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If your kids could help you land more brand deals, would you let them on camera, or is that a line you’re scared to cross? Host Nate Flake, a girl dad who just walked his own 13-year-old through her first script read, brings on family UGC creator Jessica Holland to settle the question he hears more than almost any other. If you’re a parent on the fence about UGC, this episode gives you a real answer instead of a guilt trip, covering how to get your kids on board, how to pay them, and how to handle the people who judge you for it. Jessica found UGC through a reel from a creator who, like her, was in recovery, and with more than two years sober, she skipped the cheap courses and went straight into a mentorship program. If your kids groan every time you set up the tripod, or your stiff script reads never turn into repeat work, you’ll hear exactly how Jessica got unstuck on both while filming with four daughters and a husband who jumps on camera too. Chapters 00:01:34 - From network marketing to UGC 00:03:08 - Getting sober and finding UGC 00:07:29 - The hardest part of starting: where to pitch 00:10:18 - Her first big family deal and the time it gave back 00:12:30 - Did her kids say yes? Getting their buy-in 00:14:46 - Filming faster so kids aren’t stuck for hours 00:16:55 - How Nate and Jessica pay their kids 00:23:00 - Family deals, solo deals, and how her niche found her 00:26:37 - Showing up as yourself on camera 00:31:32 - Giving brands extra footage the right way 00:36:39 - Handling judgment for putting your kids in ads 00:39:09 - The skills kids learn from filming 00:42:22 - Privacy fears and what’s actually risky 00:45:08 - Jessica’s coolest product and toughest client Stay until the end, because Jessica shares the small habit that keeps brands coming back to her and the simple coaching trick that changed how her girls show up, both on camera and off. Press play and learn how to bring your kids into your UGC business before your next brand asks if your family can be in the video. Jessica’s Portfolio: https://jessicaholland.my.canva.site/jholland Jessica’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicaholland_creates/ If you love the strategies we break down on UGC 101, you need to be in the room with us live. We’re hosting Creator Connect Dallas—the largest UGC event in the world—bringing 2,000+ creators and 100+ brands together under one roof. April 30 - May 2nd. Stop figuring this out alone and come build your business in person. Grab your tickets here: https://ugccreatorconnectevent.com/ Get $50 off your ticket price with the code UGC101PODCAST (Note: VIP & Elite passes are strictly limited!) FREE Call: Discover how to start UGC and land brand deals (even with 0 experience): Book a Call Now  • Instagram: https://instagram.com/nateflakecreates • UGC brand deals: https://www.nateflakecreates.com 🛠️ CREATOR TOOLS PERSONAL BRANDING CHEAT CODE: $25 off PoppyAI - the tool I personally use to come up with content ideas: https://start.getpoppy.ai/nate-H0Ihl UGC PITCHING TOOL - Bento: https://app.onbento.com/?acode=nate (Use code: NATE) ⚖️ AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: If you sign up or purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you (and usually gets you a deal).

What would you do if a brand that pays you $500 per brief emailed tomorrow to say it was switching to a cut of sales instead? Host Nate Flake finally joined Trybe after viewers on his TikTok lives kept asking about it, and he brings on Becky Feigin, a UGC creator who has been on the platform since its early days, to compare notes. Performance-based UGC is the topic Nate gets asked about most right now, and some brands are already using it in place of flat rates. Nate and Becky break down how it works, how it compares to traditional UGC and TikTok Shop, and what happens to your video once it leaves your hands. If a brand hasn't asked you to work this way yet, this episode helps you get ready before one does. If you've made a pile of videos, watched the dashboard say they're doing well, and still haven't seen a dollar, you are not alone. Nate and Becky talk through why this keeps happening, which parts are out of your control, and the risks you probably haven't thought about yet. Chapters 00:00:37 - Becky's path to UGC 00:15:21 - Traditional UGC vs. performance-based UGC 00:17:36 - Why Becky thinks brands have lost the plot 00:20:40 - Becky's first experience on Trybe 00:23:35 - How TikTok Shop and Trybe are different 00:26:00 - Revisions, rejections, and refilming for free 00:29:30 - What Nate has actually made on Trybe 00:30:10 - Whitelisting risks and funnel placement 00:44:34 - The "smart retainer" offer Nate Denied 00:53:00 - What needs to change at Trybe Stay until the end, where Nate and Becky stop venting and get specific about what would make this fair for you, and where Nate lands on who should actually give it a try. Press play and learn what to ask a brand before you hand over your next video for a cut of sales, so you don't spend weeks making ads that may never run. Becky's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beckyfeigin/ Becky's Portfolio: https://beckyfeiginugc.com/ Becky's Masterclass: https://beckyfeigin.thrivecart.com/ugc-crash-course-masterclass/ If you love the strategies we break down on UGC 101, you need to be in the room with us live. We’re hosting Creator Connect Dallas—the largest UGC event in the world—bringing 2,000+ creators and 100+ brands together under one roof. April 30 - May 2nd. Stop figuring this out alone and come build your business in person. Grab your tickets here: https://ugccreatorconnectevent.com/ Get $50 off your ticket price with the code UGC101PODCAST (Note: VIP & Elite passes are strictly limited!) FREE Call: Discover how to start UGC and land brand deals (even with 0 experience): Book a Call Now  • Instagram: https://instagram.com/nateflakecreates • UGC brand deals: https://www.nateflakecreates.com 🛠️ CREATOR TOOLS PERSONAL BRANDING CHEAT CODE: $25 off PoppyAI - the tool I personally use to come up with content ideas: https://start.getpoppy.ai/nate-H0Ihl UGC PITCHING TOOL - Bento: https://app.onbento.com/?acode=nate (Use code: NATE) ⚖️ AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: If you sign up or purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you (and usually gets you a deal).

If you've been pitching brands for weeks and hearing nothing back, what is that silence doing to the way you talk to yourself? Host Nate Flake sits down with Kati Jenkins, a coach at UGC Mastery Academy, for a mindset conversation he's been waiting for the right guest to have. If you're thinking about starting UGC or you've already hit a wall, this episode covers the part nobody hands you a checklist for. Nate and Kati talk about why starting your own business brings up things about yourself you didn't know needed work, and how the way you speak to yourself shows up in your pitching. Before UGC, Kati had spent eight years in network marketing while also selling jewelry during the holidays and homeschooling her two kids with no teaching background. She came into UGC sure it would be easy because she already knew how to make content, and she admits she got humbled on her very first assignment.  Maybe you've sent pitch after pitch and started wondering what's wrong with you, or the people at home are supportive but have no idea what a brief is. Nate knows that feeling, because he spent his first year doing UGC mostly on his own while working corporate, and he says it took a real toll. Chapters: 00:03:05 - Why She Left Her Old Career Behind 00:04:43 - The Confidence That Backfired Fast 00:05:18 - When Pitching Felt Like Nothing Was Working 00:07:28 - Seven Months Until She Went All In 00:09:24 - The Moment She Knew Something Had to Change 00:15:12 - The Practice That Changed Her Perspective 00:17:15 - Why 30 Days Was Never Going to Be Enough 00:20:54 - How Long It Actually Took to Feel Different 00:22:31 - The 50 Things She Did Every Day 00:32:45 - What Really Holds Creators Back 00:38:45 - What Happens When Creators Almost Give Up 00:43:44 - Why Doing UGC Alone Makes It Harder  Make sure to stay until the end, Kati shares the daily habit that changed how she sees herself, her husband, and her kids, and Nate, a self-described practical guy, pushes her on exactly how long it took to work. She also shares the hard question she asked herself about money while she was still stuck. Press play and learn the simple, free habit Kati credits with changing her mindset, plus an honest answer on how long you should give it before you decide whether it works. Kati's UGC Portfolio: https://katijenkinsugc.my.canva.site/katijenkins Kati’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kati.jjenkins/ If you love the strategies we break down on UGC 101, you need to be in the room with us live. We’re hosting Creator Connect Dallas—the largest UGC event in the world—bringing 2,000+ creators and 100+ brands together under one roof. April 30 - May 2nd. Stop figuring this out alone and come build your business in person. Grab your tickets here: https://ugccreatorconnectevent.com/ Get $50 off your ticket price with the code UGC101PODCAST (Note: VIP & Elite passes are strictly limited!) FREE Call: Discover how to start UGC and land brand deals (even with 0 experience): Book a Call Now  • Instagram: https://instagram.com/nateflakecreates • UGC brand deals: https://www.nateflakecreates.com 🛠️ CREATOR TOOLS PERSONAL BRANDING CHEAT CODE: $25 off PoppyAI - the tool I personally use to come up with content ideas: https://start.getpoppy.ai/nate-H0Ihl UGC PITCHING TOOL - Bento: https://app.onbento.com/?acode=nate (Use code: NATE) ⚖️ AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: If you sign up or purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you (and usually gets you a deal).

Her first paid UGC deal was $50 and she filmed it on her front camera, so how did she end up with a $30,000 month? Host Nate Flake brings on Christine Meier, a single mom who built a six-figure UGC business after starting with no portfolio, no money, and a nine-to-five in alcohol sales where she barely saw her daughter. Christine filmed during weekend nap times and started pitching brands anyway, and if you're stuck on where to begin, you'll hear why generic emails got her nowhere while DMs finally got her replies, and what she did when brands asked for a portfolio and she had nothing to send.  She also explains how she studies a brand's Meta ads before she pitches and why she focuses on package deals and retainers instead of one-off videos. Christine never gives brands a single rate, and what she does instead is something you can try on your very next pitch. Nate also shares how many pitches he tells his students to send before deciding it isn't working, and it's a lot more than three. Chapters: 00:02:21 Why Her 9-to-5 Had to Change 00:03:33 The Vulnerable Videos That Changed Everything 00:04:25 Why She Thought UGC Was a Scam 00:05:14 Starting UGC With No Portfolio 00:08:04 Her First $50 UGC Deal 00:09:11 Pitching 50 to 100 Brands a Day 00:10:04 How She Learned What Good UGC Looks Like 00:14:39 The Jump From Small Deals to $30K Months 00:16:26 Why $10K Months Almost Burned Her Out 00:18:14 The Fear Behind Quitting Her Job 00:22:08 The Layoff Twist She Never Expected 00:25:14 The Package Strategy That Took Her to $30K 00:28:54 Why Saying No Raised Her Rates 00:39:00 Why Other Creators Aren’t Your Competition 00:46:42 How a $57 Offer Made $50K in 72 Hours' The story doesn't get easier once the money shows up, because at her first $10,000 month Christine was so exhausted and behind on deadlines that she almost quit, and what she changed after that is the part you won't want to skip. Press play and learn how to pitch, price, and pace yourself before you send your next brand message. Christine’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinealetaa/ Christine’s Portfolio: https://christinealetaa.com/copy-of-christine-meier-ugc-portfolio If you love the strategies we break down on UGC 101, you need to be in the room with us live. We’re hosting Creator Connect Dallas—the largest UGC event in the world—bringing 2,000+ creators and 100+ brands together under one roof. April 30 - May 2nd. Stop figuring this out alone and come build your business in person. Grab your tickets here: https://ugccreatorconnectevent.com/ Get $50 off your ticket price with the code UGC101PODCAST (Note: VIP & Elite passes are strictly limited!) FREE Call: Discover how to start UGC and land brand deals (even with 0 experience): Book a Call Now  • Instagram: https://instagram.com/nateflakecreates • UGC brand deals: https://www.nateflakecreates.com 🛠️ CREATOR TOOLS PERSONAL BRANDING CHEAT CODE: $25 off PoppyAI - the tool I personally use to come up with content ideas: https://start.getpoppy.ai/nate-H0Ihl UGC PITCHING TOOL - Bento: https://app.onbento.com/?acode=nate (Use code: NATE) ⚖️ AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: If you sign up or purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you (and usually gets you a deal).

How did a couple with zero portfolio go from pulling pints and delivering parcels for minimum wage to five-figure months in UGC? Host Nate Flake sits down with Cameron and Heather Hutchinson. This husband and wife duo found this podcast in the gym. It completely rerouted their life. If you're on the fence about starting UGC, this one's for you. Maybe you don't have a portfolio, know what to charge or even scared to pitch. Cam and Heather walk through how they landed paid deals with nothing built out yet.  They both got into network marketing during lockdown. But when their network marketing income dropped, he ended up pulling pints and driving deliveries for minimum wage. Heather found the UGC 101 podcast while looking for something to send him. That's where their UGC story really starts. If you're stuck thinking you need a portfolio first or afraid to ask for money. This conversation is going to hit close to home. Cameron and Heather didn't wait until things felt ready. They pitched dozens of brands a night using nothing but their existing social media. They learned pricing the hard way, in real time, with real brands pushing back. Chapters: 00:02:13 – Their Network Marketing Chapter 00:06:36 – Their First £1,000 Month From UGC 00:07:30 – Starting Without a Portfolio 00:10:30 – The 30–40 Pitches a Night Strategy 00:11:30 – When Outbound Work Suddenly Became Inbound 00:14:47 – Your UGC Niche May Be Holding You Back 00:19:30 – The Snowball Effect of Repeat Brand Deals 00:22:30 – When UGC Became Almost Too Busy 00:25:00 – How Five-Figure Months Changed Their Life 00:29:24 – The Burnout ProCameron & Heather Hutchinsonblem They Had to Fix 00:37:15 – How Couple Content Can Triple a Brand Deal 00:44:23 – The Deliverables Mistake That Costs Creators Money 00:51:31 – Their Best Advice for Starting UGC Today Stay until the end to hear how their workload changed once the deals started stacking up, plus the one earner in their household that brings in money without ever stepping on camera. Press play and learn how two people with no portfolio, no rate card, and two young kids turned cold pitching into a full family income, and what they'd do differently if they were starting over today. Portfolio: https://heatherhutchinsonugc.my.canva.site/ Instagram for Cam: https://www.instagram.com/therealcameronhutchinson?stkn=MW00MGE1dG1nNjAxMg== Instagram for Heather: https://www.instagram.com/heatherhutchinson_?stkn=ZWhoaDY5MXVhNTVu  If you love the strategies we break down on UGC 101, you need to be in the room with us live. We’re hosting Creator Connect Dallas—the largest UGC event in the world—bringing 2,000+ creators and 100+ brands together under one roof. April 30 - May 2nd. Stop figuring this out alone and come build your business in person. Grab your tickets here: https://ugccreatorconnectevent.com/ Get $50 off your ticket price with the code UGC101PODCAST (Note: VIP & Elite passes are strictly limited!) FREE Call: Discover how to start UGC and land brand deals (even with 0 experience): Book a Call Now  • Instagram: https://instagram.com/nateflakecreates • UGC brand deals: https://www.nateflakecreates.com 🛠️ CREATOR TOOLS PERSONAL BRANDING CHEAT CODE: $25 off PoppyAI - the tool I personally use to come up with content ideas: https://start.getpoppy.ai/nate-H0Ihl UGC PITCHING TOOL - Bento: https://app.onbento.com/?acode=nate (Use code: NATE) ⚖️ AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: If you sign up or purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you (and usually gets you a deal).

What if the only thing keeping you from your first paid UGC gig is an excuse a 69-year-old creator just proved completely wrong? Nate sits down with Dan Hatcher, a creator based in Arkansas who is nine months into his UGC journey after decades running completely different businesses. This episode breaks down what it actually takes to go from zero video experience to landing paid brand deals, even if you feel like everyone around you already has a head start. If you have ever undercharged for a job because you were scared to lose it, or put off starting because you felt behind, you need to hear this conversation. Dan and Nate get into the mindset shifts around pricing, time management, and rejection that actually change your results, and Dan walks through the specific move he uses every time a brand sends a lowball offer. Chapters: 00:02:03 — He Traded SEO Work for a Business 00:04:58 — His Daughter Found His Next Big Move 00:06:33 — Cheap UGC Jobs Can Trap You 00:07:58 — Why More Rejection Makes You More Money 00:11:58 — Stop Treating UGC Like a Side Hobby 00:13:58 — The Productivity Rule He Swears By 00:16:58 — No Clients? This Is Your Real Job 00:18:58 — Why He Doesn’t Care Who Judges Him 00:21:58 — The UGC Skill That Nearly Broke His Workflow 00:24:23 — This Cut His Filming Time by 80% 00:30:13 — His Secret to Getting Brands to Rehire Him 00:32:48 — What He Does Every Time a Brand Lowballs Him 00:34:53 — Never Accept a Brand’s First Offer 00:39:48 — Think You’re Too Old for UGC? There is also a honest conversation here about time. Dan talks through how he structures his day so he never has to rely on motivation to get the work done.  Stay until the end because Dan explains how he cut his shoot time from an hour down to ten minutes, and how he uses AI to reconnect with old brand clients and turn them into repeat business.   Press play and learn the small shifts that could change how much you get paid for the exact same amount of work. Dan’s Portfolio: https://boomer-ugc.my.canva.site/ Dan’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boomerugc.dan/ If you love the strategies we break down on UGC 101, you need to be in the room with us live. We’re hosting Creator Connect Dallas—the largest UGC event in the world—bringing 2,000+ creators and 100+ brands together under one roof. April 30 - May 2nd. Stop figuring this out alone and come build your business in person. Grab your tickets here: https://ugccreatorconnectevent.com/ Get $50 off your ticket price with the code UGC101PODCAST (Note: VIP & Elite passes are strictly limited!) FREE Call: Discover how to start UGC and land brand deals (even with 0 experience): Book a Call Now  • Instagram: https://instagram.com/nateflakecreates • UGC brand deals: https://www.nateflakecreates.com 🛠️ CREATOR TOOLS PERSONAL BRANDING CHEAT CODE: $25 off PoppyAI - the tool I personally use to come up with content ideas: https://start.getpoppy.ai/nate-H0Ihl UGC PITCHING TOOL - Bento: https://app.onbento.com/?acode=nate (Use code: NATE) ⚖️ AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: If you sign up or purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you (and usually gets you a deal).

How many free videos have you already handed to brands that were making real money off your face while you waited on exposure to pay you back? Nate Flake sits down with Kenyada Anthony, a reality TV alum who spent years doing exactly that before a single question from a friend changed how he ran his whole business. Kenyada started as a blogger trying on clothes in fitting rooms, ended up on Revenge Body with Khloé Kardashian, and came out the other side with brands filling his inbox.  They sent products, gift cards and even sent revision notes. But they never sent a rate. He posted it all to his own page because he liked the brands and nobody had told him there was another way.  Kenyada walks through what tripped him up coming over: the different video formats brands ask for, the usage and contract language he had never needed before, and why he is rebuilding his entire portfolio from zero even though it already has big logos on it.  Chapters: 00:02:00 — From Homeless to Reality TV 00:04:05 — The Casting Ad That Changed Everything 00:05:12 — What Happened After the Revenge Body with Khloé Kardashian.  00:07:03 — When Big Brands Started Calling 00:10:55 — The Moment He Realized Brands Should Pay 00:12:56 — How He Discovered UGC 00:16:41 — Why Influencers Are Moving Into UGC 00:18:34 — What Changed When He Started Charging 00:22:33 — The UGC Deal He Likes Better 00:24:13 — The Skill He Had to Learn Fast 00:28:29 — Why UGC Suddenly Felt More Freeing 00:33:17 — The Hardest Part of His UGC Pivot 00:35:55 — Which Influencers Are Making the Shift 00:40:18 — What He Wants From UGC Next 00:41:51 — What Brands Are Desperate to Find Stay to the end for what happened at a live brand event in Salt Lake City. Kenyada was one of only two creators in the room, and brands surrounded them asking what to pay, how to reach out, and what creators hate being asked to do.  What he saw there does not line up with what you keep hearing about this space being too crowded. There were creators in that building with almost no following making real money, and one brand owner said something to him that changed how he decides who to work with. Press play and learn what separates a free collab from a paid deal, so the next brand that slides into your inbox gets your rate instead of your time.  Kenyada’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenyadaanthony/ If you love the strategies we break down on UGC 101, you need to be in the room with us live. We’re hosting Creator Connect Dallas—the largest UGC event in the world—bringing 2,000+ creators and 100+ brands together under one roof. April 30 - May 2nd. Stop figuring this out alone and come build your business in person. Grab your tickets here: https://ugccreatorconnectevent.com/ Get $50 off your ticket price with the code UGC101PODCAST (Note: VIP & Elite passes are strictly limited!) FREE Call: Discover how to start UGC and land brand deals (even with 0 experience): Book a Call Now  • Instagram: https://instagram.com/nateflakecreates • UGC brand deals: https://www.nateflakecreates.com 🛠️ CREATOR TOOLS PERSONAL BRANDING CHEAT CODE: $25 off PoppyAI - the tool I personally use to come up with content ideas: https://start.getpoppy.ai/nate-H0Ihl UGC PITCHING TOOL - Bento: https://app.onbento.com/?acode=nate (Use code: NATE) ⚖️ AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: If you sign up or purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you (and usually gets you a deal).

What happens when the one income stream you built everything on disappears overnight? Nate sits down with Jennifer Aquila, a Canadian creator who has stacked side hustles since 2007, from teaching to photography to network marketing, before UGC ever entered the picture. They get into the real math behind pricing your work, why walking away from a lowball offer is often the move that gets you paid more, and why being based outside the US is not the dealbreaker so many creators assume it is. You will hear exactly how those conversations play out in real time. If you have ever second guessed starting something because you do not have a portfolio yet, or you are nervous that leaning on one client or one platform is too risky, this conversation speaks straight to that fear.  Jennifer lays out what it actually looked like when one of her income sources shut down without warning, and how having more than one option kept her steady. Chapters: 00:02:21 - When Photography Hit Its Ceiling 00:05:00 - Why One Income Stream Wasn’t Enough 00:11:30 - The Part of UGC She Still Struggles With 00:14:14 - When It’s Time to Raise Your Rates 00:18:17 - Can Canadian Creators Really Make UGC Work? 00:22:22 - The Platform She Forgot Was Sending Jobs 00:24:30 - Why Relying on Fiverr Backfired 00:27:14 - The UGC Skill You Don’t Need to Master 00:29:49 - When Too Many Side Hustles Catch Up 00:31:20 - The $275 UGC Job That Became a Nightmare 00:34:02 - When a Brand Asked Her to Copy Herself 00:37:30 - How She Landed a $4,000-a-Night Stay 00:40:09 - Why She Pitched Without a Portfolio 00:41:55 - The Advice She Gives Every New Creator Stay through to the end for the moment Jennifer explains how she landed high dollar travel stays with no travel portfolio at all. It will change what you actually need before you start pitching. Press play and learn how to build a UGC business that keeps working even when one part of it stops. Jennifer’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ugcwithjennyjo/ Jennifer’s Portfolio: https://jenaquila.my.canva.site/jen-aquila-ugc-portfolio-website Gold UGC (Platform for 45+): https://www.goldugc.com/creator-signup/ If you love the strategies we break down on UGC 101, you need to be in the room with us live. We’re hosting Creator Connect Dallas—the largest UGC event in the world—bringing 2,000+ creators and 100+ brands together under one roof. April 30 - May 2nd. Stop figuring this out alone and come build your business in person. Grab your tickets here: https://ugccreatorconnectevent.com/ Get $50 off your ticket price with the code UGC101PODCAST (Note: VIP & Elite passes are strictly limited!) FREE Call: Discover how to start UGC and land brand deals (even with 0 experience): Book a Call Now  • Instagram: https://instagram.com/nateflakecreates • UGC brand deals: https://www.nateflakecreates.com 🛠️ CREATOR TOOLS PERSONAL BRANDING CHEAT CODE: $25 off PoppyAI - the tool I personally use to come up with content ideas: https://start.getpoppy.ai/nate-H0Ihl UGC PITCHING TOOL - Bento: https://app.onbento.com/?acode=nate (Use code: NATE) ⚖️ AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: If you sign up or purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you (and usually gets you a deal).

What if the reason you think you are too old, too average, or too late for UGC is actually the exact thing a brand is searching for right now? Nate Flake sits down with Kelly Archer, a former college softball coach in Texas who only tried UGC to prove to his wife that nobody makes money online. He lost that argument in about thirty days. Kelly threw a portfolio together, got hired 13 times in his first month, and he and his wife turned a part time side gig into a number neither of them planned for. He was 57 at the time. He had no video background, no following, and no idea what UGC even stood for. They got into his first job that paid $300 and ate 30 hours. The brand that kept sending it back for revision after revision because Kelly was too new to push back. The moment you have to look a client in the eye and say your rate went up, even though you like them and they were easy to say yes to. If you are waiting until you look better, sound better, or own better gear, this one takes that excuse off the table. Kelly explains how he searches for briefs where he is the obvious pick instead of one of two hundred. Chapters: 00:01:30 - The First Month That Changed Everything 00:14:16 - The Boundary New Creators Are Afraid to Set 00:18:11 - The Rate Increase That Tests Your Confidence 00:22:35 - What Brands Are Actually Hiring For 00:26:31 - When Revisions Cross the Line 00:30:38 - The Brands You Actually Want to Keep 00:33:07 - How One-Off Clients Become Repeat Work 00:41:00 - The Fastest Way to Burn Your Reputation 00:43:10 - Why AI Isn’t the Biggest Threat 00:48:27 - Why Helping Other Creators is a Win-Win Stay through the end for the retainer conversation and the reason Kelly barely has to pitch anymore.  Press play and learn how the parts of yourself you were hiding turn into the reason you get booked. Kelly's Portfolio: www.kellyugc.net Kelly's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellytxugc?igsh=bnRkN3htc2doY3Js If you love the strategies we break down on UGC 101, you need to be in the room with us live. We’re hosting Creator Connect Dallas—the largest UGC event in the world—bringing 2,000+ creators and 100+ brands together under one roof. April 30 - May 2nd. Stop figuring this out alone and come build your business in person. Grab your tickets here: https://ugccreatorconnectevent.com/ Get $50 off your ticket price with the code UGC101PODCAST (Note: VIP & Elite passes are strictly limited!) FREE Call: Discover how to start UGC and land brand deals (even with 0 experience): Book a Call Now  • Instagram: https://instagram.com/nateflakecreates • UGC brand deals: https://www.nateflakecreates.com 🛠️ CREATOR TOOLS PERSONAL BRANDING CHEAT CODE: $25 off PoppyAI - the tool I personally use to come up with content ideas: https://start.getpoppy.ai/nate-H0Ihl UGC PITCHING TOOL - Bento: https://app.onbento.com/?acode=nate (Use code: NATE) ⚖️ AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: If you sign up or purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you (and usually gets you a deal).

What if the only thing between you and getting paid to travel is a one-way ticket you keep putting off? Host Nate Flake sits down with Nicholas Cicio, who is on day 445 of the digital nomad life, calling in from Albania. Before any of that, he drove Uber for cash, and moved in as a live-in caretaker. Then he booked a one-way ticket with $900 and a backpack. He does not hide the hard parts, so you get the wins and the real downsides that most travel videos leave out. They dig into travel UGC, one of the most requested topics on the show. You will hear how to earn steady income on the road with Canvas UGC, how to pitch Airbnbs, hotels, and tours for free stays and comped meals, and why apps and services can be a smarter bet than chasing physical products. There is also a simple portfolio trick that most creators never think to try. Chapters: 00:03:05 — The UGC Income That Kept Him Traveling 00:07:30 — The Reality Behind the Digital Nomad Dream 00:09:22 — How Travel Content Opens New Income Streams 00:12:44 — How He Actually Moves Country to Country 00:14:06 — Why Going Back to the U.S. Paid Off 00:18:21 — Losing Everything Changed His Priorities 00:21:30 — The Trip That Turned Into Buying Property 00:24:27 — Why UGC Isn’t As Saturated As You Think 00:26:12 — The Travel Problem That Killed His Views 00:29:54 — The UGC Work That Travels Best 00:31:43 — How to Land Your First Airbnb Collaboration 00:34:01 — The Shot Most Travel Creators Forget 00:36:36 — What He’d Tell Anyone Ready to Leave 00:38:24 — Why Traveling Can Actually Cost Less 00:42:02 — His Advice for Future Travel Creators If you have ever wondered whether travel UGC is truly possible or just a pretty highlight reel, this one gives you a straight answer. Nicholas walks you through the income streams, the gear, and the daily habits that keep him going. He also shares what to skip so you do not burn through your money or your energy in the first month. Stay until the end, when Nicholas talks about what really pushed him to take the leap.  Press play and learn how one creator turned a phone and a backpack into a business that pays for the trip. Nicholas Cicio Portfolio: https://nicholasnomad.com/ugc If you love the strategies we break down on UGC 101, you need to be in the room with us live. We’re hosting Creator Connect Dallas—the largest UGC event in the world—bringing 2,000+ creators and 100+ brands together under one roof. April 30 - May 2nd. Stop figuring this out alone and come build your business in person. Grab your tickets here: https://ugccreatorconnectevent.com/ Get $50 off your ticket price with the code UGC101PODCAST (Note: VIP & Elite passes are strictly limited!) FREE Call: Discover how to start UGC and land brand deals (even with 0 experience): Book a Call Now  • Instagram: https://instagram.com/nateflakecreates • UGC brand deals: https://www.nateflakecreates.com 🛠️ CREATOR TOOLS PERSONAL BRANDING CHEAT CODE: $25 off PoppyAI - the tool I personally use to come up with content ideas: https://start.getpoppy.ai/nate-H0Ihl UGC PITCHING TOOL - Bento: https://app.onbento.com/?acode=nate (Use code: NATE) ⚖️ AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: If you sign up or purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you (and usually gets you a deal).

What if the biggest brands are actually starving for creators like you and can't find enough of them?  Host Nate Flake sits down with Elliott Stafford, head of creative at ContentJet, to show you the agency side that most creators never get to see. If you have ever wondered how brands really pick creators, this one is for you. Elliott started making content as a kid and stumbled into UGC almost by accident. Within a month of building her portfolio, she made 3K.  From there she scaled past six figures and moved into the agency side, where she helps decide which creators get picked. Nate keeps it real and funny as always, and Elliott holds nothing back about how the business actually runs behind the scenes. Most beginners think the space is crowded and the work is drying up. Elliott shares the real numbers on how much content brands need every month, why so many creator accounts go quiet, and the simple habits that get you ghosted or hired. If you have ever lost a brand and had no idea why, you will hear the honest answer. Stick around for the part about AI and where UGC is really headed. Elliott explains why the AI avatar trend fizzled fast, and why being fully yourself on camera is the thing that gets you picked.  Chapters: 06:37 - How Creator Work Became Strategy 09:42 - What Agencies See Differently 13:07 - When Brands Ask for the Wrong Content 17:25 - The Real Demand Behind UGC 20:00 - The Number That Proves It’s Not Saturated 21:35 - How Agencies Actually Find Creators 25:17 - What Brands Want From Creators Now 27:00 - The Trend Creators Are Misreading 31:35 - Why ClassPass Chose Her 34:30 - What AI Still Can’t Replace 38:45 - The Ad Formats Working Right Now 40:17 - The Skill Creators Need Next 44:30 - The Mistake That Costs Repeat Work 49:45 - When Poor Communication Ruins the Deal She reveals the kind of post that landed her a big client, and it has nothing to do with what you would expect. Press play and learn what the agency side wishes every creator understood before they pitch. Elliott’s Portfolio: https://elliottspages.com/ LUXE (Skool) : https://www.skool.com/luxe-creator-vault-5178/about Sign up: https://www.contentjet.com/ Discord for Creators: https://discord.gg/HUuG3CAdr If you love the strategies we break down on UGC 101, you need to be in the room with us live. We’re hosting Creator Connect Dallas—the largest UGC event in the world—bringing 2,000+ creators and 100+ brands together under one roof. April 30 - May 2nd. Stop figuring this out alone and come build your business in person. Grab your tickets here: https://ugccreatorconnectevent.com/ Get $50 off your ticket price with the code UGC101PODCAST (Note: VIP & Elite passes are strictly limited!) FREE Call: Discover how to start UGC and land brand deals (even with 0 experience): Book a Call Now  • Instagram: https://instagram.com/nateflakecreates • UGC brand deals: https://www.nateflakecreates.com 🛠️ CREATOR TOOLS PERSONAL BRANDING CHEAT CODE: $25 off PoppyAI - the tool I personally use to come up with content ideas: https://start.getpoppy.ai/nate-H0Ihl UGC PITCHING TOOL - Bento: https://app.onbento.com/?acode=nate (Use code: NATE) ⚖️ AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: If you sign up or purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you (and usually gets you a deal).

Would you walk away from a great corporate  salary if it left you feeling empty? Host Nate Flake sits down with Paul Paulino, who spent about 20 years in tech and worked on emerging AI at Cisco right up until AI layoffs took his job. Instead of chasing another tech role and waiting for the next round of cuts, Paul bet on himself and went full-time UGC, landing work with brands like Microsoft, M&M's, and DoorDash. You will hear how Paul built his portfolio in about a month and why he took low-paying gigs on purpose and treated them as paid practice. He shares the one habit that put him ahead of most beginners, and why getting his reps in beat trying to be perfect every single time. If you feel frozen by fear, worried you are not good enough on camera, or stuck waiting for the "right time" to start, this episode meets you there. Paul was terrified of being on camera too. What he did about it is something you can copy today, even with zero experience. Chapters: 02:06 - The Layoff That Arrived at the Right Time 05:00 - How His UGC Career Took Off 06:00 - Building a Second Career After Clocking Out 07:33 - When the Golden Handcuffs Stop Feeling Worth It 10:17 - What 20 Years in Tech Couldn’t Protect 15:02 - The Doors UGC Opened Beyond Brand Deals 17:03 - The Practice Habit That Changed Everything 18:30 - Why He Took the Low-Paying Jobs 21:20 - The Platform Opportunity Most Creators Miss 24:05 - Why Instant Gratification Keeps Creators Stuck 28:36 - The Instagram Post That Brought Brands to Him 36:45 - The Niche Brands Now Hire Him For 38:06 - Where UGC Is Headed Next  Stick around for the end, where Paul calls where this whole space is heading next and the simple shift that keeps his content working. It might change how you show up on camera starting tomorrow. Press play and learn how one person went from laid off to booked with brands, and the exact moves you can implement to start today. Paul's Portfolio: https://paulinothecreator.com Paul's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulinothecreator/ If you love the strategies we break down on UGC 101, you need to be in the room with us live. We’re hosting Creator Connect Dallas—the largest UGC event in the world—bringing 2,000+ creators and 100+ brands together under one roof. April 30 - May 2nd. Stop figuring this out alone and come build your business in person. Grab your tickets here: https://ugccreatorconnectevent.com/ Get $50 off your ticket price with the code UGC101PODCAST (Note: VIP & Elite passes are strictly limited!) FREE Call: Discover how to start UGC and land brand deals (even with 0 experience): Book a Call Now  • Instagram: https://instagram.com/nateflakecreates • UGC brand deals: https://www.nateflakecreates.com 🛠️ CREATOR TOOLS PERSONAL BRANDING CHEAT CODE: $25 off PoppyAI - the tool I personally use to come up with content ideas: https://start.getpoppy.ai/nate-H0Ihl UGC PITCHING TOOL - Bento: https://app.onbento.com/?acode=nate (Use code: NATE) ⚖️ AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: If you sign up or purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you (and usually gets you a deal).

How does a 45-year-old who was almost certain she'd hate UGC go from $1,200 her first month to $10,000 by month six? Host Nate Flake sits down with Leah Hamill. She spent four years as an RV influencer before it burned her out and she walked away from social media entirely. If you have ever felt too old, too new, or too awkward to try this, her numbers are worth your attention. When she finally circled back and tried UGC, she was almost certain she would hate it. What changed her mind is the real story here, and she tells it the way you'd want a friend to: honestly, with the messy parts left in. Most beginners get stuck in the exact same spot. You freeze up on camera, you chase the perfect aesthetic, or you quit after a handful of no's. Leah and Nate break down why those roadblocks trip up so many people, and what actually moves the needle when you are starting from zero. They also get honest about the slow, unglamorous grind that quietly decides who makes it and who walks away. Chapters: 00:04:51 — Why She Walked Away From Influencing 00:06:26 — The Opportunity She Expected to Hate 00:09:30 — How She Reached $10K by Month Six 00:12:25 — What Finally Made Camera Work Feel Natural 00:15:23 — The Teleprompter Fix Most Creators Miss 00:18:03 — The Fear Holding Back Creators Over 40 00:21:30 — The Daily Routine That Filled Her Pipeline 00:24:14 — Cheap Jobs Can Accelerate Your Growth 00:27:23 — The Real Reason Clients Keep Coming Back 00:29:28 — The UGC Myth Beginners Still Believe 00:32:06 — Why Faceless Content Is Losing Its Advantage 00:35:30 — The Content Style Brands Want Now 00:42:42 — The Strategy That Eventually Creates Momentum They get into why on-camera delivery matters more now than ever, and where AI fits in. Leah argues your age is the niche, not the obstacle, and Nate makes the case that the creators putting their face on camera are the ones brands can't replace.  Press play and learn how to land that first win before you talk yourself out of it. Leah's Portfolio: leahhamill.com/ugc UGC CREATOR CLUB: ugc.thrivecart.com/ugc-creator-club If you love the strategies we break down on UGC 101, you need to be in the room with us live. We’re hosting Creator Connect Dallas—the largest UGC event in the world—bringing 2,000+ creators and 100+ brands together under one roof. April 30 - May 2nd. Stop figuring this out alone and come build your business in person. Grab your tickets here: https://ugccreatorconnectevent.com/ Get $50 off your ticket price with the code UGC101PODCAST (Note: VIP & Elite passes are strictly limited!) FREE Call: Discover how to start UGC and land brand deals (even with 0 experience): Book a Call Now  • Instagram: https://instagram.com/nateflakecreates • UGC brand deals: https://www.nateflakecreates.com 🛠️ CREATOR TOOLS PERSONAL BRANDING CHEAT CODE: $25 off PoppyAI - the tool I personally use to come up with content ideas: https://start.getpoppy.ai/nate-H0Ihl UGC PITCHING TOOL - Bento: https://app.onbento.com/?acode=nate (Use code: NATE) ⚖️ AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: If you sign up or purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you (and usually gets you a deal).

What do you do when you open the brief for a job you just booked and not one single person in it looks anything like you? Host Nate Flake is joined by Velma Canaday, a full-time UGC creator who says that happens on nearly every brief that lands in her inbox.  Velma talks about what that does to your confidence before you have even pressed record. She also gets into the part nobody says out loud, which is that she watched a beginner quote the same rate she did, for less work, and not get negotiated down the way she was. She came to UGC the long way around. Ten years in tech in DC with a master's in computer science. A leggings business that ate through forty thousand dollars in savings. A layoff she saw coming the moment HR showed up in the room.   Chapters: 00:09:21 — The UGC Opportunity She Finally Took Seriously 00:15:24 — What Had to Change to Reach $10K 00:17:44 — The Skill She Had Been Avoiding 00:22:02 — The 125 Applications That Paid Off Years Later 00:25:33 — Why Her Best Niche Wasn’t What She Expected 00:28:06 — How to Sell a Product You Don’t Love 00:29:30 — The Income Ceiling Most Creators Miss 00:31:20 — Her Biggest Weakness in the UGC Business 00:43:17 — When Equal Work Gets Paid Differently 00:48:33 — The Next Ceiling She Has to Break Through 00:51:14 — How She’s Building Beyond Brand Deals If you have ever wondered whether this industry has room for you, because of your age or how you look, this episode gives you a real answer instead of a comfortable one. Press play and learn how she keeps getting hired, and she explains exactly what she does to make that happen. Velma's: Instagram Velma's portfolio: https://canva.link/velma-ugc-portfolio If you love the strategies we break down on UGC 101, you need to be in the room with us live. We’re hosting Creator Connect Dallas—the largest UGC event in the world—bringing 2,000+ creators and 100+ brands together under one roof. April 30 - May 2nd. Stop figuring this out alone and come build your business in person. Grab your tickets here: https://ugccreatorconnectevent.com/ Get $50 off your ticket price with the code UGC101PODCAST (Note: VIP & Elite passes are strictly limited!) FREE Call: Discover how to start UGC and land brand deals (even with 0 experience): Book a Call Now  • Instagram: https://instagram.com/nateflakecreates • UGC brand deals: https://www.nateflakecreates.com 🛠️ CREATOR TOOLS PERSONAL BRANDING CHEAT CODE: $25 off PoppyAI - the tool I personally use to come up with content ideas: https://start.getpoppy.ai/nate-H0Ihl UGC PITCHING TOOL - Bento: https://app.onbento.com/?acode=nate (Use code: NATE) ⚖️ AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: If you sign up or purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you (and usually gets you a deal).

What if the job you hate is your ticket into UGC?  Host Nate sits down with Emily Hou, a former tech worker who walked away from a burnout corporate job and built a real UGC business in about a year, starting with zero video experience.  You'll hear how she landed her first brand deal, why her old career became her secret weapon, and how she turned "I have no clue what I'm doing" into paid work. Nate also came from corporate too, so this one lands hard for anyone stuck at a desk watching the clock. Emily is honest about the messy start, and that honesty is exactly why her advice actually helps. Once you start getting brand offers, how do you tell a real deal from a trap? Nate and Emily break down the new wave of Canvas UGC deals, the ones offering huge video counts for tiny pay, and the exact questions to ask before you sign anything that could lock you in for months. Chapters: 00:01:22 – The Moment UGC Started Feeling Possible 00:02:10 – The Hidden Work Nobody Sees 00:03:23 – When UGC Became Plan A 00:04:37 – The First Paid Deal She Never Talks About 00:05:47 – How Her Tech Background Became the Advantage 00:07:30 – The First Brand Call That Changed Everything 00:08:21 – Why Vibes Matter More Than Creators Think 00:11:51 – The Human Element AI Can’t Replace 00:14:41 – The Clients That Carry Slow Months 00:17:16 – The Tech UGC Confusion Creators Miss 00:20:22 – Why Canvas UGC Can Become a Trap 00:22:00 – The Skill Canvas UGC Actually Builds 00:28:30 – The Performance Bonus Problem 00:34:30 – The Contract Mistake New Creators Make 00:48:52 – Why Breakdowns Might Be the Best Sign Emily gets into why fear and excitement are the same feeling wearing different masks, and how one choice decides whether you freeze or move. Once that clicks, quitting the thing that drains you stops feeling impossible. Press play and learn how to turn your background, your fear, and your first awkward video into your first paid gig. Emily’s portfolio: https://emilyfeihou.my.canva.site/emily-hou-ugc Emily’s Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/feifei.creative/   If you love the strategies we break down on UGC 101, you need to be in the room with us live. We’re hosting Creator Connect Dallas—the largest UGC event in the world—bringing 2,000+ creators and 100+ brands together under one roof. April 30 - May 2nd. Stop figuring this out alone and come build your business in person. Grab your tickets here: https://ugccreatorconnectevent.com/ Get $50 off your ticket price with the code UGC101PODCAST (Note: VIP & Elite passes are strictly limited!) FREE Call: Discover how to start UGC and land brand deals (even with 0 experience): Book a Call Now  • Instagram: https://instagram.com/nateflakecreates • UGC brand deals: https://www.nateflakecreates.com 🛠️ CREATOR TOOLS PERSONAL BRANDING CHEAT CODE: $25 off PoppyAI - the tool I personally use to come up with content ideas: https://start.getpoppy.ai/nate-H0Ihl UGC PITCHING TOOL - Bento: https://app.onbento.com/?acode=nate (Use code: NATE) ⚖️ AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: If you sign up or purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you (and usually gets you a deal).