How to Start a UGC Account

Thinking about getting paid to create content for brands without needing a huge following? You're in the right place. This guide walks you through every step of starting a successful User-Generated Content account, from nailing your niche and building a magnetic portfolio to landing your first paid clients.

What Exactly Is a UGC Account and Why Is It Booming?

First, let's clear up a common misconception. When we talk about a "UGC account" in this context, we're not just talking about any user posting about a brand. We're talking about becoming a UGC Creator. This means you strategically create authentic, on-trend video and photo content for brands to use on their own social media channels, ads, and websites.

Think of it as freelance content creation, tailored for the social media age.

UGC Creator vs. Influencer: What's the Difference?

This is the most important distinction to understand:

• An influencer is paid to promote a product to their own audience on their personal social media channels. Their value is in their reach and the trust they've built with their followers.
• A UGC creator is paid to create content that a brand posts on its own channels. The brand is essentially a client buying your creative work. Your follower count doesn't matter, your ability to create high-quality, authentic content that converts does.

Brands are so hungry for UGC right now for a simple reason: it works. The content feels more authentic and relatable than slick, overproduced studio ads. It builds social proof and helps consumers see products in a real-life context. For brands, it's a cost-effective way to get a library of high-performing assets to fill their demanding content calendars.

Step 1: Define Your Niche and Style

Before you film anything, you need a strategy. The most successful UGC creators don't try to be everything to everyone. They specialize. A specific niche makes you an expert, easier to find, and more valuable to the right brands.

How to Choose Your Niche

Your niche is the specific industry or product category you want to focus on. Start by thinking about your genuine interests, expertise, and what products you already own and use. If you're not genuinely interested, it will show on camera.

Here are some popular UGC niches to get you thinking:

• Beauty and skincare (e.g., "skincare for sensitive skin," "millennial makeup")
• Fashion (e.g., "mid-size style," "sustainable fashion")
• Tech and gadgets (unboxing, app tutorials)
• Home goods (organization, cleaning hacks, home decor)
• Parenting and baby products
• Health and wellness (supplements, fitness equipment)
• Food and beverage (recipes using a specific product, unique snacks)

Don't just pick "beauty." Go deeper. Is it vegan skincare? Makeup for women over 40? That specificity is what will get you noticed.

Developing a Signature Creative Style

Once you have a niche, think about your presentation style. This is your personal brand as a creator. Are you known for funny, relatable skits? Calming, aesthetic videos? Direct, informative "how-to" demonstrations? Look at other creators for inspiration but inject your own personality into your work. This style will become your calling card.

Step 2: Set Up Your Professional Social Media Accounts

Your UGC account is your living portfolio. It’s where brands will likely discover you and see your work in action. It's best to create dedicated profiles for this purpose, separate from your personal accounts.

Choose Your Platforms

In today's market, TikTok and Instagram (for Reels) are non-negotiable. These are the primary mediums for the short-form video content most brands are looking for. Having a presence on both shows that you understand the nuances of each platform. Also, create a professional email address (e.g., yournameUGC@gmail.com) for all business communications.

Optimize Your Bio for Discovery

Your bio needs to tell a brand who you are and what you do in a fraction of a second. Don't be clever, be clear. Use a simple, scannable format like this:

Bio Formula: Line 1: What You Do | Line 2: Your Niche(s) | Line 3: Location | Line 4: Call to Action with Email & Portfolio Link

Example 1:
UGC Video Creator
Specializing in home &, lifestyle brands
📍 Chicago, IL
Let's work together! 📧jane.ugc@email.com

Example 2:
UGC Creator for Tech &, SaaS
Turning features into relatable stories 📈
Based in Austin, TX
Portfolio &, Rates 👇 [linktr.ee/john.ugc]

The words "UGC Creator" are critical. Brands actively search for those terms. Make it easy for them to find and contact you.

Step 3: Build a Killer UGC Portfolio (Before You Have Clients)

You can't get work without a portfolio, but you can't build a portfolio without work. Sound familiar? Here’s how to solve that classic chicken-and-egg problem. Your portfolio is the single most important tool for landing clients - it proves you can do the job.

Create a Portfolio Hub

While you'll post content to TikTok and Instagram, you need a single, easy-to-share link that houses your best work. Don't make brand managers hunt for your content. A free and professional-looking option is to create a simple, one-page website on Canva. It's visual, mobile-friendly, and you can create one in under an hour.

Create "Spec Ads" to Showcase Your Skills

You don't need paid deals to build your portfolio. The secret is creating concept work, also known as spec ads. Here's how:

1. Gather Your Props: Walk around your house and pick 3-5 products you already own and genuinely love. This could be anything from your favorite face serum to a cool kitchen gadget or a pair of headphones.
2. Brainstorm Different Video Concepts: Don't just make one type of video. Show your range! For each product, brainstorm and film a few different styles:
   • Unboxing: The classic first-impression video.
   • How-To/Tutorial: Show the product in action and explain how to use it.
   • Problem/Solution: Set up a common problem, then introduce the product as the hero.
   • Aesthetic Montage: A visually pleasing video a brand can use for a vibe-y feel.
   • Testimonial: Speak directly to the camera about why you love the product.
3. Film &, Edit Professionally: Treat these projects as if they were for a real, paying client. This is your chance to demonstrate your quality.
4. Post Your Work: Post the finished videos to your UGC TikTok and Instagram accounts. This starts building your social proof and can even attract inbound leads from brands browsing the platforms.

Aim for 8-10 high-quality, diverse videos in your portfolio before you start pitching.

Step 4: Find and Pitch Brands

With a polished portfolio in hand, it's time to actively seek out your first clients. While some brands might find you organically, proactive outreach is the fastest way to get your first paying project.

Where to Find Brand Contacts

Finding the right person to email is half the battle. Your goal is usually to reach a Social Media Manager, Marketing Manager, or Brand Manager.

• Start with Brands You Love: Make a list of 20-30 brands whose products you already use and admire. Your passion will come through in your pitch.
• Social Media and LinkedIn: Find brands in your niche on Instagram or TikTok, then find their Social Media Manager on LinkedIn.
• UGC Marketplaces: Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and specific UGC platforms that pop up can be good places to start, but often come with more competition and lower rates. Creating your own client relationships via direct pitching is often more lucrative in the long run.

How to Craft the Perfect Pitch Email

Your pitch should be short, personalized, and value-driven. Don't just say, "I'm a UGC creator, hire me." Show them you understand their brand by offering ideas upfront.

Here’s a simple template that works:

Subject: UGC Video Idea for [Brand Name]

Hi [Contact Person Name],

My name is [Your Name], and I'm a UGC creator specializing in content for [Your Niche] brands.

I've been a huge fan of [Brand Name] for a while - I actually use your [Specific Product Name] every day.

I had a quick video idea that I think would really resonate with your audience on TikTok, showing how [Product Feature] solves [Customer Problem]. I'm imagining a quick-cut, energetic video showing the before and after - I think it would perform great.

You can see examples of my work in my portfolio here: [Link to Portfolio]

Would you be open to a quick chat next week about creating some high-performing content for you?

Thanks,
[Your Name]

Always customize it. Generic, copy-pasted pitches are easy to spot and ignore. The key is to make it about them, not just about you.

Step 5: Master Your Workflow and Grow Your Business

Landing your first client is a huge win, but delivering quality work on time is what turns a one-off project into a long-term relationship. Getting organized is the key to scaling your business from a side hustle to a full-time career.

Understand Rates and Usage Rights

Before agreeing to work, make sure the scope is clear. Your rates will depend on several factors, including the number of videos, their complexity, and - most importantly - the usage rights. Usage rights define where and for how long a brand can use your content. If they plan to use your video in paid ads, for example, the rate should be significantly higher than if it's just for their organic social feed.

As a beginner, a good starting point is often around $150-$250 per video for organic social media use. Research what other creators in your niche are charging to stay competitive.

Deliver Excellent Service

Once you've made a deal, be a professional. Communicate clearly, ask smart questions, meet your deadlines, and deliver content that exceeds their expectations. A happy client is far more likely to hire you again or refer you to other brands. The goal is to get a few clients on a monthly retainer, giving you predictable income.

Final Thoughts

Starting a UGC account is about combining raw creativity with smart business strategy. By defining your niche, building a powerful portfolio with spec work, and proactively pitching brands with valuable ideas, you can build a thriving business creating content you love without the pressure of having to become a massive influencer.

As your creator business grows, managing all your client projects and your own social media portfolio schedule becomes complex. We built Postbase to eliminate that chaos. With a simple visual calendar, you can plan all your content in one place, and since our platform was designed with today’s social media in mind, you can effortlessly schedule video to TikTok, Reels, and Shorts without the weird compression issues or clunky workarounds common in older creator tools.