How Everyday Mums Are Getting Paid to Make Content – And How You Can Too!

Imagine getting paid to create videos from your phone—without needing a big social media following, fancy camera equipment, or years of experience.

Sounds too good to be true? It’s not. Everyday mums are turning their love of content creation into a flexible, freedom-led income with UGC (User Generated Content).

If you’ve ever made a fun TikTok or shared your honest thoughts about a product online, you’re already halfway there. The difference? Now, brands will pay you for it.

Let’s break down exactly what UGC is and how you can start making money from it today.

What is UGC (and Why Are Brands Paying Mums Like You for It)?

User Generated Content (UGC) is content created by everyday people—not influencers—for brands to use in ads and on social media.

Companies are willing to pay for UGC because:
✔️ It’s relatable – Real people, real opinions. Customers trust it more than polished brand ads.
✔️ It’s affordable – Brands don’t need to pay influencers with massive followings.
✔️ It works – UGC-style ads perform better than traditional brand-created content.

And here’s the kicker: You don’t need a following, because you’re not trying to "influence"—you’re selling content directly to brands.

This means mums of all ages and backgrounds are jumping into UGC and getting paid to create content that fits around their family life.

So first of all, I will say - you can do a course if you really want to hit the ground running. There are SO many out there. Do bear in mind though that you want to choose a course by someone of a similar demographic to yourself - if you're a 40+ mum, try and find one by a 40+ mum as a kidless 25 year old won't be able to relate to your situation. I chose a course by The Hive Hub Collective which was GREAT - created by a 35+ mum... like me :) (You can use my discount code XANTHE1063)

Step 1: Set Up Your UGC Social Media Account

Before you start working with brands, you need a space to showcase your content.

📌 Pick your platform: Instagram or TikTok (whichever feels best for you).
📌 Create a dedicated UGC account – Keep it separate from your personal profile.
📌 Optimize your bio – Include:
✔️ “UGC Creator” in your name or bio
✔️ Your location (brands love knowing where you're based)
✔️ Any unique traits (“Mum of 3 | Skincare & Home Content | 40+ Creator”)

👉 Start posting your UGC journey. Brands are constantly searching for new creators, so the sooner you put yourself out there, the sooner they’ll find you!

Step 2: Gather the Essentials (Hint: It’s Not Much!)

Starting a UGC business costs $0 if you already have a smartphone.

📱 Here’s what you actually need:
✅ A phone with a good camera (no fancy DSLR required!)
✅ Natural lighting (or a cheap clip-on light)
✅ A free video editing app like CapCut
✅ Canva (for creating a portfolio)
✅ A simple contract template - I use this one and it's so easy to use!

That’s it! No big investments, no expensive gear—just you, your phone, and your creativity.

Step 3: Build Your UGC Portfolio (For Free!)

Before brands will hire you, you need to show them what you can do.

🎥 Create 3-5 short videos featuring products you already own.
🎭 Mix up your formats:
✔️ Testimonial video – A simple talking-head review.
✔️ Product demo – Show how the product works.
✔️ Voiceover video – Aesthetic shots with a voiceover.

🚀 Where to host your portfolio?

• Canva (free + easy to update)

• A personal website (optional, but looks professional) - I've tried MANY in my time, and Hostinger is my fave

Pro Tip: Keep your portfolio short and sweet—two pages MAX. Brands don’t want to scroll through endless videos; they just need to see what you can do.

Step 4: Find Your First Paid UGC Job

Now that you’ve got content ready, it’s time to land your first client!

🔥 Start with brands you already love.

• What products do you already use daily?

• What brands do you follow on Instagram?

• What companies sell things that fit your lifestyle?

💌 Ways to reach out:
✔️ Instagram DMs – Send a friendly message to small brands.
✔️ Cold email pitching – Contact brands’ marketing teams directly.
✔️ Freelancer platforms – Try Upwork, Fiverr, or Creator Flow.

Pro Tip: Set a goal to pitch 5-10 brands per day. The more you pitch, the faster you’ll land work.

Step 5: How Much Should You Charge?

UGC is valuable—so don’t undersell yourself!

💰 Starter rates:
🔹 $250 per video (if you’re brand new)
🔹 $400+ per video (once you’ve built up experience)
🔹 $100 per extra 3 month block of usage rights (if the brand wants to run your ad longer)

Many new creators start with gifted collaborations (getting free products instead of money). I strongly discourage you to do this Your time and effort are worth real $$$ and the confidence boost you get from someone actually paying for your content really gives you a boost.

Step 6: Keep It Sustainable (So You Don’t Burn Out)

💡 Here’s how to keep the money flowing without feeling overwhelmed:
✔️ Underpromise & overdeliver – Make your clients LOVE working with you so they keep coming back.
✔️ Keep track of pitches, jobs, and payments – A simple spreadsheet works wonders.
✔️ Stay updated on industry trends – UGC is always evolving, so keep learning and experimenting.

The best part? Once you build momentum, brands will start coming to YOU.

Ready to Get Paid to Make Content?

If you love creating videos, sharing honest reviews, and working on your own schedule, UGC is the ultimate freedom-based business for mums.

You don’t need a big audience.
You don’t need fancy equipment.
You just need your phone, your creativity, and the confidence to start.

So go for it. You’ve got this. ✨

🎧 Tune into That UGC Mum Podcast for actionable tips every Monday!