Guide
How much to charge for a UGC video
This page is not legal, tax, financial, or other professional advice. For a live deal, talk to a lawyer and a tax or finance specialist in your jurisdiction — BlueRateCard is not either.
Creation fee by length (licence extra)
These numbers assume you on camera, one location, product already in hand, one revision on the edit. B-roll-only or voiceover-only can sit 20–30% lower. Talking-head plus demo plus three locations is a day rate, not this table. Selling UGC-only (no organic post) as a whole card? Use the UGC-only rate card.
| Output | Creation fee (files only) | Paid social 90 days | Raws |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 × 15s, 1 hook | $250–$600 | +25–40% | Not included |
| 1 × 30s, 1 hook + 1× 15s cutdown | $400–$900 | +30–50% | +40–60% |
| 3 hooks on one 15s concept | $450–$1,000 | Licence per master | Quote |
| 10-pack of 15s (same product) | Unit −15% after #3 | Per file, no volume deal | Rarely |
| You also post it as a collab | Creation + collab SKU | Both licences | Still extra |
Paid-social % is of the creation fee, not of a made-up CPM. Whitelist/Spark from your handle is a higher % than brand-account ads.
A quote a buyer can PO
| Line | Wording | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 — create | 2×30s UGC, vertical, 1 revision, watermarked preview; MP4 after payment | $1,400 |
| 2 — licence | Paid Meta + TikTok, brand accounts only, 90 days from first impression, US | +40% = $560 |
| 3 — optional | 2 extra hooks on video A | +20% of video A creation |
| Total (1+2) | Raws / whitelist not included | $1,960 |
If they say “influencers with 100k charge less”, reply: you are selling files for ads, not a post to your audience.
Line 1 — create
“2 × 30s UGC, vertical, 1 revision, watermarked preview, finals as MP4 after payment. $1,400.”
Line 2 — licence
“Paid Meta + TikTok, brand accounts only, 90 days from first impression, US. +40% = $560.”
Line 3 — optional
“2 extra hooks on video A. +20% of video A creation.” Raws and whitelist stay off until they tick them.
If they say “that’s more than influencers with 100k followers charge”, they are comparing a file licence to a post. Send one sentence: you are not posting; they are running ads. Then stop explaining.
Floors that prevent $75 videos
- Minimum creation fee that covers kit, edit, and one revision — if 15s cannot clear $200, you are a hobby, not a vendor.
- Clock starts when the product arrives, not when they “need it for a launch on Friday”.
- No paid ads in the creation fee, even “just to test”. Tests are ads.
- No unlimited revisions. Two rounds, then a day rate.
- No transfer of files to a drive they own until line 1 is paid or in a platform payment hold.
Related guides
Platform rates & formats
UGC rate questions
+How much should I charge for a 15-second UGC video?
Treat 15 seconds as a full concept, not half a 30. Many creators quote $250–$600 for one 15s with one hook, no paid ads, no raws — then add licence %. Your floor is hours × a day rate, not a TikTok CPM chart.
+Is UGC priced the same as a post to my own audience?
No. UGC sells files. Influencer collabs sell your distribution. If they also want you to post the UGC, that is a second SKU. Do not give away the post because you already filmed it.
+How do I price extra hooks and cutdowns?
Hook variants are new edits, not a courtesy. A common ladder: first 9s/15s included, each extra hook +15–25% of the creation fee, each extra 6s cutdown +10%. Cap included hooks at one unless the SKU says otherwise.
+Should raw files be included in the UGC rate?
No. Raws let them recut forever and ignore your licence length. Quote raws at +40–60% or decline. Send a watermarked preview until the creation fee is paid.
+How do I quote a 10-video UGC batch?
Discount volume on creation (often 10–20% off unit rate after video 3), never on the paid-ads licence. Ten files in ads for a year is ten licences. Write unit + licence on every line.
+What is a clean PO for 2×30s UGC with 90-day paid ads?
Creation $1,400 + paid Meta/TikTok brand accounts 90 days at +40% ($560) = $1,960. Raws and whitelist stay off until they buy those lines. Watermarked preview before payment; masters after the payment hold releases.
Sell UGC as a package with a licence toggle
BlueRateCard can list a creation package and paid-usage add-ons so brands stop asking you to “just send the files” for a collab price. Held before you shoot. Free for creators.