UGC (user-generated content) is one of the fastest-growing income streams for creators — and one of the most consistently underpriced. Unlike sponsored posts, UGC rates aren't tied to your follower count. Here's exactly what to charge.
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Check My Rate →UGC (user-generated content) means a brand pays you to create content they use in their own marketing — rather than posting it to your own audience. The brand runs it as a paid ad, posts it on their social channels, or uses it on their website.
This is a fundamentally different transaction to a sponsored post. You're not being paid for your audience reach — you're being paid for your production skills. Which means follower count is largely irrelevant. A UGC creator with 500 followers can charge the same as one with 500,000 if the content quality is there.
It also means usage rights are not an add-on — they're the entire point of the deal. The brand is buying your content to use it. This needs to be reflected in your rate.
| Content Type | Beginner Rate | Experienced Rate | Premium Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short video (15–30s) | $150 – $250 | $250 – $500 | $500 – $900 |
| Short video (30–60s) | $200 – $350 | $350 – $700 | $700 – $1,200 |
| Long-form video (60–90s) | $300 – $500 | $500 – $1,000 | $1,000 – $1,800 |
| Photo (single) | $75 – $150 | $150 – $300 | $300 – $600 |
| Photo bundle (5–10) | $300 – $600 | $600 – $1,200 | $1,200 – $2,500 |
| Unboxing video | $200 – $400 | $400 – $800 | $800 – $1,500 |
| Testimonial / review | $250 – $450 | $450 – $900 | $900 – $1,600 |
The rates above are base creation fees. Usage rights are separate and must be added on top. This is where most UGC creators massively undercharge — or give rights away entirely without realising.
| Usage Type | Duration | Additional Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Brand's organic social only | 30 days | +$50 – $150 |
| Paid ads (Meta, TikTok) | 30 days | +$150 – $400 |
| Paid ads (Meta, TikTok) | 90 days | +$350 – $900 |
| Paid ads (Meta, TikTok) | 6 months | +$600 – $1,500 |
| Paid ads (Meta, TikTok) | 12 months | +$1,000 – $2,500 |
| Website / landing page | 12 months | +$200 – $600 |
| Email marketing | Unlimited sends | +$100 – $300 |
Brands often want multiple pieces of content — which gives you an opportunity to price packages that are better value for them and better income for you.
| Package | Deliverables | Rate Range |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | 3 × 30s videos, 30-day organic usage | $600 – $1,200 |
| Growth | 5 × 30s videos, 90-day paid ads | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| Premium | 10 × mixed content, 6-month paid ads | $3,500 – $7,000 |
For small creators (under 50k followers), UGC often pays more than sponsored posts — because your rate isn't capped by your follower count. You're selling production skills, not audience reach.
For larger creators (100k+), sponsored posts typically pay more because your audience reach adds significant value. But UGC is a strong supplementary income stream regardless of size — and it's entirely separate from your channel, so it doesn't affect your posting schedule or audience relationship.
Check any brand deal offer against real market rates in 30 seconds — free, no card needed.
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