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UGC Creator Roadmap
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items If you're getting into UGC or want to level up your content quality, this is everything you need to film, edit, pitch brands, and get paid. You don't need all of this to START, but this is the toolkit that makes content look professional without a hu...
Sections
5
Level 1 - Start in the Livingroom
Level 2 - Now its a "thing"
Level 3 - Booked and Improving
Level 4 - Getting Strategic
Level 5 - Elite Home-Based Pro
Level 1 - Start in the Livingroom
We all start here - brand new, filming on our phone, and wanting to invest as little as possible until we know it works. At this stage, skill maters more than equipment. Good lighting and decent audio is more important than a library of backdrops.
Skills to learn: hooks, basic editing, natural lighting composition, speaking clearly on camera, understanding UGC v. influencer content
Don't move on to level 2 until you have booked and completed 3 collaborations, either paid or gifted.
Free editing app you can use on your phone. The paid features are worth it later on - you DO NOT need it to start.
CapCut
Start tracking things NOW. Its FREE and will save you so much heartache! Use Docs to save your scripts, ideas, etc., and use Sheets to track your spending, income, product link, affiliate account info, etc.
Google Docs
This is your PROFESSIONAL email. Try to get a name like “[email protected]”. Later on, you can upgrade and purchase a domain for super cheap, but you don't need to do that just yet.
Gmail
Use whatever phone you have, just make sure you CLEAN the camera lenses before you film. Rookie mistake to film with a smudged camera. I personally feel like i get the best quality (both front and back cameras) with Apple products, and the 15 is the ...
Apple iPhone 15
Having a tripod makes things SO much easier and saves you the headache of accidentally dropping your phone all the time. If there's one thing you buy, get a tripod. Even with all the upgrading you do, a tripod that fits in your bag is something you'l...
64-inch Extendable Tripod
FREE LIGHT. Find a window with good lighting and face it. Do not film with your back to the light, and do not expect your bathroom lights to do much more than make you glow yellow.
Window with great light
If you plan to film products or have to film when it is dark, get a selfie light. I have a couple of these because I always lose them or have them charging (they get used that much). It IMPORTANT to use one with warm, cool and neutral light, so you c...
Portable Selfie Light
Start researching pitch videos. You can find a ton on TikTok and Fiverr. For the next level, you will need to create your own pitch video in order to send out to potential clients. It doesn't hurt to get familiar with this side of the business early.
Pitch Video
Get started on a portfolio. Pick out colors and elements you like, and as you make AMAZING videos, add about 3 per “niche” to this portfolio. We aren't sending it out, just keeping it updated as we go. Spend time researching other peoples' portfolios...
Canva
Get the app and sign up as an affiliate. You will need to already be on social media platforms, as most of the videos need to be posted to your own account. You get to set your own per-video price, and there are retainer options available.
Euka
Level 2 - Now its a "thing"
You've been posting consistently and are getting interest. Now we need the content to look cleaner and more professional. Brands start noticing production quality at this stage, so audio and lighting upgrades dramatically increase perceived value.
Skills: buyer psychology, objection handling, stronger hooks, lighting placement, multiple angles for one product
Level up after you are getting regular paid collaborations and/or retainers.
Time to start cleaning up that portfolio. You may have to start over from scratch, but by now you've seen the portfolios of enough successful UGC creators to know what's important and what's fluff. Consider using Canva to make a pricing card, too, as...
Canva
Honestly should have gotten this sooner…As soon as I got this light, my content was SO MUCH CRISPER! I didn't realize how grainy my videos were until I started using this. I actually have two, now - this one and one that sits on my desk. You can chan...
Weilisi Light with 69" Tripod Stand and Phone Holder Kit
I haven't heard of a SINGLE content creator who regretted getting a virtual assistant. Their regret was not getting one sooner. A VA can manage your emails, post for you cross-platform, edit videos, manage your due dates, send out inquiries to compan...
Best Freelance Virtual Assistants for Hire
It may be time to upgrade your CapCut to Pro so you can get all the best animations, sounds, etc. Not a requirement, but if you're bringing in enough money to cover it, its a great resource to improve your content.
CapCut Pro
If you haven't discovered Google Drive by now, that's my bad. With your GMail, you already get free space, but you can purchase more as you need it. This will allow you to store and share large files, like when you're sending 30 videos for a retainer...
Google Drive
There are a LOT of mics out there - start with a cheap one to see if you even need it. If you like to film in your car, busy areas, or have a lot of background noise at home: get a lavalier mic. If you have no AC or fan noise, no dogs clicking on the...
2 Pack Lavalier Microphone
Honeybook helps content creators manage projects, send contracts, and automate invoicing to streamline their influencer businesses. Definitely something to consider, but not a requirement.
Home
Now we are going to start building up our aesthetic library. Tiles are a very inexpensive way to get that marbled look in a video without needing to marble or tile the entire house. Just use a close crop in the footage. Plus, you can buy ONE, not a w...
Ceramic Floor and Wall Tile
This is another great alternative, if you are willing to wait on shipping. You could drop $100 and have a ton of different floor/background combos for your footage.
Marble Peel and Stick Wall Panels
This is part of building the aesthetic and making more interesting close-up footage. It can be a lot of fun to add small things like this as part of the shot, plus it can really class up the content.
Mini Artificial Greenery
Start selling your content creation on Fiverr. It is easy to set up an account, you get to set your own rates, and it can be a great way to meet new clients. Fiverr does take a 20% cut, but anything more than zero while you are building up to this fu...
Fiverr
LOVE this prop. It looks clean and helps frame a shot nicely. Great to have in your props tote.
Acacia Wood Tray with Handles
Another item for the prop list, adding more visual interest with the mirror element. Just look at the photos and imagine your video footage with this!
Gold Decorative Tray
Level 3 - Booked and Improving
At this point, you are landing paid deals and want to increase your rates. You understand how to have a high production value consistently - which is good, because that now directly impacts pricing power.
skills: negotiation, usage rights and licensing, conversion-focused scripting, on-camera presence refinement, short-form storytelling
You level up when rates have been raised and are booking again. Your income should be coming from more than 1 platforms.
If you're struggling to keep your due dates and creative briefs clean, it may be time to upgrade from google sheets to a platform like Notion. This is great if you are using a virtual assistant, too, becuase they can help keep you on track.
Notion
Time to upgrade the audio so you can film OUTSIDE the house, walking towards and away from the camera, etc. Lots of top creators use Hollyland, just make sure your phone can use C-port. This mic is also easier to hide.
Hollyland Lark M2 Wireless Mic
If you aren't happy with google drive for file delivery and storage, look into dropbox. I don't have a preference, as I've used both, but there may be budget and size considerations for you to compare.
Dropbox.com
INFLATABLE, which makes it SO much easier to fit in your gear bag, plus its super lightweight. Perfect for close up product shots and mood lighting.
20W Inflatable LED Fill Light
Its time. If you didn't have a virtual assistant before, and you feel like you are drowning, this is the solution. They can take a LOT off your hands, freeing up your bandwidth to create better content.
Best Freelance Virtual Assistants for Hire
Do NOt let your content suffer or be delivered late because it was raining outside for three days. At some point, you will want large softbox lighting to replace that open window.
Softbox Lighting Kit
The first paid level is super cheap, and it lets you have calls with your clients without a time limit. The free version has a forty-minute limit, as well as a limit on how many calls you can host. I use zoom for talking to clients so we can record t...
Zoom
You may only use one or two at a time, but acrylic risers are SO nice to have in your prop tote. Use them as a reflective surface, criss cross them to add a prop and a product, pour liquid product on one and film from the other side… SO MUCH potentia...
Aheroi Acrylic Risers
More expenses and income sources means more tracking. If google sheets just isn't doing it and you need to save your self time, look into QuickBooks. They are VERY inexpensive, and you can send invoices.
QuickBooks
Another great tool for product shots because it MOVES. Put your product in the center and give it a spin as you move your phone in the other direction. Not a must have, but if you're leveling up your shots, its worth knowing how to do this trick with...
2 Pack Lazy Susan Organizer Turntabl
Level 4 - Getting Strategic
This is more than a “thing” - this is what you do, now. You want efficiency, scale, and better personal branding. You've likely mastered your content and are concerned about workflow and time management.
skills: data analysis, offer packaging, retainer structuring, personal brand positioning, paid ad style scripting
You level up once you have recurring retainers and an optimized work flow that you can scale. Your income should be coming from more than 2 platforms, minimum.
Time to run some tests with your media kit. If you think your personal branding is holding you back, Fiverr is a VERY easy way to freshen up your media kit in a different styles. Maybe get one specific for different types of media and niches to bette...
Fiverr
Just including this here in case you aren't familiar with how to run a case study.
Case study - Student Academic Success
Time to get an actual camera, where you have more control over the footage. Refurbished is the way to go, just make sure you get a kit with a lense OR you buy a lense separate!
Refurbished EOS R100
I haven't found a better platform for monthly outreach tracking or as a revenue dashboard, but please comment if you have one you use. This does take a lot of time to set up and keep up, but it IS doable.
Google Sheets
Honeybook can be used to create your own contracts, which you could use for clients who aren't as familiar with the UGC space as you are, contracting more virtual assistants, etc.
HoneyBook
Time to upgrade your props. White ceramic feels very clean and classy, and its cheaaaaaaaaaaaap.
White Ceramic Vases
Add these to your props for an inexpensive way to add variety to your footage. Line them up for a textured background or pick one and add a single flower.
10-Piece White Ceramic Vases
These are great for adding variety to your content… and you can't have too many props.
Textured Faux Leather Sheets
OK ONE MORE light… because having the filters on this one completely changes your entire setting! No window or blinds during that golden hour? No problem - fake it. I LOVE this one.
Photography Flashlight with 20 Magnetic Gobos
Level 5 - Elite Home-Based Pro
You are maxed out without renting a studio, and you're selling results - not just videos.
You should have a tiered system for usage licensing and a content batching system.
Skills: delegation, sales conversations, teaching or monetizing your expertise on skool
You should have your own domain by now, but if you don't, DO IT. Domains are cheap, and you don't have to build an entire website to get a domain. This will allow you to have an email address with the domain name of your company… [email protected].
Domain Names, Websites, Hosting & Online Marketing Tools - GoDaddy
Not sure why we didn't put this earlier, but a GIMBAL is how you get steady shots when you are running. If you get one with face tracking, you can walk around your house and never have to move your phone. They're not always the easiest to understand,...
Gimbal Stabilizer
This is where I like to store my scripts. You should have a library already made with verbal hooks, scripts that did well, and product research. Additional storage space is minimal, and you can work offline.
Google Docs
Get your B-Roll off the cloud and save it on a solid state hard drive (SSD). You will still use google drive or drop box to share files, but you don't need to store all your work online.
SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD
Please… get a book keeper. Someone you can send your receipts to and who will file your taxes with alllllllll the deductibles and write offs possible. Leave the finances and taxes to the professionals.
Bookkeeper jobs in Texas
Some clients may require more advanced footage. In that case, consider adding a drone to your camera set up. You can charge an additional fee for drone footage, too!
DJI Mini 4K Drone With Camera
Monetize your knowledge. A VA can help keep everything organized and posted, but you will need to put your knowledge into a shareable format. Skool is very inexpensive and easy to promote.
Skool