How to Land Your First UGC Deal and the Best Websites to Find Clients
Getting the first paid UGC deal usually feels harder than the work itself. You can film a product demo, edit a clean video, write a strong hook, and still wonder where the paying clients are hiding.
The good news is that the first deal does not require a huge following, a fancy camera, or a perfect niche. Most brands care about whether you can make content that feels real, clear, and useful. They want videos they can use on their website, product pages, ads, email campaigns, or organic social feeds.
That means your job is simple, but not passive. You need a small portfolio, a clear offer, a short pitch, and a repeatable way to find brands that already pay creators.
This guide walks through how to get your first UGC deal from scratch, what to prepare before pitching, how much to charge early on, and which websites are worth using when you are still new.
Understand what brands actually buy from UGC creators
UGC stands for user-generated content, but paid UGC is not the same thing as posting casual videos for free.
Brands hire creators to make content that looks native to social platforms. The creator usually does not need to post it on their own account unless the agreement says so. The brand pays for the video or photo files, then uses them in its own marketing channels.
A typical first UGC project might include:
One short product demo video
One testimonial-style video
One unboxing video
Three edited vertical videos
A short batch of raw clips
Product photos shot at home
The brand is not paying for celebrity influence. It is paying for relatable content from someone who can speak clearly, show the product well, and make the viewer understand why the product matters.
That is why a beginner can land work. A brand selling dog treats may prefer a creator with a real dog and natural lighting over someone with a huge following but no connection to pets. A kitchen brand may want simple cooking clips. A skincare brand may want close-ups and honest texture shots.
The core skill is not being famous. It is making a product feel easy to understand.
Know the difference between UGC and influencer work
This distinction matters because it affects pricing, deliverables, and where you search for clients.
UGC work | Influencer work |
The brand pays for content files. | The brand pays for access to your audience. |
You may not need to post anything. | You usually post on your account. |
Follower count matters less. | Follower count and engagement matter more. |
Usage rights are a key part of the deal. | Posting schedule and performance are key. |
Good for beginners with strong content samples. | Harder if your audience is very small. |
Many new creators pitch themselves the wrong way. They lead with follower count, even when the brand wants video assets. If your audience is small, do not apologize for it. Frame yourself as a content creator who makes native-style product videos for brands.
A simple line works well:
“I create short-form product videos that brands can use on their own social channels, product pages, and paid campaigns.”
That tells the client exactly what they are buying.
Build a starter portfolio before you pitch anyone
A brand needs proof before it pays you. That proof can be simple. You do not need paid examples yet. You can create sample UGC with products you already own.
Pick three to five products around your home. Choose items that fit the types of brands you want to work with. Good options include:
Skincare or hair care products
Kitchen tools
Pet products
Fitness accessories
Snacks or drinks
Cleaning products
Apps or digital tools you already use
Home decor items
Do not use fake claims. If you have not used a product long enough to review it, make a demo instead of a testimonial. Show how it works, how it looks, what problem it solves, or what someone should know before buying it.
A strong beginner portfolio can include five short videos:
Product demo
Show the product in use from start to finish.
Problem and solution video
Open with a relatable issue, then show how the product helps.
Unboxing or first impression
Show packaging, texture, size, setup, and first use.
Voiceover review
Use clear shots while explaining the main benefit.
Lifestyle clip
Show the product as part of a real routine.
Keep each sample short. Many brands want vertical videos that feel at home on TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts. Aim for clear lighting, steady shots, easy-to-hear audio, and clean framing.
You can film with a phone. Natural light near a window is often enough. A small tripod helps. Good audio matters more than a high-end camera.
Create a simple portfolio page
Do not send brands a folder full of random files with no context. Put your samples somewhere easy to view.
Good beginner portfolio options include:
Canva website
Google Drive folder with clear file names
Notion page
Carrd site
Personal website
Contra profile
Beacons or similar link-in-bio page
Your portfolio page should include:
Your name
A short sentence about what you create
Three to eight video samples
Any niches you fit naturally
Your email address
Your general location or time zone
A short note that you are available for UGC projects
If you want to look more prepared, add a basic package section. You do not need to list every price publicly, but it helps to show that you understand deliverables.
For example:
One edited UGC video
Three edited UGC videos
Raw footage add-on
Product photography add-on
Paid usage rights available
This helps the brand imagine working with you.
Use the right websites to find your first clients
There are two main ways to get UGC clients. You can apply through creator marketplaces, or you can pitch brands directly. Both work. The fastest path for most beginners is to do both at the same time.
Creator marketplaces give you access to brands that are already looking for content. Direct outreach gives you more control and less competition once you know how to pitch.
Here are the websites worth using when you are trying to land your first deal.
Website | Best for | What to know before using it |
Billo | Short-form product videos | Often focused on brands that need simple creator videos. Good for beginners with clear samples. |
JoinBrands | Product videos and product photos | Useful for creators who can make quick, clean content at home. Requirements can vary by campaign. |
Insense | UGC and influencer-style campaigns | Strong option for short-form video work. Some campaigns may have specific creator requirements. |
Collabstr | Listing UGC packages | Lets creators create a public profile and sell content packages. Your profile quality matters. |
Brands Meet Creators | Finding brands open to creator pitches | Often used for creator-brand connections and campaign opportunities. |
Upwork | Freelance UGC jobs | Good for pitching custom proposals. Competition can be high, so send specific responses. |
Fiverr | Selling packaged UGC services | Good if you create clear gig packages with samples and specific deliverables. |
Contra | Portfolio and freelance discovery | Useful for creators who want a clean profile and a place to show work. |
Direct brand and founder outreach | Best for finding small brands, startup founders, and marketing contacts. | |
TikTok Creator Marketplace | Creator campaigns tied to TikTok accounts | Better if you also have an active TikTok presence. Some opportunities may depend on account size or eligibility. |
Start with three to five websites instead of trying to manage ten at once. A good beginner mix would be:
Billo
JoinBrands
Upwork
Fiverr
LinkedIn
That gives you both marketplace applications and direct client search.
Billo works well for simple product video jobs
Billo is one of the better-known platforms for creator-made product videos. Brands post projects, creators apply, and selected creators produce content based on the brief.
It can be helpful for beginners because the projects are usually clear. A brand knows it wants creator content, so you do not need to explain the concept from scratch.
To stand out, make your profile specific. Avoid broad lines like “I can make any video you need.” A better profile says what you are good at.
For example:
Natural skincare demos
Mom-life product videos
Pet product content
Fitness and wellness routines
Home and cleaning product demos
Food and drink taste tests
Specific always feels more trustworthy than generic.
JoinBrands is useful for product photos and videos
JoinBrands connects creators with brands that need product content. It can be a good early platform because many projects are built around simple at-home content.
If you apply there, pay attention to the brief. Brands may ask for specific scenes, angles, talking points, or formats. Read the instructions carefully before accepting work. Missing a required shot can create revisions and slow down payment.
A strong JoinBrands sample does not need to look like a commercial. It should feel real, bright, steady, and easy to follow.
Upwork is better when you pitch specific ideas
Upwork has many freelance categories, and UGC jobs appear under content creation, social media content, video production, and spokesperson-style work.
The mistake many beginners make on Upwork is sending the same proposal to every job. Clients can tell.
A better proposal mentions the actual product, the likely video angle, and what you would deliver.
For example:
“Hi, I saw you’re looking for a creator to film a short demo for your travel water bottle. I can create a vertical video showing the bottle in a morning packing routine, a quick leak test, and a final benefit-focused voiceover. I can deliver one edited video plus raw clips if needed.”
That is much stronger than:
“Hi, I am interested in your project. I have experience making UGC videos.”
The first one shows the client how you think.
Fiverr works if your gig is clear
Fiverr can work for UGC, but your gig needs to be specific. Do not create a vague listing called “I will make UGC.” That forces buyers to guess what they get.
A clearer gig might say:
“I will create a natural UGC product demo video”
“I will film an unboxing video for your product”
“I will create a short testimonial-style video for your brand”
“I will film UGC videos for pet products”
Include examples in your gallery. Explain what is included and what costs extra, such as raw footage, additional hooks, extra revisions, or paid usage rights.
LinkedIn is underrated for direct outreach
LinkedIn is not only for corporate jobs. It is useful because many founders, ecommerce owners, and marketing managers are easy to find there.
Search for terms like:
Founder skincare brand
Ecommerce founder
Marketing manager wellness brand
DTC founder
Social media manager pet brand
Brand manager beauty
Then look for small to midsize brands that already publish short-form content. If their videos look inconsistent, too polished, or mostly product-only, they may be open to creator content.
Send a short connection request. After they accept, send a simple pitch. Do not write a long life story. Focus on what you can make for them.
Pitch brands with a clear offer instead of asking for a chance
The fastest way to sound new is to say, “I would love an opportunity.” Brands do not buy opportunities. They buy outcomes.
Your pitch should answer four questions:
What do you create?
Why does it fit this brand?
What would you make?
Where can they see examples?
Keep it short. Most people will read it on a phone.
Here is a simple pitch template you can use for email or LinkedIn:
Hi [Name], I’m [Your Name], and I create short-form UGC videos for [type of product] brands. I came across [Brand Name] and thought your [specific product] would work well in natural creator-style videos, especially a quick demo showing [specific idea]. I’d love to create 1 to 3 short videos you can use on your social channels or product pages. Here are a few samples of my work: [portfolio link] Would you be open to seeing a few content ideas?
This pitch works because it is specific but not pushy. It does not demand a call. It asks for a small next step.
If you want to pitch through Instagram or TikTok, shorten it:
Hi [Brand Name], I create short-form UGC videos for [niche] brands. I had an idea for a quick video showing [specific product] in [specific scene]. Would you like me to send over a few sample concepts?
Do not attach multiple large video files in the first message. Send a link instead.
Personalize every pitch in one sentence
You do not need to rewrite each pitch from scratch. Personalize one or two lines.
Mention:
A product you noticed
A content gap
A seasonal angle
A video idea
A customer question the brand could answer
A common objection the product could address
For example:
“I noticed your product pages show great photos, but I did not see many videos showing the texture and size in real life.”
That line feels useful. It proves you looked.
Follow up without sounding desperate
Most first replies come from follow-ups, not the first message. People miss emails. They get busy. Your pitch may arrive on the wrong day.
Send one follow-up after a few days. Send another about a week later if it still feels relevant.
A simple follow-up can say:
Hi [Name], just following up in case this got buried. I’d still be happy to send over a few UGC concepts for [Brand Name]. I think [specific product] could work well in a short [demo, routine, unboxing, testimonial-style] video.
If there is no reply after two follow-ups, move on. Keep a simple tracker so you know who you contacted, when you followed up, and what happened.
Price your first UGC deal with confidence
Pricing is one of the hardest parts of getting started. Many beginners either charge too little because they fear losing the deal, or they quote too high without explaining what is included.
For a first deal, keep pricing simple. Charge by deliverable, not by hour.
A beginner package could look like this:
Package | Includes | Best for |
Starter video | One edited vertical video | A brand testing UGC for the first time |
Small bundle | Three edited vertical videos | A brand that needs several hooks or angles |
Content batch | Three videos plus raw clips | A brand that wants more footage to reuse |
Your rate will depend on your skill, niche, turnaround time, and whether the brand wants paid usage rights. Instead of copying random rates online, ask yourself:
How long will filming take?
Will you need to write the script?
Do you need to buy props?
Will the brand ship product?
How many revisions are included?
Can the brand use the video in paid ads?
How long can the brand use the content?
Does the brand want raw footage?
Usage rights matter. If a brand wants to run your video as a paid ad, that has more value than a simple organic post. Spell this out in plain language.
For a first project, you might include organic usage in the base price and charge more for paid ad usage. If you are unsure, keep it simple and write:
“Paid usage rights are available for an added fee and can be discussed based on length of use.”
That shows you understand the concept without overcomplicating the conversation.
Do not offer too much for free
Free samples can be useful when you build your portfolio, but be careful once a brand is involved. If a brand asks you to create a full custom video before hiring you, that is unpaid labor.
You can offer:
A few video ideas
A short concept outline
Your portfolio link
A past sample in a similar style
A quick 10-second rough example only if you choose to
You should not offer:
A full custom edited video
Raw footage
Multiple new concepts with scripts and shot lists
Unlimited revisions before payment
Free usage rights
A paid test project is a fair compromise. If the brand is unsure, suggest one lower-risk deliverable, such as one edited video. If it goes well, offer a bundle next.
Make the deal easy to approve
Your first deal becomes more likely when you remove confusion. After a brand shows interest, send a clear mini proposal.
It does not need to be fancy. A short email works.
Include:
Number of videos or photos
Video length range
Format, such as vertical 9:16
Script or hook details
Number of revisions
Timeline after product arrival
Usage terms
Price
Payment method
Next step
Here is a simple example:
For this project, I can create three vertical UGC videos for [Product Name]. Each video will be around 15 to 30 seconds and will include a different hook and angle. Deliverables include three edited videos, basic captions, and one revision round. Timeline is seven business days after I receive the product and final brief. The brand may use the videos organically on its owned channels. Paid ad usage can be added separately. The total project fee is [amount]. To start, I’ll send over a simple agreement and invoice.
A written agreement protects both sides. It should cover what you are making, payment, deadlines, revisions, usage rights, and cancellation terms. You do not need complex legal language for a small first project, but you do need written approval.
Never rely only on casual DMs for the final terms. Confirm everything in email or a simple contract.
Ask the right questions before filming
Before you create anything, ask for the brief. If the brand does not have one, send your own questions.
Ask:
What product should I feature?
What is the main message?
Are there claims I should avoid?
Who is the ideal customer?
Where will the content be used?
Do you want voiceover, talking head, or text on screen?
Are there required phrases or product details?
Are there visual guidelines?
What file format do you need?
When is the deadline?
This helps you avoid revisions. It also makes you look professional, even as a new creator.
Improve your odds with a simple weekly system
Getting the first deal is often a numbers game, but not in a spammy way. You need enough quality attempts to create chances.
Try this weekly system for 30 days:
Weekly task | Target |
Create new portfolio samples | 1 to 2 videos |
Apply to marketplace jobs | 10 to 20 applications |
Send direct pitches | 20 to 30 brands |
Follow up with past pitches | 10 to 15 follow-ups |
Improve one profile | 1 website or marketplace profile |
Track replies and rates | Once per week |
This may sound like a lot, but the work gets faster. Your first week will be slow because you are building the base. By week three, you will have templates, samples, and a better sense of which niches respond.
Track everything in a spreadsheet. Keep columns for:
Brand name
Website
Contact name
Email or profile link
Date pitched
Follow-up date
Status
Notes
Deal amount
The tracker keeps you honest. If you send five pitches and get no replies, you do not have enough data. If you send 100 thoughtful pitches and get no replies, your portfolio or pitch needs work.
Focus on brands that already understand content
Some brands are easier to sell to than others. Look for signs that a brand already values short-form video.
Good signs include:
Active TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts
Product pages with lifestyle photos
Creator-style videos already posted
Customer review videos
Recent product launches
New seasonal collections
Ads that use people, not only product shots
If a brand has never used video and has no active online presence, you may spend too much time educating them. For your first deal, target brands that already understand the value of creator content but need more of it.
Choose a niche without trapping yourself
You do not need one perfect niche before making money. Still, a loose niche helps brands remember you.
Choose based on what you can film naturally. If you do not have a pet, pet UGC will be hard. If you rarely cook, kitchen content may feel forced. If you love fitness, wellness products may suit your routines.
Beginner-friendly UGC niches include:
Beauty and skincare
Health and wellness
Food and drink
Pet products
Home goods
Parenting products
Fitness accessories
Apps and online tools
Travel accessories
Cleaning products
You can test two or three niches at first. After a few weeks, compare which samples look best and which pitches get replies.
Common mistakes that slow down the first deal
Getting started is easier when you avoid the habits that make brands hesitate.
Sending a pitch with no samples
A brand needs to see what you can create. Even three strong practice videos are better than a promise.
Making the pitch too much about yourself
The brand cares about what you can make for its product. Keep your background short and focus on content ideas.
Using vague packages
“UGC video” can mean many things. Spell out the deliverable, length, format, revisions, and usage.
Ignoring usage rights
If a brand wants to use your video in paid ads, talk about that before filming. Do not wait until after delivery.
Saying yes to every request
A first deal is exciting, but unlimited revisions, extra formats, raw footage, and ad usage should not all be included for free.
Applying once and waiting
Marketplaces can be slow. Direct outreach can be slow. Use several channels at the same time.
What to do after you land the first deal
Once you get the first yes, treat the project like the start of a relationship.
Confirm the scope in writing. Ask for the product and brief. Create a shot list before filming. Send the video by the agreed deadline. Make revisions calmly if they fit the agreement.
After the brand approves the work, ask for two things:
A short testimonial
Permission to include the content in your portfolio
If the project went well, offer a follow-up package.
For example:
“I’m glad you liked the video. If you want to test more angles, I can create a three-video batch with different hooks for the same product.”
This is often easier than finding a brand-new client. The brand already trusts you, and you already understand the product.
Your first UGC deal does not need to be perfect. It needs to prove that someone will pay for your content. From there, each project gives you better samples, better pitches, and more confidence.
Start with what you have. Film five practice videos. Build a simple portfolio. Create profiles on a few strong websites. Send specific pitches every week. As a UGC Creator, the first paid project usually comes from consistent, clear outreach, not waiting to be discovered.
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