Have you been seeing all those videos that look like they were filmed by everyday people rather than a brand? That’s User-Generated Content (UGC). More and more people are turning their creativity into income by making content for brands. And the best part? You don’t need millions of followers or fancy equipment to get started. In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to become a UGC creator in 2025 step by step. Whether you want to turn this into a side hustle or build a full-time business, you’ll find everything you need to take action today.
What is UGC?
UGC, or User Generated Content, is content created by everyday people instead of big brands. Think of videos, photos, or reviews that look spontaneous, but are often intentionally produced to promote products or services in an authentic way. For brands, UGC is extremely powerful because it feels real and trustworthy. This authenticity builds consumer confidence, making people more likely to purchase.
And the numbers don’t lie, over 80% of consumers say they are more likely to buy after seeing UGC. The UGC market is growing rapidly, with an estimated yearly growth of 30%+. In fact, more than 86% of businesses worldwide already use UGC in their marketing strategy and that number keeps rising.
Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
1. Choose Your Niche
The first step in becoming a UGC creator is choosing a niche. Pick something you truly enjoy, so you’ll stay motivated long-term. Popular UGC niches include:
- Beauty & Skincare
- Fashion & Lifestyle
- Food & Drinks
- Fitness & Wellness
- Tech & Gadgets
- Home & Living
- Travel & Adventure
- Parenting & Kids
- Pets
- Finance & Productivity
- Gaming
- Education & Learning
- Health & Nutrition
- Eco & Sustainable Living
- Automotive & Mobility
Tip: The more specific your niche, the easier it will be for brands to find you.
2. Start Creating Videos and Photos
To land your first collaborations, you’ll need a UGC portfolio. Begin by creating short videos and photos with products you already own at home.
Make sure to focus on:
- Good lighting
- Clear, high-quality visuals
- Crisp audio
- Engaging storytelling
Investing in budget-friendly tools (like a ring light, tripod or microphone) can instantly make your content look more professional.
3. Build a UGC Portfolio (with Canva)
A portfolio is essential. It shows brands what you can offer and helps them decide if you’re a good fit.
Suggested Portfolio Structure:
Page 1: Home page
Photo of yourself, all social media accounts you are active on (such as email, TikTok or Instagram).
Page 2: About me
Provide a brief introduction about yourself. Try to keep this section as short and original as possible. To be honest, companies are not interested in who you are, but what you have to offer. Large companies receive dozens of requests every day, so if you don’t come across as original, you won’t stand out to them.
Why me?
Here, give the reason why companies should choose you as a UGC creator. Be creative and indicate your specialties, such as:
- I am flexible, thoughtful, enthusiastic, and deliver high-quality content.
- I deliver content quickly.
- I deliver multiple content ideas and often (free) additional content.
Page 3: Videos
Make sure you have at least 12-16 good quality videos, as this comes across as reliable and professional to brands.
Page 4: Photos
Just like having videos, it is also important that you have UGC photos in your portfolio. Think of 6-8 photos.
Page 5: Clients I worked with
In the beginning, you will of course not have any collaborations yet, so it will be difficult to fill this page. Collaborations with companies will come over time. Only add this page once you have a few collaborations under your belt.
Page 6: Price list & Service
Want to avoid customers asking about your rates over and over again? Then add your price list to your portfolio right away. This will make you look professional and clear. Of course, you can always negotiate later, but set your prices a little higher on purpose. Even if you’ve just started with UGC, don’t start with rates that are too low. If you do, companies will think you don’t have much experience and will be less likely to choose you. So dare to show what you’re worth and feel free to exaggerate your experience a little.
You can also choose to keep your price list separate and not include it in your portfolio. This can be a smart move, because if a brand has a higher budget in mind, they won’t immediately offer it if your prices are lower. In that case, it’s better to ask first: “What is your budget?” That way, you’ll immediately find out what they’re willing to invest and you can then send them your price list.
What should be included in your Price List & Service? Always state the rates for organic videos, photos, paid advertisements, and any additional services you offer. This way, brands know exactly what to expect from you.
Page 7: What I Offer
In this slide, indicate what you have to offer, such as GRWM, A Day in the Life, or unboxing videos.
Page 8: Let’s Work Together
End with a photo of yourself, a short closing text, and your social media handles again.
Once your portfolio is ready, you can easily request a domain name via Canva and use it to create your own website. This will make your work appear more professional and reliable to companies. You always rent a domain per year, and it is automatically renewed unless you cancel it in time.
4. Set Up Gmail & Socials
- Professional Gmail: Create a dedicated email like yourname.ugc@gmail.com.
- Social Media Accounts: Next, we will proceed with creating your social media accounts. Consider which platforms you would like to be active on. Post at least 3 times per week to stay active and attract brand attention. The more often you post, the better you will rank in the algorithm, increasing the chance that companies will see your profile.
5. Write a UGC Pitch
Before reaching out to brands, prepare a short, professional pitch. Personalize it for each brand, keep it friendly, and always include your portfolio link.
Example Instagram DM Pitch:
Hi ,
Quick question? 🙌🏼
Are you currently interested in a UGC creator?
My name is [NAME] and I am a UGC creator from [YOUR COUNTRY]. I really love your products and would love to create content for your brand.
I would love to share my current ideas and work with you to show what I can offer you. Is there an e-mail where I can contact you for more information?
I look forward to hearing from you!
Have a great day! 💗Much love, [NAME]
Example Email Pitch:
Good afternoon Team [BRAND],
Are you currently looking for a UGC creator?
My name is [NAME], I am [AGE] years old and a UGC creator from [COUNTRY]. I’ve been familiar with your brand for some time and would love the opportunity to create content for you. Since I am passionate about [NICHE] and value [SPECIFIC PRODUCT TRAIT], I believe we could be great partners.
I create product photos and short videos for social media that highlight the benefits of your products and inspire your audience. With my experience in this niche, I’m confident I can help your brand attract new customers.
Here is my portfolio for reference. I also have a few creative content ideas I’d love to share with you. I’d be excited to collaborate with [BRAND]!
Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
[NAME]
Make the pitch as personal as possible. To make your email a little more personal, you can add a signature at the end of the email. This signature should include your name and social media accounts. You can create a signature like this using Signature Hound.
It is important that you include a link to your portfolio in the email. Do not send the full link in your email, but attach a link to the word portfolio. When they click on the word, they will be automatically redirected to your portfolio.
Select the word portfolio → right-click on it → then click on add link → paste the link to your portfolio here.
When negotiating with brands, it is important that you make clear agreements so that there are no ambiguities afterwards.
6. Outreach (Instagram + Email)
Now that you have everything figured out, it’s time to start approaching companies. You can do this by sending a DM or email to brands. Keep it short and professional:
- Introduce yourself
- Send your portfolio
- Explain what you have to offer
You will notice that many companies will not respond at first. That’s why it’s important to persevere. Perseverance is key.
7. Create and send the video
Make clear agreements about expectations, deadlines, and feedback. This prevents misunderstandings later on.
When a brand agrees, they will often send a package to your address. Make sure you meet the customer’s requirements and work with a clear workflow: script → filming → editing → sending. Always ask for feedback and adjust your content where necessary.
8. Send an Invoice
Once you deliver content, always send a professional invoice/receipt. Include:
- Client name & address
- Client email
- Service description
- Amount due
- Your details (name, IBAN/PayPal, email)
- Date + signature
UGC Glossary
- UGC Creator = Someone who creates authentic content for brands.
- Organic UGC = Content made spontaneously by real customers.
- Paid UGC = Content created on request for payment or products.
- Briefing = Guidelines from a brand.
- Deliverables = The final agreed content (e.g., “3 TikToks of 15 seconds”).
- Whitelisting = When brands run ads using your account.
- Content Rights = Who owns the content and how it can be used.
- Usage Rights = Duration/platforms for brand use of your content.
- CTA (Call to Action) = A line that tells viewers what to do (e.g., “Buy now”).
- Hook = The first 3–5 seconds of your video that grabs attention.
- B-roll = Extra footage for dynamic storytelling.
- Rate Card = Your UGC price list.
- Portfolio = A collection of your best UGC examples.
- Pitch = A message sent to brands to offer collaboration.
Becoming a UGC creator in 2025 is one of the fastest-growing ways to earn money online and build a side hustle or even a full-time income. With UGC adoption growing at 30%+ per year, there has never been a better time to start.
Start small, stay consistent, and keep improving your content. The more you post, the more visible you become, and the more brands will want to work with you.
Ready to get started? Build your first UGC portfolio today and take your first step to become a UGC creator.
