How to Start UGC in 2025: Beginner Guide to Paid Collabs

Sep 17, 2025

Learn how to start with UGC in 2025 and land paid collaborations. Build a portfolio, pitch to brands, and grow your side hustle today.

User-generated content (UGC) has taken the digital marketing world by storm. Once a niche opportunity, it is now a lucrative side hustle - or even a full-time career - for countless creators. But what is UGC, and how do you break into this space if you’re just starting out? In this guide, we’ll explore the essentials of UGC creation, from building your portfolio to pitching brands and understanding how UGC can fit into your lifestyle.

If you’ve been curious about how to monetize your creativity through authentic content creation, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive into how you can transform everyday skills into opportunities to work with brands, no matter the size of your following.

What Is UGC and Why Should You Care?

User-generated content (UGC) refers to authentic, unpaid content created by individuals - consumers, not businesses - that brands can use for marketing purposes. Unlike traditional influencer marketing, UGC doesn't require a large online following. Instead, the focus is on producing relatable, high-quality content that resonates with audiences.

Maya, a UGC expert and founder of a creative agency, explains it best: UGC gives brands a less polished, more relatable approach to advertising. People trust reviews and recommendations from other consumers, not just glossy brand campaigns. This makes UGC a powerful tool for businesses - and an opportunity for you as a creator to earn income.

The beauty of UGC? Anyone can do it. Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent, a student, or a 9-to-5 worker looking for a side hustle, UGC offers flexibility and accessibility. All you need is a smartphone, creativity, and a willingness to get started.

Step 1: Building Your UGC Portfolio

The first step to becoming a UGC creator is creating a portfolio. This acts as your resume, showcasing your ability to produce quality content. Don’t worry if you’ve never worked with a brand before - you can use products you already have at home to start building samples.

Tips for Building Your Portfolio

Use Household Products: Look around your home for products you use and love. For example, if you have a favorite skincare product, create a tutorial video or take flatlay photos to showcase your skills.
Label Content Clearly: When using non-sponsored samples, make it clear in your portfolio that these are examples, not paid collaborations. This transparency is essential for building trust with potential clients.
Shoot in Different Formats: Experiment with a variety of content types, such as:
- Unboxing videos
- Tutorials or "how-to" demos
- POV (point of view) shots
- Lifestyle photos
Focus on Authenticity: Highlight the benefits of the product and provide honest reviews. Authenticity is key to making your content relatable and effective.

Pro tip: Use a simple template to create a polished portfolio. This will help you organize your work and make it easy for brands to review your skills.

Step 2: Optimizing Your Social Media Channels

While UGC doesn’t require a large following, a well-optimized social media presence can help you attract more clients.

How to Optimize Your Profiles

Update Your Bio: Clearly state that you’re a UGC creator in your bio. For example, add phrases like "UGC Content Creator" or "Open to Brand Collaborations."
Showcase Examples: Post a few examples of your UGC work on platforms like Instagram or TikTok. This makes it easy for potential clients to see your style and capabilities.
Use Relevant Keywords: Including "UGC" in your profile titles or descriptions can help brands find you when they search for creators.

If you prefer to keep your personal and professional lives separate, consider creating a dedicated UGC account. This allows you to maintain your personal content while building a professional portfolio.

Step 3: Finding Your First Brand Deals

Once your portfolio and social media channels are ready, it’s time to start landing paid collaborations. You have two main avenues to explore: UGC platforms and direct outreach.

Using UGC Platforms

Signing up for UGC platforms can simplify the process of finding work. These platforms often feature:

Verified brand opportunities
Built-in contracts and payment systems
Clear deliverables for each project

Platforms act as a middleman, streamlining the process and reducing guesswork. They’re particularly helpful for beginners who are still learning the ropes.

Direct Outreach

For a more proactive approach, consider reaching out to brands directly. Here’s how:

Engage with Their Content: Follow the brand on social media and engage with their posts by liking, commenting, or sharing.
Send a Pitch Email or DM: Craft a personalized message highlighting your skills and why you’d be a great fit for their brand.
Leverage LinkedIn: Use LinkedIn to connect with marketing professionals who work at the brands you love.

Maya recommends combining platforms with direct outreach to maximize your opportunities. The more visible you are to brands, the better your chances of landing collaborations.

Step 4: Pricing Your Services and Negotiating Deals

Pricing is one of the trickiest aspects of UGC, especially for beginners. Many creators undervalue their work due to impostor syndrome or lack of confidence.

Factors to Consider When Pricing

The time spent shooting, editing, and revising content
The value your content provides to the brand
Your level of expertise and experience

Remember: Even if you don’t have a massive following, your ability to create authentic, relatable content is highly valuable.

Step 5: Scaling Your UGC Side Hustle

Once you’ve gained some experience, you can take your UGC hustle to the next level. Consider these strategies:

Work with Retainer Clients: Retainer deals provide consistent income by requiring you to create a set amount of content each month.
Specialize in a Niche: Focus on a specific industry, like beauty, tech, or lifestyle, to build expertise and attract niche brands.
Experiment with Content Styles: Whether it’s POV videos, unboxings, or hands-only shots, find what works best for you and your clients.

The flexibility of UGC means you can scale up or down based on your schedule. It’s an ideal option for those balancing other responsibilities, such as a day job or family life.

Key Takeaways

UGC Is Accessible: You don’t need a large social media following to succeed in UGC. Focus on creating authentic, high-quality content.
Start with a Portfolio: Use products you already own to build sample content and showcase your skills.
Optimize Your Social Media: Clearly label yourself as a UGC creator and share examples of your work.
Explore Multiple Avenues: Use UGC platforms and direct outreach to find brand collaborations.
Price Your Work Fairly: Consider the time and effort you invest in creating content and charge accordingly.
Scale Gradually: Build towards retainer clients, specialize in a niche, or try new styles of content to grow your UGC business.

Final Thoughts

Becoming a UGC creator in 2025 is more achievable than ever. Whether you’re looking for a side hustle, a creative outlet, or a way to transition into full-time content creation, UGC offers endless possibilities.

The key is to take that first step: build your portfolio, optimize your social media, and start reaching out to brands. The opportunities are out there - you just need to claim them.

So, what are you waiting for? Get creative, start experimenting, and see where the world of UGC can take you. Good luck!

Source: "How to Start UGC in 2025 (No Followers Needed!) | Beginner’s Guide to UGC Content & Paid Collabs" - Maia Kipping, YouTube, Aug 16, 2025 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs-cQbbMwH4

Use: Embedded for reference. Brief quotes used for commentary/review.