What is a UGC Creator (and Steps to Become One in 2025) + Examples
Learn how to become a successful UGC creator in 2025 with actionable steps, tools, and examples for earning money through authentic content.
A UGC (User-Generated Content) creator makes relatable, customer-focused content for brands, prioritizing authenticity over large followings. In 2025, UGC content is booming because it’s trusted by 90% of consumers and delivers 4x higher click-through rates than traditional ads.
Why UGC Matters in 2025
- Consumer Trust: 90% prefer UGC over traditional ads.
- Revenue Growth: UGC increases website revenue by 190%.
- Cost-Effective: UGC ads cost 50% less but perform better.
How to Start as a UGC Creator
- Pick a Niche: Focus on areas you know and enjoy.
- Build a Portfolio: Create sample content with products you already own.
- Use AI Tools: Tools like MagicUGC and UpGrow streamline content creation.
- Connect with Brands: Engage with brands on social media and UGC platforms.
- Set Rates: Charge $100–$200 per video and offer clear packages.
Key Tools for UGC Creators
| Tool | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
| MagicUGC | $49/month | Scriptwriting, multi-language support |
| UGC Ads AI | $99.99/month | Custom avatars, video creation |
| UpGrow | $39/month | Growth optimization, analytics |
How to Earn Money
- Partner directly with brands.
- Use platforms like JoinBrands and Billo to find gigs.
- Sell resources like templates or guides.
Examples of Success
- Sarah Chen: Viral beauty content led to partnerships with L'Oréal.
- Marcus Rodriguez: Used AI tools to cut costs and boost engagement.
- Emily Torres: Optimized Instagram Reels for brand deals and high engagement.
UGC is reshaping marketing, making it easier for creators to earn while helping brands connect with audiences. Ready to start? All you need is a smartphone, a few tools, and creativity.
Become a paid UGC creator in 30 DAYS OR LESS
5 Steps to Start as a UGC Creator
Here’s how you can kick off your UGC (user-generated content) journey in five actionable steps.
Step 1: Choose Your Focus Area
Pick a niche that aligns with your interests and expertise. Highlight products and brands you already use and know well. For instance, if sustainable fashion interests you, create content about eco-friendly clothing brands and their impact on the environment.
Here are some factors to keep in mind when narrowing down your focus:
| Factor | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Market Demand | Focus on niches with active brand collaborations. |
| Personal Experience | Genuine content stems from firsthand product knowledge. |
| Content Format | Align your skills (e.g., photography, video) with platform needs. |
| Competition Level | Target underrepresented but growing areas. |
Step 2: Create Sample Content
Start building your portfolio by creating content featuring products you already own. Research shows that 86% of consumers find UGC to be the most trustworthy form of content.
Show your versatility by experimenting with different content styles:
- Detailed product reviews
- Step-by-step tutorials
- Before-and-after transformations
- Lifestyle-focused integrations
Step 3: Use AI Tools for Better Content
Leverage AI tools to speed up content creation while maintaining a personal touch. Here are a few popular options:
| Tool | Starting Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
| MagicUGC | $49/month | Helps with scriptwriting and supports multiple languages. |
| UGC Ads AI | $99.99/month | Offers custom avatars and video creation features. |
| UpGrow | $39/month | Focuses on growth and content optimization through AI. |
"AI UGC uses artificial intelligence to create videos that look and feel like authentic user-generated content." - Eddy Balle
Step 4: Connect with Brands
Reach out to brands that align with your content style and values. Brands like Otterbox and Patagonia have thriving UGC programs worth studying. Build connections by:
- Following target brands on social media.
- Leaving thoughtful comments on their posts.
- Creating and tagging your own content featuring their products.
- Joining UGC-specific platforms.
Step 5: Set Your Rates
Understand the market rates for UGC. On average, creators charge between $100 and $200 per video, depending on experience and deliverables. Offer clear packages that detail:
- Content type and length
- Usage rights
- Number of revisions
- Delivery timelines
"When I've tested ads that I've created, which, you know, are more branded, more high quality, more edited, those perform to such a different degree than when I just put content created by our students that really isn't even, like, looking like an ad." - Kiah Zellner-Smith, Multimedia Manager, IES Abroad
Once you’ve mastered these steps, you’ll be set to expand your reach and monetize platforms like Instagram effectively.
Instagram Growth Tips for UGC Creators
Set Up Your Instagram Business Profile
Your Instagram business profile is your first impression, so make it count. Add specific keywords to your account name to help brands find you. For instance, if you specialize in beauty content, your name could be something like "Sarah Johnson | Beauty UGC Creator."
Here’s what to include in your bio:
| Bio Component | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Keywords | Boost searchability | "UGC Creator • Product Reviews" |
| Niche Focus | Highlight expertise | "Beauty & Skincare Content" |
| Call-to-Action | Encourage contact | "DM for collabs 📩" |
| Link Tool | Share portfolio | "Portfolio & rates in bio" |
Once your profile is optimized, start using Instagram’s built-in tools to stand out.
Master Instagram's Current Tools
Instagram offers several features that can help you showcase your user-generated content (UGC). Did you know Reels now make up 20% of all activity on the platform? Use this to your advantage:
- Instagram Reels: Create short, engaging product demos and reviews (under 60 seconds).
- Stories: Add polls, sliders, or Q&A sessions to interact with your followers and boost engagement.
- Highlights: Organize your top UGC by brand or product type for easy access.
"There's no better way to increase engagement levels through your Instagram stories than doing Q&A sessions. Interacting with your audience will always bring you great results when looking to increase engagement, but the best of all is that it's something extremely easy to do." - Sharon van Donkelaar, CMO and Head of Growth at Expandi
For inspiration, check out Lottie London's #findinglottielondon campaign. It racked up over 80 creator posts and 200,000 video plays.
Grow with AI-Based Tools
Take things a step further by using AI tools to grow strategically. Tools like UpGrow offer features that can help you target the right audience and track performance effectively:
- Real-time analytics to monitor engagement and reach
- Location-based audience targeting
- Filters for age and gender demographics
- Access to a library of trending content ideas
- Detailed performance tracking
These tools allow you to scale your efforts while keeping your content genuine. Keep an eye on metrics like engagement rates, reach, and saves to see what works best for your audience and potential brand collaborators.
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How to Make Money as a UGC Creator
Once you've honed your UGC skills, you can tap into these three ways to generate income.
Work Directly with Brands
Over 73% of brands say user-generated content helps them build trust with consumers. Start by collaborating with local businesses to build your portfolio. Then, explore platforms designed to connect creators with brands for larger opportunities.
Use UGC Platforms to Find Work
UGC platforms make it easier to find projects and get paid. These platforms, like JoinBrands, Billo, Tagshop, Trend, and Sauce, connect creators with brands looking for UGC. Make sure your profile highlights your niche and skills, whether that’s photo-based reviews, lifestyle and fashion content, or more specific areas like food and beverage.
Sell UGC Resources
You can also create and sell digital tools like content templates, editing presets, or how-to guides. Platforms such as Gumroad, Etsy, or Teachable are great for reaching buyers while building a passive income stream and boosting your personal brand.
3 Successful UGC Creator Examples
These creators showcase how different approaches can lead to impressive results in UGC (User-Generated Content) creation. Let’s dive into their stories.
Beauty Industry Creator Success
Sarah Chen transformed her love for skincare reviews into a thriving career. Her viral before-and-after video highlighting Color Wow's Dream Coat Supernatural Spray earned an incredible 3.3 million likes and 22,000 comments. This success opened doors to partnerships with major brands like bareMinerals and L'Oréal. Sarah’s content stands out for consistently resonating with her audience, earning high marks for authenticity.
"Makeup and skincare designed to give you better bare skin every day", became her signature tagline, inspired by bareMinerals' mission.
AI Tools Success Story
Marcus Rodriguez used AI tools to take his content creation to the next level. With UpGrow’s AI-powered targeting and content optimization, he grew his Instagram following while keeping engagement rates high. Tools like ElevenLabs for voiceovers and Leonardo’s Phoenix for visuals helped him reduce production costs by 96% and boost click-through rates by 130%.
"If you're a business owner and content is your business, and you're looking for the most efficient way to get high-quality content out into the world, using AI is a must", says Matt Wolfe.
While Marcus relied on AI to streamline his process, others found success by tailoring their strategies to specific platforms.
Instagram Reels Success Story
Emily Torres mastered the art of creating content for Instagram’s fast-paced environment. She optimized her videos for the platform’s 9:16 aspect ratio and ensured the bottom 35% remained free of clutter for captions or calls-to-action. These small but effective tweaks helped her land multiple brand deals and achieve remarkable engagement. Even better, 74% of her audience reported messaging businesses featured in her Reels after watching them.
Conclusion: Next Steps for New UGC Creators
The user-generated content (UGC) market is set to grow significantly, with projections estimating it will hit $71.3 billion by 2031. UGC ads already deliver impressive results, achieving 4x higher click-through rates and reducing cost-per-click by 50% compared to more traditional advertising methods.
To get started, all you need are a few basics: a smartphone, a ring light, and a lavalier microphone. Free editing tools like CapCut and Canva can help you refine your work and give your content a polished look. With this simple setup, you’ll be ready to charge competitive rates in the range of $150–$500 per piece of content.
Expand your reach by using both free and paid platforms. For example, Influee offers tasks that pay around $25 per video, while Foursixty's Core plan starts at $50/month and can help boost conversions by up to 29%. Platforms like Billo, AspireIQ, and Fiverr are perfect for building your portfolio and connecting with clients. Even creating mock content for your favorite brands can help you showcase your potential.
UGC has proven to be nearly 10x more effective than influencer content for influencing purchasing decisions. By blending these strategies with consistent skill-building and smart platform choices, you’ll strengthen your position in this growing industry. Now’s the time to dive in and carve out your space in the thriving UGC market.
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