How to find UGC creators (no agency)
In short
There are 4 ways to find UGC creators: go through an agency, reach out on social media, hire a freelancer directly, or use a specialized marketplace. The marketplace is the fastest: casting by category, secure payment and video review are all built in, which saves you time.
To choose well, look at the creator's category (dog, cooking, auto, business…), their platform, their rating and the style of their videos. On UGC Pocket, one campaign package (from €2,000) and our team selects creators by niche.
The 4 ways to find UGC creators
Each method has its strengths and its limits. Here's how they compare in practice.
| Method | Strengths | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| UGC agency | Everything is handled for you | Expensive, slow, not very flexible |
| Social media (DMs) | Free, direct contact | Time-consuming, no guarantee of payment/delivery |
| Freelancer (general platform) | Economical | Casting and coordination are on you |
| Specialized UGC marketplace | Fast, casting by niche, secure payment | Choice framed by the catalog |
Manual outreach on Instagram or TikTok can work, but you spend hours identifying, contacting, negotiating and then securing payment: with no framework. An agency solves this, but at a high price and with long lead times. A specialized marketplace combines the best of both: you keep control and speed without handling the logistics.
Why a specialized marketplace saves time
The difference comes down to three concrete points:
- Niche categories: rather than a generalist pool, our team picks creators by world (dog, cooking, tech, business…). A "kibble" brief goes to creators who film dogs every day: the authenticity shows on screen.
- A campaign written by our team: you describe your product in plain text, and the UGC Pocket team gets back to you with a commercial proposal and writes the campaign scripts. No spec sheet to write from scratch. See our UGC brief template.
- Secure payment: one flat package, set in the commercial proposal; our team pays the creators, by bank transfer when they request it.
The result: you go from a need to a campaign without handling the logistics. To compare the options on the market, read our 2026 UGC platform comparison.
How to choose the right creator
Once you've chosen the method, select the right profiles. Four criteria are enough:
- The category: does the creator operate in your product's world? This is the number-one authenticity factor.
- The platform: where does the creator post, and does it match where you want to distribute? On UGC Pocket, our team applies these criteria for you.
- The rating: the average rating reflects reliability and the quality of past deliveries.
- The style: watch previous videos. Energetic or calm, spoken or voice-over? The tone must fit your brand.
Not sure whether to bet on a creator's audience or simply on their content? Our article UGC vs influencer helps you decide. And if you're completely new, start with the definition of UGC.
Launch your first campaign in 4 steps
- Write the brief: describe your product in plain text. The UGC Pocket team gets back to you with a commercial proposal and writes the campaign scripts.
- Our team selects the creators: once you accept the proposal, our team publishes the challenges and selects the creators whose style fits your brand.
- Receive the videos: creators post them on their own TikTok and Instagram accounts.
- Review: our team reviews every video; you can ask for changes through the team.
To estimate the total cost before you start, check our guide on UGC video pricing and the pricing page.
Frequently asked questions
Can you find UGC creators quickly?
A marketplace is much faster than an agency. On UGC Pocket, you describe your product, and our team gets back to you with a commercial proposal, writes the campaign scripts and selects the creators.
Do you have to go through an agency?
No. Social media, a direct freelancer or a specialized marketplace all work. The marketplace is the fastest because casting, scripts, payment and review are built in.
How much does a UGC creator cost?
On UGC Pocket, one flat campaign package, from €2,000, with no subscription. We brief and pay the creators.
How do you choose the right creator?
Look at the category, the platform, the average rating and the style of previous videos. A creator whose world matches the product delivers a more credible result.