How to become a UGC Creator in 5 easy steps (and start getting paid today)

User Generated Content (UGC) is one of the fastest-growing ways to make money online today, even if you have zero followers and no camera experience.

While influencer marketing still dominates headlines, smart brands are turning to everyday creators for authentic, relatable content that actually connects with real audiences. This shift in content marketing has created a massive opportunity for people of all levels. 

The best part is that you can start today–even without any money–simply by using your phone and the strategy that we lay out in this guide. 

Whop Content Rewards is the best way to start getting paid as a UGC creator. It's a system where businesses pay creators guaranteed rates to promote their content.

We’ll dive deeper into how it works later, but just know: it’s packed with opportunities for creators who are ready to start earning.

First, let's take a look at how to become a UGC creator.

UGC for beginners

You don’t need a big following to make money with UGC–you just need to be real, relatable, and willing to start.

UGC videos mirror the most effective form of marketing: word of mouth. Since UGC videos feel like a friend sent them to you, there’s also less pressure for doing things “right” or perfectly in terms of what popular or viral content looks like.

Sound good to you? Here’s exactly how to start.

Become a UGC creator by following these steps

Getting started in UGC does not need to be intimidating or complicated. With these steps, you can start as soon today:

1. Start with what you know

The most important factor to UGC marketing is that it thrives on authenticity.

So, the best place to start is with products or services that you already use and enjoy in your daily life. Just about any product niche has brands offering UGC opportunities, but top ones include skincare, tech, fitness, clothing and food.

Starting with products you’re already familiar with also means less pressure to perform on camera. Instead you're creating real reviews—which is exactly what brands are looking for.

Later on, as you get comfortable with content, you can expand your product niches, but getting started with what you know is the best way to start from scratch.

For example, makeup lovers often create UGC for beauty brands like Glossier, Rare Beauty, or ELF simply by filming casual GRWM (get-ready-with-me) videos or product reviews in their own bathrooms or bedrooms.

Tech lovers can easily start to earn with gadget or app reviews, sometimes even with products they already own and use regularly.

Examples of UGC creators that made it with what they knew, and without a big audience:

Here are some examples of creators who have found success with UGC content by starting with what they knew—in this case, beauty related products:

Meena (@the.ugcgirlie)

Although Meena still has less than 1000 followers on Instagram, Meena, aka @the.ugcgirlie, is consistently landing faceless beauty UGC gigs.

Her setup is simple and minimal and can easily be reproduced by anyone else who has a similar eye for lighting and product framing.

Kayla @ugcbykayla 

Kay, or @ugcbykay_ on TikTok, is another creator who is able to make money with UGC without a massive audience. In addition to paid UGC videos for beauty products, Kay is also likely receiving affiliate commissions from faceless marketing, one of the best ways to make money online today.

There are so many niches and opportunities in UGC, including tech, home living, everyday life, clothing and pets–so even if beauty isn’t your thing, you can have similar success by monetizing your passion with UGC.

2. Create simple content

Don’t overthink your UGC videos. All you need to do is talk about products like you would to a friend. Your videos just need to be genuine and natural, like an IRL personal recommendation.

Stick to one concept per video. A quick testimonial, a casual unboxing + reaction, or day-in-the-life-with or get-ready-with-me content featuring the product is all you need.

When it comes to UGC, overproduction actually kills trust, so as long as you have good framing and clean but natural edits, your content will perform well.

Here’s an example of a super simple unboxing and quick use faceless UGC video:

Key takeways: 

• The brand and product and was showcased clearly in the beginning
• No need to shift the frame or environment for using (video already started in front of a sink)
• Product was showcased again at the end
• No text overlaying the video, no voiceovers

Simple content pays. No need to overthink or overproduce, especially when you’re just starting out.

3. Join UGC marketplaces and communities

After you’ve got your content creation basics down, you can jumpstart your income by plugging into platforms that are already connecting brands with creators.

While it’s possible to find opportunities on freelance platforms like Fiverr and Upwork, you’re better off joining those that are explicitly dedicated to UGC such as:

• Whop Content Rewards: A community that is dedicated to streamlining the process of connecting UGC creators with brands. As a UGC creator, all you have to do is browse content rewards on offer, filter by UGC, find a campaign and submit your content. No need for a portfolio, application, or any prior experience. Anyone can get paid for UGC.
• JoinBrands.com: A streamlined marketplace where creators can find brand opportunities, including UGC content. A great starting point for beginners
• Billo.app: A platform that connects UGC creators with ecommerce brands that need short-from video ads. Good for gaining opportunity with physical products.

The easy way: Joining Whop and applying for content rewards

Signing up for Content Rewards and making money on Whop as a UGC is straightforward. Here's how:

• Sign up for Whop: Takes less than 5 minutes, and there’s no application or approval process
• Browse current Content Rewards: Navigate to the public Content Rewards page to see all of the current opportunities and how much they pay. With so many new business posting content rewards daily, it’s easy to find one that aligns with you.
• Submit videos and get paid cash: Every video pays cash, not just free product (although sometimes you can get both!). You will see the performance-based rate right away in addition to the total budget of each job.

How to sign up for a UGC marketplace

If your signing up for a content marketplace like JoinBrands or Billo, you’ll have to do the following before you get approved to submit UGC content:

• Create your account
  Depending on the platform, you’ll have to download their app in addition to signing up for an account. Billo, for example, has their own app and requires everyone who wants to make UGC to download it.

• Configure your creator profile
  Once you’ve signed up for an account, you’ll need to configure your profile fully before you can start applying for UGC jobs.
  
  With Billo, you have to create yourself as a product and make a sample video in a specific category and style before you can get approved.  
• Find and apply to UGC video offers
  After you’re approved and categorized, you’ll be able to apply to available UGC video offers.
  
  Keep in mind that on public platforms like Billo and JoinBrands, you’ll be competing with seasoned creators that have solid profiles and inbound requests, so make sure everything in your profile is on point so you can land paid work.
  
  If you are listing yourself on a general freelance platform, be sure to include a thorough and accurate description in addition to clear and fair pricing so you can get discovered and hired in between active outreach.

• Submit your videos for approval
  As a UGC creator, everything you do is performance-based, so you need to meet content standards. So, there’s no guarantee of payment for your work until it is submitted and approved by the brand you’re working with.
  
  Be sure to read the content guidelines and do your best to make a video that meets or exceeds expectations.
• Get paid (in products or cash)
  Your payment on UGC marketplaces often starts with just receiving free product. Once you have example videos and a portfolio, you will get sent the product up front to film UGC content with, and you’ll get to keep it. 
  
  On freelance platforms, you can freely set your rate, but be sure to price accordingly based on what similar UGC creators are charging. 
  
  As you gain experience, you can land higher paying gigs everywhere, including those that pay in cash in addition to getting free stuff.

It's clear to see that with Whop, you skip the waitlists, approval processes, and sample video requirements, getting straight to paid UGC opportunities in minutes.

4. Pick a social media platform and stick with it

One issue that some first time content creators face is fretting about which social media platform to post on and optimize for. As a new UGC creator, your best bet is to simply pick one platform and stick with it.

Study what top performing UGC videos or UGC brand ads look like on that platform, take notes, and just copy what they’re doing.

By focusing on just one platform at a time, you can learn what works, iterate faster, and build a laser-focused portfolio that is attractive to brands.

An example of single-platform UGC success

TikTok and Instagram are excellent starting points for UGC, especially if you want to start making money fast. But, YouTube is still one of the most slept on platforms for scaling UGC into a long-term career—as seen by David Cogen, aka TheUnlocker.

David's content wasn’t called 'UGC' at the time, but he always produced UGC content. David shared gadget reviews in between how-to tutorials, and over time, his passion for creating raw and relatable tech content allowed him to blossom into earning a full time living.

His work has now been featured on CNBC, Bloomberg Technology and DigitalTrends, and gets millions of views from over 500k subscribers. David proves that sticking to one platform with consistency and making content that fits with it (his long-form videos excel on YouTube) can make anyone become a trusted UGC authority over time.

5. Be consistent

Like everything else in entrepreneurship, your UGC success compounds over time. The key in the beginning is not perfection—it’s momentum created by consistency.

Pick a schedule that works for you, and stick to it. Whether it’s two videos per week or five, the goal is to make content a habit, not a grind.

Just focus on showing up regularly and improving just a bit with each piece. Over time, this will build your portfolio, sharpen your skills, and signal to brands that you’re dependable–all traits that are far more valuable than the ability to go viral.

Find consistent opportunities with Content rewards

Posting yourself on UGC platforms will include a lot of waiting for opportunities to arise in addition to tons of time spent sorting through available ones. 

With Content Rewards, you’ll see new UGC opportunities daily, and best of all, many of them will approve you and get you paid right away as long as you follow their content guidelines.

Becoming a full-time UGC creator

If you’ve already got the basics down and want to see what it takes to get your content and income to the next level, we've got yo.

Here’s how top earners scale their UGC from an online side hustle to a full-time, abundant income:

Level up your production skills

Once you’ve practiced creating short-form content and have a good portfolio, it’s time to start leveling up.

You don’t need expensive cameras—just a few affordable upgrades can dramatically improve how your videos are perceived.

The following UGC tools, when combined with better scripting, pacing, and edits will immediately put you in a higher pay rate bracket than the modest beginner. Soon enough, you can find yourself ranking among the highest paid UGC creators.

Make use of UGC tools

If you want to create content that is seen as professional right off the bat, start by using the right tools.

Filming & setup:

In addition to good natural lighting and basic understanding of framing and tone, you need:

• Ring light + optional ambient lighting accessories can be found for $20 or less each
• A Phone stand or stabilizer will help keep your framing solid and professional. Generic stabilizers will work nearly as good as a pricey Gimbal.
• Clip-on (lavalier) microphone – also no need to spend more than $20-30
• Clean, minimal background accessories to help frame your video better. These should be aligned with your theme: for example neon lights for tech reviews, boho decoration if you are showcasing natural health products

Editing tools:

While you can start editing videos for free using software or built-in platform tools, sometimes it helps to go a little further: 

• Inshot or Capcut premium versions will give you more eye-catching edits and convenient capabilities that you can’t find in the free versions.
• Canva: While many people know Canva as somewhere to create graphic designs from scratch, it’s also a highly slept on video editor, complete with custom templates that top content creators rely on. Check out the difference between Canva Pro vs free here.
• Freelance video editor: Once you have cashflow, consider delegating your video editing altogether. This will free up your time immensely and allow you to take on even more work.

Delivery & portfolio

• Google drive: The simplest way to organize and deliver your UGC content. Virtually everyone uses Google Workspace professionally, including the brands you’ll be working with. Simply create folders to organize, and consider upgrading your storage.
• Notion: This productivity tool has blown up in recent times, and for good reason. With Notion, you can embed videos, write descriptions, add deliverable timelines and statuses. You can use it internally or in conjunction with your clients, and immediately it gives off a high-end creator vibe.
  
  Bonus: you can even make money selling Notion templates, including any custom ones you’ve made for UGC
• Carrd: One of the easiest and cheapest ways to create a professional personal website or UGC portfolio from scratch without needing design skills or hiring a freelancer is Carrd.
  
  You can use it to showcase your skills and niche, past work, rates and a contact form. Read: Carrd tutorial and review: Pros, cons and alternatives.

You don’t need fancy gear or editing software to start earning like a pro. With stronger scripting, sharper pacing, and cleaner edits, your content will stand out — helping you charge more and move from beginner gigs to top-tier UGC opportunities.

Why today is the best time to get started as a UGC creator

There’s never been a better time to get started with UGC than today. With paid ads and influencer marketing becoming increasingly tuned out by consumers, more brands are shifting their marketing budgets to relatable, more natural and raw content that only UGC provides.

What makes this moment especially urgent is the current gap between brand demand and available creators.

While budgets are growing, there still aren’t enough skilled UGC creators to meet the volume of requests–which means, if you’re reading this, you’re early.

Get paid as a UGC creator fast with Whop Content Rewards

Want to skip all of the pitching, waiting, and guesswork so you can get paid for content right now?

Whop Content Rewards lets creators of all levels earn guaranteed payouts from brands for several types of content, including clipping and UGC. 

Every day, new companies are posting Content Rewards with budgets ranging from $1000 to $50,000 or even more. With so many opportunities out there, you can always find an opportunity that is aligned with your skills and interests.

Here are some examples of UGC campaigns on Whop (live at the time of writing):

While these specific examples might not last long, new content rewards are posted daily so there will always be ways to cash in with UGC and clipping with Whop.

If you already have an account with Whop, access to content rewards is instant. If not, head to Whop, create your account, and start submitting UGC for content rewards.

FAQs for UGC creators

What is UGC?

UGC (User generated content) is any content created by individuals that help promote a brand, typically in the form of casual and short videos such as testimonials, product reviews, or reactions. 

Unlike influencer content, UGC does not need to be tied to your audience size. While there is still influencer-style marketing type UGC that individual creators post on their accounts, there’s also UGC that brands will use and distribute on their own.

In short, UGC is a content marketing opportunity that has:

• No follower requirements
• No pressure to go viral
• No need to become a public figure (in some cases, you won’t even have to show your face)
• Just requires authentic content that helps brands sell products

Do I need followers to get paid for UGC?

No. A majority of UGC is created for brand-owned ads, not your personal account. Even for UGC posted on personal accounts, the follower count and engagement requirements are far lower than those of traditional influencer marketing.

How much can I make as a UGC Creator?

Beginners in UGC can realistically earn $100-$500 per month part time, while experienced creators can scale past $2000-$5000 per month depending on volume, niche, and content quality. 

Can I do UGC without showing my face?

Yes, many brands are hiring individuals who produce faceless content, whether it’s voiceover, hands-only, or even AI-generated. As long as you follow the content guidelines, paid UGC content without showing your face is an opportunity that’s becoming increasingly available.

How long will it take for me to get my first paid UGC gig?

With the right platforms, like Whop Content Rewards, you can land your first paying UGC job within your first few days. Cold pitching or listing yourself on platforms to find work can take a bit longer, but generally it shouldn’t take longer than up to 2 weeks.

What niche is best for UGC?

The best niches in UGC include beauty, fashion, health and wellness, tech, and food. As an individual creator, you will do best in the niche that you are already familiar with and passionate about.

What tools do I need to get started as a UGC creator?

You can get started as a UGC creator with just your phone, some basic editing skills, and a good shooting environment (this can just be a good corner of your room with natural lighting and a simple background). Optional upgrades include premium editing software, a tripod, microphone, and lighting setup.