How to Find Affordable UGC Creators for Your Marketing Campaigns

Influencer marketing is expensive. Every big name you bring on board charges you thousands per post. Even micro-influencers come with pretty huge rate cards. Add costs for professional shoots and everything racks up fast.

Can you get engaging, authentic content without draining your budget? ‘

Yes. With UGC (user-generated content).

UGC looks organic, feels personal, and gets results. 82% of consumers say they’re more likely to buy from a brand that includes UGC in its marketing.

And it’s affordable. Unlike influencers, UGC creators don’t charge for their audience size. They charge for the content itself. That means you get high-quality visuals at a fraction of the price.

This guide will go over:

• How to hire cheap UGC creators online
• Where to find them
• How much they charge
• How to make the most of their content

What is a UGC creator?

UGC creators are not influencers. They’re content creators who focus on making authentic, relatable videos and photos for brands. They are not influencers. They don’t just pitch the latest product to their followers to push for sales.

Their job is to make brand content that looks like it came from a happy customer. You’ve probably seen this type of material already— unboxing videos, product reviews, or quick “how-to” clips on TikTok. It makes people stop scrolling because it’s simply relatable.

Authenticity is a massive asset in social media marketing. A well-placed UGC video can generate more engagement than a high-production commercial.

It’s 2.4x more likely to feel authentic than brand-created content, and 70% of consumers prefer customer reviews and images over brand ads.

How to find cheap UGC creators?

There are three main ways to hire UGC content creators.

Some will stretch your budget, others will have you on edge throughout the process, and those that find that sweet spot between convenience and cost. Let’s break them down:

3. UGC agency - #3 - most expensive

Agencies handle everything for you. They find UGC creators, manage contracts, and deliver content that is ready-to-go.

However, convenience comes at a cost. Agencies charge markup fees, service fees, and sometimes even monthly retainers. You’re not just paying for the content—you’re covering agency overhead and profit margins.

An average UGC video from an agency costs $500 to $2,000. That’s because they hire creators, manage them, and edit the content for you.

If you’re a large corporation with no qualms about your balance sheet, then this is feasible. But if you’re looking for cheap UGC creators, there are more options to consider.

2. Social media - #2 - somewhat affordable

Instagram, TikTok, and even Reddit are packed with UGC creators offering their services. You can find UGC creators by searching hashtags like #UGCCreator or #UGCNeeded.

This option gives you more control. You negotiate prices directly, review portfolios, and choose creators who match your style. But prices vary. Some charge as little as $50 per video, while others ask for $300 or more.

The risk? No guarantees. If a creator delivers poor content, there’s no refund policy. You’re relying on trust, reviews, and DM conversations. And in such an environment, chances of being scammed are also high.

You can find great deals, but there’s always a risk.

1. UGC marketplace - #1 - most affordable

If you want cheap UGC creators without the risks of social media, marketplaces are your best bet.

UGC creator websites like Influee, Fiverr, and Collabstr connect brands with vetted individuals. You set your budget, pick a creator, and get content within days.

Unlike social media, marketplaces offer:

• Unlimited revisions – If the content isn’t right, you can request changes.
• Content rights included – No extra licensing fees, no legal headaches.
• Money-back guarantee – If a creator doesn’t deliver, you don’t lose a dime.
• Add-ons and features – Need subtitles, a brand logo, or a UGC script? It’s all included.
• Smoother selection process – Browse creators, check reviews, and hire the best fit.

Influee, for example, offers UGC video creators for as little as $20 per video—far lower than agency rates. And they have a flat 10% payment marketplace fee, no hidden costs to worry about.

In terms of reach, you have access to 80k+ vetted creators to pick from. If you publish your first campaign but don’t start a collaboration with any creators, you’ll get a full subscription refund.

Why UGC?

UGC isn’t just content. It’s social proof that sells.

People trust real people—not scripted ads. 79% of consumers say UGC impacts their purchasing decisions. That’s huge. A polished brand ad can look great, but a raw, authentic UGC video feels real. And real gets results.

Brands that have embraced the UGC trends see higher engagement, stronger trust, and better conversions. Engagement rates shoot up by 28% when UGC is part of the strategy.

That’s not all. UGC ads are 20% more effective than traditional marketing. They blend into social media feeds, making them feel like organic content rather than ads. The less something looks like an ad, the more likely people are to watch, like, and share.

Best Practices on how to make UGC affordable

Paying for bad content is a waste. Paying for endless revisions? Even worse.

If you want affordable user-generated content, you need a plan. The right approach saves you time, money, and frustration. These five strategies help you get the best content without breaking your budget.

1. Be very clear about your goals to minimize revisions

Vague instructions lead to disappointing content. A creator can’t read your mind. If your brief is unclear, expect extra revisions—and extra costs.

Before you hire UGC content creators, outline exactly what you need.

Should the video be funny, emotional, or educational? Do you want voiceovers or subtitles? The clearer you are, the fewer edits you’ll need. Less back-and-forth means less money spent on unnecessary fixes.

Tip: Use a UGC brief template to clearly articulate your requirements.

2. Review and evaluate the creator portfolio to find the best match quicker

Not every creator is a good fit. Some specialize in high-energy TikTok UGC videos. Others are a hit with Instagram-worthy product shots.

Look at their portfolio before hiring. If their style doesn’t match your vision, move on. Picking the wrong creator leads to frustration, wasted time, and do-overs that cost extra.

3. Long-term collaborations reduce content cost

Hiring a new creator for every project is expensive. It’s also risky.

When you work with the same UGC creator services regularly, you get better deals and better content. They learn your brand, your style, and your expectations. That means fewer revisions and a faster turnaround.

Influee’s marketplace makes it easy to find UGC creators who you can work with repeatedly. Long-term collaborations often come with bulk discounts and priority access.

4. Decide on content usage rights

Want to use your UGC in paid ads? You might have to pay extra for licensing.

Some creators charge 30-50% of the base UGC price for full usage rights. Others include it for free—if you negotiate before the project starts. Don’t assume you automatically own the content. Check the licensing terms first.

5. Think about the extra add-ons and features

Subtitles, catchy hooks, custom logos, or music—these features improve the final product. For example, subtitles can increase video engagement by up to 80%, especially for viewers watching on mute.

Most UGC marketplaces bundle these add-ons into their pricing, saving you extra charges. Platforms like Influee include subtitles, logos, and UGC scripts in the base price. That’s one reason it’s more cost-effective than hiring creators directly.

Prioritize the extras that make your content stand out—without overpaying for things you don’t need.

Cheap UGC creators: a recap

Spending thousands on influencer content isn’t necessary. Cheap UGC creators deliver authentic, high-quality content at a fraction of the price.

You have options. Have a big budget and want someone to handle everything? Agencies work—but they’re expensive. You’ll be forking out northwards of $500 to $2,000 per video.

If you’re comfortable negotiating and taking risks, Reddit and TikTok offer great deals. Social media creators are flexible with varying prices, but there’s no guarantee of delivery or UGC usage rights. You could even make a payment deposit and never hear from them again.

UGC marketplaces on the other hand give you affordable user-generated content with built-in protections like refunds, unlimited revisions, and content rights.

You get that with Influee, where €199 you can get unlimited content from up to 10 creators every month. Brands using UGC marketplaces save money while getting consistent, high-performing content for ads, social media, and websites.

FAQ

How much does UGC cost?

It depends. Some creators charge $30 per video, while agencies ask for $2,000 or more. If you want affordable user-generated content, marketplaces like Influee you can get UGC ads from $20 per video. See available packages here.

Is UGC worth it?

Yes. When asked if UGC is worth it, 93% of marketers say UGC performs better than branded content. It boosts engagement by 28%, increases trust, and delivers 4x higher click-through rates than traditional ads.