The UGC Industry Podcast

What if the thing keeping you from $20K months isn’t finding more brands, but doing everything yourself?In this episode of the UGC Industry Podcast, Brandon Hien sits down with Nikolai, a tech UGC creator and founder of UGC Lab, to discuss higher-paying brand deals, repeatable viral formats, and the systems behind scaling content without handling every task yourself.Nikolai shares how he hit a $10K month within his first 45 days of UGC while still in high school, why performance bonuses mattered more than base pay alone, and how he built custom software to connect recording, editing, approvals, and scheduling. He also explains why strong content skills, not just a polished portfolio, can help creators earn better opportunities.We also explore finding formats before they become saturated, negotiating higher rates, building a personal brand that attracts opportunities, and his decision to put engineering school on hold to pursue content and coaching.Follow Nikolai:IG: https://www.instagram.com/nickolai.vids?mdxt=MXJ2Zjk3ejBrcm04MQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qrYoutube: https://youtube.com/@nickolaijunussov?si=Fvm9SR-f7XJXSJVeDiscord: https://discord.gg/techugcApply to Nikoli’s mentorship: https://links.nickol.ai/l/Dd72mPrFollow Brandon: https://www.instagram.com/brandoncollabs.ugc/Apply to Join Content Economy UGC Mentorship: https://contenteconomy.app/brandonTry out Artec: https://artec.app/creators/join?aff=AFF_54E13D1E4A79

Ever wonder what happens behind the scenes after you submit a UGC ad, and what determines whether it gets spend?In this episode of the UGC Industry Podcast, Brandon Hien sits down with TJ Bongiorno, founder of The Outgoing Co, to explore what brands actually want from creators, why some ads get more investment than others, and how customer acquisition costs shape what brands can afford to pay.TJ shares his approach to choosing creators, testing hooks, and turning winning concepts into more content. He also explains how to tell whether your results are being held back by your creative or the brand you’re working with.We also explore his journey from a $250K-a-year job to building his own brand, how relationships help creators land better opportunities, and why understanding the business behind your videos can make you a more valuable partner.Follow TJIG: https://instagram.com/tjbongiornoX: https://x.com/tj_bongiornoFollow Brandon: https://www.instagram.com/brandoncollabs.ugc/Apply to Join Content Economy UGC Mentorship: https://contenteconomy.app/brandonTry out Artec: https://artec.app/creators/join?aff=AFF_54E13D1E4A79

What would it take for you to finally hand in your two weeks?In this episode of the UGC Industry Podcast, Brandon Hien sits down with Tyler Shafer, a creator who earned over $116,000 in his first seven months on Trybe while working a full-time corporate job. They discuss creating content around a nine-to-five, choosing brands worth your time, and turning high-performing videos into long-term partnerships.Tyler shares why he kept going through more than 100 approved submissions before his first reported sale, how one ad earned him nearly $20,000, and what ultimately gave him the confidence to leave corporate. He also explains how he creates around ten videos a weekday, works with an editor, and builds variations of winning ads without overcomplicating the process.We also explore negotiating retainers, earning commissions based on sales versus ad spend, and managing the uncertainty that comes with going full-time in UGC.Follow Tyler: https://www.instagram.com/tshaffit_ugc/Follow Brandon: https://www.instagram.com/brandoncollabs.ugc/Apply to Join Content Economy UGC Mentorship: https://contenteconomy.app/brandonTry out Artec: https://artec.app/creators/join?aff=AFF_54E13D1E4A79

How does a college student help turn beginner creators into viral performers, and help one earn $20,000 from a single video?In this episode of the UGC Industry Podcast, Brandon Hien sits down with Henry Pan, a 19-year-old UGC content strategist to discuss the coaching, creative formats, and campaign strategy behind high-performing UGC.Henry shares how he went from spending his last $700 on a mentorship to developing content strategy for multiple campaigns while still in college. He explains how his team paid out $55,000 in a creator bounty contest, why reading a proven script isn’t enough, and how specific emotional cues can make your on-camera delivery feel more natural.We also explore why the best campaigns innovate instead of only copying, what separates committed creators from “base collectors,” and how creators can move into coaching, strategy, and leadership without starting their own agency.Follow Henry: henrybpan.com /  https://www.instagram.com/henrypancontent/ Follow Brandon: https://www.instagram.com/brandoncollabs.ugc/Apply to Join Content Economy UGC Mentorship: https://contenteconomy.app/brandonTry out Artec: https://artec.app/creators/join?aff=AFF_54E13D1E4A79

What do you do when you’re back in your in-laws’ basement, earning $17 an hour, with a baby on the way?In this episode of the UGC Industry Podcast, Brandon Hien sits down with Dakota Crane, founder of UGC Revenue Room, to discuss rebuilding his income through UGC, creating content that performs, and turning brand relationships into bigger opportunities.Dakota shares the setbacks behind his six-figure UGC business, how he landed $5,000 in contracted work in two weeks after returning to UGC, and why going viral takes more than copying a script. He also explains how he built a free creator community and how a relationship with another creator led to a campaign-management role.We also explore hiring an editor, managing multiple campaigns, what gets videos rejected, and why consistency and professionalism can matter just as much as creativity.Follow Dakota: https://www.instagram.com/dakota__crane/Join UGC Revenue Room: https://ugcrevroom.comFollow Brandon: https://www.instagram.com/brandoncollabs.ugc/Apply to Join Content Economy UGC Mentorship: https://contenteconomy.app/brandonTry out Artec: https://artec.app/creators/join?aff=AFF_54E13D1E4A79

Would you keep creating after making over 100 videos without a single sale?In this episode of the UGC Industry Podcast, Brandon Hien sits down with Kason Grainger to discuss his transition from fitness coaching to UGC, the learning curve behind performance-based content, and how he reached a $15K month with one brand.Kason shares why having 248K followers didn’t automatically make him good at UGC, what he learned before earning his first sale, and how he approaches hooks, storytelling, and videos that convert. Now managing a team of 25 creators, he also shares what brands look for when reviewing applications, and what makes a creator worth investing in.We also explore building brand relationships, creating alongside a full-time job, and developing a repeatable workflow without sounding like a salesperson.Apply to Content Economy: ​​https://contenteconomy.app/kasonFollow Kason: https://www.instagram.com/kasongraingerugc/Follow Brandon: https://www.instagram.com/brandoncollabs.ugc/Apply to Join Content Economy UGC Mentorship: https://contenteconomy.app/brandonTry out Artec: https://artec.app/creators/join?aff=AFF_54E13D1E4A79

Why would someone with over 400,000 followers start making videos they don’t even post on their own page?In this episode of the UGC Industry Podcast, Brandon Hien sits down with Zach Rance, a former Big Brother contestant, content coach, and longtime influencer, to discuss his move into UGC, creating content consistently, and building brand relationships that go beyond a single paycheck.Zach shares how a $750 offer for two videos introduced him to UGC, why he believes brands are shifting away from traditional influencer deals, and how delivering extra content led to an invitation to Jake Paul’s ranch. He also walks through the video frameworks he uses to generate ideas and the scripting and editing workflow he’s testing to increase production.We also explore why older creators can stand out, how a personal brand can attract inbound deals, and the skills Zach believes will matter as the UGC industry becomes more competitive.Follow Zach: https://www.instagram.com/personalbrandtips/Follow Brandon: https://www.instagram.com/brandoncollabs.ugc/Apply to Join Content Economy UGC Mentorship: https://contenteconomy.app/brandonTry out Artec: https://artec.app/creators/join?aff=AFF_54E13D1E4A79

What would make you walk away from a lucrative tech sales job just months after starting your career?In this episode of the UGC Industry Podcast, Brandon Hien sits down with Bryce Marin to discuss his transition from tech sales to full-time UGC, building an agency, and what brands actually look for when hiring creators.Bryce shares how watching his roommate earn more while working fewer hours changed his perspective, how he doubled his income in his second month of UGC, and why he decided to leave his job in month three. He also breaks down recurring brand deals, performance bonuses, and the creative skills that help creators stand out.We also discuss starting UGC alongside a nine-to-five, using sales skills to land clients, and building a career that creates more time for travel and family.Follow Bryce: https://www.instagram.com/thebrycehunter/Apply to join Content Economy: https://contenteconomy.app/bryceFollow Brandon: https://www.instagram.com/brandoncollabs.ugc/Apply to Join Content Economy UGC Mentorship: https://contenteconomy.app/brandonTry out Artec: https://artec.app/creators/join?aff=AFF_54E13D1E4A79

Everybody wants to know, how do I actually make money on Trybe? You’re about to find out…In this episode of the UGC Industry Podcast, Brandon Hien sits down with Colin Reich, the founder of Trybe’s #1 agency, UGC Club (formely Vsquad), to discuss performance-based UGC, finding the right brands on Trybe, and becoming a creator brands want to keep working with.Colin shares how his agency has paid out over $700,000 in creator commissions, why he encourages creators to make 300 intentional video submissions, and how reading your analytics can reveal the difference between a video that flops and one that prints you massive commissions. He also breaks down smart retainers, finding your unique advantage, and building brand relationships that go beyond one-off videos.Follow Colin: https://www.instagram.com/coolinreich/Apply for UGC Club: https://vsquad.whop.site/Follow Brandon: https://www.instagram.com/brandoncollabs.ugc/Apply to Join Content Economy UGC Mentorship: https://contenteconomy.app/brandonTry out Artec: https://artec.app/creators/join?aff=AFF_54E13D1E4A79

Could taking on more brand deals be the very thing holding your UGC business back?In this episode of the UGC Industry Podcast, Brandon Hien sits down with Andrew Shin, founder of the Creator Blueprint and co-founder of GOOD Marketing, to discuss landing brand deals, creating videos that perform, and approaching UGC like a business, not just a side hustle.Andrew shares his journey from working with brands like Nike and Adidas to going all in on UGC after being fired from AT&T. He breaks down what he calls the “$10K prison,” why he encourages creators to focus on fewer retainers, and how testing different formats can uncover opportunities for performance bonuses.We also explore his three-bullet-point approach to brand applications, the habits that get creators hired or dropped, and how to move past the fear of what other people think when you start posting online.Contact Andrew:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewcshin/DM him "UGC" to get in touchFollow Brandon: https://www.instagram.com/brandoncollabs.ugc/Apply to Join Content Economy UGC Mentorship: https://contenteconomy.app/brandonTry out Artec: https://artec.app/creators/join?aff=AFF_54E13D1E4A79