Making money on social media as a UGC creator is a dream that can become a reality!
Imagine getting into UGC and striking brand partnerships to sell or recommend products and services online, thus earning a commission as an affiliate marketer.
That way, you get paid for what you enjoy doing, i.e., creating genuine content like 20-second UGC video clips, and as they say, you won’t have to work a day in your life!
So, if you’re interested in knowing what is a UGC creator, how to become one, and is UGC content creation worth it, keep on reading below, as I tell you all about it!
From UGC to OMG Sales!
Use our UGC software to easily gather, curate, and display authentic customers on your website, turning trust into sales.
Before we define a UGC creator, it helps to start with the foundation: what is UGC?
UGC stands for user-generated content, which is any content created by real people rather than by a brand itself. That can include photos, videos, reviews, testimonials, social posts, blog comments, and other content shared across social platforms, like Instagram and TikTok.
For brands, UGC matters because it feels more natural, relatable, and trustworthy than polished corporate content. It shows how real people use, experience, or talk about a product, which is exactly why it has become such a valuable part of modern UGC marketing. It affects the consumer decision-making process and boosts your chances of customer conversion.
As you might have guessed, a UGC creator is someone who:
Creates brand-focused content in a natural, authentic, and user-first style, usually for a company to use on its own marketing channels.
‘UGC Creator’ meaning
Put plainly, a UGC creator makes content that looks and feels like organic customer content, even when it is created as part of a paid collaboration.
That content can take the form of product demos, unboxings, testimonials, tutorials, lifestyle clips, before-and-after videos, or short-form social media posts.
UGC creators vs content creators vs influencers
These are roles that may overlap, so it’s easy to confuse them. While they all may post videos on social media, write captions, and test products, there are real differences in why they create content, where the content is published, and why they are paid.
For instance, while a UGC creator gets hired to create content that feels authentic and relatable, even if it is sponsored, ‘content creator’ is the broader category. This can include bloggers, YouTubers, podcasters, educators, reviewers, and social media personalities.
Here are the differences summarized:
As for influencers, they are usually paid for access to their audience. Brands work with them because they have built trust, reach, and community in a specific niche. The value is not just the content itself, but the fact that the influencer can persuade followers to take action.
Depending on their size and the type of influencer-generated content they produce, there are several types: nano-influencers (less than 10K followers), micro-influencers (between 10K and 100K followers), and macro-influencers (over 100K followers).
So, while UGC creators look to create authentic content that brands can appropriate for their channels, influencers are meant to raise awareness and reach.
Here’s a UGC content video posted by Sephora, for instance:
UGC creators—create content for brands to use on the brand’s own channels;
Content creators—create original content for their own platforms, projects, or audiences;
Influencers—promote products to their existing audience and are paid for their influence.
This distinction matters a lot if you are getting into UGC for the first time.
Remember: You do not need a massive following to learn how to become a UGC creator. You just need strong creative skills, a good eye for platform-native content, and the ability to make videos or posts that feel real enough to earn trust.
That is also why UGC content has become so popular. Brands want creators who understand how to make content that blends naturally into the feed, Stories, and Reels formats.
How to become a UGC creator in 10 simple steps?
If you’re wondering: “How can I become a UGC content creator?”, it’s a straightforward process, but you must dedicate yourself to the task.
Thankfully, you don’t need a huge follower count, just the right skills and attitude, so that brands notice your worth. Here are the steps to follow:
Before jumping into the actionable steps, here’s advice shared by Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, which reveals a lot about the success rates of smaller creators:
Question: What are some sort of metrics or talking points that smaller creators could use to convince advertisers?
Answer: I think it’s probably about being more clear about who your audience is and why that audience is disproportionately valuable to that advertiser.
So, you know, let’s use, I don’t love the example of supplements because there’s so many shady actors in that world, but it’s an easier example.
If you only have a few thousand followers, but they’re really passionate, and they’re all about biohacking and health stuff, then they are way more valuable to a thorn supplement advertiser than the average person.
And so you shouldn’t just care as the advertiser about the number.
You should care about how much, how likely, in this case, those followers will wanna by the product. It is about understanding the niche and why that niche is disproportionately valuable to that advertiser.
Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram
1. Create your UGC-specific account
Create an account on the platform(s) that align with your content goals. Choose a username that reflects your brand or niche, and add a compelling bio and relevant details.
Creating a different account will allow you to separate your new “brand” account from your personal account for privacy reasons. Additionally, creating an account with UGC usage in the description and/or name will help brands discover you faster and easier.
Once you create your account, start following other creators and search for tips, knowledge, and experience about the creator economy, making friends and contacts, and learn how to get your first earnings as a UGC content creator.
Don’t be scared to reach out to other creators, and engage with the UGC creator community. You never know with whom you might start collaborating.
Skills you need to become a creator:
Video and photo creation and editing skills
Copywriting for writing cool captions and scripts
Live communication skills
Research skills are always a plus
Basic marketing knowledge (understanding how sales funnels work + e-mail marketing + how social media channels and algorithms work)
2. Understand the UGC landscape
Now that you have your account, look for a niche to work in.
Familiarize yourself with the platforms you wish to engage with. Research popular UGC jobs and trends, target audience preferences, and meet specific platforms’ guidelines.
Once you write down your interests, go a step further and think about brands you resonate with and would like to establish a working relationship with.
Now that you have your potential brand list, do research on what works and what doesn’t and what kind of creators and content they work with before applying there.
Here is a list of niches you can consider:
Cooking recipes
Do you have a cooking talent? You can consider creating your profile around a specific cooking niche, like vegan, food for kids, etc. The key here is to choose a very narrow topic that you are good at but is not very competitive.
Fitness & wellness
Of course, this is a very broad industry, but what about fitness for mums, fitness in the morning, and 10-minute fitness, try to research and see if any of the fitness alternatives are worth considering.
Skincare & cosmetics
Another super popular and demanded sector, and it might be perfect for you if you are on a certain skincare path, have a certain skincare issue, and you’re learning to cope with it with the right products/treatments/lifestyle, and even if you don’t have a skin issue – the industry is so large there’s space for every skincare enthusiast.
Fashion & e-commerce
Passionate about dressing up? Do showcase your daily combinations, what you would wear on certain occasions, your favorite shopping hauls, seasonal wear, and must-haves for every season, and share comments on famous people’s combinations – experiment with content and find that thing that works for you and land those collaborations and paid content creations!
Books & films
Regardless of how strange it might look – if that’s your interest, yes! There’s even space for such niche communities about people reading certain types of books, writing and sharing reviews, and sharing that unique book aesthetics (with underlined pages, side notes, and drawings on pages).
Productivity & motivation
Maybe you’re good at explaining to others how to excel in their career, be more productive, structure their day, prioritize their tasks, etc. Maybe this is something you’ve been working on yourself for years – and now it’s the absolute best time to literally make a living out of it (out of everything you’ve learned in your spare time).
Choosing a niche makes it easier to build a recognizable profile, create a more focused portfolio, and pitch brands that actually match your style. This is especially important if you want to become a UGC creator on Instagram, where brand fit and visual consistency matter a lot.
3. Treat your UGC work like a business from day one
If you want to learn how to become a UGC creator, start by changing how you see the work. You are not just posting for fun or trying to grow an audience. You are creating content assets that brands can use in ads, landing pages, product pages, emails, and social posts.
That means you need to think like a professional from the start. Use clear communication, keep track of your deliverables, understand what the brand needs, and present yourself as someone reliable. The sooner you stop acting like a hobbyist, the sooner brands will take you seriously.
4. Plan your UGC strategy & get the right equipment
When it comes to your social media strategy, define your content objectives, themes, and posting frequency. Consider the interests of your target audience and craft content that resonates with them. Planning ahead ensures consistency and a steady stream of engaging UGC.
As for equipment, to create high-quality UGC consistently, you do not need a full studio. In most cases, a smartphone, natural light, or a ring light, a tripod, and a basic microphone are enough. You should also get comfortable using simple editing tools like CapCut or similar mobile apps. Since most brands want short-form vertical content, create it in a 9:16 format from the start.
5. Create high-quality content
Namely, this is the most important step: Now that you have your main interests written down, you need to think about the type of content you want to focus on.
Whatever you choose, focus on producing unique and high-quality content that captivates your audience. Use a variety of formats, such as photos, videos, written posts, or digital documents, to diversify your content and cater to different preferences.
Are you more interested in taking photos, creating personal short-form videos, or recording talking head short-form reels for both Instagram and TikTok UGC videos? Think about it. Take some courses to educate yourself if needed, and start creating.
6. Build your UGC portfolio
Compile your best UGC pieces into a compelling portfolio. Focus on your creativity, skills, and unique perspective. This portfolio will serve as a compelling representation of your capabilities when collaborating with brands or seeking opportunities.
Creating a UGC portfolio will help you showcase who you are, what you do, your previous work, and how you could help brands with content.
For starters, you can do the following:
Create 5 to 10 mock pieces for products you already use.
Include different formats, such as an unboxing, testimonial, tutorial, product demo, and before-and-after video.
Keep everything vertical and mobile-first.
Show range, but keep it within your niche.
Here are a few resources to help you create your portfolio:
For more tips and tricks, follow the hashtag #ugcporfolio on social platforms.
7. Set your rates and understand usage rights
A big part of learning how to do UGC for brands is knowing what exactly you are selling. Brands are not only paying for the video itself. They may also be paying for usage rights, ad rights, exclusivity, raw footage, or multiple versions of the same content.
As a beginner, start with a simple rate structure, but make sure you define what is included. For example, specify the number of videos, length, revisions, delivery time, and whether the brand can use the content in paid ads. Clear pricing and usage terms help you look more professional and protect the value of your work.
Learn more:
Brands usually pay UGC creators in one of four ways:
A flat fee per asset,
A package rate for multiple videos or photos,
An extra usage fee if the content will be used in paid ads,
A monthly retainer for ongoing work.
Understanding this payment structure helps you price your work more confidently and avoid undercharging when a brand wants broader rights or repeated deliverables.
8. Collaborate and reach out to brands
Establish connections with brands and explore partnership opportunities. Leverage your UGC portfolio to demonstrate your value and expertise. Initiate conversations, engage with brand campaigns, and build mutually beneficial relationships.
If you place UGC in your username and description, you increase your chances of being contacted for collaborations, but you have to be patient. If you’re still unsure about how to proceed, here’s how to start with brand outreach effectively:
Pro tip: Do not sit around waiting for brands to magically find you. Make a list of brands you already use, research their content style, and send short outreach messages with a link to your portfolio. A focused pitch will get you further than a vague “I’d love to collaborate” DM.
For example, your message can be as simple as this:
‘Hi [Brand name], I love how you present your products, and I’d love to create a few short UGC videos you can use on your social media or ads. Here’s my portfolio: [link].’
9. Cultivate a follower community
As a UGC creator, the number of followers is still important (albeit not crucial).
Building a dedicated and engaged audience ensures that your content reaches the right people, which can lead to exciting collaborations with brands and businesses.
Moreover, a strong follower base enhances your credibility as a marketer, allowing you to effectively promote products and services on various social media UGC platforms.
So, time to join some communities for user-generated content creators:
The #VanLife community: UGC creators focusing on living and traveling in vans have built a thriving community on platforms like Instagram and YouTube. This community shares tips, experiences, and stories about life on the road, fostering a sense of camaraderie among its members.
Bookstagram: UGC creators in the literary world have fostered a vibrant community on Instagram, where they share book reviews, reading recommendations, and creative photos of their favorite reads. Bookstagrammers often participate in reading challenges, buddy reads, and bookish discussions, connecting with like-minded individuals who share their passion for literature.
Studyblr: This community, primarily based on Tumblr, brings together students and learners from various academic backgrounds. UGC creators in this niche share study tips, resources, and motivation, fostering a supportive environment where members can exchange ideas and help each other succeed academically.
Remember: You do not need a huge audience to succeed, but you do need proof that you understand your niche and can create content that fits the platform. That is why it helps to post consistently, engage with other creators, and show your work publicly.
10. Deliver like a professional and keep improving
Landing a deal is only half the job. To grow as a UGC content creator, you need to deliver content on time, name files clearly, follow the brief, communicate professionally, and make revisions without drama. Brands remember creators who make their jobs easier.
After each project, review what worked, ask for feedback, and improve your next batch of content. That is how you turn one-off gigs into repeat work.
Remember: Receiving and implementing valuable feedback is a vital step in your journey of becoming a successful UGC creator. Focus on feedback from your audience, as it helps you improve your content and strengthens your relationship with your community.
Why do brands love UGC creators?
Does UGC work? Definitive ‘Yes’!
UGC works because it gives brands authentic, relatable content that builds trust faster than polished brand ads, which is why it drives stronger engagement. As mentioned already, authentic user-generated content increases conversions. Check out some UGC stats:
75% of marketers claim that UGC makes their brands more authentic.
31% of consumers say that UGC ads are more memorable than branded content.
Consumers spend 5.4 hours a day with user-generated content.
You don’t need a big social media marketing budget for UGC creation.
User-generated content has a huge impact on marketing strategies. Why?
Here’s what you can tell brands when looking for opportunities:
UGC → social proof → increase in sales
UGC is so impactful simply because it provides people with social proof. People trust other people, not brands directly. It’s as simple as getting a recommendation from a friend about a certain product, and you’re instantly convinced and ready to try it out.
Examples of UGC creators on social media platforms
Let’s check out a few great examples of UGC creator profiles across social media, so you have something to strive towards. Below, I give you six UGC creator profiles in total—3 from TikTok and 3 from Instagram, which all offer great examples of what you need.
Instagram UGC creators
To find a successful UGC creator on Instagram, just search with the hashtag “#ugc” in the Instagram search bar, and filter the results by accounts. Here, you will find users who added “UGC” in their profile description, meaning they offer such services:
She’s a self-proclaimed UGC creator who can create content around beauty, wellness, and skincare. Additionally, she shares her location, e-mail address, and link to a website.
She also includes a “previous clients” highlight, which serves as her portfolio and showcases brands she previously worked with. You can also navigate to the “Tagged” section of her profile, where you can see some published projects (UGC content) for versatile brands.
The main difference between the first and this Instagram profiles is their niche/industry. Lauren was a skincare creator, and Esra is a fashion creator.
That aside, both of them have a similar bio, description, and information (e-mail address and a link to the relevant website).
Lastly, here’s a food and travel vlogger and creator with information offered similar to the previous accounts. There’s a statement of what he does, promoting his other TikTok profile, sharing that he’s open to collaborations, and a link to his latest vlog.
TikTok UGC creators
Now, let’s check out some TikTok UGC creators, because TikTok is arguably the best platform to make a living out of this. The hashtag “#ugccreator” has a whopping 138M views.
With almost a million likes, Ang Wells (UGCAng) is available for UGC brand partnerships and is here to raise awareness about this type of content and educate fellow creators.
She’s transparent about collaborations and shares a link to her offers, such as the UGC Creator Course, an Inquiry submission for brands, and personalized consultation. She teaches other people how to become UGC creators. Here’s what she says:
Even if you buy the best UGC course out there, if you do not hone in on your skills and practice, you will not see results. And basically, that course will be useless. That right there is the truth. Brands want to work with good creators, so you have to become a good creator, and that takes time to build that skill.
Anyone can do it, but everyone’s journey will be different.
But no matter what, if you have someone teaching you, you’re going to get there quicker than if you’re figuring it out all on your own using trial and error.
That is not to say you need a course to succeed. You don’t need to buy anything. It just depends on how you want to spend your time.
Sara (ugcbysaraaa) is a beauty UGC creator from Australia who has over 200K followers, a number that says something about her expertise in creating viral content.
In her profile, she includes her Instagram handle, a contact email, and most importantly, a link to her Canva UGC portfolio, so interested party can gauge their interest.
Ashley Yi, also known as @ashyizzle, is becoming one of the most entertaining and relatable creators on social media. Her 6.7M followers on TikTok are a testament to that. Her content features everything from hilarious skits to heartfelt moments with her friends and family.
One thing that truly sets her apart from the rest is her ability to be transparent about her own struggles and insecurities, and many times in a hilarious format. Whether she’s sharing a funny moment or discussing a serious topic, she always manages to make her viewers feel like they’re right there with her. So if you’re looking for a breath of fresh air, be sure to check her out.
Here is an example of recent UGC content she created for @baskinrobbins and their new flavor of the month. Here’s the script of that UGC video:
Chicken and waffles, but make it ice cream.
Chicken and waffles. Ice cream is Baskin Robbins newest flavor of the month. So you know, I had to run over and get my brunch on ice cream style. Oh, look at that swirl. Oh, this tastes exactly like a buttermilk waffle. By the way, there is no chicken in this ice cream.
Wow.
The crispy chicken and waffle bites is a little salty, and the bourbon Maple syrup is sweet, so it’s like a perfect match. Also, I just found out there’s a secret 31 in the Baskin Robbins logo, which represents Baskin Robbins iconic 31 flavors. Basically, you can have a new flavor of ice cream every single day of the month.
Chicken and waffles ice cream.
It’s so good.
Ashley Yi, TikTok UGC video example
7 tips on becoming a great UGC creator
What the creators above do best is follow a few sound practices that help them make the most out of their content. Here’s what to do on a regular basis:
Find out what kind of content the brand usually posts and try to recreate it.
Start a conversation with the content marketing team via social media.
Engage with the brand’s target audience and get to know what they like.
Look for opportunities to attend events related to the brand.
Take advantage of user-generated content platforms such as EmbedSocial.
Try to be creative and develop your own unique post ideas.
Find branded products/services that you actually use and like!
Tools to boost your subscribed and follower count
Look into getting a link-in-bio tool that can help you set up subscriber lists. For instance, Feedlink has a built-in tool to help you track and engage with your subscribers by sending out an email digest with your latest Instagram and TikTok posts.
Naturally, the newsletter works flawlessly without user input, and once activated, it will automatically start sending out emails every week to your subscribers, including images and videos from your profiles with the added links from your Link in bio page.
FYI: Link in BIo tool helps small business owners and UGC creators consolidate all their links in one platform and save tons of time and money on building link-in-bio pages and publishing blogs, newsletters, and social media posts.
First of all, you need a complete UGC platform designed to aggregate, manage, and display UGC content. One such example is EmbedSocial, which has a direct API connection to all major social media networks, like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter, Google, etc.
The content that can be generated includes reviews from Facebook and Google, Instagram stories, Instagram feeds from mentions, hashtags, or accounts, Twitter feeds from mentions and accounts, YouTube video channels and playlist feeds, and much more.
Here’s what UGC creators, together with brands, can do via EmbedSocial:
Discover similar content at scale that other creators create for the brand. Just add a hashtag the brand uses and see what type of content can be generated.
Provide the brand with a UGC widget for their website with the content you and other people create for their specific hashtag, or if you get permission to access their account, you will also be able to fetch their Instagram and Twitter mentions.
Create a UGC marketing campaign, where people post photos with a specific hashtag to win prizes—a great way to increase engagement and get content.
Monitor the performance of your content on websites by also adding a conversion layer in the form of shoppable UGC links added to the photo and video widgets.
Conclusion: Start creating UGC with a clear niche and consistent practice
Becoming a UGC creator is less about chasing followers and more about learning how to create content that brands can actually use.
Once you understand your niche, you can build an impactful portfolio. However, you must keep improving your skills to turn simple ideas into paid opportunities.
That is the real answer to how to become a UGC creator nowadays.
The best part is that you do not need a huge audience to get started. You just need strong examples, a professional approach, and the willingness to keep testing what works.
Also, treat each piece of content as proof of your value, and your path from beginner to trusted UGC content creator becomes much more realistic.
Success hinges on authenticity, consistency, and resonating with your audience. With dedication, the journey to a successful UGC creator can be fulfilling and lucrative.
From UGC to OMG Sales!
Use our UGC software to easily gather, curate, and display authentic customers on your website, turning trust into sales.
We hope that in this UGC creator blog post, many entrepreneurs or marketers can leverage social media platforms to build their business and UGC marketing strategies as UGC creators.
Success hinges on authenticity, consistency, and the ability to resonate with your audience. With dedication, the journey from content creation to brand collaboration can be both fulfilling and lucrative.
FAQs by UGC content creators
What does UGC stand for?
UGC stands for user-generated content, which includes photos, videos, reviews, testimonials, and social posts created by real people instead of brands. In practice, tools like EmbedSocial help brands collect, manage, and showcase this kind of content across their websites and marketing channels.
How to get into UGC?
To get into UGC, start by choosing a niche, creating a separate creator profile, and building a small portfolio with sample videos for products you already use. Once you have a few strong examples, you can pitch brands directly and show them how your content could be reused across channels with tools like EmbedSocial.
How to create UGC?
To create UGC, focus on making simple, authentic content that shows a real product experience, such as an unboxing, tutorial, review, or before-and-after clip. The goal is to make content that feels natural and trustworthy, and that brands can easily publish on social media, ads, or websites through platforms like EmbedSocial.
Is becoming a UGC creator worth it?
Yes, becoming a UGC creator can be worth it if you enjoy creating content and want a flexible way to earn money online. As your skills improve, EmbedSocial and similar brand tools make UGC even more valuable because brands need authentic content they can actually publish and measure.
How many followers do I need to get paid as a UGC creator?
No specific follower count is required to start earning as a UGC creator. However, having a few thousand engaged followers typically attracts brand partnerships and monetization opportunities. Focus on building an authentic audience and providing value to attract brands and generate income.
How much money do content creators make?
Content creator income varies widely based on niche, skill level, content quality, and the type of deals you land. Some creators make side income, while others turn it into a full-time business, especially when their content performs well for brands using platforms like EmbedSocial to display and repurpose UGC. Our blog post on How Much Money Do Instagram Influencers Make? offers in-depth insights and analysis.
Can I be a content creator with no experience?
Yes, you can start with no experience, which is often how most ugc content creators begin. The trick is to practise, create sample content, and build a portfolio, while tools like EmbedSocial show why brands increasingly need fresh creator content they can reuse across multiple channels.
How do I create a UGC portfolio?
Create a UGC portfolio by selecting your best content across various platforms and organizing it in a visually appealing format. Consider using a personal website or an online portfolio platform to showcase your work, highlighting your unique style, creativity, and the impact of your content on your audience.
What kind of UGC jobs do content creators do?
Content creators can create content in various fields, including animation, photography, videography, short-form video, podcasting, writing, editing, and more. Most importantly, this is content created organically; it is original content aimed at engaging the brand’s target audience. They may also create content for different platforms, websites, and blogs.
How do I find UGC opportunities?
To find UGC opportunities, engage with your niche community, join relevant social media groups, and sign up for influencer marketing platforms. Additionally, reach out to brands directly by pitching your services and showcasing your portfolio or network with other creators for potential collaborations.
How much should I charge as a UGC creator?
As a UGC creator, your rates should reflect your experience, content quality, engagement rates, and the project’s complexity. Research industry standards and consider the brand’s budget. Rates can vary widely, from $50 to several hundred dollars per piece. Start by evaluating similar creators’ rates and adjust based on your unique value proposition.
What does a typical day look like for a UGC creator?
A typical day for a ugc creator usually includes brainstorming ideas, filming, editing, replying to emails, pitching brands, and reviewing briefs. Some days are creative, some are admin-heavy, and tools like EmbedSocial show how that work can later power real brand campaigns across multiple touchpoints.
How much time do UGC creators spend each day creating content?
It depends on workload, experience, and whether content creation is a side hustle or a full-time job. Some UGC creators spend a couple of hours a day, while others batch film and edit for longer sessions, especially when producing content for brands that need a steady stream of assets for tools like EmbedSocial.
How do UGC creators come up with new content ideas?
As the number of UGC creators grows every single day, actual content becomes the most important part of their jobs. UGC creators may come up with new content ideas by browsing social media, reading blogs or forums, or following UGC trends in their industry. They may also draw inspiration from their own experiences or personal interests.
How can UGC creators build their personal brand?
UGC creators build their personal brand by choosing a niche, posting consistently, showing their style clearly, and making it easy for brands to understand what they offer. Over time, that credibility grows even faster when your content aligns with how brands use UGC tools.
What to consider when working with a brand as a UGC creator?
Make sure the brand fits your niche, define the deliverables clearly, agree on deadlines, revisions, payment terms, and usage rights before starting. That last part matters a lot because brands often want to reuse your content across websites, ads, and widgets through platforms like EmbedSocial.
Nikola Bojkov is the CEO of EmbedSocial, an entrepreneur who turns problems into products. With over a decade of hands-on experience with social media APIs, he guides EmbedSocial in its role as a technical partner for both SMEs and large agencies, maximizing the impact of their user-generated content. EmbedSocial has offices in Skopje, Tokyo and Lisbon with over 250,000 users.
