Brand Deals & UGC: Create Content for Companies Without Needing a Following

As a beginner UGC creator, you can realistically earn $75-150 per video or photo asset when working directly with brands. When starting out on platforms like Billo or Tribe, expect lower rates around $15-60 per video while you build your portfolio. Most beginners start with 1-3 projects per week, potentially earning $300-600 weekly once established with a few regular clients. Your first month might only bring in $200-400 as you build your portfolio and client base, but by month 3-6, many dedicated part-time creators reach $1,000-2,000 monthly. Income scales with experience—after 6-12 months of consistent work and portfolio building, many creators command $200-300 per asset and establish retainer relationships ($1,000-3,000 monthly) with brands for ongoing content. The key factors affecting your earnings are niche selection (luxury, tech, and finance typically pay more than fashion or food), content quality, and your ability to demonstrate conversion results.

The essential equipment for getting started with UGC is surprisingly minimal:

• Smartphone with a good camera: An iPhone 11+ or equivalent Android device with decent camera capabilities is sufficient for most UGC work.
• Basic lighting: Natural window light works well to start, but a simple ring light ($20-40) provides consistency and flexibility.
• Smartphone tripod: A basic tripod with phone mount ($15-30) is essential for stable footage.
• Video editing app: Free or low-cost apps like CapCut, InShot, or Canva provide all the necessary editing tools.

As you progress, consider investing in optional upgrades like a clip-on smartphone microphone ($20-50) for better audio quality, simple backdrop materials or a portable backdrop stand ($30-100), and potentially more advanced editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro. Many successful UGC creators operate entirely with smartphone setups worth less than $200 total, making this a low-barrier entry point compared to other content creation fields that might require expensive cameras or studio setups.

Finding your first UGC clients without an existing portfolio requires a strategic approach:

1. Create spec work: Develop 5-10 sample UGC videos for brands you love, even without being hired. These should demonstrate your ability to create engaging, conversion-focused content in your chosen niche.
2. Join UGC platforms: Platforms like Billo, Insense, and Tribe have lower barriers to entry and don't always require extensive portfolios. They offer smaller projects (typically $20-75 per video) that help you build experience.
3. Leverage local businesses: Approach small local businesses with offers to create content at reduced rates or even for free in exchange for testimonials and portfolio pieces.
4. Cold outreach strategy: Identify 20-30 brands in your niche that match your style, find their marketing managers on LinkedIn, and send personalized emails with your spec videos demonstrating how you can help their specific brand.
5. Network in Facebook groups: Join UGC creator groups where brands sometimes post opportunities for newcomers.

The key is to start with attainable opportunities—don't pitch major brands immediately. Focus on building a relationship with 2-3 smaller brands who can provide consistent work and testimonials. Many successful UGC creators secured their first paying clients within 2-4 weeks using these methods, typically starting with projects in the $50-100 range before gradually increasing their rates as their portfolio expanded.

No, you absolutely don't need to show your face in UGC content, which is one of its most appealing aspects for many creators. There are several successful UGC content styles that don't require facial visibility:

• Hands-only demonstrations showing product usage
• Over-the-shoulder POV (point of view) videos
• Voiceover content with product visuals
• Text-overlay videos highlighting features and benefits
• Stop-motion or timelapse product demonstrations

Many brands actually prefer faceless UGC because it helps viewers focus on the product rather than the creator, and it allows brands to use the content across diverse marketing campaigns targeting different demographics. That said, showing your face can open up additional opportunities with certain brands, particularly in the fashion, makeup, or lifestyle niches. The best approach is to develop skills in both styles—face-showing and faceless content—to maximize your potential client base. Approximately 60-70% of UGC opportunities don't require facial visibility, making this an accessible option for those who prefer to maintain privacy while still creating engaging branded content.

Standard practice in the UGC industry is to offer 2-3 rounds of revisions per deliverable. This should be clearly stated in your contract or service agreement before beginning work. Here's how to effectively manage the revision process:

1. Set clear expectations upfront: Before creating content, get detailed creative briefs outlining the brand's expectations, key messaging points, do's and don'ts, and examples of content they like.
2. Request consolidated feedback: Ask clients to provide all revision requests at once rather than in piecemeal fashion, which can lead to endless revision cycles.
3. Define "revision" boundaries: Clarify that a "revision" means adjustments to existing content—not completely reshooting or creating new concepts (which would constitute a new deliverable).
4. Implement a revision fee structure: After your included revisions (typically 2-3 rounds), charge 25-50% of the original content price for additional revision requests.

When receiving feedback, approach it professionally rather than personally. Ask clarifying questions if feedback is vague ("make it more engaging") to get specific direction ("add text overlays highlighting these three benefits"). Document all feedback and changes to maintain clarity throughout the process. Most experienced UGC creators find that revision requests decrease significantly over time as they better understand each client's preferences and build trust. For new client relationships, consider sending a rough cut or sample clip before completing the full edit to ensure you're on the right track, potentially saving time on major revisions later.

UGC creators face several common challenges, but with the right strategies, these can be effectively managed:

1. Inconsistent workflow and income

Solution: Develop a mix of client types—balance project-based work with monthly retainers (creating 5-10 videos monthly for a fixed fee). Aim to have 3-5 regular clients while continuously prospecting for new opportunities. Create content in batches during busy periods to maintain a consistent posting schedule.

2. Pricing pressure and competition

Solution: Differentiate yourself by specializing in specific niches or content styles rather than competing solely on price. Document performance metrics of your content to justify higher rates. Create tiered pricing packages offering different levels of service, and gradually increase your rates with each new client as your portfolio improves.

3. Creative burnout

Solution: Develop systems for content ideation, including a swipe file of inspiring UGC from other creators. Schedule dedicated time for creative exploration separate from client work. Limit yourself to 1-2 niches to avoid spreading your creativity too thin. Consider collaborating with other creators to share ideas and techniques.

4. Payment issues and contract disputes

Solution: Always use written contracts specifying deliverables, revision limits, payment terms, and usage rights. Require 50% deposits from new clients before beginning work. Use professional invoicing software that sends automatic reminders for late payments. Consider platforms like HoneyBook or AND.CO that integrate contracts, invoicing, and client management.

5. Keeping up with platform changes

Solution: Follow 3-5 trusted sources on creator economy news (newsletters like "Creator Economy by Peter Yang" or YouTube channels focused on platform updates). Join UGC-specific communities where members share algorithm changes and trends. Allocate 2-3 hours weekly to education and trend research to stay current.

Remember that most challenges in UGC are common across the industry—even experienced creators face them. The difference is in developing systems and boundaries that allow you to navigate these challenges efficiently while continuing to deliver quality work to clients.

Usage rights significantly impact UGC pricing and should be clearly defined in all client agreements. Here's a comprehensive breakdown of how to handle this crucial aspect:

Standard Usage Tiers:

• Alternatives to Consider

  If you're considering UGC and brand deals, these alternative sidegigs leverage similar skills but with different requirements and earning potential:

  Sidegig	Key Differences	When It's Better
  Affiliate Marketing	Requires audience/traffic to earn commissions Income is performance-based (% of sales) Less upfront work, more passive income potential No content creation deadlines or client feedback	Choose affiliate marketing if you already have an audience or website with traffic, prefer passive income over project work, and don't want to deal with client revisions or strict deadlines.
  Social Media Management	More consistent monthly retainers ($1,000-3,000+) Broader scope: strategy, posting, community management Typically requires fewer but deeper client relationships More strategic role vs. pure content creation	Choose social media management if you prefer consistent income, want to develop long-term client relationships, and enjoy the strategic aspects of marketing beyond just content creation.
  Stock Photography/Videography	Create once, sell repeatedly with no client feedback Complete creative control over your content More passive but typically lower per-asset earnings No client pitching or relationship management	Choose stock content creation if you value creative independence, dislike client interactions, and prefer building a passive income library over custom project work.

  When to Choose Alternatives

  Consider alternatives to UGC and brand deals when:

  • You already have an audience - Influencer marketing or affiliate marketing will likely be more profitable than UGC if you have 10K+ engaged followers
  • You prefer strategic work - Social media management offers more strategic input and consistent income than project-based UGC work
  • You dislike client feedback cycles - Stock content creation eliminates revision requests and client approval processes
  • You want truly passive income - Both affiliate marketing and stock content can generate income while you sleep, unlike UGC's project-based nature

  UGC remains the better choice if you want to monetize content creation skills without building an audience first, prefer project-based work with clear deliverables, or want to build a portfolio that could lead to full-time creative opportunities. The initial earning potential is typically higher than affiliate marketing for those without existing audiences, and the barrier to entry is lower than social media management which often requires strategic experience.