An insightful conversation with Kelly, our platform's first content creator to join the $1,000 club.

Introduction

We are excited to present the story of Kelly, an amazing user-generated content creator who has worked with over 150 brands. With a background in apparel and content management, Kelly leaped into UGC, making a mark and achieving remarkable success. Here's her inspiring story, filled with insights and tips for aspiring creators.

Questions and Answers:

Question 1: Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you started as a UGC creator? What motivated you to pursue this path?

My path to UGC is kind of a long one! I actually have a background in the apparel industry and owned my own boutique for 6 years, while also working as a content manager for a commercial furniture company. Last winter I was about to have my 2nd baby and was at a point where I was fed up with the lack of flexibility in the 9-5 life and was also starting to get burnt out on my boutique (retail is a tough business) – when I stumbled across UGC on TikTok.

It felt like something I could really thrive in because I’d been creating social content for my boutique for so long, along with for my 9-5, so I knew how to create converting content, talk to the camera, and how to edit videos. Toward the end of my maternity leave in April I decided to give it a go and was shocked with how quickly I was able to start securing deals and make good money. I decided to leave my 9-5 in August to bet on myself, and the rest is history! :)

Question 2: How do you come up with ideas for your content?

Ideas come from all over (sometimes just the depths of my oddball brain 😂) but I do have a few ways I like to get inspired. I like using the Meta Ad library to see what ads the brand may be running currently, and then do a search for their competitors and see what kinds of ads they’re running, and that have been running for a long time (usually an indicator that they’re performing well).

Ultimately, I focus on what pain points the product is solving for the consumer and how the product is improving my life in some way. It’s not just about showing off the product or its packaging in a pretty way, but more-so being relatable to the viewer, connecting with them on their struggles, and showing the solution (the product) and why it might be what they’ve been searching for.

Question 3: As our first creator to earn four figures through the platform, can you share the story of your journey to this achievement?

Sure! My journey started on Twitter (have we committed to “X” yet? 😂) when I answered a search from Elijah for a creator with a podcast-type setup. We worked together on a few concepts for a healthy shake brand, and have continued to partner on a few other healthy lifestyle type products. Clients have continued to return for more projects, I think based on my easy communication and high-quality content, whether as just requests for raw footage or for fully ideated and edited concepts. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with brands through the Vidovo platform!

Question 4: What tools and resources do you rely on most for creating and managing your content?

I’m a bit of an organizational nut, so I was really focused on getting down a good system and I think I’ve finally nailed it!

• Indy for all my contracts and invoice sending
• Google Drive to store and share final content with brands
• Notion for all collaboration tracking, to-dos, and content calendar (I created my own tracker which I think is pretty badass, which I hope to make available to other creators very soon!)
• CapCut on Desktop for all video editing
• Canva for my portfolio and occasional graphic design
• Trust UGC to gather testimonials
• ChatGPT for occasional inspiration for scripts or content ideas

Question 5: What advice would you give to someone just starting out as a UGC creator?

Many creators will tell you to focus on making a perfect portfolio, perfecting your pitches to brands, building up your personal brand, etc, but ultimately, none of that will matter if you’re not clear on how to make really great content that converts for brands. I would focus on getting really comfortable talking to the camera, learning about direct response marketing, studying video examples from established UGC creators, and making some killer video examples that show off your capabilities.

I haven’t had to send a single pitch and have slacked off quite a bit on posting to my socials, but I still have brands reaching out constantly and clients repeatedly returning for more content, I think because I just create consistently high-quality, creative, and engaging content. You’re selling your services to brands, so continue to improve that service and brands will find you! 

Question 6: What has been the most rewarding part of this journey?

It’s been SO rewarding to be in charge of my own “destiny”, in that there is no ceiling to how much I can make or where I can take my career. As someone who’s worked a 9-5 for over 13 years, it’s an adjustment not having that normal salary to fall back on, but it’s also SO freeing being my own boss and knowing that when I work more, I make more. I adore working with brands of all kinds and getting to be creative every single day. I truly am so beyond grateful I discovered UGC and can’t wait to see where it takes me!

Closing

Kelly’s story is a testament to the power of creativity and adaptability in the ever-evolving world of UGC. Their journey from managing a boutique to becoming a renowned UGC creator is not just inspiring but also a blueprint for others looking to make their mark in this dynamic field.

Takeaways:

1. Embrace change and seek new opportunities in your career.
2. Innovative content creation is key to engaging a broad audience.
3. Strong communication and quality content are vital for sustained success in UGC.