How To Become A Successful UGC Creator In 2025

Ever scroll through TikTok or Instagram and think, “Wait, this doesn’t even look like an ad… but I actually trust it”? That’s UGC, short for User-Generated Content and it’s everywhere right now.

The cool part? You don’t need a massive following or fancy gear to get into it. Brands are looking for everyday people to create real, relatable content. And if you’ve got a phone, some creativity, and a bit of confidence, you’re already off to a great start.

Here’s how to get started as a UGC creator in 2025 and actually make something out of it.

IMAGE: UNSPLASH

1. Know What Brands Want

Let’s be real, brands have moved on from overly polished, influencer-style content. What they want now is the kind of video that feels like it came from a friend. Think about those casual product reviews where someone’s in their car, gym clothes on, hair in a messy bun, talking about the shampoo they swear by, that’s exactly the vibe.

If you’re funny, honest, or just plain relatable, you’re already what they’re looking for. Here’s what brands love right now:

Unfiltered, casual energy – Think natural lighting, unscripted talking, and real-life settings
Short, honest storytelling – A simple “here’s why I love this” can go a long way
Content that doesn’t feel like an ad – No sales pitch needed — just your actual experience

Creators with a niche – Whether it’s skincare, fitness, travel, or even pets, having a niche helps brands know where you fit

2. Start With Products You Already Use

You don’t need a paid deal to start building your portfolio. Just use what you already own and love. Think about products you genuinely enjoy and make a short video showing or talking about them.

Here are a few easy starter ideas:

Film a “before and after” with a skincare product
Do a voiceover video of how you use a kitchen gadget
Record a “3 reasons I love this” style clip for your favorite mug, journal, or app
Walk through an unboxing and first impressions

Just aim for clean audio, decent lighting, and a clear message. Talk like you would in a group chat, natural and chill.

3. Share Your Work, Even If You’re Just Starting

Once you’ve made a few test videos, don’t just leave them sitting on your phone. Post them. Use your TikTok, Instagram, or even a private YouTube link if you’re shy. The point is to have something to show when a brand asks, “Do you have examples of your work?”

If you don’t want to post them on your feed, make a Google Drive folder or a Notion page where you keep your best clips. You can send that as your portfolio when pitching yourself.

And here’s the good news: your follower count doesn’t matter nearly as much as your content style. Brands mostly care about whether you can deliver what they need — not how many likes you got.

4. Pitch Yourself Like A Pro (Without Sounding Like A Robot)

When you’re ready to reach out to brands, keep it short, friendly, and confident. Here’s a basic message to get you started:

“Hey! I love your brand and actually use your [product]. I’d love to create some UGC for you if you’re working with creators right now. I’ve attached a couple examples so you can get a feel for my style — let me know if you’d like to chat!”

A few tips for handling brand deals:

Ask about usage rights – Will they be using the video for ads? Organic posts?
Clarify the timeline – Always agree on when they expect delivery
Be reliable – Meet deadlines and deliver what you promised (or better)
Charge fairly – Even if you’re just starting, your time and creativity are valuable

5. Keep Practicing, Keep Learning

You don’t have to wait for a brand deal to keep growing. Just keep making videos. The more you create, the faster you’ll improve — and the more confident you’ll feel.

Here’s how to stay sharp:

Follow other UGC creators and see what’s working
Recreate trending sounds or formats with your own twist
Pay attention to your analytics — what’s getting views, saves, and shares?
Join UGC communities and ask questions, share tips, and support others

Even your “flop” videos are helping you get better. Don’t overthink it — just keep going.

Final Thoughts

UGC isn’t about being perfect — it’s about being real. If you can show up as yourself, talk about products you actually like, and keep learning as you go, you’ve already got what it takes.

So start small. Film with your phone. Use what you already have. Don’t wait for someone to give you permission.

You’ve got this — now go create something real.