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More and more companies are using User Generated Content (UGC). For you as a creator, that opens up major opportunities. Brands are looking every day for new faces that can showcase their products in a natural and creative way. But the competition is tough. How do you make sure you are the one chosen for that paid assignment? In this blog, we explain how to stand out to brands and get booked more often, with concrete tips you can apply right away.
1. Make sure you are visible
If you create UGC through a platform, your profile is your business card. Make sure your profile photo looks professional and that your bio immediately shows what kind of content you make. Choose clear niches in your settings so brands can find you more easily. Upload several sample videos in different styles and keep them current. Do not forget to fill in your profile completely, including the languages you speak, your preferences, and your availability. Respond quickly to opportunities and stay active: brands can see who replied recently and who is consistently online. The more complete and active you are on a platform like Hyred, the greater your chance of standing out to clients.
If you also want to get opportunities through social media, make it immediately clear that you create UGC. Put “UGC Creator” in your bio on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Use recognizable profile photos and keep a consistent style. Also show in your profile text which niches you work in. Brands want to see at a glance who you are and whether you fit their audience.
It is also important to post content regularly. If you have not done paid collaborations yet, you can still post videos about products you already have at home and are genuinely excited about. The point is to show that you are active, keep practicing, and are seriously working on your growth. Avoid long periods without posts, because that hurts your visibility and credibility. Brands look for creators who are engaged and consistently visible.
Use hashtags like #UGCcreator, #UGCnetherlands, #UGCNL, or #ugccommunity. These make you easier to find for marketers who are specifically looking for creators. Do not forget relevant product or niche hashtags either: #beautyreview, #techcontent, or #honestreview can put you in the right search results.
Also add clear calls to action to your profile, such as “Send a DM for collaborations” or “View my work via the link”. Make sure you also have an up-to-date portfolio and a rate card. The easier you make it to work with you, the faster a brand will reach out.
2. Focus on a specific niche
Brands want to work with creators who match their audience. A clear niche makes you recognizable and credible. Specialize in a specific theme: think beauty, food, tech, fashion, fitness, parenting, sustainability, or hospitality. Choose something that suits you and that you can talk about naturally in your videos. Your niche gives direction to your content and shows that you know what you are talking about. With your specialization, you can more easily attract brands that operate in that market. It is also smart to follow other creators in the same niche to see what works. Build your own tone from that so you stay unique.
Choosing a niche does not mean you can never do anything else. But it does help you create direction and makes it easier for brands to recognize you. It also helps you build a portfolio with examples that fit together well.
3. Build a strong portfolio
Your portfolio is your business card. Make sure it looks professional and immediately shows what you have to offer. Start with a few short videos: 20 to 40 seconds is often enough. Show as many styles and angles as possible so brands can see your versatility right away.
You do not need to wait for paid work to build a portfolio. Use products you already have at home and create content as if it were a real assignment. Choose products from the niche or niches you are interested in. That way you show that you know how to present a brand in that category.
Use tools like Canva to bundle your portfolio in a clean and clear way. Add titles to each video, optionally with a short note: “testimonial style for a skincare product” or “how-to video with a kitchen gadget”. Keep the style calm and professional.
Make sure your portfolio is easy to share. Turn it into a clickable link via Notion, Google Drive, or your own website. And update it regularly with new work or improved versions. Ask in every collaboration whether you may use the content. Add testimonials from brands that were satisfied too. That strengthens your credibility.
4. Focus on quality
You do not need expensive gear, but the basics should be in order. Use a recent smartphone, film in vertical format (9:16), make sure the image is stable, and use a tripod or phone holder. Avoid cluttered backgrounds and make sure the product is clearly visible.
Good lighting is essential. Film in daylight, preferably near a window. If that is not possible, a ring light costing 20 to 30 euros can already make a world of difference. Make sure your face and the product are well lit without harsh shadows.
For good audio, it is wise to invest in a lavalier microphone. Bad sound is often the reason brands cannot use your content. That then creates extra work if you are asked to record the content again. Even a simple clip-on mic that connects to your phone is enough.
Use tools like CapCut, VN, or InShot to edit. Make sure you have a strong opening (the first 2 seconds are crucial), a short and powerful script, and end with a clear message or action. Avoid too many effects or filters; it should still feel authentic and professional. Do you find editing difficult or have no experience with it? Then you can also choose to work through Hyred. Here you do not need to edit the video yourself; sending in well-shot raw clips is enough. That makes it easier to start as a creator, especially if you prefer focusing on filming and presenting.
5. Write a convincing pitch
Your pitch determines a large part of whether you get chosen for an assignment. Show that you understand the brief, explain why you are a good fit, and keep it short. Start with a personal sentence in which you introduce yourself and explain what relevant experience you have. If you have done similar assignments before, it is smart to send one or two videos as well to show the results you can deliver. To stand out even more, you can also film your pitch. It does not have to be a perfect production; a short and energetic selfie-style video can be enough. It is important to end your pitch with a call to action. One example is: “Let me know if I can take on the assignment, I am ready to get started right away.”
6. Act professionally
Professional behavior can make the difference between a one-off assignment and a long-term collaboration. Respond quickly and clearly. A brand that has to wait three days for an answer will prefer to work with someone else next time. Even a short message like “I will get back to you tonight” is better than silence.
Read briefs carefully and ask questions if anything is unclear. Before you start, it is smart to briefly summarize the assignment in a message to the company. That way both of you know for sure that everything has been understood correctly, and you reduce the chance that the company asks for changes afterward.
Deliver your video on time. If you get more assignments and struggle to keep track, you can use tools like Trello to monitor deadlines. It is better to hand in the content one day early than one hour late. And check your video before sending it for image quality, audio, and whether everything matches the brief.
Ask for feedback after the assignment. If the brand is satisfied, ask whether they can tag you when publishing or write a short review. That helps enormously in building trust with new clients.
7. Use multiple channels
Do not wait for assignments to come to you; be proactive. Sign up on multiple platforms and respond to every assignment you are excited about. Pay attention to what kind of assignments each platform has and how the application process works. Always make sure your profile is complete and your examples are up to date.
You can also approach companies yourself. Start small: local brands, webshops, or startups. Send a short, personal email or DM. Mention who you are, what you do, and why you are interested. Add 1 to 2 sample videos and offer to create a test video. Keep it short, friendly, and to the point.
To keep everything organized and avoid contacting the same company multiple times in a short period, it is smart to create an overview of which brands you contacted, who responded, and when you should follow up again. That way you keep building your network in a structured way.
8. Understand what brands really want
A common trap for many creators is focusing mainly on what they enjoy making themselves, while forgetting to ask what the brand actually needs. It is important to be aware of the goal of the video for every assignment. Is it about awareness, building trust, or direct sales? If you know that, you can tailor your video accordingly. For example: if a brand mainly wants credibility, an honest review or experience often works better than a polished commercial video.
Also think about the brand’s target audience. Make sure you speak in the video in a way that fits the company’s audience. And make sure your style matches the brand’s tone of voice. By showing that you understand their customer, you become an interesting collaboration partner. You do not have to be a marketer, but if you show that you think along with them, you quickly gain an advantage over your competition. Brands prefer to work with someone who understands how their product should come across, rather than someone who can only make a pretty video.
9. Know how you get paid and what you are worth
Many creators find it difficult to determine their rate, especially when they are just starting out. Still, it is important that you have thought this through before you begin so you can be transparent with the brands you work with. On platforms like Hyred, prices are often fixed in advance, which makes things easier. But if you work outside a platform, you need to be able to explain what your work costs. Look at how much time the assignment takes, how complex the video is, and how the content will be used.
For example: a short 30-second video where you have to come up with everything yourself, film it, and edit it costs more than a video where you only need to deliver raw footage. Will the brand use your video as an ad? Then a higher fee should come with that too. Make sure you know what you actually earn per hour, and do not be afraid to ask for a fair price. You are delivering a service that creates value for a business.
To make communication about your rates as smooth as possible, it helps to create a rate card. It should state what you charge for certain video types, including what is and is not included (for example: 1 revision round, no editing, extra costs for rush work). That makes professional communication easier and prevents misunderstandings later.
10. Learn from others
Regularly look at successful Dutch UGC campaigns. See how brands use UGC and what they ask of creators.
Also look at the creators themselves. What do they do well? How do they start their videos? Which hooks do they use? How do they present the product? Analyze their style and learn from it. Not to copy, but to refine your own approach.
Also draw inspiration from international examples. Follow popular UGC creators on TikTok or Instagram and see what performs well. You can often spot trends there that you can apply locally.
11. Keep learning
The content world changes quickly. What worked last month may already be outdated now. So keep investing in your development. Follow tutorials on YouTube about storytelling, hooks, edit transitions, and lighting. And keep trying new things. Test new formats. Try a voice-over video, a “get ready with me”, or a POV-style clip. Analyze which style fits you and your niche best. Stay practical too: work on your workflow, folders for storing content structures, and templates for editing. The faster and more consistently you deliver, the more attractive you become to clients.
One last recap: to get more UGC assignments, it is important that you are visible, have a clear niche, and come across professionally. You also need to learn how to pitch well, deliver high-quality work, and keep developing yourself. Combine working through a platform like Hyred with assignments through your own socials. And the most important thing is simply to start, because you learn the most by doing.