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How to Create a UGC Portfolio: A Guide for UGC Creators

Posted Thu Aug 17 2023 5 min read

Think of your UGC (User-Generated Content) portfolio as your business card in the UGC space. It’s that first impression that can make or break deals with your dream brands. Whether you are looking to create a UGC portfolio on Canva, or you're seeking tips to make your portfolio pop, you’re in the right place.

This guide is your friendly nudge to start crafting a portfolio that’s not just visually stunning, but also a magnet for brand deals.

Ready to roll up your sleeves and dive in?

1. How Important is Creating a UGC Portfolio for Securing Brand Deals?

Short answer: Very. Important.

Every brand that you reach out to—or that reaches out to you—will ask for your portfolio. It's not just a formality; it's a fundamental step in their decision-making process. Here are three reasons why having a UGC portfolio is non-negotiable:

  1. First Impressions Matter

    Your portfolio is often the first thing prospective brands see of your work. Like a polished resume, a well-crafted UGC portfolio sets a professional, memorable tone—it’s your chance to make them say 'wow.'

  2. Showcases Your Content Creation Abilities & Personality

    Your portfolio highlights your best content—the UGC that defines your skill and style. But it’s more than a visual showcase; it’s your introduction. It's where you can show your unique personality, making you memorable to brands, not just as a creator, but as an individual.

  3. Your Professional Brand

    Your portfolio is a reflection of you as a creator. It helps establish a recognizable and consistent brand that clients will trust and seek. Creators that have unique brands and social proof in their portfolio close the most brand deals.

2. How to Pick the Perfect Platform for Your UGC Portfolio

Woman thinking about which platform to choose for her UGC portfolio, with logos of Canva, Wix, and Squarespace floating around her.

There are many different platforms where you can create a portfolio. I’ll break it down into two simple options:

  1. Starting Simple: Create a UGC Portfolio on Canva

    If you’re new to UGC, Canva is your best friend. Many UGC creators start with Canva because it’s very easy to use and free. There are also many Canva portfolio templates to help you get started.

  2. Advanced Options: More Powerful Platforms

    As you become a more experienced UGC creator, you may want to create a more professional-looking portfolio. That’s where these advanced platforms come into play. They come with a cost and a higher learning curve than Canva, but you get what you pay for. My recommendations would be:

    • Wix: $15/month

      Wix offers a range of creative freedom with its drag-and-drop interface. It’s ideal for creators who enjoy having control over every detail of their site’s design.

    • Squarespace: $23/month

      Squarespace is a great option for creators who are willing to invest a bit more for a sophisticated and professional site.

Portfolio Platform Summary

Starting with Canva is the easiest option to get started. As your portfolio grows and your needs become more complex, transitioning to a more powerful platform like Squarespace or Wix might be the next logical step. These platforms offer advanced features but come with a cost and may require more time to learn.

3. What to Include in Your UGC Portfolio

Alright, you’ve picked your platform, now it’s time to create your portfolio. Here’s what you need to include:

  1. UGC Examples

    Your content is the most important part of your portfolio. At the end of the day, if your content isn’t up to the brand's standards, they won’t work with you. Pick your best content-those posts where everything just clicked. These are the pieces you’re most proud of, and that represent your style to a tee.

    Pro Tips:

    • If you've collaborated with well-known brands, make those videos front and center!
    • Remember—less can be more. Aim for 8-12 diverse videos, neatly categorized by niche.

Examples of user-generated content videos featured in a UGC portfolio.

  1. A Description About You

    Create a captivating, concise bio. Who are you as a creator? Let your passion and personality shine through here.

  2. Social Links

    Make it easy for brands to see your social presence. Include clickable icons that lead to your Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, etc.

  3. Contact Link

    Put out the welcome mat. Clearly present how brands can get in touch with you, whether it’s via email or a contact form.

  4. Rates (optional)

    Including rates in your portfolio is optional. Listing your rates can save you time from negotiation and lowball offers, but keeping them private allows you to tailor your rates based on each brand’s needs.

    Keeping your rates private can be strategic. It allows room for negotiation and the flexibility to align your pricing with the scope of the project and the client’s budget. It invites potential clients to engage in a conversation with you, which can lead to a tailored, win-win proposal.

  5. Client Reviews

    When you say things about yourself it's bragging; when someone else says it about you, it's proof. Reviews can be the deciding factor between you and another creator. Collect reviews from your previous clients and put them in your portfolio.

    You can put reviews on your portfolio yourself, or use a tool such as TrustUGC if you want to make it more professional.

Example of client reviews section in a UGC content creator's portfolio.

  1. Analytics

    Numbers don’t lie. Include stats that highlight your success—click-through rate, thumbstop rate, and ROAS.

  2. Call To Actions

    Include a call to action in your portfolio to invite brands to collaborate with you.

4. How to Design Your Portfolio?

Designing a portfolio can feel like standing at the foot of a mountain – but remember, every UGC creator has been where you are now. Take a breath; we've got your back. Here’s how you can design your portfolio:

  1. Making Use of UGC Portfolio Canva Templates

    If you decided to use Canva, make use of their templates. Start with a template, but make it your own. Here are some Canva Templates you can use: Canva UGC Portfolio Templates

  2. Don’t Overcrowd Your Portfolio

    Keep your portfolio simple in design. Pick a color palette and stick with it. Align your fonts. Consistency is key to a polished, professional vibe.

  3. UGC Creator Portfolio Example Inspirations

    Stuck in a rut? No worries. There are loads of incredible UGC creators out there. Check out some of these beautiful portfolios:

Samantha (Canva UGC Portfolio): Samantha’s UGC Portfolio

Screenshot of Samantha's UGC portfolio

Kan (Canva UGC Portfolio): Kan’s UGC Portfolio

Screenshot of Kan's UGC portfolio

Kinga (WebFlow UGC Portfolio): Kinga’s UGC Portfolio

Screenshot of Kinga's UGC portfolio

Now, Take Your Portfolio to the World

With your polished and professional UGC portfolio in hand, you are now ready to start closing those dream brand deals. It’s time to make your portfolio work for you.

Here are your next steps:

  • Showcase Your Portfolio: Place the link prominently in your social media bios—it’s your digital business card, after all.
  • Reach Out to Brands: Begin sending your portfolio to brands that align with your style and values. It’s your key to opening new doors.

New to UGC? If you're just getting started or looking to dive deeper into the world of becoming a UGC creator, check out our comprehensive guide on How to Become a UGC Creator.

Looking for Brands to Partner With? We’ve got you covered. Read our comprehensive guide on finding brands that are eager to work with UGC creators: Find Your Perfect Brand Partner.

How to Write UGC Scripts? Your UGC script is the most important part of your UGC. If you want to write UGC scripts that go viral, check out: How To Write Viral UGC Scripts

Found Value in This Guide? Share the love! If this blog post has been a useful tool in your UGC journey, don’t keep it to yourself. Share it with other UGC creators who could also benefit from these insights.

Your next big brand partnership could be just an email away. Go forth, share your talent, and create amazing collaborations!

A Note from the Author

Hi, I'm Ben, co-founder of TrustUGC. We launched TrustUGC with a clear mission: to empower UGC creators to build and share social proof. We are dedicated to helping UGC creators close more brand deals, whether it’s through insightful blog posts like this one, or our powerful UGC tools designed to seamlessly integrate into your portfolio.

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