Content creation is one of the most accessible job opportunities we’ve witnessed post-Y2K (or for those who grew up after the first Shrek movie: the frightening year 2000).
Accessibility doesn’t equal out to simple, however. With the idea of “looks simple, I can do it” often leading to vanity-chasing, frustrations and skill-gap discovery. A solid content creator wears multiple hats, at least starting out, as they often handle editing, production and the channel’s creative side.
What accessibility does equal is, in fact, the open platforms on which creators can freely register and start producing. It doesn’t mean everyone needs to (or should), but if you’re here reading this article, we think you got a shot.
So…
What is UGC specifically, and what does a UGC creator do?
User-generated content (that’s UGC!) refers to texts, videos, images, reviews, basically anything created by individuals, not by brands.
In marketing, UGC is often used to bring authenticity to brands by offering real customers a greater human view into their products or experiences. UGC has had such a huge influence on consumers, in fact, that a recent study shows people trust UGC 2.4x more than traditional ads.
Okay, so what is a UGC creator exactly?
UGC creators specialize in producing this style of authentic, relatable content for brands. The good news for fresh UGC’ers is that they don’t need a large following to start promoting content on their own profiles.
UGC creators make marketing content that connects with people, allowing brands to use that content in their marketing.
You, as a UGC creator, are not paid for your own likes and follows, but on deliverables. The world is unboxing videos, meets product demo clips, testimonial photos and A day in the life… posts. Genuine pieces showcasing brand products.
And why are brands hiring UGC creators?
Often skeptical of professional adverts, today’s consumer craves authenticity.
UGC creators are filling this role constantly by producing content that feels authentic. That veil of realness has had so much of an impact, that a recent study shows 84% of consumers are more likely to trust a UGC campaign—more engagement, more sales.
If you’re creative and can film a decent video or take a good photo with your smartphone, you already have the basic tools to become a UGC creator.
Best social platforms for starting out as a UGC creator
The content you create, and how you create it, may really play into your choice of platforms. Short videos have regained much of their Vine-era notoriety, but the audiences sopping them up on TikTok may not be looking for a 1-hour breakdown on tax prep advice.
Choosing the right platform for kickstarting your UGC creator journey is important, but it doesn’t mean you can’t pivot. If you’re just starting out, you’ll likely be looking into:
- TikTok
- Instagram
- YouTube
- Other Platforms
You don’t have to be everywhere, and certainly not all at once. A low comprehension on a platform you don’t show interest in will express that—if anyone notices in the first place. Focus on what you’re best at, learn and grow centrally, and branch out when and how you see fit.
5 ways UGC creators make money
Creators have multiple ways to make money by turning their content skills into a business.
While anyone creative enough to shoot a video, can in essence be a UGC creator, running a business may make all the difference. From creating sponsored content, to holding intellectual property, there are multiple ways to create and grow a business in the UGC field.
- Creating sponsored content for brands
UGC creation at its core. Creators approach brands (or vice versa), agree on rates for 1 or multiple pieces, and get paid upon delivery.
Protect yourself! Don’t do work you don’t have a contract or upfront payment for. You may consider UGC marketplaces when getting started, like Insense, Billo or Collabstr, or signing up on Fiverr and Upwork. - Selling usage rights and licensing
UGC creators can charge additional fees for usage right—essentially this means licensing the brand to use your video or photo in paid ads, through their website, in email-marketing campaigns… Anything!
If a brand wants to run a video ad for 3 months on Facebook, you can charge for that ad run. Seasoned negotiators will have an understanding of when and where their content is being used, and how to set rates accordingly. If you’re just starting out, take your time and don’t work for free. - Affiliate marketing and referral bonuses
Some UGC creators earn money through affiliate arrangements, driving would-be customers towards brands through unique referral links or discount codes.
This blurs the lines with influencer work quite heavily, but can apply to UGC creation too. The work is generally commission based, but if you’re not posting this content on your own channel there are ways to negotiate performance bonuses based on metrics when brands run a campaign. - Platform monetization (entirely optional)
Your primary income and focus should be on brands paying you for your content work, but you may choose to post content yourself—practice or self-promotion are valid reasons why.
TikTok’s Creator fund, YouTube ad revenue, these are accessible means of earning extra income based on virality, click rates and active followings. While many UGC creators remain successful behind-the-scenes, the option for an audience is yours for the taking. - Offering related, but additional services
Creative freelancers are diverse skill holders. UGC content creation could easily lead into adjacent service offerings like video editing, product photography or social media management for clients. You’ll likely be adopting some equipment and skills that can pay for themselves.
If you have the capacity, and interest, these long-term revenue streams will likely become natural stops in your UGC content creation journey.
UGC content creation might not be the end-all, be-all income source at the end of the day. When you’re just starting out, it’ll likely begin as a side job. With dedication, it can become wonderfully lucrative, but a business mindset
How much can you earn as a UGC creator?
UGC creation can be a side hustle earning a few hundred dollars a month, or it can evolve into a full-time career making six figures a year – it all depends on your output, experience, and the demand for your niche. Because the field is relatively new and varied, income can vary widely.
Most UGC creators charge per piece of content (like per video or per batch of photos). Rates depend on your experience, the complexity of the content, and the scope of usage. For an entry-level creator with basic skills, brands typically pay around $50 to $250 for a single UGC piece such as a short video or a set of images.
As you gain more experience and a reputation for quality, you can charge more—many established UGC creators charge $300 to $500+ for a 60-second video or a bundle of content. To give a concrete example, one 2024 industry survey found the average asking price for one 15-60 second UGC video was about $212.
On a monthly basis, a beginner doing UGC on the side might earn a few hundred up to a couple thousand dollars. For instance, some UGC creators on Reddit report side hustle earnings around $1,200–$3,000 per month for a handful of videos. According to ZipRecruiter data, the average salary for a UGC content creator in the US is about $116,000 per year (which is roughly $9,700 per month) as of early 2025. Top earners (75th percentile and above) were reported to earn around $125,000–$130,000 annually. Keep in mind those figures likely reflect individuals treating UGC creation as a full-time business.
Income potential grows as you become more efficient and reputable.
Your niche matters—highly competitive niches like beauty or tech might have bigger budgets, but also more competition. Your content quality and professionalism directly impact whether clients are willing to pay premium rates. Creators who can provide high-quality cinematography, editing, or very persuasive storytelling can charge more. The scope of rights (as mentioned, allowing a brand to use content as an ad can warrant higher fees) and turnaround times also increase the price.
6 Steps to becoming a UGC content creator
Entering the world of UGC creation might feel overwhelming, but it’s actually quite accessible. To help you get started, we’ve created a step-by-step guide with actionable tips.
Let’s get you on-track to snagging your first UGC creation job!
Step 1: Pick your niche and know your audience
Start by identifying 1-3 niches that you genuinely enjoy, and that have brands who would consider (or actively do) the use of UGC. It’s important that you choose niches you’re able to discuss authentically.
Popular niches include:
- Beauty & skincare
- Health & fitness
- Tech & gadgets
- Food & beverage
- Travel & lifestyle
- Fashion
- Productivity tools
By sharpening your focus, growing as an expert and building a portfolio, you’ll appeal directly to brands in these sectors. You can always expand outwards, but it’s best to find your center
💡 Action tip! Spend a little time researching the kind of UGC content common in your prospective niche.
Step 2: Choose which platforms you’ll build your presence on
Even though UGC creators don’t need massive followings, you do need an online presence—think of it as your storefront. Brands or clients will likely check out your profiles to see your style and personality. Start by setting up accounts on one or two key social platforms that best fit your niche and content type (as we discussed earlier). TikTok and Instagram are great launch pads for most niches.
Ensure your profile clearly states what you do, and use a friendly profile photo to make sure your account is public (so potential clients can see your content). Just keep them professional.
Next, make your feed reflect your brand as a content creator. Use a cohesive tone, style or color scheme in your posts if possible, so someone scrolling your profile gets a clear sense of your content style. You don’t need dozens of posts to start, but do publish a few pieces of sample content right away.
💡 Action tip! Engage with the community on your chosen platforms. Follow other UGC creators, especially those in similar niches, and interact with their content (leave a thoughtful comment or two).
Step 3: Create a UGC portfolio (sample content)
When you’re brand new, you probably won’t have any prior client work to show—that’s okay! You can create your own UGC-style portfolio from scratch to demonstrate your skills.
Start making content as if you were already hired by a brand. Pick a product you own (ideally in your niche) and produce a mock piece of content for it. For example, if your niche is fitness and you have a favorite protein powder, film a 20-second “recipe shake” video or take a photo of it on your kitchen counter with a caption reviewing the taste.
Treat this seriously: plan a beginning, middle and end for the video, or write a caption that highlights the product benefits in an authentic tone. Show variety in your portfolio, as brands want to see that you can do various types of content. When someone asks, “Can I see your work?” you should have something ready to go.
💡 Action tip! Try to simulate a real collaboration in your practice content. Write a brief for yourself as if a brand gave it to you, like “Create a 30-second TikTok demonstrating how this app makes scheduling easier, in a fun, relatable way.”
Step 4: Post consistently and refine your skills
Consistency and continuous improvement will set you apart. Make it a habit to regularly post content on your chosen platforms. This keeps your profile active and engaging.
Try to treat your personal content creation like a job: set a schedule (e.g., “I’ll create and post one new UGC-style video every week”). Over time, you’ll get faster and better at filming, lighting, speaking on camera, editing, and so on. Pay attention to what content gets more likes or comments; this feedback is gold for learning what resonates. Don’t be discouraged when a post goes nowhere—this is a great way to learn. Most social platforms have built-in analytics, so even with a small audience you can gauge which of your posts people found interesting.
This mindset of continuous improvement will help you evolve from a beginner to a pro UGC creator, even before you land your first client.
💡 Action tip! Challenge yourself with small experiments to refine skills. For example, film the same product two or three different ways (maybe a funny take, an artistic take, and an informative take) to see which style you execute best.
Step 5: Pitching and networking—landing your 1st client!
Now that you have a foundation, it’s time to start working with real clients. In the UGC world, you typically have to be proactive to get those first few gigs. There are several avenues to explore:
Join UGC and freelance platforms: Create accounts on platforms where brands actively seek UGC creators. As mentioned, Fiverr is a common starting point—make a gig listing like “I will create authentic TikTok videos for your brand” and set an introductory price to attract buyers. Some of these platforms are region-specific or have waitlists.
These platforms often have a stream of campaigns you can apply to, connecting you with brands that need content. Be active, and complete projects you agree to as those first reviews are everything.
Pitch to brands directly: Make a list of small to mid-sized brands in your niche that you think could benefit from UGC (perhaps ones that you’ve seen running ads with influencer content, or brands that have a social media presence but somewhat stiff content). Reach out to them professionally. You can DM them on Instagram or TikTok, or better, send an email to their marketing department if you can find a contact.
Keep it short and value-focused: introduce yourself as a UGC creator, express genuine enthusiasm for their product (maybe mention you’ve used it or admire their brand), and explain how you can create content to engage their audience. If you have a portfolio or examples ready, include a link.
Leverage social media networking: Sometimes simply being visible can bring clients to you. Continue using your own social accounts to showcase content, and occasionally mention that you’re available for collaborations.
The first client or two might be the hardest to get, but once you have them, make sure to do an outstanding job and be professional (meet deadlines, communicate well). Happy clients can become repeat clients or refer you to other businesses.
Action tip! Draft a basic outreach template that you can customize for different brands. This should include a quick intro, a line on why you like that brand or how you align with them, and a call-to-action like “If you’re interested, I’d love to discuss ideas or send over some example content I’ve made.”
Step 6: Be professional—set rates, manage your business
When opportunities start coming, you need to be ready to handle the business side of being a UGC creator. Two big parts of this are setting your rates and invoicing clients properly. It’s important to charge what you’re worth and present yourself as a professional from the get-go.
Setting your rates Research is your friend here. By now, you have an idea of typical UGC price ranges from earlier in this article. Consider starting with a rate that you feel is fair for your level, but not too low to undermine your work.
When negotiating with a client, clearly outline what deliverables they get for the price (for example, “1 x 30-second video, including one round of revisions”). If a client wants usage rights beyond organic social media (like for paid ads or a long-term license), be sure to discuss an extra fee for that. It helps to mention these things upfront, so the client understands the structure. Over time, you’ll refine your pricing strategy. Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all – some creators charge per hour, but most do per project pricing for UGC. Do what makes sense for you and ensure you’re compensated fairly for your effort.
Invoicing and payment: Once you complete a project, you need to invoice the client to get paid. An invoice is simply a bill outlining what you did and how much is owed. It should include basic details like your name/business name, the client’s name, a description of the service (e.g. “Creation of 2 UGC videos for [Brand]”), the amount due, payment methods, and due date.
Invoicing is even easier when you use an invoicing tool or service (we’ll discuss a great option in the next section).
How to invoice and get paid as a UGC Creator
Invoicing and getting paid shouldn’t be the part that causes you stress—after all, this is the reward for your hard work!
As a freelance UGC creator, you may deal with clients all over the world and you might not have a registered company of your own. The good news is, there are tools designed to make freelance invoicing hassle-free. One of the best options out there, especially for new content creators and freelancers, is Xolo Go.
Xolo Go is designed to be simple, hassle-free. Fully online, Xolo lets freelancers invoice clients without having to register a company of their own—perfect for fresh UGC creators who’ve just started their content creative journey. Each invoice takes just minutes to set up, keeps you compliant with local tax guidelines, and is globally accessible.
Payments are processed lightning-fast with Xolo Go, so you’re not waiting around chasing money. Clients can pay your invoices with bank transfers, credit cards, and all with ease. Xolo even sends polite reminders to clients who may miss a due date—no more awkward follow-ups.
Why do UGC creators love tools like Xolo Go?
- Size doesn’t matter when it comes to your business
- Payments and invoices are created and paid with ease
- Xolo Go provides users with a professional image
- It keeps your earnings centralized and easily trackable
- Operate your business as a business, without having to register one
- Xolo is VAT-ready, no need for registration (EU)
Ditch the friction of starting out as a UGC creator with Xolo in just just about 10 minutes
Once the client pays, Xolo takes care of moving the funds to you (we only charge a small percentage for the service, but think of it as a convenience fee for not having to do all the heavy lifting yourself).
Try sending your first invoice via Xolo Go. You’ll look professional, and feel more legit too! Plus, tracking earnings from day one sets good habits for managing your income. In the long run, using an invoicing service can also simplify things like annual taxes because you have clear records of all your invoices and payments in one place.
Explore Xolo Go for Hassle-Free Invoicing and Income Management
Becoming a UGC creator is an exciting way to turn your creativity into a career. You’ve learned what it entails – from understanding the power of authentic user-generated content, to building your presence on the right platforms, to developing content that brands will pay for. By following the steps outlined above, you can go from newbie to pro: identifying your niche, honing your skills, landing those first collaborations, and growing your income stream. Throughout this journey, remember that treating your UGC creation like a real business will set you apart. That means not only delivering great content but also handling the logistics like a pro.
As a next step, consider simplifying your freelance life with tools like Xolo Go. When you’re juggling multiple clients and projects, Xolo Go can be your secret weapon for stress-free invoicing and income management. It takes care of the nitty-gritty (compliant invoices, payment processing, record-keeping) so you can focus on what you do best – creating amazing content. Whether you’re doing UGC as a side hustle or scaling it into a full-time venture, having a reliable invoicing solution will save you headaches and help you get paid faster.
Ready to elevate your UGC creator journey? Explore Xolo Go today and see how easy it is to send your first invoice. With hassle-free tools in place, you’ll be well-equipped to grow your UGC business, work with more clients around the world, and enjoy the freedom of being a creative entrepreneur. Now, it’s time to put yourself out there and start creating – your future as a successful UGC creator is within reach. Good luck, and happy creating!