What Makes A Great UGC Creator Portfolio?

Everything hinges on performance and communication, not a TikTok and Instagram followers or a visually appealing website.

I work with UGC creators every day, and one of the most common roadblocks they seem to face is their UGC portfolio. I've seen many UGC portfolio examples, and many come at it from different angles.

Some UGC creators are overly concerned with their "personal branding." This obsession can make it evident to marketers, such as myself, that they may lack a true understanding of branding at all. Some creators may create a Canva website with a few dozen videos on it, and wish for the best. They never bother to explain why or how a UGC advertisement performed well.

So when any creator asks, "How do I create a UGC portfolio? What are some good UGC creator portfolio examples?"

The best answer I can give you is case studies.

At the end of the day, a UGC creator is in the business-to-business (B2B) business. At the start, it can feel like you're only selling a service. You provide a service creating content and brands are customers of yours. Yet, this is not how a B2B business operates.

The most successful B2B businesses, even those as small as one person large, treat client relationships like partnerships. Consistent contracts, revenue and performance are a coveted crown jewel from both content creators and brands.

This is why brands who hire you treat case studies like gold. A case study provides much needed context around the how and why of what makes your ads work.

You can't just show a UGC video to a brand and assume they'll see why it's good. Sometimes, we even make UGC videos that don't look great on purpose, just to make people stop scrolling. While advertisers are often creative, not all my colleagues are able to tell a great UGC video from a bad one.

The best way how to make a UGC portfolio is by catering it for those such people.

The Best Example of A UGC Portfolio Thinks carefully About Their Case Studies

Let's look at three different UGC content creators and their portfolios:

  1. The Thoughtful Strategist is a creator with only a few case studies in their portfolio. They are highly detailed and explain how they planned, executed, and achieved the results they got from their UGC campaigns. These case studies show they know how to reach specific goals and prove their content works.

  2. The Volume Player: This creator's portfolio is full of many case studies. From a glance, they seem to have worked with dozens of clients over many years. Yet, all the content can be overwhelming, and it is hard to tell what the creator is best at. A hiring brand has to look through many UGC content portfolios and they don't have time to sift through this.

  3. The Content Showcase: This last creator doesn’t have any case studies, but there's a massive wall of videos. They seem to create high quality videos, and have the content created to show for it. Unfortunately, without case studies, there's no way to know if the content actually helped meet any goals.

If these three are trying to get the same job, the first one with the thoughtful case studies has a better chance. Here's why:

  • Choosing Depth: The first creator shows they understand what the job needs and how to get real results. This is more impressive than just showing a lot of work without context.

  • Smart Insights: Their case studies show they can think critically and solve problems. They align their content with what the brand needs, which is key for a UGC portfolio.

  • Proven Success: The detailed case studies offer real proof that their work is effective. This builds trust and confidence in what the creator can do.

  • Clear Story: A portfolio with a few detailed case studies makes it easy to hit home with an interested prospect. Your experience and the data behind it tells a clear story of success.

Creating a portfolio that is diverse is good, but having a portfolio with a few, well-done case studies is top notch. This is the best form of social proof for your business. You want to communicate that you mean business and hiring you could lead to ongoing success for their brand.

Not to mention, great case studies mean that word of mouth recommendations are all the more easy to share.

Crafting Impactful Case Studies with Key KPIs

In your portfolio, the inclusion of KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) is essential. These indicators showcase the effectiveness of your campaigns through clear data. Here are some KPIs to consider:

  1. Spend: Document the advertising budget allocated by the brand for your UGC. A significant investment in your video is a testament to its perceived value and success.

  2. Engagement Rates: Measure the likes, comments, and shares your posts receive. High engagement is a strong indicator that your content resonates with the audience. Remember, even for paid ads, engagement influences AI-based ad placements.

  3. Click-through Rates (CTR): Track the number of clicks on your content that lead them to the advertiser. This metric is crucial for assessing audience interest, whether they're seeking more information or considering a purchase.

  4. Conversion Rates: This measures the effectiveness of your content get viewers to make an action. This can often be something such as product purchases or sign-ups.

  5. Thumbstop Rate: Evaluate if your video is compelling enough to make viewers stop scrolling. Demonstrating a high thumbstop rate can significantly attract advertisers to your work.

  6. Brand Benchmarks Comparison: An important metric is how your content performs relative to the brand's benchmarks. Outperforming these benchmarks is a strong indicator of success. When given a task, brands hope that you can figure out way to improve their existing performance.

These metrics bolster the strength of your case studies, serving as tangible evidence of your content's impact. When potential clients observe the concrete results presented in your case studies, it builds trust in your abilities.

Sealing the Deal: The Path to UGC Success

If you are still wondering how to build a UGC portfolio, I highly recommend checking out UGC Pro. We have many tools, guides and templates to help you start.

In the realm of UGC creation, the importance of clear communication and performance metrics make all the difference. Your portfolio should not only display your creativity but also your strategic approach to achieving tangible results for brands. This includes engagement rates, thumbstop rates, and how your content measures up against brand benchmarks. Your ability to tell this story effectively is what sets you apart in the competitive landscape of UGC creation.

For those looking to dive deeper into building a successful UGC portfolio, the UGC Pro Quick Start Guide is an invaluable resource. It provides a comprehensive roadmap, from finding your unique voice in UGC to managing professional aspects like rates and invoices.

By downloading this guide, you'll gain access to expert tips, portfolio templates, and strategies to win over your first clients. Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your UGC career. Download the UGC Pro Quick Start Guide at UGC Pro Quick Start Guide and start your journey towards becoming a UGC powerhouse.