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How to become a UGC creator: the 2026 starter guide
You don’t need thousands of followers to get paid by brands. A UGC creator sells videos, not their audience. Here’s how to get started, step by step.
What is a UGC creator?
A UGC creator (for “user-generated content”) shoots natural-style videos and photos for brands: reviews, demos, unboxings, tutorials. The brand then publishes this content on its own accounts or in its ads.
The big difference with an influencer: you’re not paid for your audience, but for the quality and effectiveness of your videos. So you can start with zero followers.
The equipment to start with
- A recent smartphone that films in 4K.
- A light source: a window, or a small ring light.
- A wireless lavalier mic for clean sound.
- A free editing app (CapCut, InShot or your phone’s built-in one).
The most important thing isn’t the gear: it’s knowing how to grab attention in the first three seconds. Practise with our video hook generator.
Build your portfolio
Brands want to see what you can do. Shoot three to five videos with products you already have at home, in different styles: a talking-to-camera review, a demo, a before/after, an unboxing. Gather them on a simple page (Canva, Notion, Google Drive) with a short intro, your rates or “on request”, and your contact details.
Find your first brands
- Reach out directly to small brands you like, by email or DM, with a link to your portfolio.
- Sign up to platforms that connect brands and creators.
- Post your UGC videos on your own account with the keyword “UGC creator”: brands search that way too.
- Join an agency that works with creators: it offers you jobs and handles the negotiation.
What to charge and what to earn
In France, a simple UGC video is charged on average €100 to €200 for a beginner and €200 to €400 for an experienced creator, excluding ad usage rights; US and UK rates are often higher. With experience and good results, creators often charge more. Add a supplement for variations (another hook, another format), raw files and ad usage.
A creator who makes ten videos a month can thus earn over €2,000 a month, but it takes consistency and a good network of brands. Work out your rate with our tool what to charge for UGC.
Business setup and contracts
To invoice, you need a legal business status (in France, micro-entreprise is the simplest way to start; elsewhere, sole trader or freelancer status). Always ask for something in writing that sets out the deliverables, price, deadlines, number of revisions and usage rights: duration, countries, ads. Our guide to UGC usage rights helps you set them.
Get support
When requests start coming in, it gets hard to manage everything alone: prospecting, negotiating, contracts, scheduling. That’s the role of talent management: an agency represents you to brands and lets you focus on creating.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need lots of followers to become a UGC creator?
No. Brands pay for your videos, not your audience. A good portfolio matters more than your follower count.
How much does a UGC creator earn?
In France, a beginner charges on average €100 to €200 per video and an experienced creator €200 to €400; rates are often higher in the US and the UK. Monthly income depends on the number of jobs: from a few hundred to several thousand euros.
What’s the difference between a UGC creator and an influencer?
An influencer is paid to post to their community. A UGC creator is paid to produce content that the brand publishes itself.