Paid To Travel: The UGC Podcast

What if one of the most controversial UGC trends right now could actually help you make money as a creator?

Canvas UGC has been blowing up across TikTok and creator communities, but opinions are all over the place. Some creators swear by it. Others think it's ruining the UGC industry.

So what's the truth?

In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly what Canvas UGC is, how it works, why brands are hiring creators for it, and whether it's actually worth your time if you're trying to become a UGC creator or make money with UGC.

We'll talk about the real pay structure, the pros and cons, who Canvas UGC is best for, and why I think the conversation around it is a lot more nuanced than people make it seem.

Whether you're interested in travel UGC, UGC apps, tech UGC, or just looking for new ways to land creator opportunities, this episode will help you decide if Canvas UGC belongs in your business strategy.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• What Canvas UGC actually is and how it works
• Why brands are paying creators to post 30–60 videos per month
• The reality behind Canvas UGC rates and compensation
• How bonuses, commissions, and viral content can impact earnings
• Why beginners are often drawn to Canvas UGC opportunities
• The biggest pros and cons of the Canvas UGC model
• How Canvas UGC can help you improve your content creation skills faster
• Why some creators think Canvas UGC is a scam
• How Canvas UGC compares to traditional UGC rates
• Why tech brands are investing heavily in Canvas UGC
• How travel UGC creators can use Canvas UGC while working remotely
• My honest opinion on whether Canvas UGC is worth pursuing

Key Takeaways

✨ More content isn't always better content.

✨ Canvas UGC can be a great learning opportunity for newer creators.

✨ Performance-based pay creates both opportunity and risk.

✨ Consistency and retainers can make Canvas UGC appealing for some creators.

✨ Advanced creators may earn more through traditional UGC deals with guaranteed rates.

✨ Your life should be bigger than your business.

This podcast was produced by Your Girl Media.

Follow: @yourgirlmedia

Find us: www.yourgirlmedia.com 

START HERE: For beginners looking for a clear roadmap to making your first $1,000+ with UGC. Learn all the fundamentals, build your portfolio, create great pitches, and land your first UGC deals. Join the 3-Month UGC Accelerator Course.

SCALE HERE: For the intermediate to expert creators ready to start hitting consistent 4-figure months, without the burnout. Sign Up For UGC Basecamp—podcast listeners get 25% off for life (Code 'SAVE25').

Follow Me on Instagram: @maddyoutdoors.coach

FREE 50+ UGC Ad Examples Library

What happens when you stick with UGC long enough to let it actually work?

Today's episode is a special one because Jess is back on the podcast for a one-year update, and honestly... so much has changed.

When Jess first came on the podcast (Episode 13), she had made about $5,000 total from UGC and was averaging around $1,000/month. She was still working as a massage therapist, trying to balance two businesses, and figuring out if becoming a UGC creator could really turn into something sustainable.

Fast forward a year later, and she's officially left her job, built a roster of returning clients, signed a $6,250 month, and created a business that gives her the freedom to travel, perform in a dance company, and actually enjoy her life.

If you're in that phase where you're wondering if all the pitching, learning, and showing up is worth it, this episode is going to be the encouragement you need.

In This Episode, We Talk About:

✨ How Jess went from "dabbling" in UGC to doing it full-time

✨ The mindset shifts that helped her push through imposter syndrome

✨ Why consistency matters more than trying to grow overnight

✨ How personalized pitching is helping her land more UGC brand deals

✨ The exact changes she made that helped her start signing higher-paying projects

✨ Her biggest brand deal to date ($2,250 for one package)

✨ The month she signed over $6,000 in new business

✨ Why returning clients completely changed her confidence and income

✨ How she's creating a business that supports the lifestyle she actually wants

✨ The reality of balancing UGC, creativity, travel, and life. 

Resources mentioned:

Bento: automated pitching for content creators 

Connect with Jess

Want to follow Jess's journey?

Instagram:
@bodyworkbae

UGC Portfolio

Loved This Episode?

If your goal is to become a UGC creator, learn how to get paid to travel, build a sustainable travel UGC business, and create more freedom in your life, make sure you're subscribed to the podcast so you never miss an episode.

And if this episode inspired you, take a screenshot, share it on Instagram, and tag us so we can see you're listening 💛

This podcast was produced by Your Girl Media.

Follow: @yourgirlmedia

Find us: www.yourgirlmedia.com 

START HERE: For beginners looking for a clear roadmap to making your first $1,000+ with UGC. Learn all the fundamentals, build your portfolio, create great pitches, and land your first UGC deals. Join the 3-Month UGC Accelerator Course.

SCALE HERE: For the intermediate to expert creators ready to start hitting consistent 4-figure months, without the burnout. Sign Up For UGC Basecamp—podcast listeners get 25% off for life (Code 'SAVE25').

Follow Me on Instagram: @maddyoutdoors.coach

FREE 50+ UGC Ad Examples Library

Feeling like your UGC business isn't working? This episode is your sign to keep going.

If you're in the first few months of building your UGC business and questioning whether you're cut out for this, I need you to hear this:

Don't quit yet.

I know it feels frustrating when you're putting in the work, sending pitches, building your portfolio, creating content, and not seeing the results you expected. But what if the only thing standing between you and success is time?

In today's episode, I'm sharing the reminder every new UGC creator needs to hear when they're stuck in the messy middle—the phase where you're working hard, learning fast, and wondering if it's all worth it.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• Why the first 3–6 months of building a UGC business can feel so challenging
• The truth about profitability and how most businesses take longer than you think to make money
• Why almost every successful UGC creator experiences a slow start
• The skills you're building right now (even if the money hasn't shown up yet)
• How consistency and resilience separate successful creators from those who quit too soon
• Why your UGC journey will look different from everyone else's
• The mindset shift that can help you stay committed when things feel hard
• My challenge for you: give yourself two more months before you decide it's not working

This podcast was produced by Your Girl Media.

Follow: @yourgirlmedia

Find us: www.yourgirlmedia.com 

START HERE: For beginners looking for a clear roadmap to making your first $1,000+ with UGC. Learn all the fundamentals, build your portfolio, create great pitches, and land your first UGC deals. Join the 3-Month UGC Accelerator Course.

SCALE HERE: For the intermediate to expert creators ready to start hitting consistent 4-figure months, without the burnout. Sign Up For UGC Basecamp—podcast listeners get 25% off for life (Code 'SAVE25').

Follow Me on Instagram: @maddyoutdoors.coach

FREE 50+ UGC Ad Examples Library

If taxes make you want to close your laptop and pretend your bank account doesn’t exist… this episode is for you . 

In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with Tommy from Prime to break down all things taxes for UGC creators, freelancers, and content creators in a way that actually makes sense. We’re talking LLCs, write-offs, travel deductions, gifted collaborations, how much money you should actually be setting aside for taxes, and the biggest mistakes creators make that end up costing them thousands.

Whether you’re a brand new UGC creator or already making consistent income online, this episode will help you feel way more confident going into tax season and managing your money as a self-employed creator.

In this episode, we cover:

•  The biggest tax mistakes UGC creators make 
•  When to form an LLC as a content creator 
•  How to track expenses as a freelancer 
•  Tax tips for content creators and influencers 
•  Common tax deductions for UGC creators 
•  How travel write-offs actually work 
•  What counts as a business expense 
•  Taxes on gifted collaborations and PR packages 
•  How to handle PayPal, Venmo, and multiple income streams 
•  Why brands ask creators for W-9s 
•  How much money to set aside for taxes as a freelancer 
•  Business credit cards, points, and using credit strategically 
•  Tax strategies creators can use to save money 

Resources Mentioned:

•  Keeper Tax 
•  QuickBooks 
•  Xero 
•  Prime Corporate Services 

Connect with Tommy + Prime:

Find them on Instagram at Prime Corporate Services for more tax tips for freelancers, business setup help, and creator finance resources.

Want more Travel Content Advice? Make sure to listen to the Travel Creator Podcast 

This podcast was produced by Your Girl Media.

Follow: @yourgirlmedia

Find us: www.yourgirlmedia.com 

START HERE: For beginners looking for a clear roadmap to making your first $1,000+ with UGC. Learn all the fundamentals, build your portfolio, create great pitches, and land your first UGC deals. Join the 3-Month UGC Accelerator Course.

SCALE HERE: For the intermediate to expert creators ready to start hitting consistent 4-figure months, without the burnout. Sign Up For UGC Basecamp—podcast listeners get 25% off for life (Code 'SAVE25').

Follow Me on Instagram: @maddyoutdoors.coach

FREE 50+ UGC Ad Examples Library

Today  I’m talking about why obsessing over viral hooks, viral hooks for Instagram, and how to go viral is actually hurting so many creators. Because honestly? A crazy good hook means nothing if the rest of your content falls flat. And I see this all the time — especially in the UGC creator space.

I’m breaking down why focusing only on hooks is basically the same thing as love bombing in dating, how this mindset shows up in your UGC creator business, and why your pitch is NOT the thing you should be obsessing over most.

In this episode, I talk about:

•  Why focusing too much on viral hooks can backfire 
•  The problem with “hook-first” content strategies 
•  Why going viral means nothing without good content behind it 
•  How viral hooks for Instagram relate to dating (lol) 
•  Why your pitch is just the “hook” of your UGC creator business 
•  What brands actually look for when hiring a UGC creator 
•  Why your portfolio matters more than your pitch 
•  The hard truth about building a long-term UGC creator career 
•  How to become the kind of creator brands genuinely want to work with 

I also share why I think so many creators are focusing on the wrong things right now — and what I’d focus on instead if I wanted a successful, sustainable business as a UGC creator.

If you’ve been stressing over how to go viral, trying to write the perfect pitch, or searching for the best UGC creator hooks… this episode is your reminder that becoming really good at what you do will always outperform gimmicks.

Make sure you’re subscribed to the Paid to Travel podcast for new episodes every Monday, and if this episode resonated with you, share it with another creator who needs this reminder too 💌

This podcast was produced by Your Girl Media.

Follow: @yourgirlmedia

Find us: www.yourgirlmedia.com 

START HERE: For beginners looking for a clear roadmap to making your first $1,000+ with UGC. Learn all the fundamentals, build your portfolio, create great pitches, and land your first UGC deals. Join the 3-Month UGC Accelerator Course.

SCALE HERE: For the intermediate to expert creators ready to start hitting consistent 4-figure months, without the burnout. Sign Up For UGC Basecamp—podcast listeners get 25% off for life (Code 'SAVE25').

Follow Me on Instagram: @maddyoutdoors.coach

FREE 50+ UGC Ad Examples Library

I just got back from hosting my first-ever travel UGC retreat in Mexico, and it shifted a lot for me not just in my business, but in how I see myself and what I want next.

Being in a room with women who get it who are building their UGC businesses, chasing freedom, and thinking differently was such a powerful reminder of how important it is to surround yourself with people on the same path. We created so much content, built out travel UGC portfolios, and had real, in-the-moment coaching that you just can’t replicate online.

But beyond the retreat itself, this experience brought up something deeper for me…

I’ve been feeling this pull to expand—beyond just UGC, into helping creators with creator monetization, coaching, and building businesses that actually align with their lives. And if I’m being honest? That’s felt scary.

Because when people know you for one thing, it’s easy to feel like you have to stay in that box.

In this episode, I’m talking about what it looks like to move through that fear, stop worrying about what people think, and actually go after the things you want—even if it feels uncomfortable, cringe, or uncertain.

What I Talk About in This Episode:

•  What it was like hosting my first travel UGC retreat
•  Why in-person experiences can completely change your growth as a content creator
•  How we built out travel UGC portfolios in just a few days 
•  The internal fears that come up when you want to evolve your brand 
•  Why you can’t build a successful business while trying to please everyone 
•  Expanding into creator monetization beyond just brand deals 
•  Following what actually lights you up (even when it’s scary) 

 If this episode resonated with you, I would love to hear from you. Send me a DM and tell me what hit for you!

And if you’re a UGC creator who’s been thinking about adding coaching, launching a digital product, or expanding your income streams, you can apply for a 1:1 intensive with me here:
👉 Book an Intensive with Me 

We’ll map out your offers, your positioning, and how to build a business that actually aligns with your life.

This podcast was produced by Your Girl Media.

Follow: @yourgirlmedia

Find us: www.yourgirlmedia.com 

START HERE: For beginners looking for a clear roadmap to making your first $1,000+ with UGC. Learn all the fundamentals, build your portfolio, create great pitches, and land your first UGC deals. Join the 3-Month UGC Accelerator Course.

SCALE HERE: For the intermediate to expert creators ready to start hitting consistent 4-figure months, without the burnout. Sign Up For UGC Basecamp—podcast listeners get 25% off for life (Code 'SAVE25').

Follow Me on Instagram: @maddyoutdoors.coach

FREE 50+ UGC Ad Examples Library

🏔 Ready to start hitting consistent 4-figure months?  Sign Up For UGC Basecamp—podcast listeners get 25% OFF your membership:  https://app.heartbeat.chat/ugcmastermind/invitation?code=4AFJA2&promo_code=SAVE25#landing-page

Today we’re getting real about what’s actually working right now when it comes to cold pitching, landing brand deals, and monetization as a content creator.

I’m recording this from my hotel room in Edinburgh and while I’ve been out here living my best life… my business has still been WORKING. Like, thousands of dollars in inbound UGC deals just casually landing in my inbox. 

So let’s talk about it.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

•  The exact breakdown of how I get paid: inbounds, outbound, and repeat clients
•  How to build a personal brand as a content creator (without becoming an influencer) 
•  Simple ways to get inbound UGC deals while you’re literally off living your life 
•  How to use social media to find UGC opportunities daily
•  The best keywords + strategies to train your algorithm to show you paid creator jobs
•  Why you should still apply to opportunities—even when there’s tons of competition 
•  The truth about UGC monetization and why there’s no “one right way” to do this 
•  How to approach cold emailing brands (templates vs personalized pitches) 
•  My current system for consistent outreach using Bento + VA support
•  What I would do if I were starting over as a UGC creator in 2026
•  How to create a sustainable strategy to consistently land brand deal

💫 Want to stay consistent with cold pitching and actually land more brand deals?
I use Bento to send pitches in the background (yes, even while I’m on vacation), and it’s a game changer for UGC monetization.

Use code MADDY for a discount and start getting those emails out consistently.

Need help figuring out what to post as a content creator?

Go listen to The Travel Creator Podcast—it’s all about making content creation easier and more strategic so you can land more brand deals.

This podcast was produced by Your Girl Media.

Follow: @yourgirlmedia

Find us: www.yourgirlmedia.com 

START HERE: For beginners looking for a clear roadmap to making your first $1,000+ with UGC. Learn all the fundamentals, build your portfolio, create great pitches, and land your first UGC deals. Join the 3-Month UGC Accelerator Course.

SCALE HERE: For the intermediate to expert creators ready to start hitting consistent 4-figure months, without the burnout. Sign Up For UGC Basecamp—podcast listeners get 25% off for life (Code 'SAVE25').

Follow Me on Instagram: @maddyoutdoors.coach

FREE 50+ UGC Ad Examples Library

🏔 Ready to start hitting consistent 4-figure months?  Sign Up For UGC Basecamp—podcast listeners get 25% OFF your membership:  https://app.heartbeat.chat/ugcmastermind/invitation?code=4AFJA2&promo_code=SAVE25#landing-page

Today we’re getting real about what actually went down in Q1 of my UGC journey—and the mindset shift that kept me from spiraling.

If you’re trying to land paid brand deals, become a UGC creator, or build a content creator business that lets you travel for free—this episode is a MUST listen.

✨ What We’re Getting Into:

•  The behind-the-scenes mistake that tanked my pitch response rate (like… 2% 😅) 
•  Why I didn’t spiral—even though I easily could have 
•  The truth about landing deals (spoiler: perfection is NOT required) 
•  A mindset exercise that will literally change how you show up in your business 

The Situation (aka what went wrong)

In Q1, I wasn’t landing as many UGC deals from pitching.
 Which was weird… because pitching is usually a big part of how I land paid stays and brand deals.

So I dug into the data and realized:
 👉 My VA had been sending ~1,000 pitches
 👉 But ONLY to hotels, tourism boards, and experiences
 👉 Using a pitch meant for product-based brands

Yeah… not ideal, so I am going to help you today with a 3 step mindset change to keep you positive and going in your UGC journey. 

Because real talk, being a content creator is not just about aesthetics and brand deals, it’s about resilience.

The difference between people who “make it” and people who don’t?
 👉 They don’t spiral over every setback.

They adapt. They adjust. They move.

🎧 Loved this episode?
Share it with a friend, screenshot it, and tag me—let’s normalize the real side of building a UGC business.

See you next Monday 💋

This podcast was produced by Your Girl Media.

Follow: @yourgirlmedia

Find us: www.yourgirlmedia.com 

START HERE: For beginners looking for a clear roadmap to making your first $1,000+ with UGC. Learn all the fundamentals, build your portfolio, create great pitches, and land your first UGC deals. Join the 3-Month UGC Accelerator Course.

SCALE HERE: For the intermediate to expert creators ready to start hitting consistent 4-figure months, without the burnout. Sign Up For UGC Basecamp—podcast listeners get 25% off for life (Code 'SAVE25').

Follow Me on Instagram: @maddyoutdoors.coach

FREE 50+ UGC Ad Examples Library

🏔 Ready to start hitting consistent 4-figure months?  Sign Up For UGC Basecamp— podcast listeners get 25% OFF your membership:  https://app.heartbeat.chat/ugcmastermind/invitation?code=4AFJA2&promo_code=SAVE25#landing-page

In today’s episode, I’m breaking down my full Q1 income as a content creator—every deal, every brand, where it came from, and how much I charged. And the best part? I did this working part-time hours.

We’re talking UGC, brand deals, paid stays, inbound leads, and how this all adds up to a $10K+ quarter… without grinding 24/7.

Let’s get into it.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

•  How I made $10,420 in Q1 as a UGC content creator 
•  The exact breakdown of brand deals, deliverables, and pricing 
•  Where my deals came from (inbounds, returning clients, pitching) 
•  How I structure ad usage + monetization in my contracts 
•  Why I don’t do UGC full-time—and how I still make great money 
•  The role of paid stays + gifted experiences in your income 
•  My average hourly rate (this might surprise you 👀) 

Let’s Talk Numbers (Because I Know You Want Them):

•  January: $2,870 (+ a gifted resort stay) 
•  February: $3,175 
•  March: $4,375 
• Total Q1 Income: $10,420
• Avg. Hourly Rate: ~$110/hour

Working ~8 hours/week. 

🎙️ 👉 Want real travel creator strategies (not viral fluff)? Check out the Travel Creator Podcast with Laura Haley.

This podcast was produced by Your Girl Media.

Follow: @yourgirlmedia

Find us: www.yourgirlmedia.com 

START HERE: For beginners looking for a clear roadmap to making your first $1,000+ with UGC. Learn all the fundamentals, build your portfolio, create great pitches, and land your first UGC deals. Join the 3-Month UGC Accelerator Course.

SCALE HERE: For the intermediate to expert creators ready to start hitting consistent 4-figure months, without the burnout. Sign Up For UGC Basecamp—podcast listeners get 25% off for life (Code 'SAVE25').

Follow Me on Instagram: @maddyoutdoors.coach

FREE 50+ UGC Ad Examples Library

If you’ve ever wondered how the hell creators actually make money without having 100K followers and are able to do this full time?  This episode is your cheat code. 

Today is a episode swap with Laura Haley from the Travel Creator Podcast to talk about monetization as a content creator — UGC, affiliate, influencer partnerships, group trips, digital products… all of it.

And she’s here to tell you exactly what works right now — especially if you’re a travel creator trying to make this your full-time thing.

We dive into:

• The REAL ways content creators make money

Maddy breaks down every single path she’s used over the years:

• UGC (user-generated content)
• Micro-influencer partnerships
• Affiliate marketing
• Hosting group trips
• Digital products + coaching

If you’ve been thinking you need a massive audience to monetize — this episode will change your mind.

•  Why UGC is the BEST place to start (especially for travel creators)
• Growing into bigger monetization as content creators 
• Are group trips worth it for travel creators? 
• Why Digital products are the most underrated monetization tool

Connect with Laura:

• Travel Creator Podcast
• Follow her @travelcontentwriting
• Check our her membership: Travel Content Business Plan to get one step closer to quitting your job to become a full time content creator 

This podcast was produced by Your Girl Media.

Follow: @yourgirlmedia

Find us: www.yourgirlmedia.com 

START HERE: For beginners looking for a clear roadmap to making your first $1,000+ with UGC. Learn all the fundamentals, build your portfolio, create great pitches, and land your first UGC deals. Join the 3-Month UGC Accelerator Course.

SCALE HERE: For the intermediate to expert creators ready to start hitting consistent 4-figure months, without the burnout. Sign Up For UGC Basecamp—podcast listeners get 25% off for life (Code 'SAVE25').

Follow Me on Instagram: @maddyoutdoors.coach

FREE 50+ UGC Ad Examples Library