What if you could make $300 an hour filming short videos with your phone … and you didn’t need a single follower to get started?
That’s the side hustle Megan Collier carved out for herself with UGC (user-generated content).
Think of it as getting paid to create authentic-looking social media content for brands, even if you’re not an influencer.
And she’s not alone. Brands are hungry for this stuff.
In just a couple of years, Megan built her side hustle into a six-figure income stream and quit her day job in 2023.
Let’s take a look at how she did it, and how you can, too.
Tune in to Episode 666 of the Side Hustle Show to learn:
- how Megan landed her first $750 UGC deal in 10 days.
- the exact outreach strategies she used to book brand clients.
- how she scaled to $300/hour and replaced her 9-to-5 income.
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What is UGC, and Why Are Brands Paying for It?
UGC (user-generated content) is short-form, organic-looking content that brands use on their social channels or run as paid ads.
You see them on TikToks, Instagram Reels, and product demo videos that don’t look like high-budget commercials.
What’s different about UGC is that it’s made by everyday people, not professional influencers or celebrities.
Brands love it because:
- It feels real
- It converts better
- It’s way more affordable than traditional ads
And that’s where anyone comes in as the freelancer who creates the content.
You don’t have to post it to your own channels or endorsing the product. You’re just delivering video files.
How to Create a UGC Portfolio (The First $750 Deal)
Megan was scrolling TikTok when she came across a video talking about UGC and expressed, “This kind of sounds too good to be true, but I’m willing to try it out.”
At the time, she was working full-time, had a toddler at home, and her goal was simple: make $1,000 a month to cover groceries and the car payment.
So she jumped in by making a portfolio of 4 simple videos using stuff she already had around the house: cat treats, her kid’s toy, and a travel spinner.
All she had was Canva and and a willingness to DM brands.
10 days later, she landed her first UGC deal for $750 by cold-pitching a software company. Megan made 5 short videos (three were originally ordered, two were upsells), and just like that, she had a proof of concept.
The UGC Outreach Gameplan
With a portfolio ready, it’s time to get clients.
Megan started with cold outreach — and still swears by it.
Where to Find Brands:
- Instagram DMs: she’d scroll ads running in her feed, follow the brand, and send a short message asking to be connected with the person in charge of partnerships.
- Cold Emailing: same approach, but via email. If she couldn’t find a specific contact, she’d hit the generic inbox and follow up.
- Hunter.io: A $60/mo tool to find direct contact info for marketing people.
Tip: Brands already using UGC are warm leads. That’s your cue.
She also suggested building a “housewalk list” of products you already use and love. If it’s in your kitchen, bathroom, or kid’s room, it’s fair game.
The Numbers Game
UGC is a sales game, and sales is a numbers game.
Megan sent 30 to 50 emails before she got her first “yes.”
Some students she’s worked with have landed a deal on Day 2. Others have taken weeks.
The difference is their persistence.
If you’re short on time, you can supplement outreach with freelance platforms like Fiverr and UGC marketplaces where brands are already searching for creators.
Among those mentioned were:
Negotiating Like a Pro (and Why Rates Can Hit $1,000+ Per Video)
UGC rates vary based on experience, niche, and usage rights.
As a beginner, she charged $150 to $200 per video. But today, she often earns $1,000+ per clip.
And these aren’t Netflix productions.
Most UGC videos are 30 to 60 seconds long and can be filmed with an iPhone. No fancy editing suite needed.
Here’s how she built her rate:
- Start low, gain confidence.
- Build your portfolio with every project.
- Let brands name their budget first. (Often, it’s higher than you’d expect.)
@megan_ugc Part 1: UGC Rates – How much to charge as a new UGC Creator Not gonna lie, i felt super lost at the beginning of my UGC Creator Journey & this is what helped me! Follow for part 2! #ugcrates #ugcratesandpackages #ugccreator #ugccreatorjourney
She doesn’t even list prices in her portfolio. Why? If a brand’s ready to pay $1,000 and you’ve got $250 in writing, guess who’s leaving money on the table?
What Content Are You Making?
This is one of the biggest concerns for new UGC creators: What am I even going to film?
Don’t worry because most brands will tell you what to make.
9 times out of 10, they’ll send you a creative brief with:
- talking points
- script outlines
- shot list examples
- previous winning ads
Some even give you total creative freedom.
If you’re stuck, Megan recommends using ChatGPT to generate hook ideas or video outlines.
Scale With Retainers (The $10K/Month Play)
The real magic happened when Megan started landing monthly retainers.
One home product brand paid her:
- $3,000/month for 15–20 short Instagram Reels
- Videos were product-only (no face), and often batch-shot in a weekend
Another paid $5,500/month for video content plus other additional service.
At her peak, she was earning $10k to $13k/month while still working a day job.
Eventually, she had to make a choice. So she left her 9-to-5.
Tech/Tools
Here’s what Megan recommends if you’re jumping in today:
- iPhone – all videos filmed on her phone
- $25 tripod – basic Amazon find
- $15 selfie light – to help in low light
- CapCut (free or Pro) – for video editing
- Canva – to create your portfolio
- Loom – for sending personalized video pitches
- New Gmail account – to keep communication organized
- PayPal / Stripe / Bill / Direct Deposit – for payments
- Vidzy – to edit videos
Any Mistakes or Surprises Along the Way?
One of Megan’s biggest “a-ha” moments came from involving her 63-year-old mom in a brand video… and realizing there’s massive demand for older UGC creators.
@megan_ugc Type your CURRENT age in the comments!
Since then, she’s helped students of all ages (especially Boomers and Gen Xers) land deals.
You don’t need to be the most creative person or to go always viral. You just need to show up and be consistent.
What’s Next for Megan?
More videos, more brand deals, and more UGC with her 63-year-old mom, who now books deals of her own.
Her mission is to keep showing people of all ages and backgrounds that this is possible.
Want in?
Check out Megan’s content at megancollierugc.com or follow her on TikTok and IG!
Looking for More Side Hustle Help?
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