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User Generated Content (UGC) may sound like a buzzword but it’s changing the way marketing works.It doesn’t need to be a mystery — let’s talk about the next big thing.
If you’re thinking of becoming a UGC content creator, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we will talk about what that is and how you can get started today.
What is a UGC creator?
First things first, let’s start with a definition. User-generated content creation is relatively new, so most people don’t understand it. In its simplest form, UGC content is any type of media – for example, text, video, or graphics — generated by creators for brands.
A UGC creator is a term used to refer to people who are not related or employed directly by a brand but whose creative efforts bring marketing value to the brand. Some of your roles or contributions as a UGC creator to brands include the following:
- Generating authentic user-generated testimonials (not to be confused with organic reviews!)
- Product showcasing or reveals
- Participating in brand promotions as an end user or customer
- Increasing brand visibility (mainly on social media) by talking about a brand
- Content creation for purposes of pushing a brand or their product or service
- Participating in viral campaigns as an end-user or customer
Social media marketing and brand promotions have become increasingly important, even for small brands, so you cannot underestimate the role of user-generated content.
As we will cover, you could earn a decent amount of money creating genuine UGC content for the many brands pushing their content on these platforms.
UGC vs. content creator
UGC creators and general content creators often get mixed up. However, there are some stark differences that you need to know about. UCG creators aim to share their personal experiences or reviews of products with a niche audience that may be interested in the brand they’re creating content for.
Content creators, on the other hand, have the express purpose of building an audience and maintaining them. For that reason, brands often view UGC content creators as more authentic than general creators.
UGC vs. influencer
To become an influencer, you must have a significant following on your chosen social media platform. The same is not true when you opt to become a UGC content creator. As the name suggests, influencers have the main goal of “influencing” their following to do something that emulates their lifestyle. UGC creators offer similar services but on a smaller scale. As we have covered, they may create reviews, product showcases, or viral campaigns.
Benefits of working with a UGC creator
Now that we have covered what a UGC creator is, let’s talk about why they are in high demand. Here are some of the benefits.
Establishing a community
Flooding social media channels — such as TikTok and Instagram — with user-generated content is a smart way to build a community. UGC content creators tend to have a smaller and more dedicated following than influencers. That means that they can have more direct audience engagement and build a sense of community while advertising products.
Boosting real authenticity
Nearly 90% of consumers no longer trust influencers. For that reason, many marketers are turning to UGC content creators for campaigns and collaborations. These creators tend to have a more authentic reputation. That means that consumers are more likely to trust them, listen to what they have to say, and take heed of their recommendations.
Increase brand recognition
Working with UGC content creators is a great marketing strategy if you want to improve brand recognition. This approach usually involves working with a selection of content creators, each of which offers unique content about the brand to their audience. This mass approach means that a diverse section of consumers will come into contact with the brand online.
What do you need to become a UGC content creator?
Think that you have what it takes to become a UGC content creator? Before you can get started, there are some things that you will need. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you out.
Hardware
To start creating user-generated content, you will need some hardware. Don’t worry — you don’t have to fork out loads of money here. Let’s take a look at what you need:
Camera (or smartphone)
You can film content using a professional camera or your smartphone. It’s important to make sure that your camera offers high-quality recording. Read our guide to help you choose the best camera for your content now.
Headphones
If you want to ensure that you record the best quality audio, it’s worth using headphones. Not only will this support your editing feats, but wearing them will lower feedback when you’re recording your UGC video content.
Microphone
It’s also worth investing in a quality microphone. That way, you can make sure that your audio quality is high. It could be worth testing out a few external microphones to see what results you get ahead of creating your content.
Lighting
If you want to upgrade the level of the UGC content you create, getting the video lighting right could be the answer. You might want to invest in a ring light or a softbox, for example. While this is an optional extra, it could make all of the difference.
Tripod (optional)
Shaky camera work not your style? Make sure that you capture the perfect shot every time by investing in a tripod. There are plenty of these on the market for every budget out there.
Software
Recording and editing software
One of the easiest ways to make the most of your recording experience is to use high-end content creation software. With Riverside, you can record up to 4K video and 48kHz audio resolution using your own online studio. Use the teleprompter to follow a script or plan of your content as your record. The platform also features audio tools such as level normalization and background noise removal. You’ll get high-quality separate audio and video tracks for every participant and when you finish recording you can use our text-based editor to finalize your UGC content.
In the video editor you can choose a layout, add and style captions or even upload your own background and logo. We also suggest trying our Magic Clips tool that uses AI to turn the most interesting parts of your recordings into sharable social media videos. Its also possible to download a full summary of your recording and time-stamped chapters which is ideal if you’re posting on a platform like YouTube.
Live streaming and social media apps
Often enough, UGC content creators share their content on live-streaming apps. These may include Facebook Live, YouTube Live, and Twitch, among others. Do your research into what live-streaming apps will work for you. You will also need to have popular social media apps, such as TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Threads, Facebook, and other platforms in the zeitgeist.
Analytic tools.
When you are working with marketing agencies, they will often ask you to report back on the results of your UGC content. For that reason, it may be handy to have analytic tools under your belt. These include Google Analytics and YouTube Analytics. Understanding how to use these could be the key to success.
How to become a UGC creator: 6 Steps to succeed
Ready to start creating UGC content? Let’s take a look at six of the core steps you can follow to ensure that your content is successful:
Step 1: Choose the what type of content to create
UGC content is wide and varied owing to the nature of modern social platforms, audiences, and brand preferences. At the same time, you may find that you excel at creating one type of content — for instance, TikTok and Instagram video content — rather than writing reviews.
You can also choose to do a bit of everything if you have the skills to increase your earning potential. However, a big chunk of UGC creators mainly create video content showcasing brands or products. Most brands are even willing to buy existing UGC videos from normal social media users, which helps their marketing efforts.
Step 2: Learn how to create authentic content
Before you even think about becoming a UGC creator, you need to know what it takes to create. Sure, you may know how to shoot an Instagram reel or use TikTok but can you create content for brands? Understand how to make this content first.
Learn how to shoot and edit good videos for TikTok, Instagram, and other social channels first. If you’ve never created content before, start with one channel first like Instagram or TikTok. For instance, make short entertaining clips on TikTok to understand how the platform works before you start creating for brands.
Keep it simple and authentic, focusing on passing a message rather than doing the best cuts and edits. You don’t even need to reinvent the wheel as there is tons of content out there to benchmark. Later in this guide, we will take a look at some UGC creators for inspiration.
Step 3: Find your content niche
You have a better chance of landing clients as a UGC creator if you focus on one niche. A good niche is one you enjoy doing and is easy to talk about online or whose products or services you can push online. Here are some currently hot UGC niches to choose from:
- Fitness and wellness
- Skincare and beauty
- Cooking and nutrition
- Consumer electronics
- Fashion
- Productivity
- Wealth creation
- Crypto
For instance, you could choose to create UGC content for fitness brands if you are into fitness or trying to lose weight and want to share your journey.
Step 4: Master the art of marketing
You will be creating authentic content as a UGC content creator but remember your main goal is to help brands push marketing agendas. Learn the ins and outs of digital marketing like audience targeting, post frequency, platform-specific post formats, etc. This knowledge will help you create content that brands can pay for ,and you will get noticed easily.
The difference between a casual social media user and a professional UGC creator is that the UGC creator is preparing content with a goal. Your content should include more detail than casual content. However, don’t overproduce it as it will look like an advert.
Step 5: Create a portfolio of work
Many brands are out there looking for UGC content creators to partner with. However, you have to prove your worth. Having a portfolio will help you sell yourself to the brand.
Put your best content front and center of your portfolio and include links to your profiles where you post your content. There are plenty of free tools out there to help you create a portfolio. You can use Squarespace, Canva, or Wix to get it right from the strat.
Step 6: Start selling UGC content
Don’t just create content and post it online. There’s no use in hoping brands will somehow discover it and reach out. The last and most important step in this journey is to sell your creations. Identify the brands, platforms, and methods you want to use to sell the content and go all in once you have something to sell.
Platforms like #paid, Collabstr, Brand Meets Creators, BeeRoll, and Billo are great for budding UGC creators who want to connect to brands. Some brands also look for UGC content creators on freelance platforms like Upwork so you may want to create a profile on those and look for opportunities. Start your outreach journey now.
UGC content creation examples and tips you can learn from them
We’ve already covered the basics. But you may be looking for some creative inspiration too. Here are some real-life examples of UGC creators you can emulate:
1. Simon Brunner — Ninjawarrior champion and professional parkour athlete
Simon Brunner — simi Brunner on Instagram — is a two-time Ninjawarrior champion and professional parkour athlete who creates viral sports challenges and stunt videos in picturesque locations for his social media followers.
Example: Here’s a collaboration Simon Brunner did with Power System Sport.
Top Tip: Filming videos with stunning landscapes helps grab viewer attention and makes sponsored content more shareable and entertaining.
2. Fenti Fried Chicken — Comedian
Fenti — fentifiredchicken on Tiktok — is a comedian from Boston who creates funny skits about working in finance and living in Boston.
Example: Here’s an example of a paid partnership the creator did with McDonald’s.
Top tip: You should tap into your unique background and personality to create relatable and hilarious content that resonates with your target audience.
3. Mona Said — Fashion, beauty, and lifestyle blogger
Mona is a fashion, beauty, and lifestyle influencer based in Los Angeles who shares her stylish West Coast perspective with her audience. Her Instagram handle is @artofstyleny.
Example: Here’s a post that Mona Said created hyping the Zara sale.
Top tip: Use our geographic location for content ideas and brand partnerships that would appeal to your local followers.
FAQs on UGC creators
How much money do UGC creators make?
Earnings vary from one UGC creator to another depending on the type of deals they get, the brands they work with, and content volume. There are some reports of UCG creators making up to $10,000 per month. However, it’s worth keeping in mind the average creator likely makes much less than this, coming in at between $100 and $1,000 per campaign.
Can you be a UGC creator without showing your face?
Yes, there are several forms or types of UGC content you can create without showing your face such as text testimonials, AI-generated reels, blog content, original product usage images, etc. Consider what type of content creator you would prefer to be first.
How many followers do you need to be a UGC creator?
You don’t need to have a huge following to be a UGC creator because your aim is to create authentic content for brands. In most cases, it is the brand that will push your content on their platforms or refer to your posts on their social pages. Remember, UGC creators are not influencers.
How much should you charge as a UGC creator?
The amount you charge will depend on the amount of effort you put into a UGC video and your rates. However, according to Collabstr, creators charge an average of $325 for user-generated content. You can also use the company’s calculator to get a more accurate estimation of rates, depending on your industry.
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