Can You Sell Videos to Brands Even If You Have Few Followers?

You may be thinking that you must have hundreds of thousands of followers to make money on social media. However, producing content for brands is not the same as reaching a large audience on your own account.

UGC, or user-generated content, can refer to videos and images that promote brands' products or services in a natural narrative. A brand may ask you to produce a video to use in their accounts or advertisements. In this case, the quality of the video, your narrative and the usage rights of the work may become more important than your number of followers.

1. Select a content type. Choose a format such as product usage explanation, unboxing, application demonstration or experience-oriented video. Don't talk about a product you haven't actually used as if you did.

2. Take sample videos. You can prepare a 15–30 second sample with a product you have at home. Clearly show what the product is, what problem it solves, and how it can be used. State that your sample video is not a paid work.

3. Create a portfolio. Try three different narrative styles: on-camera talk, product-only images, and step-by-step usage instruction. These studies show brands what kind of content you can produce.

4. Contact brands. Research small and medium-sized brands. Send a brief quote featuring yourself, the service you offer, and your portfolio link. In addition to the cost per video, discuss ad usage time, organic sharing, raw image delivery and additional revisions separately.

5. Make a written agreement. Clarify where the brand will use the video, for how long, and in which countries. Paid usage rights, indefinite usage, and delivery of raw files are not the same thing. Including these in the agreement reduces possible disputes.

Advantages

• You can try to provide services without having your own follower base.
• Starting samples can be prepared with a phone and a simple light.
• Video shooting, product description and editing skills can be improved.

Disadvantages

• Finding the first brand deal can take time.
• Expenses such as purchasing products, lighting and sound equipment may arise.
• The brand may request revision or broader rights regarding the use of the video in advertising.

First month plan

Shoot your sample videos in the first week. Prepare the portfolio in the second week. Send personalized offers to eligible brands in the third week. Improve your examples and proposal by evaluating the responses received in the fourth week.

Be careful if the brand requires you to purchase a product before shipping it to you, especially if they make vague payment promises or try to pay with fraudulent checks.