What to Include in Your UGC Portfolio
When it comes to standing out as a UGC creator, your portfolio is everything. Whether you're just starting out or already have some experience under your belt, your portfolio is your chance to make a great first impression. It's the first place brands and clients will look to gauge your skills, experience, and what makes you unique.
To create your portfolio, use a template on Canva for free!
Elements of Your Portfolio
Introduce Yourself
First things first, your portfolio should start with an introduction. This section is all about letting your personality shine through and making it easy for brands and clients to connect with you on a personal level.
Your Name
Your Location
While the beauty of remote work means you can work from anywhere, it’s still helpful for brands to know where you’re based, especially for logistics. This helps set expectations, especially when shipping is involved.
Your Social Links
Include links to your active social media profiles. Let them see your style, your engagement, and the type of content you create. You can make this easy with Canva by adding social media icons.
Your Contact Email
Make it easy for brands to reach out by including your contact email. Keeping communication simple is key to landing gigs.
Photo of You
A clear, professional image of yourself humanizes your portfolio and makes you more relatable.
Short Bio
Your bio is your chance to quickly show who you are, what you do, and why you're different. In a few sentences, let brands know what you're all about and what makes you stand out as a content creator. Make sure it’s engaging, personal, and true to your style.
Showcase Your Experience
Now that you've introduced yourself, it's time to show your expertise.
List Past Partnerships
Highlight your past collaborations with brands, especially any well-known ones. Use their logos to add credibility and show that trusted brands have worked with you. This boosts your legitimacy and gives potential clients confidence in your abilities.
Share Testimonials
Social proof is huge in the UGC world. Include testimonials from brands you've worked with to back up your claims. Real feedback from clients builds trust and shows that you're reliable and deliver quality work.
To get these testimonials, reach out to past collaborations asking if they’d be open to providing you with a testimonial for your portfolio. If you haven’t had any collaborations yet, you can offer UGC to brands in exchange for products AND a testimonial.
Add Photo and Video Examples
This is the heart of your portfolio. Showcase your best work in both photos and videos—aim for 8-12 examples, and only include the very best. You never know which piece a brand might click on, so make sure every example reflects your highest standard.
Tip: If you’re using Canva to build your portfolio, make sure to turn off autoplay for videos—this helps keep the experience smooth for brands reviewing your work.
Different Niches
Brands want to see that you can adapt to different needs and styles. Organize your portfolio examples by niche (beauty, fashion, tech, food, etc.). This shows your flexibility and helps potential clients see what you can do for their specific industry.
Outline Your Services
Brands need to know what you offer, so don’t leave them guessing. Be clear about the services you provide and how you can meet their needs. Here’s how to break it down:
Types of Photos
Specify the types of photos you specialize in. Is it product photography? Lifestyle shots? Be specific and include examples that highlight these types of shots. This helps brands picture how your work will fit with their brand.
Types of Videos
Outline the different types of UGC videos you create—whether it's testimonials, unboxings, tutorials, or aesthetic shots. Each video type serves a different purpose, so let brands know how you can help them meet their video content needs.
Other Things You Offer
Do you offer raw footage, additional hooks, or something else? Include this info, but don't go into too much detail on pricing. Your portfolio is a place to sell your skills, not negotiate fees!
End With a Call to Action
End your portfolio with a strong call to action. Make it easy for brands to take the next step. This is where you invite them to reach out and start the conversation.
Contact Email
Make sure your contact email is easy to find at the end. No one wants to scroll back up to find your info.
Call Schedule Link
Consider adding a scheduling link (like Calendly) so clients can easily book time with you. Making the process as seamless as possible increases your chances of landing the gig!
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Your UGC portfolio isn’t just a collection of your work; it’s a chance to tell your story and make a real connection with potential clients. By including the right elements and organizing them effectively, you’ll have a portfolio that stands out and draws brands in.
Remember, your portfolio is a living, breathing document. Keep it updated with your latest work and achievements to ensure it always reflects your best self as a creator.
