Do you want to work with your favorite brands, create content people love to watch, and get paid for it? Good news—that’s exactly what a UGC content creator does.
So, how do you become a content creator, and what are the key steps to get started and succeed in this booming field? YOO explains everything you need to know to become a UGC creator.
What is a UGC creator?
Before diving into the heart of the matter, it is essential to understand what a UGC creator is and why this role has become indispensable in digital marketing. This first part clarifies the concept, differentiates the UGC creator from an influencer, and explains why brands are looking for this type of content.
What does UGC (User Generated Content) mean?
UGC stands for User Generated Content. In other words, it’s content created by people like you and me, not by marketing professionals. This content can take many forms:
- Photos and videos posted on Instagram or TikTok
- Reviews and testimonials about products or services
- Articles or posts on LinkedIn or blogs
- Authentic stories showing the use of a product
Why is UGC so powerful? Because it builds trust. Consumers trust real experiences shared by users more than traditional ads. As a UGC creator, you produce content that feels natural, authentic, and inspires action. In fact, 79% of people say user-generated content strongly influences their purchasing decisions.
Today, brands are heavily investing in UGC marketing to humanize their communication and reach their audience in a more credible way—and that’s exactly where you come in!
Difference between UGC creator and influencer
A UGC creator doesn’t necessarily rely on a massive following, unlike an influencer. Influencers sell their image and audience to promote brands, while UGC creators focus on the quality of their content:
- Influencer: Large audience, social media engagement, often sponsored collaborations.
- UGC Creator: Content quality first, portfolio of videos/photos, direct collaborations with brands.
Therefore, a UGC content creator can start without thousands of followers, simply by showcasing their talent and unique style. This is why many choose to become a beginner UGC creator without waiting to have a huge community.
Why Do Brands Look for UGC Content?
Brands are constantly looking for UGC content for several reasons:
- Authenticity: Audiences trust content created by real users.
- Engagement: Natural videos, photos, or testimonials generate more interactions than traditional ads.
- Cost-effectiveness: Producing content with UGC creators is often cheaper than a traditional marketing campaign.
- Variety of formats: UGC can feed Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and e-commerce sites without producing content in-house.
Pro tip from YOO: Brands love creators who can adapt their style to the product and tell a short story (storytelling) around it.
Why Become a UGC Creator Today?
A Career Accessible to Everyone (Even Without a Large Following)
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to be famous to become a UGC creator. The key is the quality of your content and your ability to tell simple, engaging stories. Even with just a smartphone, you can:
- Film your product experiences
- Share authentic reviews
- Create trendy micro-videos for TikTok and Instagram
Brands primarily look for authenticity. If your content makes people smile, inspires, or convinces, you have a real chance. Becoming a UGC content creator is accessible regardless of your experience.
Income Opportunities (Keyword: UGC Creator Salary)
What does a UGC creator earn?
- Micro missions: €50–€150 for a single photo or short video
- Regular collaborations: €300–€1,000 per month when working with multiple brands
- Experienced creators: Several thousand euros per month with exclusive contracts
Working with your favorite brands
This is probably the most exciting part of the job: collaborating with brands you truly love.
You can work with beauty labels, food brands, tech startups, mobile apps, fashion retailers… basically, it all depends on your niche.
Imagine filming a reel for your favorite coffee brand or a lifestyle video for an app you use every day.
It’s motivating, rewarding, and often a lot of fun to shoot.
The more you progress, the more you build your UGC social network: a solid contact list of brands and fellow creators.
The skills required to become a UGC creator
Becoming a UGC content creator isn’t just about filming a fun video. It’s about understanding what brands expect, mastering a bit of technical skill, and above all, knowing how to create authentic and engaging content.
Good news: these skills can be learned quickly, and you can develop them using your phone and a bit of practice.
Filming with your phone
Your smartphone is your best ally. You don’t need a professional camera to create high-quality UGC content.
Brands are looking for a natural and spontaneous look, not a video worthy of a TV commercial. But be careful—“natural” doesn’t mean sloppy. A good UGC creator knows how to highlight a product even in a simple setting.
Creating engaging and authentic content
This is the core of the job. Good UGC content doesn’t need to be perfect. It should make viewers want to watch until the end and feel something.
When creating a video, ask yourself:
- Am I speaking to the right audience?
- Does the video tell a story?
- Am I behaving like a real user or customer of the product?
The secret is to film as if you were recommending something to a friend. Viewers immediately notice the difference between a marketing pitch and a sincere share.
Examples of engaging content types:
- Spontaneous testimonials (“I tested this cream for 7 days, here’s the result…”)
Natural demos (“Look how I use it every day…”)
Smooth transitions
Editing Basics and Storytelling
Filming is one thing. Editing is what transforms a simple video into viral content.
You don’t need to be an expert in Premiere Pro or Final Cut. Free apps like CapCut, VN, or InShot are more than enough to create professional-looking videos. Check out our article on the best apps to create content for your social media.
Also, think about storytelling. Every video should tell a mini-story.
Simple structure to remember:
- Problem: “I was struggling with my dry skin…”
- Discovery: “Then I tried this product…”
- Result: “And honestly, the difference is amazing.”
This framework works for 90% of high-performing UGC content.
YOO tip: always keep an eye on UGC trends—transitions, editing styles, popular formats. The more your content aligns with trends, the more brands will want to collaborate with you.
How to become a UGC content creator? (Key steps)
Step 1: Create your first test content (TikTok, Instagram, etc.)
Before anything else, you need to practice. Even if no brands are interested yet, start by creating “test” videos.
This allows you to:
- Experiment with different formats: unboxing, testimonials, product demos.
- Find your natural style and tone.
- Build a foundation for your future UGC portfolio.
Don’t aim for perfection. Brands want authentic and engaging content, not a Hollywood-style ad. The goal here is to practice, test, improve, and create a video library to show brands later.
Step 2: Build Your UGC Creator Portfolio
Your UGC portfolio is your business card. It’s what brands will look at before trusting you with a collaboration.
What it should include:
- Your best videos and photos (product tests, unboxing, demos…).
- Variety of examples to show adaptability.
- If possible, simple stats (engagement rate on your test posts).
- Rates and collaboration terms.
YOO tip: You can create your portfolio easily with Canva, Notion, or Google Drive. The key is to make it clear, professional, and easy to navigate.
Even without a big audience, a strong portfolio shows your talent and ability to produce effective UGC content. Remember: brands aren’t buying your account—they’re buying your content.
Once created, learn how to optimize your UGC portfolio for maximum impact.
Step 3: Choose Your Niche (Beauty, Food, Tech, Lifestyle)
To stand out, it’s crucial to specialize in a niche:
- Beauty / Cosmetics → routines, tips, before/after.
- Food / Drinks → recipes, tastings, culinary lifestyle.
- Tech / Apps → tutorials, unboxing, product demos.
- Lifestyle / Home / Sports → daily moments, activities, useful products.
Why a niche?
- You become an expert in your field, which reassures brands.
- You can create cohesive and recognizable content.
- Brands prefer working with creators who understand their audience.
Step 4: Set Your Rates as a Digital Content Creator
Setting your UGC content creator rates may seem intimidating, but it’s essential to monetize your work.
Indicative rates for 2025:
- Short video (15–30 sec): €50 – €150
- Long video (30–60 sec): €150 – €400
- Pack of 3 videos: €300 – €800
- Photo or Instagram carousel: €30 – €100 per image
Tips for positioning yourself:
- Present yourself as a professional digital content creator, not just someone “testing products”.
- Prepare a clear and attractive media kit with your style, content examples, stats, and rates.
- Highlight your skills in storytelling, editing, and UGC creation to show brands you can deliver ready-to-use content.
- Start with reasonable rates and increase them as your portfolio and experience grow.
Which Platforms to Join to Find Your First UGC Missions?
Starting as a UGC creator is great… but finding your first paid missions is even better!
Luckily, there are several ways to connect with brands and start monetizing your content. Let’s explore the most effective options:
Specialized UGC platforms
YOO is the go-to platform for UGC creators who want to get started quickly and efficiently. For 8 years, YOO has been helping brands create authentic, high-performing, and engaging content by leveraging the power of UGC. With YOO, you get a powerful and seamless tool that connects brands and creators in just a few clicks.
What makes YOO unique for creators:
- A community of over 100,000 engaged and diverse creators
- Hands-on knowledge of social media content and creators
- A platform open to all brands, big or small, regardless of their digital maturity
- An expert and supportive team guiding you through every step of your campaign
By signing up with YOO, you can access briefs directly, apply to missions, and start receiving products quickly, even without an existing audience.
Reaching out directly to brands
You can also take the initiative and contact brands directly.
How to do it:
- Prepare your media kit with your best videos and photos, your style, stats (if you have any), and your rates.
- Identify the brands that fit your niche.
- Send a clear and concise message.
This approach requires some perseverance, but it works particularly well if you already have test content and a solid portfolio.
Conclusion: Ready to become a UGC creator?
Now that you know the steps, the skills to develop, the types of content to create, and the platforms to find missions, it’s time to take action.
With YOO, you have a reliable partner to:
- Find your first UGC missions
- Get support in building your portfolio
- Access a community and briefs tailored to your profile
- Turn your talent into real income
So, what are you waiting for? Sign up on YOO today and become an ambassador for your favorite brands.