You’ve got your creativity and big dreams of landing paid UGC deals. But something’s not clicking. Your pitches are getting ignored, brands aren’t responding, and you’re starting to wonder if this whole UGC thing is just another online pipe dream.
Here’s the truth: It’s not your content that’s the problem—it’s your pitch.
After working with UGC creators through my UGC Income Blueprint, I’ve seen the same costly mistakes over and over. The good news? They’re all fixable, and once you know what they are, you’ll start landing deals faster than you ever thought possible.
The Real Cost of Bad Pitching
Before we dive into the mistakes, let’s talk numbers. The average UGC creator who fixes their pitching strategy sees a 300% increase in response rates within 30 days. Meanwhile, creators making these five mistakes often wait months between brand deals — if they land any at all.
Your pitch isn’t just an email. It’s your first impression, your value proposition, and your ticket to consistent income. Get it wrong, and you’re basically invisible to brands. Get it right, and you’ll have more opportunities than you can handle.
Mistake #1: Leading with Your Follower Count (Or Lack Thereof)
What you’re doing wrong: “Hi! I know I only have 500 followers, but I’d love to work with your brand…”
Why it’s costing you deals: The moment you lead with your “small” following, you’ve positioned yourself as less valuable. Brands don’t hire UGC creators for their audience size—they hire them for authentic content that converts.
The fix: Lead with your niche expertise instead. If you’re pitching a skincare brand, open with: “As someone who’s struggled with sensitive skin for years and tested dozens of products, I create authentic content that resonates with women dealing with similar challenges.”
Pro tip from my Find Your UGC Niche guide: Your unique perspective and experience are worth more than follower counts. A mom of toddlers reviewing baby products is infinitely more valuable to brands than a mega-influencer with no kids talking about the same products.
Mistake #2: Sending Generic, Copy-Paste Pitches
What you’re doing wrong: Using the same template for every brand without customization.
Why it’s costing you deals: Brand managers can spot a generic pitch from space. It tells them you haven’t done your research and you’re not genuinely interested in their specific brand.
The fix: Spend 5 minutes researching each brand before pitching. Mention a specific product, recent campaign, or brand value that resonates with you. Show them you’re not just blasting emails—you actually want to work with them.
Example of a personalized opening: “I’ve been using your Vitamin C serum for the past month after discovering it through your partnership with [specific creator], and the results have been incredible. I’d love to create authentic content showcasing how it fits into my real morning routine.”
Mistake #3: Focusing on What You Want Instead of What They Need
What you’re doing wrong: “I’d love to work with your brand!” or “This would be great for my portfolio!”
Why it’s costing you deals: Brands don’t care about your portfolio goals. They care about solving their marketing problems and driving sales.
The fix: Research their current content strategy and identify gaps you can fill. Are they missing content from your demographic? Do they need more lifestyle shots? Address their specific needs in your pitch.
Winning approach: “I noticed most of your UGC features young professionals, but I haven’t seen much content featuring busy moms juggling work and family. I’d love to create content showing how your meal prep containers actually work for someone with 20 minutes to prep Sunday lunch while toddlers are destroying the living room.”
The UGC Income Blueprint
Mistake #4: Underselling Your Value and Rates
What you’re doing wrong: “I’m new to UGC, so I’m happy to work for just product exchange” or “I know my rates are probably too high, but…”
Why it’s costing you deals: When you undervalue your work, brands assume it’s not valuable. Plus, working for free or cheap rates attracts the wrong kind of clients and creates unsustainable income.
The fix: Know your worth and communicate it confidently. Even as a beginner, your time, creativity, and unique perspective have value. Start with fair rates and stick to them.
Confidence builder: Remember, brands budget for UGC because it works. A single piece of authentic content can drive thousands in sales. You’re not asking for a favor—you’re offering a valuable service.
Mistake #5: Not Including Clear Next Steps or Deliverables
What you’re doing wrong: Ending your pitch with “Let me know if you’re interested!” or being vague about what you’ll deliver.
Why it’s costing you deals: Brands are busy. If they have to figure out what you’re offering or what the next steps are, they’ll move on to someone who makes it easy.
The fix: Be specific about what you’re offering and make it simple for them to say yes.
Winning pitch structure:
- What you’ll create (2 Instagram feed posts + 4 stories)
- Timeline (delivered within 7 business days of receiving product)
- Usage rights (organic social media use for 6 months)
- Investment ($X for the complete package)
- Clear call-to-action (“Reply with ‘YES’ if you’d like to move forward, and I’ll send over my media kit and next steps”)
The Pitch That Actually Works
Here’s a template that incorporates all these fixes:
Bonus: what to say so you don’t sound “salesy”
If you’ve ever tried to write a pitch (or a UGC script) and immediately felt fake, here’s the shift:
Stop trying to “sell.” Start documenting a decision.
Use this simple framework (it makes your message sound like a real human, not an ad):
- Problem: What was happening that made you need a solution?
- Reason: Why did you choose this brand or product?
- Outcome: What changed (in a specific, believable way)?
When you write your pitch, you can apply it like this:
Outcome: “I can deliver , that helps your audience , and gives you assets you can run as ads or repurpose on product pages.”
Problem: “I noticed your current UGC mostly speaks to , and I haven’t seen much content that shows , in real life.”
Reason: “I’m a great fit because , and I already use/understand ,.”
Subject: UGC Content for [Specific Product] – Busy Mom Angle
Hi [Name],
I’ve been following [Brand] for a while and love how you’re positioning [specific product] for people with busy lifestyles. As a mom of two who’s always looking for products that actually deliver on their promises, I’d love to create authentic UGC content that shows how [product] fits into a real, hectic morning routine.
I specialize in creating relatable content for busy parents—the kind of authentic, “this is my actual life” content that drives purchasing decisions. My recent content for similar brands has generated high engagement and multiple rehires.
For your [product], I’d create:
- 1 Instagram Reel showing [product] in my morning routine (60 seconds)
- 2 Instagram feed posts with lifestyle shots
- 4 Instagram stories featuring honest results
Timeline: 7 business days after receiving the product
Usage rights: Organic social media for 6 months
Investment: $400 for the complete package
I’d love to show you how [product] performs for someone who needs products that actually work in real life, not just Instagram life.
Interested? Reply with “YES” and I’ll send over my media kit and portfolio.
Best,
[Your Name]
Your Next Move: Stop Making These Mistakes Today
The UGC industry is booming, but only creators who pitch professionally are cashing in. Every day you send weak pitches is another day you’re leaving money on the table.
Bonus: if you’re tired of being “always on”
One reason pitching feels so draining is when your income depends on constant visibility.
A better model (especially if you’re juggling real life) is to build assets that keep working:
- a simple pitch + follow-up system
- a repeatable portfolio
- 1–2 anchor pieces of content you can repurpose
Visibility without a next step is just entertainment. Make every pitch and every post lead somewhere (a portfolio link, a calendar link, a freebie, or a “reply YES” next step).
Bonus: UGC vs. Amazon Influencer (quick clarity)
If you’re trying to decide what to focus on first, here’s the clean difference:
- UGC brand deals = skill-based income (you deliver the asset, you get paid)
- Amazon Influencer = asset-based income (your videos can keep earning over time)
If you need cash flow now, start with UGC. If you want compounding income, build Amazon.
If you want stability, stack both.
Want to master the art of pitching (and everything else UGC)? My UGC Income Blueprint includes:
- Proven pitch templates that get responses
- Step-by-step guidance on pricing and negotiations
- Scripts for follow-ups and rate increases
- A complete system for landing consistent deals
Not sure about your niche yet? Start with my Find Your UGC Niche guide — because knowing who you’re pitching as is just as important as how you pitch.
The brands are out there, the budgets exist, and the opportunities are endless. The question isn’t whether UGC works — it’s whether you’re ready to pitch like a pro and claim your share.
Ready to turn your creativity into consistent income? Get the UGC Income Blueprint and start landing deals with confidence.
