Okay, so you want to create content for brands and dream about becoming a content creator. Maybe you've even tried pitching a few times, only to be ghosted by the brand. Welcome to the club, we've all started somewhere!

The bad news? You’ll have to put in the work and there is a bit of a learning curve.

The good news? It does get easier. And we can help!

Let's dive in!

Step 1: Research, Expand, and Practice

Research:

The first thing you need to do is immerse yourself in the world of UGC. Follow established UGC creators, study their content, and dissect why certain pieces perform well. Is it the storytelling? The visuals? Take notes, learn the trends, and understand what drives conversions.

Actionable Tip: Follow hashtags like #ugc #ugccreators #ugccommunity #ugccollaborations to stay updated and inspired.

Expand:

Brands pay top dollar for creators who understand UGC videos that drive conversions. Make sure you become one of them by learning the terms, trends, and techniques that set successful UGC apart. Consider taking a masterclass, downloading free guides, or connecting with other creators to expand your knowledge. Remember, networking can open doors you never knew existed!

Get comfortable with stepping beyond your comfort zone. Expand past your imposter syndrome + limiting beliefs. Network with fellow creators, learn from each other and see what is possible in UGC. Remember, connections can open doors you never knew existed.

Practice:

If you want to become a UGC content creator, you’re going to need to be able to create UGC content.

Actionable Tip: Start by brainstorming some dream brands you’d like to work with, then research their preferred UGC styles. Create practice videos for these brands and post them on your social media for others to see. This way, you showcase the value you can provide.

Step 2: Hone Your Video Creation Skills

To succeed, you must master creating top-tier content. Especially if you’re a beginner, this is crucial, people won’t pay you to make content for them unless they see that you can make great videos. Here's what to focus on...

• Speaking in Front of the Camera: Confidence and reliability is key. Practice speaking to the camera like a friend with a more genuine but confident tone.

• Actionable Tip: Improve your camera presence, grab one of your fav products, and film yourself talking about it, give an honest product review. Keep it simple, focusing on the benefits and any downsides you’ve seen with the product.
  
  Then, watch it back + grade yourself. How is the lighting? Your tone? Can you do better? How? If you’re a beginner, the answer is probably yes. So note how you can improve, and try again with another product!

• Filming Techniques: Learn about lighting, angles, and settings. Experiment with your smartphone camera and remember—clean your lens! Check out our list of must-have filming equipment for creators!
• Video Editing:  Play with apps like CapCut to add music, transitions, captions, and effects.

Step 3: Boost Your Communication Skills

Responsive communication sets you apart. Brands appreciate prompt replies and clarity. Keep your emails and social media messages professional yet friendly—think of them as a conversation between partners.

Actionable Tips:

• Respond to brands within 24 hours (unless it is the weekend)
• Overcommunicate with the brand and use a professional but friendly tone
• Follow the creative brief (if they provide one) + set deliverables 
• Apply the brand's feedback and criticism, don't take it personally.

How to Land Your First UGC Deal With No Experience

Create a UGC Portfolio

A UGC portfolio is essential when securing paid brand collaborations. This allows you to demonstrate your skills and your worth to the brand. Remember fewer words and more demonstrated value (aka examples, calls to action, testimonials, analytics, etc).

Don't Have Any Videos for Your Portfolio? Don’t wait for opportunities; create them! Choose a few favorite products in your house, make 4 - 5  UGC style videos (review, trend, unboxing, etc), and add them to your portfolio to start pitching!

Grab The Converting UGC Portfolio to Sign Dream Clients to save yourself the guesswork and time of creating a portfolio and start signing paid brand deals in as little as a day!

Create Your UGC Socials + Intro Video 

Your UGC accounts should be separate from your personal or brand accounts for privacy reasons + discoverability. Be sure to include “UGC” somewhere in your handle. 

You don't need to worry about a following or how many views or followers you get, I like to think of these social accounts as extensions of your portfolio and arguably the most important part.

• Strive to film 2 - 3 UGC examples per week and post them to build a portfolio of examples for potential paying clients.
• Fill your page with multiple UGC styles of content: aka testimonials, unboxings, grwm, paid video v. organic video, etc.
• Include your contact info in your bio (for brands to reach out)!!!!

Actionable Tip: Create an Intro Video (30 sec - 1 min) and Pin it to your profile!

An introduction video is often the first thing a brand sees. Make it count! Write a concise script about who you are, your passions, and what you bring to the table as a UGC creator. Keep it authentic and engaging but also informational. Mention your specialties and niche, any relevant partnerships you've had or big wins as a creator!

Sign Up On Many UGC Platforms (p.s. they're free 🆓)

Sign up for 3-5 UGC platforms to get in touch with more brands and start landing paid collabs. Depending on what your schedule can handle and goals for UGC.

The best part about UGC platforms is that they're free and they do a lot of the work for you (like negotiating, invoicing, etc). You'll have to undergo a vetting process, but once you're in, you're free to pitch your services to companies actively seeking UGC creators for their campaigns.

For each platform, invest time to design a sleek, polished account. Highlight your interests (i.e., the type of brands you'd like to collaborate with, niche, etc) and upload your UGC portfolio and intro video.

Here are some UGC platforms for UGC creators:

• Influee
• Brand Meet Creators
• UGC Shop
• Trend
• Clip
• Billo
• Twirl
• Upwork/Fiverr

Keep Applying + Pitching to Brands... Quantity Counts! 📈

As you begin, you'll need to apply to numerous jobs across different platforms to start receiving offers. While also emailing, messaging on LinkedIn, or DMing on Socials to decision makers on the brand social media team to land higher paying collabs! 

Keep applying + pitching! You never know when that first client will come along. If a brand offers a gifted collab consider taking it as a rookie to land the ropes of how a partnership works and have a testimonial for your portfolio. 

And–that's pretty much it. Once the UGC partnerships start rolling in, you'll require other details, such as banking details or a PayPal setup… But these are trivial. Once you secure jobs, you'll quickly figure out the payment process. If you have more questions there check out some of our other blog posts or our Free UGC Career Kickstarter Guide!

How to Get UGC Brand Deals Recap...

Research and practice UGC, work on your communication skills + pitching, create a portfolio, and start signing up for platforms + gigs to get paid!

Starting a UGC career comes with hurdles:

• Confidence dips? Remember, every expert was once a beginner. Imposter Syndrome will creep in but you HAVE to keep going! 
• Not getting responses? Keep refining your pitches and remember the more pitches you send the better chances you will receive a yes.
• Need more guidance + a timesaver? Join our 7-Day UGC Masterclass for everything you need to start your UGC business, all in one place!

That’s it. Most UGC creators fail to land UGC brand deals because they quit too early and don't have confidence in their content. Don’t be that creator–keep going, and you’ll be a top-tier creator in no time!

xo,

Maddy | Creative Director @ VITAMINC