If someone had told us a few years ago that regular people sitting at home, recording videos with everyday products, would become a full-fledged profession, most of us would have laughed. Yet here we are. Brands are now paying creators not for their celebrity status, but for their ability to look like normal human beings with normal homes and normal lighting. That is the magic of User Generated Content, popularly known as UGC.
UGC is the fastest growing income source in the creator world. It rewards creativity, honesty and the ability to speak to the camera without sounding like a customer care executive reading from a script.
Let us explore how you can turn this into a sustainable earning model.
What Exactly Is UGC and Why Is It Becoming So Popular
( Source – freepik.com )
UGC or User Generated Content, means content made by everyday social media users instead of production houses or brand teams. Think of product unboxings, mini tutorials, testimonial videos, product comparisons, how-to-use clips, morning routine shots or even a simple voiceover reel talking about a product.
Brands are shifting to UGC because people trust everyday creators more than polished ads. A real person giving an honest review feels believable. A studio actor reading a perfect script feels like a sales pitch disguised in a suit.
Customers scroll past ads, but they stop to watch regular people doing regular things. That is exactly what brands want.
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Boss Wallah Studios empowers entrepreneurs and brands to produce high-quality content with ease.
Common Myth About UGC
The biggest misunderstanding is that you need a huge following to be a UGC creator. You do not. Brands are paying for the content, not your followers. Your job is to create videos that they can use in their ads, websites or social pages. Even if you have twenty followers, your content can still bring you paid projects.
What Skills Do You Actually Need
Contrary to what many believe, you do not need filmmaking skills or a studio setup. These are the basics:
1. Clear Communication
If you can explain a product in simple language without sounding robotic, consider that a skill.
2. Basic Editing
Clean cuts, subtitles, simple transitions and clear audio. No fancy visuals required.
3. Understanding of Social Media Trends
Reels, shorts and TikTok-style videos have a natural flow. Knowing this flow helps you create content that feels native.
4. Creativity
This does not mean wild camera angles. It simply means thinking of ways to show a product in a genuine, interesting way.
ALSO READ | How a UGC Video Agency Helps Brands Reduce Customer Acquisition Cost.
How You Can Start Earning With UGC
1. Build a Strong UGC Portfolio
Start by creating 5 to 10 sample videos. Use products you already own. No brand will check if you actually bought that face cream or discovered it in your cousin’s drawer. These videos are just for demonstration.
Ideas you can include
• Product demo
• Unboxing
• Before and after
• Voiceover review
• Day in the life using the product
Upload these to a simple Google Drive folder or a portfolio website.
2. Pitch Brands in a Smart Way
Do not send long essays. Brands are already busy trying to figure out why their last campaign flopped. Keep your message short.
Tell them
• Who you are
• What type of content do you make
• How your content can help their brand
• A link to your portfolio
Smaller brands respond quickly because they need content more frequently.
3. Join UGC Marketplaces
Platforms like Billo, Beacons, Upwork, Fiverr and Trend.io allow brands to connect with creators. These platforms help you get consistent projects, especially in the beginning.
4. Work With UGC Agencies
UGC agencies handle briefs, deadlines and client conversations. You focus on making videos. It removes the uncomfortable part where you must remind the brand to release payments.
5. Charge for Usage Rights
This is one of the biggest income boosters for UGC creators.
Usage rights mean the brand pays you extra to use your video for a certain period.
For example
• One month usage
• Three-month usage
• Six-month usage
If the brand uses your video as an advertisement, they must pay usage fees.
6. Get Long-Term Retainer Deals
Once a brand likes your content, they may hire you monthly for multiple videos. This creates stable, predictable income.
How Much Can You Earn as a UGC Creator
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Your earning depends on your skill, niche and number of projects. Here is a realistic range based on Indian creators.
• Beginner creators can charge between ₹500 to ₹1500 per video.
• Mid level creators usually charge ₹1500 to ₹5000 per video.
• Skilled creators with strong storytelling can earn ₹5000 to ₹15,000 per video.
• Usage rights can multiply your income significantly.
Some creators work with 10 to 15 brands per month, earning consistent income without ever going viral.
Bonus Ways to Earn More From UGC
Make Voiceover Only Videos
If you are camera shy, brands also pay for voiceover UGC where your hands or product shots do the visual work.
Create Script Only UGC
Brands sometimes need short scripts for their reels. If writing is your strength, this is an additional income stream.
Sell UGC Templates
If you are good at creating certain styles, you can sell those templates on marketplaces.
ALSO READ | Can I Earn Money From Instagram Reels in 2026 Without Brand Deals?
Mistakes That Stop You From Getting UGC Deals
• Over-editing your video
• Using too many filters
• Sounding too stiff
• Not understanding the product before recording
• Ignoring the brief and creating something totally unrelated
• Not asking for your usage fee
Brands want content that feels natural. The more real it looks, the more they love it.
A Realistic Journey of a Beginner UGC Creator
| Month | Progress & Milestones |
|---|---|
| Month 1 | You create five sample videos. You hesitate before hitting send on brand messages, but you do it anyway. |
| Month 2 | Two small brands reply. You create your first paid videos. They refer you to another brand. |
| Month 3 | You start receiving regular projects. You upgrade your pricing. |
| Month 6 | You receive your first monthly retainer deal. You now make stable income without worrying about posting daily content on your own page. |
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BossWallah enables you to create, optimise, and grow social media video channels effortlessly from scratch.
Final Thoughts
UGC has removed the pressure of becoming a full-time influencer. It allows anyone with a phone, decent lighting and the willingness to talk to the camera to build a real income stream. It rewards authenticity over perfection, clarity over theatrics and consistency over overnight fame. If you enjoy creating content, UGC is one of the simplest and most practical ways to earn money through social media today.
