UGC or user‑generated content is the style of video or photo that feels like it came from a real customer, rather than a polished ad team. Brands love it because it comes across as authentic, has great conversion, and costs much less than bigger influencer campaigns. The best part for you? You don’t need a huge following to start. You need a phone, basic shooting skills, clean captions, and a small portfolio that shows how you tell a product story. This guide will take you through everything step-by-step skills, niche, rates, outreach, and workflow to help you land paid projects quickly.

What a UGC Creator Actually Does

A UGC creator produces content for brands to use on their own channels and ads. You could record a brief tutorial, an unboxing, a before/after, or a 20–30 second testimonial. After that, the brand shares it on TikTok, Reels, Shorts, emails, Amazon listings, and sponsored advertisements. You’re paid for the content, not for posting on your account (though some gigs include that too). This is different than being an "influencer" where the fee paid is tied to the number of followers. In UGC, quality and clarity matter more than popularity.

The Skills You'll Need 

Cinema equipment is not required. You need a clear image, clear audio, and text that is easy to read. Shoot near a window, keep the phone steady, speak clearly, and keep clips tight. Learn how to edit on a very basic level, so that your edited footage flows layer on layer. Add captions, because most viewers will be watching on mute, while also improving SEO and accessibility. A subtitle tool like Typei lets you auto-captions in seconds, allow you to style the text consistent with a brand, and export a 1080×1920 file, ready to go for TikTok, Reels, or Shorts.

Choose a Niche You Love

As a creator, brands hire you for how you see their product. Start with a niche you're already immersed in that may be skincare, haircare, coffee, fitness gear, pets, parenting, desk setups, cleaning tips, budget travel or student living. If you love it, you'll have no problem generating ideas, and you present yourself authentically to your viewers. Pick three content pillars to build out in your lane (for example, "quick routines," "mini reviews," and "simple how-tos"). Pillars will help you stay true to your lane and provide brands with a concise understanding of what you deliver.

Build a Tiny Portfolio 

Don't wait for a brief. Build spec ads which are short clips based on products you already own. Make sure to include your face, your hands, and real life with real light. Keep each video 15-30 seconds long, one promise, and finish up with a clear line (e.g "Here's why I would buy it again"). Add captions using Typei so they'll be readable on mute. Host your portfolio as a single link (e.g Drive, Notion, or a very simple site). Name the files clearly (brand_style_length_version) and write a one-sentence description under each clip describing what you were proving ("covers acne and doesn't feel heavy," "works in tiny kitchen drawers," etc.). That one sentence helps brands sort your clip to their message.

Price Your Work with Simple Packages

Pricing will always differ by market, but keep it simple. Charge for deliverables, and separate usage in terms of time limit, placement, organic vs paid ads, etc. Many first-timers are often starting with a set price for 1 video, a bundle price for 3-5 videos, and additional pricing for hooks, versions, and whitelisting meaning running your content itself as a paid ad. Limit your revisions to one round of standard edits, for example. Keep the language easy and plain so brands feel comfortable responding positively. As you produce results, increase your rates.

A clean package stack could look like this (adjust to your market):
Starter: 1× 20–30s vertical video (UGC demo/testimonial), basic captions, 1 round of edits, 30‑day organic usage.
Growth: 3× 15–30s videos + 2 hooks + basic captions, 2 rounds of edits, 90‑day organic usage.
Performance: 5 assets (mix of 2×30s + 3×15s) + captions + A/B hooks + cut‑downs, 2 rounds, 6‑month paid usage add‑on available.

Outreach That Works 

Create your profiles first, including a brief bio, email address, location and time zone, and a link to your portfolio. Pin one good reel with a caption that reads like a case study (“This 23s review lifted CTR 18%—script + captions + natural light”). Now reach out.

Write short, friendly emails or DMs. One line about the brand, one line about what you’d make, one link to your best example, and a clear next step.

A simple pitch email you can steal:
“Hey [Name/Brand], I’m a UGC creator focused on [niche]. I love how you [specific product angle], and I have an idea for a 20–30s testimonial that shows [single benefit] in a real morning routine. Here’s a similar clip I made: [link]. If you’re open, I can deliver a first draft within 5 days with captions and one revision. Want me to send a quick concept outline?”

Keep it human. Keep it short. Follow up once a week for two weeks, then move on.

A Simple Script Template

Great UGC is just clear storytelling. Use this structure and you’ll be fine:

• Hook (2–3s): a relatable line or visual (“I stopped buying three products after this one swap”).
  
  

• Problem (3–5s): show the pain quickly (cluttered counter, frizzy hair, messy desk).
  
  

• Solution (5–8s): introduce the product and how you use it.
  
  

• Proof (5–8s): close‑up results, texture, before/after, quick demo.
  
  

• CTA (2–3s): one sentence (“If you have [problem], try this”).
  
  

  Speak plainly, smile sometimes, and caption the key words so the message lands on mute.

Your Production Workflow

To prevent projects from dragging, maintain a repeatable flow. Read the brief. Confirm deliverables, usage, deadline, and revision terms in writing. Plan three quick hooks. Film in one block near a window. Capture A‑roll (you talking) and B‑roll (close‑ups, hands, textures). Edit a tight first cut. Add captions in Typei so text is sharp and readable. Export 1080×1920, 30fps, H.264, 10–15 Mbps so the file looks clean after platform compression. Deliver via Drive or Dropbox with clear names and a one‑line summary of what each cut is for (e.g., “Hook A: routine problem; Hook B: texture close‑up”). Ask for focused feedback. Apply the single revision round. Send the final files and your invoice.

Usage Rights, Music, and Basic Legal

Two areas that new creators struggle in are usage and music. Usage refers to the where and how long the brand can use your content. A usage price for organic on their channels is one price. A usage price for paid ads (Spark/whitelisting) is a higher price. Be clear about term length (30/90/180 days) and platforms (TikTok, IG, YouTube, Meta). For music, use licensed tracks or the platforms libraries; never use a song you don't have rights to. Keep a simple contract that covers scope, revisions, usage, payment schedule, and kill fee. Store approvals and paid receipts. It sounds formal, but it keeps relationships smooth.

How to Improve Fast (30‑, 60‑, 90‑day plan)

The first month should be dedicated to output and clarity. Your task is to make 10 short spec clips in your niche, even if these have nothing to do with the brands your want to work with. Do three different hooks for the same product and see which one makes your friends stay and watch. In month two, fix your weak links maybe your audio is thin, or your backgrounds are cluttered. In the third month, start tracking your actual results; retention, click-throughs, comments. Make sure to save your best performing outputs. Show those wins in your pitches. Sometimes it is the small changes that end up stacking together nicely to give you better rates.

Tools That Simplify the Work

A phone camera + daylight + a cheap tripod is more than enough. A $30 clip-on mic increases quality more than a new lens. Use CapCut or VN for editing, and Premiere if you already know it. For subtitles, Typei is made for short-form: fast auto captioning, on-brand styles, multi-language, and 1080×1920 clean exports that don’t lose resolution when you share on TikTok, Reels, and Shorts. Use Drive or Dropbox to share files. Use Notion or just a standard doc to track briefs, versions, and due dates. Have fun.

Pick just one product you love. Write one line about a promise that product delivers. Make a 20‑second demonstration video in front of a window. Add some clear captions. Export clean. Do it again the next day. That's how you create a UGC portfolio that sells; simple, consistent, and honest.

When you're ready to go faster, use Typei to auto‑caption, style, and export your short‑form videos within minutes. Clear words on screen will help brands say “yes,” and it'll help your viewers stay and watch your video until the end. That's all that matters.

FAQs 

Do I need followers to get paid?

No. UGC is paid for the content, not your audience size. Your samples matter most.

How long should UGC be?

15–30 seconds for social. If the brand needs variations, film extra hooks and cut‑downs in the same session.

How many revisions should I allow?

One reasonable round is standard for beginner packages. Add more revisions as a paid add‑on if needed.

What about captions?

Always add them. Most people watch on mute. Captions lift watch time and make the message clear. A fast tool like Typei saves you minutes on every video.

How do I get my first client?

Make five strong spec clips, post them, and pitch five brands you already use. Keep it short, friendly, and specific. Repeat every week.