How to Create a High Converting UGC Portfolio To Sign Dream Brands ☁️
Sep 03, 2024
A UGC portfolio is essential when securing paid brand collaborations. This allows you to demonstrate your skills and your worth to the brand. A high-converting UGC portfolio can be the difference between landing high-paying brand deals or getting lost in the SEA of creators. If you're ready to create a portfolio that not only grabs attention but also converts a cold email into long-lasting partnerships, then keep reading.
Why a UGC Portfolio Matters
A UGC portfolio is your chance to show your personality, demonstrate your skills, and bring the social proof. It's not just about telling brands what you can do; it's about showing them. Remember, fewer words and more demonstrated value is key (aka examples, calls to action, testimonials, analytics, etc). Your portfolio should scream, "I am the UGC creator you need!" These people hiring creators don't know you, nor do they trust you. A portfolio will ease the fear and reluctance of a brand working with you, by establishing credibility and proving your value.
Okay, So Where Do You Start...
Using Tools Like Canva
Creating a professional and trendy UGC portfolio is easier than you might think, especially with tools like Canva. With a variety of templates, you can easily customize your portfolio to reflect your unique style. You won't need any graphic design skills just choose a website template you like, customize it with your colors + experience, and include the sections below! The best part? Canva will host the website for free so that it is an interactive landing page that brands will be directed to!
You can also use Squarespace, Wix, etc. Any website builder you are familiar with. I just think Canva is the cheapest and my favorite option!
Looking for something a bit more curated + done for you?
Choose an option above now let's dive into what you need to include to ACTUALLY convert brands into PAYING UGC clients.
Key Sections for a High Converting UGC Portfolio
1. Intro Section:
- Your contact email typed out in noticeable text (bold, or underlined)
- Picture of you (ideally creating content, or close up of your face/headshot)
- What you are: UGC Creator, Content Creator, Influencer, or some sort of title
- Non-generic & short subheadline regarding the content you make or niche
- Include anything that makes you stand out
- Ex. Bilingual Gen Z Creator 🇪🇸
- Ex. Millennial Momma to Be 🤰
2. Short + Sweet About Me: (1-2 Sentences or bullet points)
This section is your quick opportunity to make a connection. Introduce yourself with a confident and welcoming tone. Highlight your niche, the demographics you cater to, and be sure to include your contact information. Are you a Gen Z creator based in Los Angeles specializing in fashion UGC? Make it known!
3. SOCIAL PROOF #1:
Choose from the following options, and if you don’t have any of these yet, skip for now.
- Logo List (Brands I’ve Worked With)
- Accounts You’ve Grown (could be your own)
You should ideally have more than 1 section for social proof. More is better, work them in throughout the portfolio. Remember they all build a case as to why a brand should work with you over another creator!
4. What is a Case Study? Social Proof #2:
A case study is a detailed narrative breakdown of a successful brand collaboration. It's your chance to highlight a specific skill or edge you have over the competition. Without it, you risk being seen as just another commodity, with brands opting for the cheaper option.
Here's how to secure compelling case studies:
Secure Case Studies from Brands
- Paid Ads: Focus on campaigns linked to measurable outcomes like clicks and conversions.
- Self-Case Studies: Showcase your personal brand growth or viral successes.
- Gifted Work: Use gifted collaborations to build your experience and include analytics in your portfolio.
- Request Analytics: Be strategic in requesting metrics, framing it as beneficial for both parties.
- Contract Agreement: Include analytics requirements in your contracts to ensure you receive the data needed.
Result Metrics to Highlight
When documenting your success, focus on metrics that closely tie to business outcomes:
- Return on Ad Spend (ROAS): Did the brand profit? How much?
- Earnings and Conversions: Who is downloading or signing up?
- Engagement: How did your content perform in terms of comments, likes, views, or shares?
- Testimonials: Five-star ratings and client satisfaction.
This is what you NEED to include in your Converting Case Study:
- 2-3 videos that performed the best for the brand
- Screenshots of analytics, positive comments, BIG WINS
- 1-2 BIG numbers that you have achieved for the client
- ex. Gained 10,000 from our UGC campaign of 5 videos
5. Now for your UGC Examples:
Switch it up, and diversify the styles of content you include, I want to see a variety of face-to-camera, unboxings, green screens, authentic testimonials, viral trends with the product injected into it, etc. Show off your content creation and editing skills. Include transitions, Capcut edits, hooks, and more for best results!
Here's What You Need To Include:
- 4-8 high-quality video examples (5 maximum per row on a page)
- You can use the iPhone frame on Canva, or another frame that makes the video cleaner
- Small label for each video including brand name and ‘type’ of video.
- Ex. TULA Unboxing
- Create multiple sections if you work in different niches (Apps, Fashion, Tech, Wellness)
- Callouts for videos that performed really well or got lots of views are great if possible
- You can also add the analytics for the videos if they are good social proof
- Make sure all of the examples are unique and show off different styles
- Ex. Green Screen Ad, Organic Unboxing, Product Review Ad, Organic Trend
- Checkout the 12 Types of UGC videos to Include Blog Post
6. Social Proof #3 - 5 Star Testimonials:
Gather statements of excitement and gratitude from brands you’ve worked with. Their words can do wonders. Written out testimonials, as many as you can without cluttering the page (2-5).
- What You Need To Include:
- Quotation marks around the text
- 5 Stars - add in Canva
- Name, title, and company of the person who wrote the testimonial for you
- Bold / underline key sentences/phrases that you want the viewer to see
7. Rates + Packages:
While it’s optional to list your prices, consider providing a range or minimum price point to set clear expectations for potential UGC collabs. This transparency can help filter serious inquiries and land more deals because the starting rate transparency gives the brand an idea of if they can afford you for a campaign and also gives you room as the creator to negotiate.
Here is what you can consider including if you are breaking down your offers in the portfolio:
- A clear description of the bundles you offer
- Do not have too many bundles (2-3 maximum)
- Keep the descriptions short, what will they get?
- Optional: show the short process of working together
- 3-4 steps, keep it brief, informative, and concise
- Highlight your best-selling bundle (add a star) and include a discount
- Give a clear next step for working together
- Add a call to action - “Book a 20 min call to get started”, “Email me @ to chat about customized bundles”
8. Contact Me:
Try not to make this section too wordy or about you.
- Bold or underline key points you don’t want the brand to miss
- Include another picture of you (ideally creating content)
- Include a call to action
- Ex. “Ready to work together, email me @”
- Type out your email again / your form/link to a calendar
Repeating CTA Throughout
End every section with a clear call to action to keep potential clients engaged and guide them toward booking your services. For example, "Ready to collaborate? Email me at [Your Email]." That way they don't have to scroll to the very end or beginning of the website to contact you.
Here are some example call to actions you could include:
- "Ready to work together? Shoot me an email with your deliverables and campaign details @"
- "Book a 15-minute discovery call, let's work together!"
- "Email me @ for our rates!"
Conclusion
Whew, take a deep breath bc that was a lot I know. 😮💨
I want you to sit down and actually go through what you can get done now from the action items in this post and add to your portfolio as you gain new client experience over time. We all have to start somewhere.
Creating a high-converting UGC portfolio is essential for standing out as a TOP-TIER UGC creator. By strategically showcasing your skills, results, and unique value proposition, you'll not only attract brand attention but also secure meaningful high-paying partnerships. Ready to elevate your UGC game? Start designing your portfolio today and watch as brand opportunities come knocking at your door.
If you want to take a huge step forward and check some of the boxes on your to-do list, grab our UGC Accelerator Bundle. We give you EVERYTHING from a done-for-you Converting UGC Portfolio template to a Notion UGC Dashboard to track your entire business, invoices, a contract, 100+ Brand Emails to pitch + more! Take your UGC hustle to the next level and start bringing in $3K - $8K months part-time with the help of this Done For You Bundle!
Can't wait to see what you will create!
xo, VITAMINC Team