How To Land UGC Collaborations As A Travel Blogger [Ep. 105]
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Want to learn how to land user-generated content (UGC) collaborations?
Well, you’re in luck, as in this episode of The Profitable Travel Blogger Podcast, we’ll be going over a step-by-step strategy for increasing your income through UGC collabs!
Our guest for the episode is travel creator Chad Lubinski, who has been able to secure up to $10,000 months through UGC collabs and quit his 9-to-5 job. He’ll be sharing his best tips to help you do that same.
By the end of this episode, you’ll understand:
- What a UGC collaboration looks like
- How to properly pitch a UGC collab
- Tips for pricing your user-generated content
- How to create engaging UGC content
- And more!
In short, if you’re looking to work with brands through paid UGC collaborations, you won’t want to miss this!
How To Land UGC Collaborations [Podcast Episode Audio]
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Free Blogging Resources + UGC Collaboration Cheat Sheet
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This includes a UGC Collaboration Cheat Sheet based on this episode.
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Land UGC Collabs With These Helpful Tools:
Rate Card Template. Increase your income by working with brands with the help of my rate card and collaboration proposal templates.
How To Land UGC Collaborations [Episode Transcript]
The following is a summary of the podcast episode sharing how to increase your income through UGC collaborations. It is transcribed as best as possible, with paraphrasing included. For the full strategy on how to land UGC collabs, make sure to listen to the audio version of the podcast above.
When we talk about working with brands, the discussion is typically focused on sponsorship. Sponsored blog posts, Instagram reels, TikToks, emails, YouTube videos, etc, where the collaboration is focused on you as a content creator and professional travel influencer.
But, did you know there is a way to profitably work with brands that isn’t dependent on your following?
I’m talking about User-Generated Content (UGC) collaborations. Typically with these types of partnerships, brands pay creators to make content that they then use on their platforms—so you’re creating content but you don’t have to post.
To help break this down further, I’m here with UGC creator and Outdoor Creator Academy founder, Chad Lubinski, who will be sharing powerful tips for landing profitable UGC collaborations.
🎉 Also, don’t forget to grab access to my FREE Travel Blogger Resource Library. Get access to 55+ resources that can help turn your blog into a profitable business—including a UGC Collaboration Cheat Sheet based on today’s episode!
1) Thank you so much for taking the time to share your tips! To start, can you share more about yourself, your business, and how you got into UGC?
Thanks for having me! I’m a content creator who started exploring UGC collaborations around 2021-2022.
Originally from the Midwest, I’ve spent the past few years creating organic social media content and eventually moved into UGC after a brand noticed a simple Instagram Story I shared about a product I loved—and then hired me to create more.
That opened my eyes to the potential of UGC for people who aren’t necessarily “influencers” but enjoy making content.
2) Let’s start with the basics. What does a typical UGC collaboration look like? And could you touch on the main differences between UGC and influencer collabs?
A typical UGC collab often starts as short-term, project-based work where the focus is on creating great content, not follower count. This makes it accessible to anyone who can create engaging content.
UGC is great for building quick cash flow without the need for a massive audience, unlike influencer collabs, which are longer-term partnerships and focus more on the creator’s personal brand and following.
3) Let’s say a blogger is interested in getting into UGC collabs. What should they do first? Is it similar to influencer collaborations where you first need to create a media kit or portfolio?
You don’t need a huge following, but you do need a portfolio. I advise creators to pick five brands they genuinely love, engage with those brands on social media for a few weeks, then reach out with a “no-brainer” offer—like creating a free video in exchange for analytics on how it performs.
This gives you a case study to include in your portfolio and helps you get your foot in the door.
4) Once they have a portfolio, how can creators find brands to pitch for UGC partnerships?
A great starting point is to reach out to smaller brands (under 15,000 followers) that you already use and love. They’re often more open to UGC since they’re still working to establish they’re own roots in the industry.
A helpful tip: look up a brand on Instagram and check the drop-down arrow near their profile to find similar brands with smaller followings.
5) Speaking of pitching, this can be a pain point for many creators as it can feel awkward or intimidating. What are some tips for successfully pitching a UGC collab?
When pitching brands for UGC, make sure you genuinely like the product. Then, engage with the brand’s content regularly for at least 2-3 weeks. Consistently liking, commenting, and even sharing their content can make your name recognizable and show them you’re invested.
When it’s time to pitch, focus on how you’ll bring value to them. A personalized message that highlights specific things you appreciate about their products or brand shows you’re paying attention and reinforces your genuine interest.
Instead of just listing what you’re hoping to get from the collab, outline the benefits they’ll receive by working with you, whether that’s your creative ideas, storytelling approach, or deep understanding of their target audience.
A helpful tip for tailoring your pitch further is to ask the brand about their experiences with UGC creators. Find out what they enjoy in successful collaborations and what challenges they’ve faced in past partnerships. Not only does this show you’re committed to making the collaboration smooth, but it also gives you actionable insights to fine-tune your content approach.
Finally, demonstrate reliability by committing to deadlines and offering to over-deliver with extra images or content where possible—brands remember creators who make their job easier.
6) Let’s say a creator connects with a brand interested in working with them on UGC. How much should they be charging per post, and do you have any tips for setting rates?
Consider your experience. To set effective rates as a UGC creator, start by gauging where you are in your experience.
When you’re just beginning, focusing on free product collaborations is a smart way to build your portfolio and gain hands-on experience with different brands and styles. Once you have several solid examples under your belt, transitioning to paid work becomes more feasible.
Setting & increasing rates. When it comes to setting your rates, a general range for UGC videos is between $150 and $400 per video; however, it’s important to adjust based on specific factors—such as the brand’s size, the complexity of the content they’re requesting, and the usage rights they need.
Shorter videos (8–12 seconds) or simpler formats may fall toward the lower end, while longer or more intricate content allows you to charge higher fees.
Consider exclusivity and usage rights in your pricing as well. If a brand requests exclusivity (meaning you can’t work with their competitors for a certain period) or plans to use your content in ads, that should increase your rate.
Brands will use UGC for their benefit, so it’s reasonable to charge more when the content has the potential to bring them ongoing ROI.
Create packages. Lastly, establish package options. For example, offer a bundle of three videos with different hooks or a combination of video and raw footage. This approach makes it easier to pitch higher-value deals and shows brands that you’re flexible and ready to meet their needs for varying formats.
Packaging also helps you avoid one-off deals, opening the door to retainer partnerships, which are ideal for steady income.
7) When it comes to influencer collaborations, I recommend creators make a rate card with packages and add-ons. Is there a way to do this with UGC collaborations too?
UGC creators can create a rate card with add-ons like raw, unedited footage, multiple hook variations, and bundled deals. For example, offer a package with three videos, each featuring different hook variations, plus the raw footage.
A few other ideas include:
Photo Bundles: Many brands also appreciate high-quality stills of the product, so consider bundling a few professional photos along with the video content as an add-on. This can be particularly attractive for brands needing content across social, web, and ad campaigns.
Seasonal Packages or Themed Bundles: Offer packages themed around seasons or events (e.g., “Holiday Bundle” or “Summer Essentials”), which include multiple videos/photos tailored for specific marketing needs.
Extended Licensing: If a brand wants to use your content for a longer period or in paid ads, include extended usage rights as a premium add-on. For example, a six-month ad license could have a different rate from a one-month ad license.
Bonus Tip: Repost. Consider reposting your UGC videos to your Amazon Influencer storefront if the brand’s product is available there and the brand allows it. Not only does this increase the content’s visibility, but it can also boost your affiliate income through Amazon’s platform, especially if the video performs well and drives product sales.
8) Another part of negotiating with brands is contract terms. What are some contract terms that UGC creators should ensure are or aren’t included?
Definitely look out for perpetuity and exclusivity clauses. Avoid “perpetuity,” which allows brands to use your content forever—it can limit future opportunities.
For exclusivity, ensure it’s reasonable (e.g., 30 days) and charge an additional fee based on the amount of time—such as a percentage of the package fee added on each month the exclusivity is in place.
Also, confirm deliverable timelines that work for you; if you’re an outdoor or travel creator, request at least two weeks to ensure good weather for shooting.
9) Now let’s say the creator has landed the collaboration and agreed on a rate with the brand. What are your top tips for creating engaging UGC content that brands love?
Use a structure like hook, problem, solution, reviews, and CTA (call-to-action) for reliable results. That is a classic tried-and-true video structure that brands tend to love.
You can also get more creative, but you’ll want to get out-of-the-box ideas approved first and some brands may be less receptive to them.
Keep shots dynamic by switching angles every two seconds, blend voiceovers with direct-to-camera segments, and, if applicable, try a giveaway at the end for engagement. It’s all about staying engaging and creative.
10) Thank you so much for sharing your UGC tips! Before we sign off, can you let everyone know where they can find you?
- Outdoor Creator UGC Guide (free eBook)
- @chadahooche_ (Instagram)
- Outdoor Creator Academy (course)
Thank you!
Alright, now I hope you enjoyed this episode. I hope you feel inspired and empowered to utilize the powers of Instagram Stories to grow your blogging business.
Don’t forget to grab access to my free travel blogging resource library. There are a ton of resources in there on growing your community and increasing your blogging profits—including an Instagram Story Cheat Sheet.
And of course, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes sharing these bite-sized strategies for bloggers who want to turn their blogs into profitable full-time businesses.
Happy blogging!
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