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Hello Cultivators,

You ever meet someone who should be famous but doesn’t want the spotlight?

That’s who I’m writing this for today.

There are so many ways to make money as a creator…but not every creator wants to be the brand. Some of you have the vision, the editing skills, the storytelling chops... but don’t necessarily want to spend our days chasing likes or building a personal audience. And that’s perfectly valid.

If that’s you, listen up: UGC (User-Generated Content) might just be your lane.

It’s where your creativity meets a brand’s voice without needing a million followers or a blue check. If you know how to tell a compelling story on camera, if you can edit a video that makes people feel something, and if you understand what sells without being salesy…you’re already sitting on a skillset brands will pay for.

I will share that I started this newsletter with revenue I made doing UGC and a very generous donation by a stranger that loved the idea of what I eventually built while traveling almost daily and pivoting my career.

So in today’s issue, we’re diving into what UGC is, how to get started, and where to find those paid opportunities.

Your creativity is the limit… you can even do this faceless. Check out today’s creator spotlight to see an example.

And you don’t need to go viral to go full-time.

PS… If you are a business owner, pay attention to the UGC trend as this is a great gateway to begin the process of working with creators without connecting with a big agency and overextending your budget… best of all you will get real authentic content that converts.

let’s keep growing

UGC Content Creation: The Starter Guide for Creators

WHAT IS UGC?

User-Generated Content (UGC) is content created by real people — not influencers — to help brands connect more authentically with audiences. Think videos, photos, unboxings, testimonials, or “day in the life” clips used in ads or organic content.

Brands love UGC because:

• It’s more relatable than polished influencer content.

• It builds trust.

• It performs better in ads.

• It doesn’t require you to have a big following or even show your face… just skills and creativity.

WHY UGC IS A SMART MOVE

• No following required – You’re paid for the content, not your audience.

• Work from anywhere – Great for travelers and side hustlers.

• Build a portfolio quickly – You can mock up samples to get started.

• A gateway to paid brand work – UGC can lead to influencer deals, consulting, or creative strategy gigs.

HOW TO GET STARTED

1. Learn What Works

Study what UGC looks like:

• Search TikTok or IG for: #UGCcreator, #UGCads, or #UGCvideos

• Watch videos from creators like UGC Cami or Taylour Rayne

2. Pick Your Niche

Start with what you already use or love:

• Skincare, tech, food, wellness, travel, home goods

• Tip: Pick 1-2 categories you can speak to naturally.

3. Build a Starter Portfolio

You don’t need brand deals to show off your work. Create:

• 3-5 sample videos (testimonials, tutorials, unboxings)

• Use products you already own

• Edit using CapCut, InShot, or Canva

➡️ Name your folder something like: "Brand Portfolio – [Your Name]"

4. Set Up Your Offer

Brands want to know:

• What you offer (ex: 1 UGC video = $100-$250+)

• What kind of content you make

• How long you take (2–5 business days)

• Any add-ons (voiceovers, hooks, raw files, extra revisions)

5. Create Your UGC Creator Profile

Have these ready:

• A short bio (who you are + your niche)

• A headshot or lifestyle photo

• Your portfolio link (Google Drive, Canva site, or Stan Store)

WHERE TO FIND UGC PROJECTS

Beginner-Friendly Platforms

DM & Email Outreach (High ROI)

• Reach out to small brands on TikTok or Instagram.

• Compliment a recent ad or product.

• Send your portfolio with a short pitch (Cielo can draft one for you).

Sample DM:

PRO TIPS TO LEVEL UP

• Stay organized with a Notion or Google Sheet tracker for all pitches and projects.

• Batch shoot 2–3 pieces of content at once.

• Add testimonials as you go (even peer reviews at first).

• Stay consistent on LinkedIn and Threads to attract inbound work.

• Keep learning ad trends, hooks, scroll-stoppers, and editing tricks.

Siembra Bonus

💡 UGC Learning Plan (Budget: $0–$50)

Goal: Build the skills, confidence, and portfolio to start pitching brands within 30 days.

WEEK 1: UGC 101 + Portfolio Planning

Focus: Learn the basics, decide your niche, and plan your first sample videos.

✅ Learn the UGC basics

• Watch:

  • TikTok Creator Portal (Free)

  • YouTube: What is UGC?

✅ Pick your niche

• Choose 1–2 product categories you actually use (skincare, coffee, gadgets, etc.)

✅ Outline 3 video concepts

• Product unboxing

• Day-in-the-life

• Testimonial or voiceover

💸 Cost: $0

WEEK 2: Filming + Editing Practice

Focus: Practice recording and editing content using your phone.

✅ Download editing apps

• CapCut (Free – TikTok friendly)

• InShot (Free or $3.99/month for extras)

• Canva Free (use for thumbnail or slide content)

✅ Learn video basics

• Watch:

  • CapCut Tutorial for Beginners

  • YouTube: “TikTok editing tips for UGC”

✅ Film 2 sample videos

• Keep it under 60 sec

• Natural lighting, clean audio, clear message

💸 Optional Upgrade: Canva Pro ($13/month) – adds animation, templates

WEEK 3: Portfolio + Branding

Focus: Build your portfolio and start showing up as a UGC creator.

✅ Create your portfolio

• Use Google Drive (free): 1 folder, 3–5 videos

• Or build a free Notion site with your bio, contact info, sample work
  (Template – search on TikTok/YouTube)

✅ Write a short bio

• Who you are + what content you create

• Example: “I create relatable UGC videos that help lifestyle brands connect with Gen Z & Millennial consumers.”

✅ Create a pitch message

• I can write this for you based on your niche

💸 Optional Upgrade: Stan Store or Beacons link-in-bio ($10–$29/month if you want to level up presentation)

WEEK 4: Pitching + Platform Setup

Focus: Start applying and sending DMs.

✅ Sign up for UGC platforms

• Billo

• JoinBrands

• Trend.io

• Fiverr

• Upwork

✅ Pitch 5–10 brands this week

• DM small brands on TikTok or Instagram

• Use your new portfolio link

✅ Keep learning trends

• Watch TikTok daily

• Follow creators like @ugc.cami or @yourcontentbestie

• Study ad hooks and storytelling patterns

💸 Total Spent (Optional):

• Canva Pro: $13/month

• InShot Pro: $3.99/month

• Stan Store: $29/month
  → Stay under $50 by picking 1 upgrade only

✅ Recap: What You’ll Have by Day 30

• 3–5 high-quality UGC videos

• A shareable portfolio link

• Pitch template and bio

• Active profiles on UGC platforms

• Confidence with filming and editing

Abiodun (@abzstylz)

abzstylz

53K followers

View more on Instagram

Why she stands out:

Abiodun is a fashion-forward Black creator who’s proving that you don’t need a massive following to make a major impact. When I first became aware of her, she already had a refined aesthetic and under 10K followers, she creates high-performing UGC in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle that feels boutique, editorial, and deeply intentional. She is currently at 53k as her brand portfolio grows.

Her content blends sleek visuals with cultural authenticity, offering brands a modern, stylish narrative that resonates with today’s diverse consumer. She doesn’t just show products—she styles stories.

Notable Brand Collabs: Amazon Beauty

Learn from her: It's not about quantity… it’s about quality and consistency with a strong visual voice.

Most of our features come from creators I come across on my timeline daily—but I know YOU are connected to some amazing talent I may not have discovered yet. That’s why I’m opening up the floor…

Are you or do you know a creator who deserves to be featured?

We’re looking for creators, entrepreneurs, and artists who are making waves and have a story to tell. Whether you’re building a brand, leading a movement, or creating game-changing content, we want to highlight your journey!

📩 Send your submissions to [email protected]

Starting out as a UGC creator can feel overwhelming—pero it doesn’t have to be.

You don’t need fancy gear, a huge following, or a marketing degree to land your first brand deal. What you do need is a few solid tools that help you create, organize, and pitch your content like a pro.

Whether you're shooting on your phone or building out a full campaign calendar, these three apps will help you level up your workflow, impress brands, and stay consistent—without burning out.

Let’s get you set up right from the start.👇🏽📱

Here are my top 3 suggestions to get started.

🎬 1. CapCut

• What it does: Free, intuitive video editing app with built-in templates, effects, captions, and trending TikTok styles.

• Why it's great: Beginner-friendly and powerful enough for pro-looking content—no laptop needed.

• 📲 capcut.com

📦 2. Bounty (iOS only)

• What it does: Connects UGC creators with brands offering free products + payments in exchange for reviews and videos.

• Why it's great: No follower count required—just apply, shoot, and submit.

• 📲 bounty.co

📈 3. Notion

• What it does: Helps you plan scripts, manage brand deals, track deadlines, store moodboards, and build your content calendar.

• Why it's great: It becomes your content HQ, especially for creators juggling multiple campaigns or niches.

• 📲 notion.so

Stan Store is perfect for creators, coaches, and service-based entrepreneurs who want a simple, all-in-one storefront to sell digital products, book calls, and grow their audience—without needing a full website. If you're tired of juggling platforms and want to start earning directly from your content, Stan makes it easy to get started fast. You can launch offers, track performance, and connect with your community—all from one link in bio. No tech headaches. No monthly overwhelm. Just a clean, powerful way to monetize your ideas.

Here are the Top 5 UGC marketplaces where new creators—especially those without a big following—can start building a career, get discovered by brands, and start making real money:

🛍️ 1. Fiverr UGC Services

• Why it’s great: You can set your own pricing, packages, and niche—beauty, food, wellness, tech, you name it.

• Perfect for: Beginners with strong skills but no audience yet.

• Pro Tip: Use SEO-rich gig titles like “I will create high-converting UGC for beauty brands.”

• 🔗 fiverr.com

🔗 2. Trend.io

• Why it’s great: Focused solely on connecting UGC creators with direct brand campaigns—no need for a huge social presence.

• Perfect for: Creators with polished video/photo skills who want to work on campaign-based gigs.

• Pro Tip: Their onboarding process includes an application and sample content—so bring your A-game.

• 🔗 trend.io

🧢 3. Billo

• Why it’s great: Product review-style UGC at scale. You get free products + payment to create 15–60 second videos.

• Perfect for: Creators comfortable on camera who want to practice fast turnaround storytelling.

• Pro Tip: Focus on clear, natural lighting and speaking confidently—brands on Billo love “real but crisp.”

• 🔗 billo.app

🤝 4. The Social Cat

• Why it’s great: Micro-influencer and UGC creator marketplace that prioritizes diverse, emerging talent. You don’t need a big audience.

• Perfect for: Creators of color, niche creators, and folks looking for barter or paid collabs with indie brands.

• Pro Tip: Add a strong bio and a short reel to increase your visibility to brands browsing profiles.

• 🔗 thesocialcat.com

💼 5. JoinBrands

• Why it’s great: Dedicated to connecting creators with e-commerce brands (Amazon shops, DTC products). Easy, beginner-friendly dashboard.

• Perfect for: Creators who want product-based UGC (unboxings, try-ons, demos).

• Pro Tip: This one’s about volume—do great work, get rated well, and climb to higher-paying gigs quickly.

• 🔗 joinbrands.com

Bonus: 📱**#UGCCreator & LinkedIn UGC posts**

Not technically a marketplace, but LinkedIn and TikTok hashtags are powerful discovery engines. Search #UGCCreator on LinkedIn or TikTok, engage, and post consistently—brands are actively recruiting from there.

Need Help Getting Started?

Creator Economy Live East
Date: August 5–6, 2025
Location: New York Marriott Marquis, New York, NY
Overview:
A must-attend for creators who want to monetize smarter and build strategic brand partnerships. This event brings together marketers, platforms, and content creators focused on sustainable creator economy growth.
Register here: https://www.creatoreconomylive.com

VidSummit 2025
Date: October 7–9, 2025
Location: Dallas, TX
Overview:
One of the most respected conferences for serious video creators and digital storytellers. Learn from top YouTubers, platform strategists, and creators who've turned content into careers—with direct insights on UGC pitching and scaling.
Register here: https://www.vidsummit.com

Hosting or attending an event I should know about?
I love spotlighting gatherings that help creators grow.

📩 Submit your event: https://siembraconnect.beehiiv.com/contact

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