UGC 101 - Build Your Content Creation Business

By Nate Flake - UGC Creator & Coach

The podcast about all things User Generated Content! Whether you are a seasoned UGC pro or just starting UGC for the first time, this podcast is for you! You will learn from the best in the busines

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The podcast currently has 71 episodes available.

Best of UGC 101 - Build Your Content Creation Business

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Number 1: UGC at 69: 3 Rules He Uses to Get Brands to PAY MORE ft. Dan Hatcher | EP 69
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).
September 09, 202642min
Number 2: Over 40? Don't START UGC Without Hearing This First ft. Canadian Creator Jennifer Aquila | EP 67
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).
August 26, 202645min
Number 3: Get Paid to TRAVEL With UGC (Here's How) ft. Nicholas Cicio | EP 65
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).
August 12, 202643min
Number 4: UGC After 40: The One SKILL Brands Can't Replace ft. Leah Hamill | EP 62
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).
July 22, 202647min
Number 5: 40+ & Confident: Turning Experience Into a UGC Strength ft. Velma Canaday | EP 61
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).
July 15, 202655min