A brand deciding whether to book you spends maybe a minute on your portfolio. In that minute they want to answer three questions: can this person make a video that stops the scroll, have they done my kind of product, and what will it cost me? A UGC portfolio is the page, folder or profile that answers those questions for you, before you've had a single call.
You don't need clients to build one. You need a handful of good sample videos, a clear layout and the practical details brands look for. This guide covers what to put in it, where to host it, how to make samples from scratch, and the mistakes that cost creators bookings.
UGC portfolio, in short
- What it is: a single link that shows brands your sample videos, the niches you work in, any results, your rates or packages, usage rights terms and how to contact you.
- How many videos: 3 to 6 strong ones, each showing a different format (unboxing, talking-head review, demo, before and after, and so on).
- Where to host it: your own site, Canva, Notion or Google Drive, TikTok or Instagram highlights, or a creator media kit page like the ones on Attribyte.
- No clients yet? Film spec ads for products you already own, and label them clearly as spec work.
What is a UGC portfolio?
A UGC portfolio is your sales page as a creator. Where an influencer's media kit leads with follower count and audience demographics, a UGC portfolio leads with the content itself, because that's what brands are buying. If you're new to the role, start with our guide to what a UGC creator is and come back here once you're ready to pitch.
The goal isn't to look impressive. It's to make the decision easy. A brand manager should be able to open your link on their phone, watch two videos, see that you've worked in their category and know what to do next.
What to include in a UGC portfolio
1. Three to six sample videos, sorted by format
This is the core. Pick your strongest 3 to 6 videos and make each one show a different format. Brands usually brief by format ("we need two unboxings and a problem and solution video"), so it helps if they can find exactly that on your page.
| Format | What it shows a brand |
|---|---|
| Unboxing or first impression | That you can make packaging and a first reaction feel genuine |
| Talking-head review | How you come across on camera and whether you can explain a product clearly |
| Product demo or how-to | That you can show the product working, with clean close-ups |
| Problem and solution | That you understand ad structure: pain point, product, payoff |
| Before and after or routine | Strong fit for beauty, skincare, cleaning, fitness and home |
| Voiceover or faceless B-roll | That you can deliver even when the brief doesn't want a face on screen |
Put your best hook first. Many brands judge a video by its first three seconds, the same way viewers do. If you want inspiration for openings and formats, our collection of UGC examples breaks down what works.
2. The niches you work in
Say plainly which categories you cover: skincare, supplements, pet products, apparel, tech accessories, food and drink. A brand selling dog treats looks for a creator who has filmed with pets. Two or three niches is a stronger signal than "I do everything".
3. Results, if you have them
If a video you made ran as an ad and the brand shared numbers with you, include them with permission: views, hook rate, click-through rate, sales or ROAS (for example "ROAS 3.2 over 30 days"). Only use figures you can back up, and never invent them. If you have no results yet, leave this section out rather than filling it with vague claims. Brand logos or short testimonials from clients you've worked with also count here.
4. Rates or packages, and usage rights
You don't have to publish exact prices, but brands appreciate a starting point: "single video from $X, 3-video package from $Y, paid usage quoted separately". It filters out bad fits and speeds up the conversation. Check what's realistic in our breakdown of UGC rates.
State your default usage terms too. Is organic use included? How long can the brand run your video as a paid ad, and do you offer whitelisting? Usage is where much of the price sits, so make it visible. Our guide to UGC usage rights explains the options.
5. A short bio and contact details
Two or three lines about who you are, where you're based, what you're good at on camera, and your turnaround time. Then one clear way to reach you: an email address or a booking form. Don't make brands hunt for it.
A simple UGC portfolio template
Copy this structure into whatever tool you use. Keep it to one scrollable page.
| Section | What to write or add |
|---|---|
| Header | Name, "UGC creator", location, 1 photo of you |
| Intro | 2 to 3 lines: niches, style on camera, turnaround |
| Videos | 3 to 6 vertical videos, each labeled with format and niche (and "spec ad" where relevant) |
| Results | Verified numbers, client logos or testimonials. Skip if you have none |
| Services and rates | What you deliver (raw files, edited video, hooks, photos) and starting prices |
| Usage rights | What's included by default and what costs extra (paid ads, duration, whitelisting) |
| Contact | Email or booking link, plus TikTok or Instagram handle |
Where to host your UGC portfolio
There's no single right place. What matters is that it opens fast on a phone, plays video without a download and lives at one link you can paste into every pitch.
| Option | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Your own website | Full control, looks professional, your own domain | Takes setup time and usually a monthly fee |
| Canva | Quick to design, can be shared as a website link | Large video files can load slowly |
| Notion | Free, clean, easy to update | Looks generic unless you put some care into layout |
| Google Drive folder | Fastest to set up, brands can download files | No context around the videos, check sharing settings |
| TikTok or Instagram highlights | Brands often find creators there anyway | Hard to show rates, rights and results |
| Attribyte creator media kit (/kit/yourhandle) | Shows the performance history of videos made through programs on Attribyte, tracked per video | Only covers work done on the platform, so pair it with your own samples at the start |
Many creators combine two: a Notion or Canva page for the full pitch, with the videos also saved in a Drive folder the brand can download from. Whatever you choose, test the link in an incognito window before you send it.
How to make a UGC portfolio with no clients
Every creator starts with an empty portfolio. The usual way out is spec ads: videos you make on your own initiative, for a product you already own, to show what you'd deliver if a brand hired you.
- Pick products you actually use. Skincare on your shelf, the protein powder in your kitchen, your dog's favorite toy. Real familiarity shows on camera.
- Write a mini brief for yourself. Who is the buyer, what's their problem, what's the one thing the product does best? Then write two or three hooks.
- Film each product in a different format. One unboxing, one talking-head review, one demo. That gives you range with only three products.
- Keep it ad-shaped. Vertical, 15 to 45 seconds, strong opening, clear payoff, no long intros.
- Label it honestly. Mark every sample as "spec ad" or "sample, not a paid collaboration". Don't imply a brand hired you when it didn't, and don't post spec videos as if they were sponsored.
Spec work is also where you learn. Watch your own videos back with the sound off and ask whether the first three seconds would stop you. If not, reshoot the opening.
Common UGC portfolio mistakes
- Too many videos. Twenty average clips hide your three great ones. Curate.
- All the same format. Six talking-head reviews tell a brand you can do one thing.
- Weak openings. If the first seconds are you saying "hi guys", brands will scroll past, just like viewers do.
- Downloads required. A brand shouldn't need to download a file to watch it. Use a page that plays video in the browser.
- No rates or rights info. It forces an extra round of emails and makes you look less experienced.
- Unlabeled spec work or borrowed results. Presenting spec ads as client work, or quoting numbers you can't back up, will cost you trust fast.
- Broken or private links. Check sharing permissions every time you update the page.
UGC portfolio checklist
- 3 to 6 videos, each in a different format
- Best hook in the first video and the first three seconds
- Each video labeled with format, niche and "spec ad" where relevant
- Niches stated clearly
- Results only if verified, with permission
- Starting rates or packages
- Default usage rights and what costs extra
- Short bio, location and turnaround time
- One clear contact method
- Tested on a phone and in an incognito window
The takeaway
A good UGC portfolio is short, clear and honest. Show a few strong videos in different formats, say who you make content for, be upfront about rates and usage, and make it easy to reach you. Then keep it alive: swap in better videos as you get paid work, and add real results as soon as brands share them. The creators who can point to proof that their videos sell are the ones who get rebooked.
Frequently asked questions
What should a UGC portfolio include?
3 to 6 sample videos in different formats, the niches you work in, any verified results, starting rates or packages, your default usage rights terms, a short bio and a clear way to contact you.
How many videos should be in a UGC portfolio?
Three to six is enough. Pick your strongest work and make sure each video shows a different format, so brands can see your range quickly.
How do I make a UGC portfolio with no experience?
Film spec ads for products you already own, each in a different format, and label them clearly as spec work. Once you land paid jobs, replace the spec videos with client work and add results.
Where can I host a UGC portfolio for free?
Notion, Canva and Google Drive all have free options, and TikTok or Instagram highlights work as a supplement. On Attribyte, creators also get a media kit page that shows the tracked performance of videos made through programs on the platform.
Should I put my rates in my UGC portfolio?
It helps. You don't need a full price list, but a starting price per video and a note on paid usage save time for both you and the brand.
