Stop Underselling Your UGC Work
Lessons From a Web Designer Turned Content Creator
Full disclosure: Before I jumped into UGC, I spent years as a web designer (I still am very active in web design and SEO. But…I just had no idea about the parallels between these industries. It is wild! Especially when it comes to pricing and client management. Here's what my website days taught me about running a successful UGC business.
The "Quick Fix" Myth
As a beginner web designer, clients would always ask for "just a small tweak" to their website. Sound familiar? It's exactly like brands asking for a "quick video."
Here's what I learned: There's no such thing as a small change. In web design, changing one button could break an entire layout.
In UGC, a "simple product shot" still requires:
Location scouting
Lighting setup
Multiple takes
Editing time
Revision rounds
Web design has taught me to price for the expertise, not just the time. The same applies to UGC.
The Professional Services Mindset
As a I build websites, I charge professional service rates because I am solving business problems. UGC is no different. You're not just making videos – you're:
Creating marketing assets
Building brand awareness
Driving sales
Solving content problems
Saving brands time
Just like a website isn't "just a few pages of code," your UGC isn't "just a quick video."
Payment Terms: What Web Design Taught Me
In web design, I learned quickly: no deposit, no work. This translates perfectly to UGC:
50% deposit upfront - I use Stripe
Clear payment milestones
Professional contracts - who I use - The Boutique Lawyer
Defined revision limits - (should be in your contract)
Rush fees for tight deadlines
Funny how clients respect these terms in web design without question, but balk at them for UGC. Stand firm – your work is just as professional.
The True Cost of “Simple” Projects
As a web designer, I had a detailed breakdown of project costs. For UGC, I use the same approach:
Project Basics:
Pre-production planning
Equipment costs
Software subscriptions - These are the tools we use
Time for client communication
Administrative tasks
Post-production work
Hidden Costs (That Web Design Taught Me to Include):
Rush fees for tight deadlines
Additional revision rounds
Complex editing requirements
Location changes
Multiple delivery formats
Breaking the “Beginner” Cycle
Web design's biggest lesson? The dangers of being the "cheap option." Here's what happens in both industries:
The Budget Trap:
Take low-paying jobs for portfolio building
Get known as the "affordable option"
Attract more budget clients
Stay stuck in the low-pay cycle
The Solution (Works in Both Fields):
Set professional rates from the start
Create clear service packages (This helps if you have a professional portfolio.)
Require proper contracts
Stand firm on payment terms
Say no to scope creep
Product-for-Service is Never Fair
In web design, no one would offer me a free t-shirt to build their e-commerce site. Why accept product-only payments for UGC? Unless it's:
High-value equipment
Something you were planning to buy anyway
Actually beneficial to your business
Otherwise, cash is king.
Setting Professional Standards
Just like in web design, your UGC business needs:
Clear contracts
Defined scope of work
Professional payment terms
Rush fee policies
Revision limits
The Business Evolution
My web design background has taught me to be a business owner first, creative second.
For UGC, this means:
Stop:
Working without contracts
Accepting "exposure" as payment
Rushing for unrealistic deadlines
Being the budget option
Start:
Pricing for profit
Setting clear boundaries
Building sustainable systems
Acting like the professional you are
Moving Forward in 2025
The UGC industry is maturing, just like web design did.
It's time to:
Establish professional standards
Charge appropriate rates
Set clear boundaries
Run a real business
Remember: Every creative service industry goes through this evolution. UGC is just catching up to where web design has been for years.
Now, armed with lessons from both industries, go raise those rates. Your future self will thank you.
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