Want to become a UGC creator? You have more opportunities than you think. Brands aren't looking for famous faces but for people who can showcase a product credibly. You don't need a large following. A phone, good lighting, and a clear story are enough to get started.
In this step-by-step guide, you'll learn what a UGC creator does, what you need, how to build a portfolio that convinces brands, and how to land your first paid assignments. We'll also show you how it works on UGC.NL, from signing up to your first payout.
TL;DR
- As a UGC creator, you don't need followers because brands pay you for the video itself and use it on their own channels and in ads.
- On UGC.NL, you start with a profile picture, one highlight video, and at least one portfolio video, and your profile review usually takes up to 7 business days.
- You set your own prices starting at €59 per package and keep 70% to 75%, depending on your rank.
- Delivering on time and responding quickly boosts your visibility in brand searches, leading to more assignments.
What Does a UGC Creator Actually Do?
A UGC creator makes videos and photos in the style of a real customer. Think of an unboxing, an honest review, a tutorial, or a ‘how I use it’ video. The difference from an influencer: you usually don't post the content on your own channel. The brand uses your video on their own socials, website, and especially in ads on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.
That's why it's not about your reach but your craftsmanship. Can you grab attention in the first few seconds? Do you showcase the product well? Does your story sound credible? These are the questions a brand asks when choosing a creator.
Example
a brand with a new protein bar is looking for someone to show how the bar tastes after a workout. Whether you have 200 or 20,000 followers doesn't matter. What counts is whether the video looks like a real customer made it.
What Do You Need to Become a UGC Creator?
You need less than many people think. A recent smartphone is enough. A professional camera is often a disadvantage for UGC: the content should feel like something an ordinary user would make.
A smartphone with a good camera
Daylight or a simple ring light
A quiet place with little echo for clear sound
A tripod or phone holder for stable images
A free editing app to cut and add subtitles
You also need time. A 30-second video may seem quick to make, but with preparation, recording, editing, and possible revisions, you can easily spend a few hours. Factor that in when setting your prices.
On UGC.NL, you must be at least 18 years old. Registration is free, and you can start without a Chamber of Commerce registration.
Choose a Niche That Suits You
Brands look for creators who match their target audience. A mother with two children is credible for children's products, a dedicated athlete for sports nutrition. Choose niches where you truly have something to say.
On UGC.NL, you can choose from niches like Beauty, Fashion, Food & Health, Fitness, Tech, Home & Interior, Travel, Family & Kids, Pets, and Recruitment. Beauty and fashion are very crowded. If you're just starting, you'll often stand out faster in a less crowded niche.
Tip
align your highlight video with your niche. If you choose Pets, feature a video with your dog. This way, a brand can immediately see that you fit the product.
Build a Portfolio Without Paid Assignments
You won't get your first assignment until brands can see what you can do. Fortunately, you don't have to wait for a client. Create sample videos with products you already have at home: your shampoo, your coffee maker, or your favorite sneakers.
Choose different formats so a brand can see how versatile you are. For example, a short review, an unboxing, and a video where you give three reasons why you use a product. Pay special attention to the first three seconds: that's when the viewer decides whether to keep watching.
On UGC.NL, your portfolio consists of a highlight video, up to three portfolio videos, and up to six photos. The highlight video is your business card: brands see it directly on the Find Creators page. Don't show social media channels in your videos and don't include links or your last name in your bio. This keeps the collaboration on the platform, where your payment is guaranteed.
Good to Know
videos you make for an assignment can also be shown in your portfolio. Each assignment strengthens your portfolio.
How to Sign Up as a UGC Creator on UGC.NL
Signing up takes a few minutes. You create a free creator account, fill out your profile as completely as possible, and upload your highlight video and at least one portfolio video. We then review your profile. This usually takes up to 7 business days, and you'll receive the decision by email.
We look for a clear profile picture, good lighting, clear sound, and stable images. Expensive equipment is not necessary. If your profile is rejected, you can adjust it and have it reviewed again.
After approval, complete your first verification and set your availability. From that moment, you are visible to brands. You can also manage everything in the UGC.NL Creator app for iOS and Android, including your chats and deliveries.
Set Your Packages and Price
On UGC.NL, you decide what you offer. You create three packages: Basic, Standard, and Premium. For each package, you choose the length (15, 30, or 60 seconds), the delivery time (1–2, 3–5, 6–8, or 9–12 days), and the number of revisions. You fill in the price, the number of videos, hooks, and product photos yourself.
A package costs at least €59. You keep 70% to 75%, depending on your rank. As a new creator, you receive 70%. The service fees paid by the brand do not come out of your share.
With extras, you can make your package more complete, such as Script & Briefing, video editing, voice-over, subtitles, music, or raw content. The more you deliver, the higher your price can be. Start realistically and increase your rate as your reviews and experience grow.
Tip
if none of your packages fit a request, send a custom package in the chat.
How to Get Your First Assignments as a UGC Creator
There are two routes. Brands find you via Find Creators and order a package directly or send you a message. Or you respond to Jobs: assignments that companies post. You only see jobs that match your profile and respond with a short pitch and a price proposal.
Keep your pitch short and personal. Show that you've read the assignment. ‘I work out five times a week and always eat something with protein after training’ says more than a general sentence about your passion for content.
After that, reliability counts. Your position in search results depends on your rank, your reviews, the percentage of assignments you deliver on time, and your response time. If you usually respond within an hour, that counts the most. This is how you grow from Explorer to Rookie, Rising Star, and Trendsetter.
After delivery, the brand has 72 hours to accept, request a revision, or decline. Once the assignment is completed, we pay you the following Monday. The brand has paid in advance, so you know you'll get your money.
Common Mistakes Made by Beginner Creators
The biggest mistake is a long introduction. Don't start with ‘Hi everyone, today I'm going to…’, but with the problem or the result. The viewer must understand in the first second why they should keep watching.
Another pitfall is an incomplete profile. Without a highlight video and portfolio video, you're not visible. And if you haven't been online for 30 days, your packages are set to inactive. Brands can still message you, but not order directly.
Finally: keep everything on the platform. If you make arrangements outside UGC.NL, the payment guarantee is void, and you're on your own in case of a dispute. Within the platform, the brand pays in advance, and you are guaranteed your money after approval.
Ready to Start?
Create your free creator account, upload your highlight video, and let brands find you. Become a Creator
Frequently asked questions
Yes. On UGC.NL, brands choose you based on your portfolio, packages, and reviews, not your follower count. Your videos are mainly used on the brand's channels and in their ads. What matters is whether your content is credible and whether you showcase the product clearly.
You set your own price, starting at €59 per package. UGC.NL takes a commission of 25% to 30%, depending on your rank. As a new creator, you receive 70% of the package price, as a Trendsetter 75%. The service fees paid by the brand do not come out of your share.
After uploading your highlight video and at least one portfolio video, we review your profile. This usually takes up to 7 business days, and you'll receive the decision by email. If your profile is rejected, you can adjust it and have it reviewed again. After that, you are visible to brands.
Choose three different formats with products you already have, such as a review, an unboxing, and a short explanation video. Brands see your highlight video first on Find Creators, so put your strongest video there. Don't show social media channels and ensure good lighting and clear sound.
No, you can start as an individual. UGC.NL automatically generates your invoices and takes your VAT situation into account. If you earn more consistently, a Chamber of Commerce registration may become mandatory. This is determined by the government, not UGC.NL. We will inform you, but you remain responsible for the rules.