How to Sign Up for UGC Creator

Ready to turn your skill for creating authentic social media content into a paid career? You’re in the right place. This guide walks you through the exact steps to establish yourself as a User-Generated Content creator, build a portfolio that gets noticed, and sign up for the platforms that connect you with paying brands.

First, What Exactly is a UGC Creator?

Let's clear this up right away: a UGC creator is different from a traditional influencer. An influencer's primary value is their audience, they get paid to promote products to their followers. A UGC creator's value is their content. Brands hire them to create authentic, relatable videos and photos that the brand then uses on its own social media channels, website, or in paid ads.

Think of yourself as a freelance content creator who specializes in a style that looks and feels native to social media. You don’t need a massive following to succeed. In fact, many brands prefer creators with smaller followings because their content comes across as more genuine. The goal isn't to post on your channels, it's to create high-quality assets for the brand’s channels.

Step 1: Build Your UGC Portfolio

This is the most important step. Before you can sign up anywhere or pitch anyone, you need a portfolio. A portfolio is your evidence, it’s the only way to show brands what you can do. Without one, you're just asking them to take a chance. With a strong one, you’re showing them a solution to their content problem.

What Goes Into a Solid UGC Portfolio?

Your portfolio should showcase your versatility and skill. It's your highlight reel. Aim to include a variety of content styles to show you can handle different types of brand requests. You don't need a fancy website to start, a simple Google Drive folder, a dedicated Instagram or TikTok account, or a Canva portfolio link works perfectly.

Here’s what to include:

• Video Testimonials: A simple, direct-to-camera review of a product, explaining why you like it and what problem it solves.
• Unboxing Videos: The classic unboxing experience. Capture the excitement and initial impressions of opening a product for the first time.
• How-To or Demo Videos: Show a product in action. How do you use it? What are its key features? Make it clear and easy to understand.
• Problem/Solution or "Before & After" Content: One of the most effective ad formats. Show a problem, introduce the product as the solution, and show the positive result.
• Aesthetic/Lifestyle Content: Photos or videos that show a product being used in a natural, visually appealing setting. Think of a skincare product on a beautifully arranged vanity or a fitness tracker on someone’s wrist during a hike.

How to Create "Spec Ads" to Fill Your Portfolio

You don't need paying clients to build a portfolio. You can, and should, create spec work - concept ads or practice projects for brands you admire. This proves your skills without needing permission.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Pick Products You Already Own and Love: Grab 3-5 of your favorite products from around your home - a coffee maker, your favorite face serum, a pair of running shoes, a productivity app. Your authentic enthusiasm will shine through.
2. Identify a Key Angle: For each product, decide on a single message. Is it the easy setup? The amazing results? The satisfying texture? Focus your content on that one idea.
3. Script & Shortlist: Write a very basic script using a simple framework: a strong hook to stop the scroll, a quick demo of the value, and a simple call-to-action (CTA) like "You have to check this out."
4. Film & Edit: Use your phone. Shoot in good, natural light. Make sure your audio is clean (a cheap lavalier microphone is a great investment). Use a simple editing app like CapCut to add text overlays, transitions, and trim your clips to be fast-paced and engaging.

Once you have 5-10 strong pieces of content featuring different products and styles, you're ready to start getting discovered.

Step 2: Sign Up for UGC Creator Marketplaces

UGC creator platforms are the digital marketplaces that connect you with brands actively looking for content. Setting up a profile on a few of these is one of the quickest ways to land your first paid gigs. When you sign up, have your portfolio link ready to go!

Top Platforms to Join Today:

• Fiverr: One of the largest freelance marketplaces in the world. As a creator, you set up a "gig" (e.g., "I will create one high-quality UGC video for your brand"). It's a great place to start because brands often come here looking for single pieces of content at a fixed price. It can be competitive, so make your gig page stand out with a video introduction and your best portfolio examples.
• Upwork: Another giant in the freelance world, but with a slightly different model. On Upwork, brands post jobs, and you submit proposals to apply. It feels more like a traditional job application process and can be a good place to find longer-term, retainer-based work with brands.
• Billo: This platform is laser-focused on video content specifically for e-commerce brands - things like video ads, CAs (commenter-asked-questions), and testimonials. The process is streamlined: brands send you the product, you create the video based on their instructions, get approval, and get paid. It's incredibly user-friendly for beginners.
• Cohley: Cohley works with well-known brands that need content - especially photos - at scale. Brands create a campaign brief asking for specific types of photos or videos. You apply to campaigns that fit your style, and if selected, you create and submit the assets. Perfect for creators who excel at high-quality product photography.
• Aspire: While known as an influencer marketing platform, Aspire has a huge section for brands looking strictly for content creation. It connects creators with some amazing companies, from startups to legacy brands, and allows you to discover opportunities and manage collaborations all in one place.

Tips for Creating Standout Platform Profiles

• Use a Professional Photo: A clear, friendly headshot works best. Let brands see the person they'll be working with.
• Write a Niche-Specific Bio: Don’t just say "I am a UGC creator." Be specific. For example: "I create energetic, thumb-stopping UGC videos for wellness and tech brands" or "UGC creator specializing in authentic, trust-building testimonials for DTC skincare companies."
• Lead With Your Portfolio: Make your portfolio link impossible to miss. Put it at the top of your bio or description section. Your work is what will sell you.

Step 3: Master the Art of the Direct Pitch

Relying on platforms alone is a slow burn. The most successful UGC creators also do direct outreach, pitching brands they want to work with via email or social media DM. This puts you in the driver's seat and often leads to higher-paying projects because there's no platform taking a cut.

Finding the Right Brands to Pitch

• Start with Brands You Genuinely Love: Your authenticity is your greatest asset. Pitching a brand whose products you already use makes the entire process feel more natural.
• Be an Ad Detective: Pay attention to the ads you see on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. If a brand is spending money on paid advertising, it means they have a budget and a constant need for fresh content. These are perfect targets.
• Look for Content Gaps: Does a brand on your radar have great photos but no video presence on TikTok? Is their feed full of polished graphics but no real people? That's your opening. You can pitch yourself as the solution to fill that gap.

How to Craft a Pitch That Gets a Reply

Keep your pitches short, valuable, and all about them. You need to prove you've done your homework. Here’s a simple structure for an email or DM:

1. Personalized Opening Line: Show you’re not a robot. Start with something specific. "Hi [Name], I'm a huge fan of [Brand Name] and have been using your [Specific Product] for months. It’s been a game-changer for my…"
2. Present an Idea (Not Just an Ask): This is the secret sauce. Don't just say, "hire me." Offer a concrete idea. "I was looking at your TikTok page and had an idea for a short video showing how easily the [Product] solves [Problem]. This format has been performing really well for similar brands."
3. Introduce Yourself & Your Portfolio: Now, briefly introduce yourself. "I'm a UGC creator who helps brands like yours produce authentic video content. You can see some of my previous work here: [Link to Portfolio]."
4. Clear Call to Action: Tell them exactly what you want. "Are you the right person to chat with about this, or is there someone else on the marketing team I should connect with? Let me know!"

Final Thoughts

Becoming a UGC creator is a real, accessible path to turning your creativity into income. It all begins by building a solid portfolio of spec work, getting your profile listed on key marketplaces, and confidently pitching brands with valuable ideas. Start small, focus on quality, and remember that every brand needs a steady stream of the exact type of authentic content you can provide.

Once you start landing clients, organization becomes the next big challenge. Managing multiple content calendars, posting schedules, and client deliverables across spreadsheets can quickly feel overwhelming. That’s actually a big reason why we created Postbase. Our visual calendar lets you plan and schedule content for all your clients across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube Shorts, and more, all from one clean dashboard. It’s designed to help you stay wonderfully organized so you can focus on creating great content, not fighting with your workflow.