How To Become A UGC Content Creator
User Generated Content is how so many brands and businesses are growing their audience and providing relevant content to potential customers. It’s no surprise that people are wondering how to become a UGC content creator. Do not confused being a “Content Creator” with creating User Generated Content, there is a big difference. We have been seeing the term UGC Creator or UGC floating around a lot lately. In fact, I just fielded a request for one of my businesses the other day from a UGC Creator looking to strike a deal. First, let’s get one thing straight.
UGC for a lot of different brands going on here.
Content Creator vs UGC Creator
Being a content creator and making UGC are completely different things. Content creators enter into contracts with brands or businesses in order to provide them high resolution and professional photos or videos. These assets are generally used on a brand or companies website, digital ads, or in print. We’ll also level with you on this one…
There is a lot of competition out there. It’s going to be a very hard market to enter. The best thing that you can do is to have a large portfolio, competitive prices, and great connections in the industry. The Pagosa Creative Company works as content creators and NOT as UGC Creators. We have sold a few photos to brands who happened to love the particular photo.
What UGC actually is.
Ok, what the heck qualifies something as User Generated Content? Let’s say you just bought a new jacket and you are super stoked on it. You snap a photo of yourself and post it on Instagram and you tag the brand. That, my friends, is actually what User Generated Content is. It is NOT charging brands to do a full on campaign. It is simply posting content that you, the end user, has generated. You probably have a ton of UGC on your social accounts right now without even meaning to. So how can you make the brand your representing care? Or heck….how can you get them to pay you for your content?
How to become a UGC Content Creator and actually get paid.
That’s the million dollar question and that’s why you came to this blog. The answer to this one is harsh and I apologize in advance. Are you ready for it? No seriously, Are you ready to lear how to become a UGC Content Creator and actually….make money? Here is a list of items, in no particular order, that are going to go a long way towards helping you get paid.
Dial up your Instagram game. Chances are, you’re going to need a whole heck of a lot more than 374 followers if you’re going to make money doing UGC. Why would a brand pay you to tag them in something? They need a return on their investment. If you’ve got several thousand followers and really high engagement, it might be worth it to them to pay you.
Learn how to PITCH. You need to present the brand you are contacting with an incredible pitch. Even small to medium sized businesses get at least one pitch every day from someone looking to get paid. Larger brands receive dozens of requests a day. How are you special? What makes you stand out? How will you help this brand make more money?
Your content needs to be good, Like, really really good. A cellphone shot with no editing is not going to win you any accolades, or any money. If you’re not at the very least a great hobbyist your chances are really quite slim.
Contact the right person. Do some research on Google or LinkedIn to see if you an actually find someone who is in charge of marketing. You’re going to get a response from maybe 2% of companies if you reach out directly through social channels asking to do a paid campaign.
That’s basically it. Remember to exercise patience. There are thousands, probably hundreds of thousands of people who are wanting to do this too.
An example of UGC for a drone company.