stands for user-generated content. In a deal, a brand pays you to make a video or photos that look like a real customer's, and then uses them on its own pages and in its ads. You do not need a big audience, because you are paid for the content, not for posting it.
How it differs from influencing
- Influencer: the brand pays for access to your audience.
- UGC creator: the brand pays for the content itself and publishes it on its own channels.
- Many creators do both.
Build a portfolio with no clients
- Pick three products you already own.
- Film a short review, an unboxing and a how-to for each.
- Show the product clearly in good light and keep sound clean.
- Put the best six clips on a simple page and link it in your pitch.
Pricing
Charge for the work and for usage rights: how long the brand can use the content and where. Longer or paid-ad use should cost more. Our rate calculator shows how those add-ons change a price.
Practice it with a daily coach
Startell gives you one short drill a day and a Star Score measured on your phone. Your first drill is free.