How to make your first 1,000 making UGC content
(Beginner-Friendly, No Following Needed)

UGC (User Generated Content) is one of the fastest ways to start making money online without being an influencer.

I know, because I did it by dedicating just one hour per day for 30 days, no fancy camera, no big audience, no agency connections.

In this post, I’ll break down:

  • What UGC content actually is
  • How I landed my first $1,000
  • The exact system I followed
  • The tools I used (and still use) to stay consistent and look professional

If you’re starting from zero, this is for you.

What Is UGC Content? (Quick Explanation)

UGC content is short-form video content created for brands, not for your own audience.

Brands use it for:

  • Instagram Reels
  • TikTok ads
  • Paid social campaigns
  • Website product pages

You’re paid to create the content — not to post it.

That’s why UGC is perfect if:

  • You don’t want to build a following
  • You’re starting fresh
  • You want skill-based income, not virality

The Simple 30-Day System I Used to Make My First $1,000

Instead of trying to “figure everything out,” I gave myself a constraint:

1 hour per day. For 30 days.

No burnout. No overwhelm. Just consistent action.

Here’s exactly how that broke down.

Step 1: Build a UGC Portfolio Using Products You Already Own

You do not need brand deals to start.

I used products I already had:

  • Apps
  • Tech
  • Everyday items
  • Services I genuinely used

I filmed short, natural videos and added them to a clean portfolio.

Where I Hosted My Portfolio (Important)

I didn’t use Instagram highlights.
I didn’t use Google Drive.
And I definitely didn’t use Wix.

I built a simple personal portfolio website using Hostinger.

Why?

  • You get hosting + domain + email
  • Costs around £30 per year
  • Clean, professional, brand-friendly

To put that into perspective:

  • Wix is often £20 per month
  • That’s £240 per year… for less flexibility

👉 You can get 20% off with my Hostinger affiliate link http://tiny.cc/t40y001
It’s honestly a no-brainer if you want to look legit without burning cash early.

Step 2: Use Reddit to Find Your First UGC Clients

Reddit is one of the most underrated platforms for UGC creators.

I searched for:

  • “Looking for UGC creators”
  • “Need content for our app”
  • “Marketing help for startup”

I focused on:

  • Indie founders
  • App creators
  • Early-stage brands

What I didn’t do:

  • Spam links
  • Copy-paste pitches
  • Pretend to be an agency

I replied like a human, linked my portfolio, and kept it short.

That alone started real conversations.

Step 3: The Underrated Hack — DM Brands on Instagram

This is where most beginners leave money on the table.

Instead of fighting for scraps on freelancing platforms, I:

  • Found brands already posting Reels
  • Checked if their content felt stiff or over-produced
  • Sent simple, respectful DMs

Example:

“Hey! I’m a UGC creator and noticed you’re already posting short-form content. I help brands create native-style videos that perform better in-feed. Happy to send examples if useful.”

No pressure.
No begging.
Just relevance.

It works, especially with smaller brands. 1k followers to 50k

How I Stayed Consistent (And Why This Matters)

Consistency is where most people fail.

Not because UGC is hard but because they forget to show up.

This is where social media scheduling came in clutch.

Instead of posting manually or forgetting entirely, I scheduled everything in advance.

👉 I use Social Rails to schedule my content
Click this link if you want to check it out
It saves time, keeps you consistent, and makes you look way more professional than you actually feel at the start.

If you’re juggling:

  • Outreach
  • Portfolio building
  • Content creation

This kind of tool is a quiet cheat code.

How the First $1,000 Actually Happened

Within 14 days, I got my first deal, paying $300 per week.

How it happened:

  • Created my portfolio
  • Found a brand in Reddit /UGCcreators
  • Send the founder an email with Loom video, pitch deck & call to action (Book a call with me) – And it worked.

That’s normal in UGC.

You don’t “win big” — you stack small wins until momentum kicks in.

Once you hit that first $1,000:

  • You stop doubting yourself
  • Brands take you more seriously
  • Outreach becomes easier

Common UGC Myths (Let’s Kill These)

❌ You need followers
❌ You need expensive gear
❌ You need to go viral

✅ You need proof
✅ You need consistency
✅ You need to actually reach out

UGC rewards action, not perfection.

Final Advice If You’re Starting Today

If you’re overwhelmed, do this:

  1. Block 1 hour per day
  2. Build a basic UGC portfolio (Hostinger is perfect for this)
  3. Reach out on:
    • Reddit
    • Instagram
  4. Schedule your content so you stay consistent

That’s it.

Simple. Boring. Effective.

Tools I Personally Use (Quick Recap)