Now you've probably seen countless articles on YouTube and Tik Tok of people claiming that they make thousands of dollars every single month for brand deals without actually being influencers. As wild as this might sound, it's a 100% legit and proven business model that you can start today from the comfort of your own home with no followers and, most importantly, no money upfront. And this business model is called UGC. Now, what exactly is UGC? UGC officially stands for user-generated content, which is essentially videos, pictures, or written reviews created for Brands by normal people. Typically what happens is that Brands will send you one of their products for 100% free, and then on top of that, they'll even pay you some money to literally just create some content on that product. This gives you the opportunity to work with some of your favorite Brands without needing to be an influencer or have thousands of followers on your social medias. And the best part is you don't even necessarily need to show your face. All you're going to need to get started is a good portfolio and decent camera skills.
Now, because I'm so amazing, I've already covered the first step for you, so I've created you a 100% free UGC portfolio that actually converts. And on top of that, I've created a free UGC guide and checklist that will assist you with everything I've mentioned in today's video. So you can go ahead and grab that for 100% free. It's going to be the first link down in my description. Trust me when I say this side hustle is going to be an absolute breeze for you.
You're probably wondering why would Brands prefer to promote through regular people instead of influencers. And that's because more and more brands are catching on to the power of using real people for reviews over influencers because it comes across as more authentic. It just feels a lot more relatable to the average customer than seeing an already established celebrity trying to showcase these products. It's a no-brainer that people find it easier to connect with people that they see similar to themselves. So, of course, if a potential customer sees someone like themselves using a product or recommending it, they're more likely to make that purchase because the review feels more genuine. So, of course, the conversion rates are going to be significantly higher.
One of the key lessons I learned in my seven years of sales and marketing is that people don't like to be sold to; they like to be related to. So with this knowledge, the next time you're on Tik Tok, take a good look at the sponsored post. You're going to notice way more subtle sponsorship posts of regular people recommending products in story times, for example, rather than the old-fashioned way of influencers literally telling you to go and buy a random product from their PR box.
Now we've covered everything. How do you get started with UGC? Firstly, you'll need to create a portfolio. Now as I said earlier, this is mostly done for you already. You just need to go in and add some details about yourself and some videos or pictures of your work. Now, this is a lot easier than it sounds, trust me. You can really have fun and get creative with it. I've given you some solid tips and tricks in the free UGC guide down in the description, so you know exactly what to do. But in short, what you'll want to do is just go around the house and pick up five to ten products that you absolutely love or can't live without. Then you're going to take a bunch of aesthetic pictures and videos of these products and just add them into your portfolio. It's pretty simple. You don't have to overthink this step. But if you're an absolute perfectionist, you can always go back in with CapCut or some other video editing tools to lightly edit the videos and now your portfolio is done. So you're officially ready to land your first gig.
Q: What is UGC and how can it help you make money without being an influencer?
A: UGC stands for user-generated content, which involves creating videos, pictures, or written reviews for brands as a normal person. Brands send products for free and pay for content creation, allowing individuals to work with brands without a large following.
Q: Where can I find guidance and resources for starting my UGC journey?
A: You can access a free UGC portfolio and guide/checklist to help you start your UGC journey. These resources are available in the description of relevant content.
Q: Why do brands prefer user-generated content over influencers in marketing?
A: Brands are realizing the authenticity and relatability of real people's reviews compared to influencers. Customers find it easier to connect with regular individuals, making their recommendations more genuine and leading to higher conversion rates.
Q: What are some tips and strategies for success in UGC?
A: Focus on relating to your audience rather than selling to them. Subtle sponsored posts by regular people are gaining popularity for their authenticity and effectiveness in recommending products.
Q: How can I start my UGC career and land my first gig?
A: Begin by creating a UGC portfolio with pictures and videos of products you love. Use available resources and tips to enhance your portfolio. Once ready, you can start applying for UGC opportunities.
