How to Find Brands to Work With for UGC (7 Ways That Work in 2026)
The hardest part of UGC isn't filming. It's knowing where the brands are and how to get one to say yes. If you have a phone, decent light and a few sample videos, you can start getting brand deals this month. You just need a list of places to look and a pitch that doesn't read like everyone else's.
This guide covers seven ways to find brands to work with for UGC, ordered from the lowest effort to the most hands-on. It also covers what to look for in a deal, so you don't end up filming for free.
What "UGC" means to a brand (and why it matters for your pitch)
UGC, or user-generated content, is a video or photo made by a creator that looks like it came from a real customer, not a studio. Brands usually don't post it on your account. They run it as ads on Meta (Instagram and Facebook) or TikTok, because the authentic look tends to hold attention better than polished footage.
That changes how you pitch. A brand isn't buying your followers. It's buying a video that can sell a product. So the creators who get picked show a clear hook, a real reaction and a reason to buy, whatever their audience size.
1. Use a platform where brands already want creators
The quickest way to skip cold outreach is to go where brands have already said "we want UGC creators". On Creator Dividend, every listed brand appears on a Find brands page with what it sells and what you'd earn per sale, so you know the deal before you apply.
Open a brand and you see its products, how many creators already work with it and the commission plan. When you apply, the brand reviews you and replies. Some brands also offer free product samples to approved creators.
Creator Dividend is in a closed beta for brands, so the list is still growing. Creators can sign up free and apply as brands join.
2. Start with brands you already buy from
Brands that already run creator-style ads are the ones most likely to say yes. Open Instagram or TikTok and note every ad that looks like a real person talking to a camera. Better yet, use the Meta Ad Library, which is public and lets you search any brand to see which ads it is running right now. A brand with many active ads, many of them creator videos, is spending on UGC and needs more of it.
Make a list of 20 brands. Include products you've actually used. Your pitch will be more honest and easier to write.
3. Look at who's paying creators in your niche
Search the hashtags and sounds for your niche (skincare routines, desk setups, gym bags, pet products) and look at which brands show up in #ad or partnership-labelled posts. Smaller direct-to-consumer brands are often the best targets. They need a steady stream of fresh videos, have fewer layers of approval and often decide quickly.
4. Send a short pitch to the right person
Most brand websites list a contact page, but the person who decides on creator content is usually in marketing, growth or social. Look for them on LinkedIn or the brand's Instagram bio. A good pitch is five lines:
- A specific compliment about a product or ad (not "love your brand").
- One idea: "A 20-second 'first week using it' video with a close-up of the texture."
- Proof: a link to one or two relevant videos you've made.
- Your terms in a sentence: flat fee, commission per sale, or product plus commission.
- An easy yes: "Want me to send a sample video on the serum?"
Follow up once after about a week. Keep it short.
5. Respond when brands find you
You don't always have to chase. On Creator Dividend, brands can find creators and send an invitation that explains what they'd like you to make and what you'd earn, and you accept or decline. A complete profile with your niche, a short bio and your Instagram and TikTok handles helps you show up.
6. Post sample UGC publicly
Brands search for UGC creators the way you search for brands. Post a few spec videos (short product videos you made without being asked) on TikTok or Instagram and say clearly in your bio that you make UGC. Make the first three seconds count, because that is what a brand judges: a hook, a real moment and a clear point. If you aren't sure how to structure one, a teleprompter helps you stay natural. The Creator Dividend recorder has one built in, with the brand's sample scripts ready to read.
7. Ask for referrals from brands you've already worked with
Once a brand is happy, ask who else in their network needs creators. Agencies and founders talk to each other. One good video often leads to a second brand without any extra outreach.
What to check before you say yes to a brand
Finding a brand is half the job. The other half is making sure the deal is fair. Before you film, get clear on:
- How you're paid: flat fee, commission on sales, or both. If it's commission, ask how sales are tracked and whether you can see the numbers.
- Usage rights: how long can the brand run your video as an ad, and on which platforms?
- Revisions: how many rounds of changes are included?
- Payment timing: when do you get paid, and by what method?
- Disclosure: if a post is paid or you receive free product, follow the rules where you live. In Singapore, the Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore publishes guidance on disclosing paid partnerships, and in the US the FTC's endorsement guidance applies.
With a performance-based platform, the deal can be commission on the sales your ad drives. Creator Dividend matches each sale back to the creator and pays monthly with a statement and receipt, so the numbers aren't a mystery.
What you earn depends on the brand's plan and the sales your videos drive. Nothing is guaranteed, and it's worth being cautious about anyone who promises a figure.
A simple plan for your first week
- Day 1: create your creator account and fill in your profile.
- Day 2: browse brands and apply to three that fit your niche.
- Day 3: list 20 brands from your feed and the Meta Ad Library.
- Days 4–5: film two spec videos for products you already own.
- Days 6–7: send five short pitches and follow up on your applications.
Need more detail on any step? The Help centre walks through filming, uploading and getting paid.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find brands to work with for UGC?
Use a platform where brands list that they want creators, look at brands whose creator-style ads you already see in your feed or the Meta Ad Library, and send a short, specific pitch to the person who runs their marketing. Creator Dividend lists brands with the commission each pays, and creators can sign up free.
Do I need a big following to work with brands on UGC?
No. Brands usually run UGC as ads rather than posting it on your account, so they care about whether your video grabs attention and sells, not how many followers you have.
How do I pitch a brand for UGC?
Keep it to a few lines: a specific compliment, one video idea, a link to one or two relevant samples, your terms and an easy next step such as offering to send a sample video.
Is UGC paid with a fee or commission?
Both exist. Some brands pay a flat fee per video, and others pay commission on the sales the video drives, or a mix. What you earn depends on the brand's plan and the sales your videos drive, and nothing is guaranteed.