The UGC Industry Podcast

What do you do when you’re back in your in-laws’ basement, earning $17 an hour, with a baby on the way?

In this episode of the UGC Industry Podcast, Brandon Hien sits down with Dakota Crane, founder of UGC Revenue Room, to discuss rebuilding his income through UGC, creating content that performs, and turning brand relationships into bigger opportunities.

Dakota shares the setbacks behind his six-figure UGC business, how he landed $5,000 in contracted work in two weeks after returning to UGC, and why going viral takes more than copying a script. He also explains how he built a free creator community and how a relationship with another creator led to a campaign-management role.

We also explore hiring an editor, managing multiple campaigns, what gets videos rejected, and why consistency and professionalism can matter just as much as creativity.

Follow Dakota: https://www.instagram.com/dakota__crane/

Join UGC Revenue Room: https://ugcrevroom.com

Follow Brandon: https://www.instagram.com/brandoncollabs.ugc/

Apply to Join Content Economy UGC Mentorship: https://contenteconomy.app/brandon

Try out Artec: https://artec.app/creators/join?aff=AFF_54E13D1E4A79

Would you keep creating after making over 100 videos without a single sale?

In this episode of the UGC Industry Podcast, Brandon Hien sits down with Kason Grainger to discuss his transition from fitness coaching to UGC, the learning curve behind performance-based content, and how he reached a $15K month with one brand.

Kason shares why having 248K followers didn’t automatically make him good at UGC, what he learned before earning his first sale, and how he approaches hooks, storytelling, and videos that convert. Now managing a team of 25 creators, he also shares what brands look for when reviewing applications, and what makes a creator worth investing in.

We also explore building brand relationships, creating alongside a full-time job, and developing a repeatable workflow without sounding like a salesperson.

Apply to Content Economy: ​​https://contenteconomy.app/kason

Follow Kason: https://www.instagram.com/kasongraingerugc/

Follow Brandon: https://www.instagram.com/brandoncollabs.ugc/

Apply to Join Content Economy UGC Mentorship: https://contenteconomy.app/brandon

Try out Artec: https://artec.app/creators/join?aff=AFF_54E13D1E4A79

Why would someone with over 400,000 followers start making videos they don’t even post on their own page?

In this episode of the UGC Industry Podcast, Brandon Hien sits down with Zach Rance, a former Big Brother contestant, content coach, and longtime influencer, to discuss his move into UGC, creating content consistently, and building brand relationships that go beyond a single paycheck.

Zach shares how a $750 offer for two videos introduced him to UGC, why he believes brands are shifting away from traditional influencer deals, and how delivering extra content led to an invitation to Jake Paul’s ranch. He also walks through the video frameworks he uses to generate ideas and the scripting and editing workflow he’s testing to increase production.

We also explore why older creators can stand out, how a personal brand can attract inbound deals, and the skills Zach believes will matter as the UGC industry becomes more competitive.

Follow Zach: https://www.instagram.com/personalbrandtips/

Follow Brandon: https://www.instagram.com/brandoncollabs.ugc/

Apply to Join Content Economy UGC Mentorship: https://contenteconomy.app/brandon

Try out Artec: https://artec.app/creators/join?aff=AFF_54E13D1E4A79

What would make you walk away from a lucrative tech sales job just months after starting your career?

In this episode of the UGC Industry Podcast, Brandon Hien sits down with Bryce Marin to discuss his transition from tech sales to full-time UGC, building an agency, and what brands actually look for when hiring creators.

Bryce shares how watching his roommate earn more while working fewer hours changed his perspective, how he doubled his income in his second month of UGC, and why he decided to leave his job in month three.

He also breaks down recurring brand deals, performance bonuses, and the creative skills that help creators stand out.
We also discuss starting UGC alongside a nine-to-five, using sales skills to land clients, and building a career that creates more time for travel and family.

Follow Bryce: https://www.instagram.com/thebrycehunter/

Apply to join Content Economy: https://contenteconomy.app/bryce

Follow Brandon: https://www.instagram.com/brandoncollabs.ugc/

Apply to Join Content Economy UGC Mentorship: https://contenteconomy.app/brandon

Try out Artec: https://artec.app/creators/join?aff=AFF_54E13D1E4A79

Everybody wants to know, how do I actually make money on Trybe? You’re about to find out…

In this episode of the UGC Industry Podcast, Brandon Hien sits down with Colin Reich, the founder of Trybe’s #1 agency, UGC Club (formely Vsquad), to discuss performance-based UGC, finding the right brands on Trybe, and becoming a creator brands want to keep working with.

Colin shares how his agency has paid out over $700,000 in creator commissions, why he encourages creators to make 300 intentional video submissions, and how reading your analytics can reveal the difference between a video that flops and one that prints you massive commissions.

He also breaks down smart retainers, finding your unique advantage, and building brand relationships that go beyond one-off videos.

Follow Colin: https://www.instagram.com/coolinreich/

Apply for UGC Club: https://vsquad.whop.site/

Follow Brandon: https://www.instagram.com/brandoncollabs.ugc/

Apply to Join Content Economy UGC Mentorship: https://contenteconomy.app/brandon

Try out Artec: https://artec.app/creators/join?aff=AFF_54E13D1E4A79

Could taking on more brand deals be the very thing holding your UGC business back?

In this episode of the UGC Industry Podcast, Brandon Hien sits down with Andrew Shin, founder of the Creator Blueprint and co-founder of GOOD Marketing, to discuss landing brand deals, creating videos that perform, and approaching UGC like a business, not just a side hustle.

Andrew shares his journey from working with brands like Nike and Adidas to going all in on UGC after being fired from AT&T. He breaks down what he calls the “$10K prison,” why he encourages creators to focus on fewer retainers, and how testing different formats can uncover opportunities for performance bonuses.

We also explore his three-bullet-point approach to brand applications, the habits that get creators hired or dropped, and how to move past the fear of what other people think when you start posting online.

Contact Andrew:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewcshin/
DM him "UGC" to get in touch

Follow Brandon: https://www.instagram.com/brandoncollabs.ugc/

Apply to Join Content Economy UGC Mentorship: https://contenteconomy.app/brandon

Try out Artec: https://artec.app/creators/join?aff=AFF_54E13D1E4A79

What happens when you stop chasing followers and start creating videos that brands will pay for?

In this episode of the UGC Industry Podcast, Brandon Hien sits down with Colin Madden, a Content Economy coach who built a seven-figure agency at just 22, to discuss his journey from aspiring influencer to full-time UGC creator and agency owner.

Colin shares how a TikTok opportunity he initially thought was a scam led to a $10,000 first month, how existing brand relationships helped him land his first agency client, and why some of his best-performing creators started with no experience. We also explore the earning limits of stacking retainers, the trade-offs of performance-based deals, and how creators can build a business beyond making every video themselves.

Follow Brandon: https://www.instagram.com/brandoncollabs.ugc/

Apply to Join Content Economy UGC Mentorship: https://contenteconomy.app/brandon

Try out Artec: https://artec.app/creators/join?aff=AFF_54E13D1E4A79

What separates a UGC video that gets ignored from one that takes off?

In this episode of the UGC Industry Podcast, Brandon Hien sits down with Sidney Brant, the queen of viral tech UGC, to discuss natural on-camera delivery, storytelling, consistent experimentation, and building relationships with brands.

Sidney shares how one video generated roughly $41,000 in performance pay across three platforms, what her early low-view months taught her, and why a higher retainer doesn’t always mean greater earning potential.

About Sydney:

Sidney is the founder of CreatorEra, a Tech UGC education and creator community helping creators build income working with tech brands. After building her own career creating content for tech startups, she launched CreatorEra to teach creators how to find opportunities, create high-performing content, and turn UGC into a sustainable income stream. Today, CreatorEra has helped hundreds of creators break into the growing Tech UGC industry.

Join Sidney's community CreatorEra: https://creatorera.io/

Follow Sidney: https://www.instagram.com/byysid/

Follow Brandon: https://www.instagram.com/brandoncollabs.ugc/

Apply to Join Content Economy UGC Mentorship: https://contenteconomy.app/brandon

Try out Artec: https://artec.app/creators/join?aff=AFF_54E13D1E4A79

What separates a UGC creator who lands a few deals from one who builds a lasting business?

In this episode of the UGC Industry Podcast, Brandon Hien sits down with Owen, founder of Content Economy, to discuss the rise of organic UGC, what he’s learned from training over 1,000 creators, and the skills that help creators earn better opportunities.

Owen shares how he went from creating content for WHOOP to connecting creators with apps hiring at scale, why a lower per-video rate doesn’t always mean lower earning potential, and how monthly retainers and performance bonuses change the equation. We also break down the hooks, natural delivery, and willingness to learn that help content perform.

Follow Owen: https://www.instagram.com/owennurminen/

Follow Brandon: https://www.instagram.com/brandoncollabs.ugc/

Apply to Join Content Economy - The Premier Mentorship: https://contenteconomy.app/brandon

Follow Brandon: https://www.instagram.com/brandoncollabs.ugc/

Apply to Join Content Economy UGC Mentorship: https://contenteconomy.app/brandon

Try out Artec: https://artec.app/creators/join?aff=AFF_54E13D1E4A79