How to Find UGC Opportunities for Creators

Finding UGC opportunities might seem daunting for creators, but if you know where to look, you can find brands actively looking for partnerships. UGC, or user-generated content, involves a company’s users or customers creating ads, social media posts, or website content rather than the company itself. By collaborating with a creative user, brands receive authentic promotions that come across as recommendations from a friend rather than brand-made advertisements. But how do you find UGC opportunities as a creator? This blog post shares the best ways to find UGC work.

How to find the best UGC/CGC jobs

If you’re a UGC creator looking for brands to work with, there are three different ways to go about your search. You can actively pursue brands through outbound efforts, network with creators and brands to learn about opportunities or use a UGC platform where companies post ads looking for creators. 

Outbound

As a creator, you can identify brands you’d like to work with and try to initiate a relationship. Here’s how: 

Evaluate your audience

What’s the makeup of your core audience? Do you reach women over 40 who are interested in fashion or Dallas-based residents who enjoy eating out? Dig through your metrics, conduct polls on social, and consider doing customer interviews to get a detailed definition of your audience. 

Look for brands that match your audience

Brands deploy UGC to reach their target audience, so your best chance at a UGC job is with brands that share your target audience. Make a list of brands you’d like to work with, starting with brands you already purchase from. Your familiarity with the brand could strengthen your pitch. 

Pitch the brand

Send a message to each brand on your list, but don’t create one generic email and send it to every company. Each message should be tailored to the brand. Here’s a rough outline of what you should include: 

• Introduction: Provide your name and niche
• Product talk: Which product do you want to promote and why?
• Campaign specifics: Suggest content type, platform, and execution
• Metrics: Provide metrics like your follower count and engagement rate

Pro tip: For a more detailed look at crafting a message, use this outreach email template. 

Follow up and repeat the process

Send a follow-up email if you don’t hear back from a brand in three days. If you still haven’t received a response, you could reach out through a different format, like sending a DM. If that doesn’t elicit a response, it’s time to move on.

Finding UGC opportunities is an ongoing process, so ideally, you’ll add outreach efforts to a regular schedule.  

Networking

You can network to learn about UGC opportunities too. Here’s how: 

Connect with other creators

Consider joining Facebook groups or online forums focusing on UGC and collaborating with other creators. 

Attend events

Keep your eye out for events where brands and creators come together and consider attending. Events like conferences or workshops, for example, provide excellent networking opportunities where you can meet both creators and brand marketers. 

Build relationships and suggest collaborations

Nurture your relationships, and if it makes sense, suggest a partnership. When you make a suggestion, be specific. Explain exactly what you’d like to do and how you’d execute it.

UGC platforms

UGC and CGC platforms connect brands and creators, making them an effective way to find UGC opportunities. Here’s how to connect with brands on these platforms:

Find an effective, reputable UGC platform to use

An influencer company or platform should have experience in the industry. Many UGC platforms have popped up overnight, so ensure the company has expertise and credibility in the industry. 

Pro tip: IZEA has 17+ years of experience in the industry, works with well-known brands, and offers creators the chance to generate a profile and list their content for sale. 

Create a profile

Brands often use UGC platforms as a creator directory, so make sure you have a profile on the site that showcases your work, provides links to your channels, and offers KPIs like follower count and engagement rates. 

Browse listings

Take a look at the brand listings that specify UGC opportunities. On izea.com, they’re called Casting Calls. Which ones match your audience? Which brands are a good fit to work with? Make a short list of the opportunities you’d like to apply for. 

Apply 

Send a pitch to the brand. Remember to mention their product, highlight your experience in the niche, and provide a campaign idea. In some cases, brands may require you to answer questions. If they do, answer each one as specifically as possible. 

Finding UGC opportunities is an excellent way for creators to build their credibility, follower count, and, in some cases, income. Use these tips to find the partnerships that cater to your audience and benefit your UGC career.