Many people are exploring other opportunities to earn a little extra cash nowadays with a side hustle. One of the new trends in recent years for earning additional income is UGC, also known as User-Generated Content.
Companies work with influencers and UGC creators to help promote their brand. They do this by creating content which is then usable on platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. This is something that is very in demand, but is it a good idea to do it yourself? Absolutely! That’s if you are not camera-shy.
What is a UGC Creator?
A UGC creator is someone who creates videos, photos, reviews, or testimonials for a brand to use on their marketing platforms. The benefit of using a UGC creator is that they don’t need a massive following, unlike using influencers.
Their main goal is to create engaging content that is usable on a brand's marketing page. This can be on their organic social pages or even their paid ads. The entry barrier for these is very low, which is why it makes a good side hustle for those looking to earn extra cash.
Benefits of Being a UGC Creator
Requires Little Startup Cash
A great benefit of UGC is that it requires very little investment to get the ball rolling. All you need is a smartphone that has a good camera, simple editing software, and good lighting for recording.
As your UGC career gets rolling, you can then start to consider purchasing more expensive equipment to use and improve the quality of your content. The better the quality, the more money you can start to charge as you increase your following, etc.
Flexibility & Freedom
Another benefit of this is that you can be very flexible with it. You can do this anywhere and wherever you want, so it is great for busy schedules. Not to mention, you can create lots of content one week, and then you don’t need to do any more. That being said, if the opportunity arises, it is certainly worth accepting the job to help build your portfolio and experience.
A Demand For Authentic Content
UGC is growing rapidly because most consumers are wary of traditional advertisements and would rather see content that is genuine and relatable. As long as you can create content that is meaningful and not just some sales pitch, your content can be very beneficial to a brand. Creating this authenticity for professional ads will give you more opportunities further down the line.
Difficulties UGC Creators Could Face
Like starting any business, there will be challenges that you may face along the way.
As it’s becoming a very popular market, you need to be different. Competition is very high. That is why you, as a UGC creator, will need to create a new and unique style that understands current trends and always produces high-quality content.
Building a strong portfolio is very important, even in the early stages of your career. To get those initial jobs, undercut everyone and be willing to give extra time to your clients if the content isn’t right for their users.
Your new UGC side hustle will be like running a small business. There are going to be many bounds that you encounter along the way. The competition is just one of many, so make sure you consider this.
How To Get Started
The big question for this line of work is, where do you start? One recommendation is to choose your favourite brands and record content for them. These don’t need to be sent to them or anything like that; however, you need to showcase your style so it attracts other clients who will be interested in you as a UGC creator. Once you have that portfolio, you can start reaching out to smaller businesses and help promote their brand.
There are so many things that you can consider when you are looking for a side hustle. That being said, being a UGC creator is something that could be very beneficial, especially if you are not camera-shy.
The returns from it are great and it can be done anywhere, depending on the product you are promoting. In your conservatory conversion, where the lighting’s perfect? Yes! In your bedroom with your stunning wall art? Absolutely! What about the kitchen to showcase cooking utensils? Most definitely! So, get your recording equipment ready and start creating UGC content for the brands that you love.