Imagine being paid to review amazing products, working from the comfort of your own home, and even enjoying free holidays. It’s all within your reach! In this article, we’ll guide you through the essential steps to become a successful UGC creator. From crafting captivating videos to leveraging the power of Instagram for brand collaborations, honing your editing skills, and building an impressive portfolio, we’ve got you covered. Get ready to unleash your creativity, forge meaningful connections with brands, and pave your way to success in the vibrant world of UGC. Let’s dive right in and make your dreams a reality!
Step 1 – Creating Your First UGC Videos
Ready to embark on your UGC adventure, girl? Let’s kick it up a notch and start creating some seriously fabulous videos with the products you already have at home! Picture this: you find your absolute favorite product and let your camera capture all the magic as you showcase how you use it like a total pro. Trust me, when I first dipped my toes into the UGC world, this little nugget of advice was a game-changer.
I’ve been juggling the micro-influencer hustle on the side for ages, dreaming of turning it into a full-blown career. But guess what? It wasn’t until I received a dazzling email from a brand that everything clicked into place. They wanted videos for their internal use, no social media uploads were required—literally what UGC means! So, they asked for my portfolio, and guess what? I didn’t have one. But I pointed them to my Instagram, where I had many product pics but not a single video in sight. That’s when the social media manager of the brand gave me the most fabulous suggestion: ‘Grab your go-to product, strike a pose in front of the camera, and spill all the love you have for it. Share why it’s so special!’ Girl, let me tell you, that advice was like a glittery unicorn soaring through the sky—it opened my eyes wider than a Sephora sale! Inspired, I put together ten sensational videos featuring my beloved products and unforgettable moments like indulging in delicious restaurant treats and luxurious hotel stays.
Now, here’s my secret recipe for UGC success: make sure your portfolio showcases a mix of video types that’ll make brands swoon from every angle. Think unboxing, product showcases (because, honey, we all need a little morning routine inspo), product reviews (spill the tea on those fabulous qualities and results), thrilling outings (imagine reviewing that charming bistro you adore), jet-setting adventures (perfect for reviewing dreamy hotels, airlines, or Airbnbs), and instructional how-to videos (where you shine as the expert, showing off a fabulous service or website).
Step 2 – Editing Your First UGC Videos
Once you’ve finished filming all your fabulous videos, it’s time to dive into the exciting part—the creative editing process! Get ready to unleash your inner artist using my all-time favorite editing app, Capcut. Trim those videos nice and short, crafting them into captivating masterpieces. Looking for some editing inspiration? Take a peek at the sizzling trends on Instagram Reels or check out the social media pages of the products you filmed. Staying on-trend will make your videos shine like diamonds.
Step 3- Creating Your UGC Portfolio
Once you’ve polished those videos to perfection (don’t forget to add cool music or catchy voiceovers for extra pizzazz), it’s time to proudly add them to your dazzling portfolio. Need a stylish and free way to create your portfolio? Look no further than Canva! It’s a fantastic platform where you can publish your own website and showcase all your stunning materials and information. Just share the link, and you’re good to go. Oh, but wait, there’s more! I highly recommend creating a media package on Google Drive (don’t forget to add watermarks to protect your precious videos) to provide extra content for those special clients who require a little more to seal the deal.
Now, let’s talk pricing. Many people wonder if they should include their rates in their portfolios. Personally, I have mine displayed, as they’re pretty fixed and rarely change. However, if you’re just starting out, your prices may be more flexible.
Feel free to provide an approximate price range, but keep in mind that brands might negotiate and try to bring it down a notch. As for me, I suggest specifying prices for individual videos and packages of five, but I wouldn’t stress too much about listing photo prices. In the world of UGC, brands are all about videos and don’t pay as much attention to photos. However, it’s always handy to have an estimate for photo prices, just in case a brand asks.
Once your sparkling portfolio is ready to shine, it’s time to spread your wings and send it to numerous brands across different platforms. Get ready to seize those opportunities and start landing gigs, babe! This leads us straight to the next exhilarating step on your UGC journey.
Step 4 – Sending Your UGC Portfolio To Brands
Nowadays, there are countless ways and platforms to connect with brands, but let me spill the tea on my personal favorite—Instagram! Trust me, girl, it’s been an absolute breeze to reach out to brands and connect with the right people to land some fabulous collaborations. You see, Instagram is a treasure trove because social media managers, the ones responsible for hiring and working with UGC creators, often handle brand accounts. Once you grasp that golden nugget, your first collabs will come knocking on your door in no time. So, it’s time to scout Instagram for brands that make your heart skip a beat, and don’t hesitate to reach out to them, babe!
Here’s another sneaky way to discover brands on Instagram—keep an eye on your own and your friend’s stories. You know those moments when an ad pops up randomly? Screenshot that ad and reach out to the brand later. Trust me, if they’re running ads and have a solid marketing budget, it means they’re actively seeking creators like you. Plus, when they use your content for an ad, it’s a surefire way to gain exposure. You can also apply this tactic on Facebook and TikTok to uncover which brands are running ads, indicating a healthy marketing budget. Slide into their DMs and see if it’s a match made in UGC heaven. I’ve snagged loads of partnerships using this approach, and it never fails, darling. So, go ahead and give it a whirl!
Now, let’s explore another exciting way to find fabulous collaborations. Picture this: you head over to platforms like Social Cat (a personal fave of mine) that cater to brands specifically seeking influencers for their video or picture materials. Yes, some of these platforms may require you to publish content on your social media, but hey, it’s a small price to pay. Once you rack up a sparkling collection of five-star reviews, you’ll start getting paid for your collaborations. This exposure opens the door to a plethora of brands!
Let me share a little secret—I’m not just a UGC creator, I’m also a social media manager. Guess what? After working with a brand, they were so impressed that they even reached out to me, expressing their need for a social media manager. We had an interview, and although things didn’t quite work out due to differing goals, it just goes to show how easy it is to find and communicate with brands on these platforms. Direct messaging is the name of the game, babe!
Oh, but we’re not done yet! Let me introduce you to two other awesome avenues for finding top-notch work: Fiverr and Upwork. These platforms are absolute gems, exposing you to a wide range of clients and brands actively seeking freelancers like you. Fiverr operates a bit differently—they find you! But don’t fret, babe. I hopped on Fiverr, and within a week, I secured an incredible deal with a brand, and they even left me a glowing five-star review. It was absolutely amazing! Trust me, these platforms are worth exploring.
Now, here’s my ultimate tip to wrap up this section—combine all of the strategies I’ve shared above. Don’t just limit yourself to one platform or approach. By utilizing them all simultaneously, you increase your chances of scoring more collaborations. And remember, darling, when you’re crafting that proposal email, add a personal touch that sets you apart. Mention something special about the brand, like a product you adore. Name-drop them, girl! Make them feel the personal connection, like they’re not just another number on your list. Emotion plays a big role here, too. Share what you love about them, why they resonate with you, and why you specifically want to collaborate
Step 5 – Getting Long-Term Clients (Retainers)
And last but definitely not least, my lovely friend, I want to share a game-changing tip with you. When you’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with a brand, don’t just let it end there. Oh no, darling! It’s time to build those lasting connections and keep the momentum going. Save those brand contacts like they’re pure gold and nurture those relationships. Be proactive and reach out to them at least once every two months. Keep yourself fresh in their minds, darling. You see, marketing budgets can change frequently, and even if they don’t have the budget for you this month, it could very well change in the next. So, stay on their radar!
Here’s the key, babe—make yourself unforgettable! Send them captivating ideas or examples of the amazing videos you’ve created. Let them see your creativity shining through. Trust me, it works wonders. Let me spill the tea on a little success story of mine. I landed a paid photoshoot as a model (despite not having much experience in the modeling world) simply because I had crafted some fantastic UGC videos that caught my client’s eye. They adored my work, darling. And guess what happened after that unforgettable photoshoot? They made me their official UGC creator, babe! Now, I’m getting paid monthly to create videos for them on a long-term basis. Can you believe it? It’s a dream come true!
So, my fabulous friend, never underestimate the power of maintaining those connections. Keep reaching out, keep showcasing your talent, and who knows what amazing opportunities await you. The sky’s the limit, darling!