How to earn money by UGC
UGC creator or freelance content creator
Why do brands prefer UGC creators?
How to become a UGC creator
Frequently Asked Questions
If you've seen the words "UGC Creator" in your TikTok or Instagram feed, you're not alone.
UGC creators are a new type of marketing strategy, changing how brands leverage traditional UGC.
Hashtag search results for UGC creators on TikTok and Instagram
So, what is a UGC creator, why are they valuable to brands and how can you become one?
We broke up, all.
- index
- What is a UGC creator?
- Why do brands prefer UGC creators?
- How to become a UGC creator
- Frequently Asked Questions: UGC Creators
What is a UGC creator
Historically, UGC (User-Generated Content) has been defined as content organically generated by a brand's followers or consumers — which the brand shares on its own account:
@anisa.marrie tagged @gold in the Instagram photo and then @gold reposted her photo to their feed
Brands love UGC and for good reason – a 2021 survey revealed that 80% of respondents said UGC highly influences their purchase decisions.
This is where the new "UGC creators" come in.
A UGC creator is a content creator who specifically creates content that looks like UGC — but gets paid for it.
“Unlike influencers who need to grow their community before they can start working with brands, UGC creators don't need tons of followers nor are they obligated to show their face.
They just need to create content that can be shared across brand accounts,” said Lindsey Ashcraft, social content lead at Letter.
"But it's not technically organic — which is UGC. UGC has worked so well because it's content created by actual fans of a brand. A UGC creator is basically another term for freelance content creation," added Christine Colling, social media manager at Letter.
As of now, our content marketing team defines UGC creators as:
Freelance content creators who specialize in creating UGC-inspired content for brands - be it photos or videos.
In fact, we've paid creators — like Quaid Mohammed-Mason — to create content specifically for our social media accounts that resembles UGC:
“We started experimenting with it before 2022 because we are a small team and need more content. Instead of branded content, we commissioned Quaid videos that are organic and similar to what we post on our feed,” shares Christine.
However, whether you call it — UGC creator or freelance content creator — brands are paying for more "authentic" content to drive sales and traffic.
Psst, with the following management tools, you can schedule all your social media content in advance, which is the ultimate time-saver. Join over 4M brands, creators and social media managers — sign up today:
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Why do brands prefer UGC creators
When brands use UGC as part of their marketing strategy, they don't just sell products; They are building relationships and driving conversions.
Let's explore the benefits of using UGC Creators:
Advantage #1: Builds a bank of content
Creating content is often a time-consuming process – especially for social media managers and do-it-yourself entrepreneurs.
UGC creators open the floodgates of content that you don't have to create yourself.
You just need to brief the creators and depending on the deal (and if it's an ongoing partnership), you can get multiple new deliverables on a monthly basis — win, win!
Another way to build your UGC content bank – and create a stunning influencer marketing strategy – is to collaborate with Later's Services team. See how they work with brands to create *Chef's Kiss* content.
Benefit #2: Builds trust
UGC content has always been successful in building trust because it feels like a word of mouth recommendation from a friend or family member.
But not every brand has a large bank of UGC content at their fingertips.
By working with UGC creators, brands can post content that looks like UGC – typically less “shiny” or “branded” – to feel more organic, deliver use cases and ultimately build trust.
It's the perfect solution to showcase your brand without being overly promotional or salesy.
Advantage #3: More cost-effective than major influencer campaigns
Influencer campaigns are an important strategy for reaching new audiences, but depending on the type of creators you're working with (eg macro, mega) the money can add up.
This is especially true if it is going to be a one-and-done partnership for a timely launch or an event
On the other hand, working with UGC creators on an ongoing basis allows you to leverage their content across your channels, build your audience and keep costs from skyrocketing.
Advantage #4: Drive Sales
As we mentioned, UGC contributes significantly to conversions.
Because users are more likely to open their wallets when they see real people using a brand's product or service:
As it turns out, UGC creators have the unique ability to transform a product into a lifestyle rather than just a one-time purchase.
Major score!
Tip: Sourcing and working with UGC creators is easy with Later Influence, Later's influencer marketing platform. Book a demo today to see how it works.
Then plan, manage and analyze posts for each social channel in one place
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How to Become a UGC Creator
The rise of UGC creators opens the door for more people to create (and get paid for) content regardless of their follower count.
However, it takes time, consistency, hard work and a steady stream of income before you can claim full-time content creator status. So don't quit your day job just yet.
To get started with freelance content creation, here's a step-by-step guide to becoming a UGC creator:
Identify brands to work with
Create content
Build your portfolio
Sign up for later
Tip #1: Identify the types of brands you want to work with
Before you start creating UGC, make a list of the brands you want to work with.
If it's too niche, consider the industry you want to work in: wellness? Fashion? B2B? Technology? Sports?
From there, spend some time auditing the content they've already posted:
What content seems to work for them? Which post gets the most comments or views?
Do they post a lot of UGC?
If so, what does it look like?
What will grab your attention and make you stop scrolling?
Who is their target audience?
What is their brand voice?
Are there any gaps in their content? Could they benefit from more reels or TikTok tutorials?
Remember: UGC works best because it looks and feels authentic.
Working with brands in an industry you're passionate about will create a dream partnership and let your genuine connection with their product shine through.
Tip #2: Create content — practice makes perfect
Establish the type of content you want to specialize in — or whether you'll be a generalist.
If you want to focus on images, it might be worth taking a few beginner photography courses. If you're more comfortable on camera, create short-form videos that would work well on Reels, TikTok, or Stories.
You can practice on your own account. This will help you build your portfolio while experimenting with different features and content styles.
Tip #3: Build and build your portfolio
Building a portfolio can help you pitch brands more effectively, highlight your work, and build long-term collaborations.
Some creators recommend creating a portfolio using the Canva template that explains who you are, why the brand needs UGC, and previous work (if you don't have work yet, "make videos at home," says creator @ugcang):
Once you're ready to pitch, send an email to the brand's content or PR team
Tools like HubSpot's Email Writer can help if you're stuck in a rut and don't know what to write.
If you're not ready to pitch directly, you can search websites like Upwork or even Twitter — where plenty of brands are putting out open calls for UGC creators:
Tip #4: Sign up later
Here's a trick that makes it easy to create UGC content for some of the most beloved brands on the scene right now – joining Later's Influencer Program.
That's right - it's free for creators to sign up later. You'll be added to our influencer database, making it easy for you to connect with brands your audience will love.
What are you waiting for? Join today!
FYI: Creators make it easy to earn with a customized link on the next bio page, content creation tools, and your personal best time to post. Create an account and get started today:
Get discovered and monetize your content with the Next Influencer program.
Learn more
Frequently Asked QuesHow do I find UGC opportunities?
There are plenty of platforms to start searching. Check out these UGC services to help create some UGC opportunities:
Fiver
Upwork
crazy
Brands meet manufacturers
Twitter (search for #UGCCreator and #UGCC content)
How much should I charge as a UGC creator?
In short: it depends.
Unfortunately there is no universal one-size-fits-all pricing rule.
UGC creator rates will vary based on various factors including, scope of work, time and resources required, number of deliverables and more.
That said, many manufacturers generally adhere to a simple formula: time spent on content X hourly rate.
Speaking of salaries, the Creator Rate report is available later in the works. Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to be the first to know when it drops! 👀
Before you put all your eggs in one basket, it's important to remember that good things take time and being a successful UGC creator doesn't happen overnight.
That said, if you're interested in creating freelance content – UGC or otherwise – now's your time to shine.
And brands, if you want to increase sales and reach new audiences, you've got some recruiting on the horizon!
Ready to plan your social media content in advance? Next, start scheduling your posts with the ultimate social media management platform — create an account for free.
