This is the page where the course stops being theory and starts being a business. Everything on here is a concrete action — not a concept. By the end of Week 4, you will have something live, something sent, and something logged. That's the goal.
From Katherine — Before you read anything else
Every creator you're competing with right now skipped Weeks 1 and 2. They built platforms without knowing how to pitch. They got brand deals without knowing how to negotiate. They took whatever rate was offered because they didn't know how to handle a no.
You know active listening. Empathy. Storytelling. Objection handling. Discovery questions. That's a complete sales toolkit sitting inside a creator framework most people never access. Every brand pitch you send is going to feel different to the person reading it — because you understand what they actually need, not just what you're trying to sell them. That's not a small thing. That's the whole game.
— Katherine Rodriguez, National Sales Manager & UGC Creator
Your Full Creator Toolkit — All New Pages
→ AI Launchpad— The exact 7-day process Katherine used. Content audit, bio, platform applications, spec videos, brand outreach — with Claude at every step.
→ First Income Challenge— Portfolio live. Pitch sent. Post published. Your official proof you did the thing.
Before you do anything else, pick which version of the creator path fits your life right now. All three use the same skills and the same first steps. The difference is where your content ends up and how fast you can expect income.
🎬
UGC for Brands
You create. Brands post it. No audience required. You're the producer, not the personality.
Fastest path to first dollar
📱
Build Your Own Page
Build an audience around your niche. Longer timeline. Higher ceiling. Personal brand.
First income: 60–90 days typically
🎭
Faceless Content
No face on screen. B-roll, voiceover, text-only. Builds a page without you being the brand.
Same timeline as own page
Most students start with UGC for brands while building their own page on the side. You don't have to choose just one forever — pick the one to lead with right now.
Step 2 — Set Up Your Tools Today (30 Minutes Max)
Two tools. That's it. Don't spend more than 30 minutes on this step. Your time is better spent creating than configuring.
1
CapCut — Your Video Editor
Download on your phone AND bookmark the desktop version at capcut.com. This is your primary editing tool for everything — spec videos, portfolio pieces, and content for your own page if you're building one.
The first thing to learn: Auto-captions. It's under the text menu. Click it once, it transcribes your entire video automatically. Captions increase watch time by 40% and they take 15 seconds. Use them on every single video you make. That's the only CapCut lesson you need today.
Free features you'll use constantly:
Auto-captions — transcribes your voice automatically
Templates — drag your clips in, they handle cuts and music
Voiceover recording — record narration over B-roll right in the app
Speed adjustment — slow down product moments for emphasis
Text overlays — add callouts and stats over video
2
Canva — Your Everything-Else Tool
Download on your phone and bookmark at canva.com. Canva is where you build your portfolio cover, your rate sheet, your media kit, and any graphic content for your page.
Do this today:
Set up a free account (the free version is enough to start)
Search "UGC portfolio" — there are free templates already built for you
Start your portfolio cover page: your name, your niche, your contact email
Share the portfolio as a Canva link — NOT a download. Links are easier to send and brands can view them on any device.
Step 3 — Build Your Portfolio This Week
This is the step that trips most people up because they think they need to buy products or have a professional setup. You don't. Walk into your bathroom. Open your kitchen cabinets. Go to your home office. The products are already there.
The rule for spec videos
Brands don't ask "did someone pay you to make this?" They ask "can this person make content that looks real, feels credible, and holds attention?" Your spec videos answer that question whether a brand paid for them or not. Film products you already own and genuinely use.
You need 5 spec videos before you pitch anyone. Here's exactly what to film:
Video 1 — The Testimonial
On camera, talking directly about a product you love
Pick something you've used for at least 2 weeks. Open with the problem it solved. Show you using it. Close with a specific result. 30–45 seconds. This is the most common format brands request.
Video 2 — The Unboxing or First Reveal
Opening or revealing a product for the first time
Doesn't have to be literally fresh out of a box — "I finally tried this thing everyone's been talking about" works too. First impressions are naturally authentic. Don't overthink it. 45–60 seconds.
Video 3 — The Tutorial or How-To
Teaching the viewer how to use something to get a specific result
Pick a product with a method — skincare routine, kitchen tool, cleaning product, hair tool. Show the steps. Show the result. 45–75 seconds. This format performs especially well in beauty and home.
Video 4 — The Problem / Solution
Lead with a relatable frustration. Introduce the product as the fix.
"I was so tired of [problem]." Show or describe the before state. Introduce the product. Show the after. 30–45 seconds. This is the format that converts best in paid ads.
Video 5 — The Lifestyle B-Roll
No talking. Just your life with the product in it.
Product on your counter. You reaching for it. Close-up of use. Wide shot of your space. Add trending audio. No face required. This is what brands use for ambient ad creative. Highly valuable.
Your portfolio folder setup
Go to Google Drive. Create a folder: [Your First Name] UGC Portfolio. Upload all 5 videos. Set sharing to "Anyone with the link can view." Test it in an incognito window. Copy and save that link — it goes in every pitch email you send. Full step-by-step guide: Portfolio Builder →
Step 4 — Apply to These Platforms This Week
Apply to all of these while your videos are uploading. Don't wait until your portfolio feels "complete enough" — apply with what you have and keep improving. Most platforms review applications within 3–7 days.
Billo
Most beginner-friendly UGC platform. Brands post briefs, you apply, you create, you get paid. No cold pitching required. Best platform to land your first paid deal fastest.
→ Apply at billo.app — click "Become a Creator" — upload 1-3 videos from your portfolio
Insense
Higher-paying deals than Billo on average. Takes a few more days to get approved. Worth applying to both at the same time so you have two platforms working for you.
→ Apply at insense.pro — "Apply as Creator" — fill in your niche, upload portfolio link
TikTok Shop Affiliate
No approval wait — most creators are approved same day or next day. You browse the product marketplace, request free samples, film, and earn 5-20% commission on every sale. Zero audience required.
→ TikTok app → your profile → three lines → Creator Tools → TikTok Shop → Apply
Amazon Influencer Program
Short video reviews that live on Amazon product pages and earn you commission every time someone watches and buys. Film products you already own. Reviews compound over time — a video you made 6 months ago is still paying you.
→ Apply at influencer-program.amazon.com — connect your TikTok or Instagram — 1-5 day approval
Fiverr — UGC Category
Create a gig in the Content Creation → UGC Video category. Brands come to you. No application required — live immediately. Lower barrier to entry, slightly lower rates, but good for building early portfolio proof.
→ fiverr.com → Selling → Gigs → Create a new gig → Content Creation → User Generated Content
Step 5 — Find Brands and Send Your First Pitches
Don't wait for the platforms to approve you before you start cold pitching. Platforms and direct outreach run simultaneously. The students who land deals fastest are the ones doing both at the same time.
How to Find the Right Contact at a Brand
Pitching a brand's general Instagram DM or their contact@brand.com inbox is the slowest path. You want the actual human responsible for creator partnerships. Here's how to find them:
A
LinkedIn — The most reliable method
Go to LinkedIn. Search "[Brand Name] influencer marketing" or "[Brand Name] social media manager" or "[Brand Name] brand partnerships."
The person you want is usually titled: Social Media Manager, Influencer Marketing Manager, Marketing Coordinator, Brand Partnerships, or PR & Influencer Manager.
Once you find the name, search their name + brand on Google to find their email, or use Hunter.io (free) — enter the brand's website domain and it surfaces professional email addresses associated with that company. Most follow the format firstname@brandname.com or firstname.lastname@brandname.com.
B
Brand's website — Creator program pages
Many brands have a dedicated creator, influencer, or ambassador program page. Search: "[brand name] creator program" or go to their website and look for links labeled "Work With Us," "Creator Program," "Ambassador Program," or "Press."
When brands have a formal program, use that application page. Include your portfolio link and rate information even if they don't ask — it makes you look prepared and professional.
C
Instagram DM — For smaller brands only
DM works best for smaller or indie brands where the founder or a small team is actually managing the account. For brands with 100K+ followers, DMs usually go to an inbox nobody checks. For brands under 50K followers, a DM often reaches the right person directly.
Keep DMs short. 3-4 sentences maximum. The goal of a DM pitch is to get them to look at your portfolio — not to close the deal in the first message.
The Pitch Templates — What Actually Gets Replies
Why these templates work differently
Most creator pitches read like this: "Hi [brand], I love your products! I'd love to collab! Here's my portfolio." That is what the brand's inbox is full of every single day. It goes unread.
These templates are different because they lead with something specific about the brand — something that shows you actually looked. Then they state what you do, why it's relevant to that brand specifically, and what you're proposing. No flattery. No exclamation points every sentence. Direct, warm, professional — the way a B2B salesperson would approach any client relationship.
— Katherine Rodriguez
Template 1 — Cold Email (Beauty / Skincare Brand)
Use this structure for any beauty, skincare, or personal care brand. Fill in the brackets.
Cold Email — Beauty / Skincare
Subject: UGC creator interested in working with [Brand Name]
Hi [First Name or "team"],
My name is [Your Name] — I'm a UGC content creator specializing in beauty and lifestyle content.
I've been using [specific product] for [timeframe] and genuinely love it — [one specific honest thing about the product: the texture, the way it layers, how it photographs, what changed for your skin]. That kind of real connection is what makes UGC content perform — it's not a script, it's an actual experience from someone who uses the product.
I create short-form video content for brands to use across social and paid ads. My content style is warm, relatable, and genuinely lived-in — not overly produced.
My portfolio: [your Google Drive link]
My media kit: [your media kit link if you have one]
I create raw UGC starting at $125 per video, with bundle packages available. Would love to connect!
[Your Name][Your email][Your @handle]
Subject: UGC creator interested in working with [Brand Name]
Hi [First Name or team],
My name is [Your Name] — I'm a UGC content creator specializing in beauty and lifestyle content.
I've been using [specific product] for [timeframe] and genuinely love it — [one specific honest thing about the product]. That kind of real connection is what makes UGC content perform — it's not a script, it's an actual experience from someone who uses the product.
I create short-form video content for brands to use across social and paid ads. My content style is warm, relatable, and genuinely lived-in — not overly produced.
My portfolio: [your Google Drive link]
My media kit: [your media kit link]
I create raw UGC starting at $125 per video, with bundle packages available. Would love to connect!
[Your Name]
[Your email]
[Your @handle]
Subject: I'd love to create content for [Brand Name]
Hi [First Name or "team"],
My name is [Your Name] and I'm a UGC content creator with a focus on wellness and everyday lifestyle.
[Brand Name] has been part of my [morning routine / wind-down routine / daily ritual] for [timeframe]. What I love about it specifically: [a real, specific reason — not "it's great." Something like: "it fits into a busy mom's morning without adding a step" or "the flavor doesn't have that protein powder aftertaste that makes me skip it"].
I think that authentic, lived-in experience is exactly what converts — a real person showing how it fits into a real life. That's what I create.
My portfolio: [portfolio link]
Starting at $125 per video. Let me know if you'd like to see more.
[Your Name][Your email][Your @handle]
Subject: I'd love to create content for [Brand Name]
Hi [First Name or team],
My name is [Your Name] and I'm a UGC content creator with a focus on wellness and everyday lifestyle.
[Brand Name] has been part of my [morning routine / wind-down routine / daily ritual] for [timeframe]. What I love about it specifically: [a real, specific reason].
I think that authentic, lived-in experience is exactly what converts — a real person showing how it fits into a real life. That's what I create.
My portfolio: [portfolio link]
Starting at $125 per video. Let me know if you'd like to see more.
[Your Name]
[Your email]
[Your @handle]
Template 3 — Instagram or TikTok DM (Under 60 Words)
DMs get skimmed, not read. Three to four sentences only. The entire goal of a DM pitch is to get them to look at your portfolio.
DM Pitch — Short, specific, direct
Hi [Brand Name] team,
I'm a UGC creator in the [beauty / wellness / home / mom life] space and I've been a real fan of [specific product] for [timeframe]. I create content for brands to use in their marketing — no posting on my page required, just authentic video your team can use wherever it performs best.
I'd love to share my portfolio if you're open to it.
[Your Name] | [portfolio link]
Hi [Brand Name] team,
I'm a UGC creator in the [beauty / wellness / home / mom life] space and I've been a real fan of [specific product] for [timeframe]. I create content for brands to use in their marketing — no posting on my page required, just authentic video your team can use wherever it performs best.
I'd love to share my portfolio if you're open to it.
[Your Name] | [portfolio link]
Template 4 — Follow-Up (5–7 Business Days After No Reply)
Most deals happen on the follow-up. Send this exactly 5–7 business days after your first pitch. Keep it short. Never apologize for following up.
Follow-Up Email — One reply trigger
Subject: Re: [Your original subject line]
Hi [Name],
Following up on my message from [day] — wanted to make sure it didn't get buried.
If it's easier, here's my portfolio directly: [link]
Happy to send a few concept ideas if that's helpful. And if the timing isn't right, no worries — I'll check back in a few months.
[Your Name]
Subject: Re: [Your original subject line]
Hi [Name],
Following up on my message from [day] — wanted to make sure it didn't get buried.
If it's easier, here's my portfolio directly: [link]
Happy to send a few concept ideas if that's helpful. And if the timing isn't right, no worries — I'll check back in a few months.
[Your Name]
Template 5 — Rate Negotiation (When They Come Back Lower)
This is where your B2B training changes everything. Most creators fold immediately when a brand pushes back on rate. You're not going to.
Rate Negotiation — Confident, not apologetic
Hi [Name],
Thanks for coming back on this — I appreciate it.
I understand budgets have limits, and I want to make this work. My rate of $[your rate] reflects [one edited video with captions, 90-day organic usage rights, and two revision rounds].
Here are two options depending on where your budget sits:
Option A — $[your rate]: [full deliverable as proposed]
Option B — $[lower number]: [reduced scope — e.g., raw video only with no revisions, or one video instead of two]
Same content quality either way. The difference is scope.
Which direction works better for you?
[Your Name]
Hi [Name],
Thanks for coming back on this — I appreciate it.
I understand budgets have limits, and I want to make this work. My rate of $[your rate] reflects [one edited video with captions, 90-day organic usage rights, and two revision rounds].
Here are two options depending on where your budget sits:
Option A — $[your rate]: [full deliverable as proposed]
Option B — $[lower number]: [reduced scope — e.g., raw video only with no revisions, or one video instead of two]
Same content quality either way. The difference is scope.
Which direction works better for you?
[Your Name]
Step 6 — Know Your Rates Before Anyone Asks
When a brand asks "what are your rates?" and you hesitate, you've already lost the negotiation. Know your numbers before you pitch so that when the question comes, you say the number confidently, without qualifying it or apologizing for it.
$
Your Starting Rate Card
Raw UGC video (30–60 sec) — $125. This is your floor. Do not go below this on your first deals.
Edited video with captions — $150–$175. Adds the editing time and the caption pass.
3-video bundle — $325–$375. Slight volume discount. Easy to pitch as a "starter package."
Video + photos bundle — $175. High perceived value combination offer.
Paid ads usage rights (add-on) — Add 50–100% of your base rate. This is when they want to run your content as a paid ad. A $125 video becomes $187–$250 with 90-day paid ads usage.
Specific tasks, specific targets, specific timeline. This is the plan. The AI Launchpad walks you through the first 7 days in detail — use both together.
Days 1–7
Set up. Create. Apply.
Download CapCut and Canva. Learn the auto-caption feature. Done in 30 minutes.
Film all 5 spec videos using products you already own. Use the Portfolio Builder briefs.
Set up Google Drive portfolio folder. Set to "anyone with link can view." Test in incognito.
Apply to Billo, Insense, TikTok Shop Affiliate, Amazon Influencer, Fiverr.
Identify 10 brands you genuinely use that you'd want to create content for.
Send your first 3 pitch emails using the templates above.
Log every pitch in the Pitch Tracker. Set follow-up dates 5 business days out.
Days 8–14
Pitch more. Follow up. Apply to briefs.
Follow up on week 1 pitches that haven't responded (5 business days later).
Send 5 more direct brand pitches from your target list.
Check your platform applications daily. As soon as Billo or Insense approves you, apply to 2–3 briefs immediately.
Film 2 more spec videos — aim for different product categories than week 1.
If you're building your own page: post your first piece of content.
Apply for Amazon Influencer and film your first 3 product review videos.
Days 15–21
Close your first paid job.
Land and deliver your first paid UGC project. This is the milestone for this week — even if it's small.
After delivering, ask: "Would you like to set up a content package for next month?" That's your retainer conversation.
Add completed brand work to your portfolio immediately — replace a spec video with a paid one.
Keep posting content if building a page: 3x per week minimum.
Send your first TikTok Shop affiliate video if you've been approved.
Days 22–30
Build momentum. Stack income streams.
You have proof now — raise your rate on new pitches to the next tier.
Keep outreach running: 5 pitches per week minimum. This never stops.
Look at what performed best in your portfolio. Film more like that.
Your Amazon review videos are earning commission passively. Keep adding to them.
What Success Actually Looks Like at Each Stage
Day 30
5 spec videos. Portfolio live. 10+ pitches sent. 1 paid job done or in progress.
Affiliate programs live. Amazon reviews earning.
Day 90
5–10 real brand videos in portfolio. $300–$1,000 earned from UGC.
Consistent posting if building a page. First affiliate commission.
Month 6
Recurring brand clients. $500–$2,000/month from UGC.
Multiple income streams stacking. Raising rates with proof.
Month 12
UGC income is real and reliable. Audience if you've been building one.
This is when most people realize the course changed their trajectory.
The only thing that actually matters this week
Not perfection. Not a full month of content. Not having everything figured out.
One video filmed. One portfolio folder set up with a link that works. One brand pitched. That's the whole win for Week 1.
Everything else — the income, the clients, the platform approvals, the audience — gets built from that first one. The people who never start are waiting for conditions that don't exist. You have everything you need right now.