How to Become a UGC Creator in 2025: A Step-by-Step Guide to Earn $20K+/Month
Apr 6, 2025
If you’ve ever scrolled through TikTok or Instagram and come across an ad that feels like a casual video from a regular person, you’ve already seen User-Generated Content (UGC) in action. UGC is all about authentic, relatable content—short videos, images, reviews, and text created by individuals rather than brands.
Over the past few months, we’ve talked to dozens of UGC creators, including some who are now making $10K–$20K per month. Many of them started with just a smartphone and a few creative ideas. Their insights, along with our experience in the creator economy (including time at TikTok), have shaped this guide.
Whether you’re just getting started or looking to take your UGC career to the next level, this guide breaks down everything you need—from setting up your toolkit to pricing your content and landing brand deals. Let’s dive in.
Why Become a UGC Creator in 2025? Industry Outlook for UGC Creators？
Still hesitating? Here are the top reasons to become a UGC creator that will get you excited:
No Fancy Equipment Needed: Got a decent smartphone (iPhone 8 or newer, or a comparable Android)? You're good to go! No need for expensive cameras or lighting setup
Solid Income Potential: While beginners typically earn around $100-$150 per video, experienced UGC creators can command $500-$1,000 or more. Top earners are even hitting five figures per month.
No Need for a Huge Following: You don't need to be an influencer with millions of followers. Micro-influencers and even creators with small, engaged audiences can thrive in the UGC space. UGC marketing focuses on content quality, not follower count.
Creative Freedom: Partner with brands you genuinely love and create content that aligns with your personal style. Express yourself and get paid for it!
Growing Demand: Brands are increasingly recognizing the power of UGC, creating ample opportunities for creators to find paid gigs.
Step 1: Set Up Your UGC Creator Toolkit
Before you start pitching to brands, you'll need to gather a few essential tools to build your UGC creator toolkit:
Smartphone: Any phone with solid video quality works. An iPhone 8 or newer is ideal, but many Android phones also offer excellent video capabilities.
Editing Apps:
CapCut: A free, user-friendly video editing app for quick edits, adding text, music, and effects. (Download CapCut Now)
Canva: A versatile graphic design platform for creating a slick portfolio, thumbnails, and other visual assets. Canva's free plan is powerful enough to create a basic website. (Visit Canva Now)
Portfolio Website: Creating a compelling UGC portfolio is key to showcasing your work effectively. A strong portfolio should be clean, engaging, and aligned with your niche. Highlight your best projects, provide context for each piece, and make it easy for brands to see your value.
If you're looking for inspiration on structuring your portfolio, here are some great examples:
Katie’s UGC Portfolio – A visually appealing and well-organized showcase of UGC work.
Kellyn Melon’s UGC Portfolio – A structured and professional approach to presenting UGC content.
These references are provided for inspiration and guidance. Make sure to create a portfolio that reflects your unique style and expertise.
Step 2: Land Your First Paid Gigs
You’re all set with the tools, but now how do you get brands to notice you and land your first paid UGC project? Here are some practical channels:
UGC Marketplaces:
Billo, Insense, and B-roll are UGC platforms that connect creators with brands seeking UGC content. (Learn about Billo；Learn about Insense；Learn about B-roll)
These platforms are easy to use, have rich brand resources, and can help you quickly connect with brands and start your UGC collaboration journey.
Social Media (Twitter/X):
Follow UGC job postings on Twitter/X, engage with brands, and proactively apply for collaboration opportunities.
Build connections within the UGC community to get the latest UGC project information.
Attract Brand Attention:
Post UGC-style content: Publish UGC-style short videos on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, and add relevant tags such as #UGC #UserGeneratedContent #UGCCreator to increase content exposure and attract brands to reach out to you.
Define Your Niche: Focus your content creation on specific niches, such as beauty and skincare UGC, tech product UGC, fitness and sports UGC, etc. A clear focus makes it easier for brands to find you and establish collaborations.
Pitch Yourself Directly:
Cold Pitching: Proactively reach out to brands you are interested in via email or DM, introduce your UGC creation capabilities, and attach your portfolio.
Start with Brands You Already Use: Contact brands you regularly use, making it easier to gain brand trust and create more authentic and infectious UGC content.
Step 3: Pricing Your Content (Don’t Undersell Yourself!)
There's no one-size-fits-all pricing standard for UGC videos. UGC Video Rates vary depending on your experience, content quality, and brand budgets. Here’s a general pricing guideline:
Base Pricing (Per Video):
Beginners (Just Starting Out): $100-$150 per video.
Intermediate Creators (With Some Experience): $300-$500 per video.
High-Performing Creators (Proven Track Record, Repeat Brand Deals): $750-$1,000+ per video (especially for high-converting ads).
Additional Services (Charge Extra!):
Raw Footage: +$50 or more.
Multiple Variations: +$100 or more per variation.
Spark Ads (Paid Brand Promotion): +$250/month or more.
Pricing Tips:
Know Your Worth - Don't Undersell!: Quality UGC content can bring substantial revenue to brands. Be bold with your pricing and don't underestimate your value!Increase
Rates As You Gain Experience: As your portfolio grows richer and your collaboration experience becomes more mature, your rates should also increase accordingly.
Step 4: Level Up & Maximize Your Earnings
Want to advance from a newbie UGC creator to a high-income UGC pro? Here are some advanced techniques to maximize your earnings:
Upgrade Your Production Quality: High-quality UGC materials are the foundation for higher rates. Continuously improve your video shooting, editing, and scriptwriting skills. Pay attention to lighting, sound effects, and storytelling to make your UGC content more appealing. Platforms like TikTok Creative Center provide insights into trending content, creative best practices, and high-performing ads—use it to refine your style and create content that stands out.
Stay Ahead with Real-Time Insights: Closely monitor UGC industry trends and UGC material trends, such as popular video styles, music, and hashtags. Utilize tools like Vizzylabs AI Ad Creative Search Engine to analyze trending UGC videos and understand brand and user preferences to make your UGC content better meet market demands. (Try Vizzylabs for Free)
Show Proof of Performance: Track your UGC video engagement data, advertising effectiveness, etc. Use data to demonstrate your UGC creation capabilities and value to brands.
Think Like a Creative Strategist: Don't passively wait for brand briefs. Proactively provide valuable UGC creative proposals to brands, showcasing your professionalism and value.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a successful UGC creator has a low entry barrier, but standing out and earning a high income still requires continuous learning and effort. Stay enthusiastic, keep creating, and constantly improve your UGC skills. You are sure to achieve success in the UGC industry!
Remember: Stay creative, keep experimenting, and never underestimate your worth! Be confident when negotiating rates with brands and strive for the returns you deserve for your UGC creation!
Hope this article provides you with a clearer and more comprehensive guide to becoming a UGC creator. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a message in the comments section!
