What is a UGC creator?
First things first, let’s start with a definition. User-generated content creation is relatively new, so most people don’t understand it. In its simplest form, UGC content is any type of media – for example, text, video, or graphics — generated by creators for brands.
A UGC creator is a term used to refer to people who are not related or employed directly by a brand but whose creative efforts bring marketing value to the brand. Some of your roles or contributions as a UGC creator to brands include the following:
- Generating authentic user-generated testimonials (not to be confused with organic reviews!)
- Product showcasing or reveals
- Participating in brand promotions as an end user or customer
- Increasing brand visibility (mainly on social media) by talking about a brand
- Content creation for purposes of pushing a brand or their product or service
- Participating in viral campaigns as an end-user or customer
Social media marketing and brand promotions have become increasingly important, even for small brands, so you cannot underestimate the role of user-generated content.
As we will cover, you could earn a decent amount of money creating genuine UGC content for the many brands pushing their content on these platforms.
UGC vs. content creator
UGC creators and general content creators often get mixed up. However, there are some stark differences that you need to know about. UCG creators aim to share their personal experiences or reviews of products with a niche audience that may be interested in the brand they’re creating content for.
Content creators, on the other hand, have the express purpose of building an audience and maintaining them. For that reason, brands often view UGC content creators as more authentic than general creators.
UGC vs. influencer
To become an influencer, you must have a significant following on your chosen social media platform. The same is not true when you opt to become a UGC content creator. As the name suggests, influencers have the main goal of “influencing” their following to do something that emulates their lifestyle. UGC creators offer similar services but on a smaller scale. As we have covered, they may create reviews, product showcases, or viral campaigns.
Benefits of working with a UGC creator
Now that we have covered what a UGC creator is, let’s talk about why they are in high demand. Here are some of the benefits.
Establishing a community
Flooding social media channels — such as TikTok and Instagram — with user-generated content is a smart way to build a community. UGC content creators tend to have a smaller and more dedicated following than influencers. That means that they can have more direct audience engagement and build a sense of community while advertising products.
Boosting real authenticity
Nearly 90% of consumers no longer trust influencers. For that reason, many marketers are turning to UGC content creators for campaigns and collaborations. These creators tend to have a more authentic reputation. That means that consumers are more likely to trust them, listen to what they have to say, and take heed of their recommendations.
Increase brand recognition
Working with UGC content creators is a great marketing strategy if you want to improve brand recognition. This approach usually involves working with a selection of content creators, each of which offers unique content about the brand to their audience. This mass approach means that a diverse section of consumers will come into contact with the brand online.
What do you need to become a UGC content creator?
Think that you have what it takes to become a UGC content creator? Before you can get started, there are some things that you will need. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you out.
Hardware
To start creating user-generated content, you will need some hardware. Don’t worry — you don’t have to fork out loads of money here. Let’s take a look at what you need:
Camera (or smartphone)
You can film content using a professional camera or your smartphone. It’s important to make sure that your camera offers high-quality recording. Read our guide to help you choose the best camera for your content now.
Headphones
If you want to ensure that you record the best quality audio, it’s worth using headphones. Not only will this support your editing feats, but wearing them will lower feedback when you’re recording your UGC video content.
Microphone
It’s also worth investing in a quality microphone. That way, you can make sure that your audio quality is high. It could be worth testing out a few external microphones to see what results you get ahead of creating your content.
Lighting
If you want to upgrade the level of the UGC content you create, getting the video lightingright could be the answer. You might want to invest in a ring light or a softbox, for example. While this is an optional extra, it could make all of the difference.
Tripod (optional)
Shaky camera work not your style? Make sure that you capture the perfect shot every time by investing in a tripod. There are plenty of these on the market for every budget out there.
Software
Recording and editing software
One of the easiest ways to make the most of your recording experience is to use high-end content creation software. With Riverside, you can record up to 4K video and 48kHz audio resolution using your own online studio. Use the teleprompter to follow a script or plan of your content as your record. The platform also features audio tools such as level normalization and background noise removal. You’ll get high-quality separate audio and video tracks for every participant and when you finish recording you can use our text-based editor to finalize your UGC content.
In the video editor you can choose a layout, add and style captions or even upload your own background and logo. We also suggest trying our Magic Clips tool that uses AI to turn the most interesting parts of your recordings into sharable social media videos. Its also possible to download a full summary of your recording and time-stamped chapters which is ideal if you’re posting on a platform like YouTube.