A UGC creator rate card is the single most important document you can send a brand. Without one, every conversation starts from scratch — you're fielding lowball offers, negotiating from a position of zero context, and leaving the brand guessing what you charge. With a professional rate card, you walk in with authority and a clear pricing structure that brands can immediately act on.
What Is a Rate Card and Why You Need One
A rate card is a one-page pricing document that lists your base rates by deliverable format, usage rights tiers, and add-on fees. It is not a contract — it's a menu. Brands use it to understand what a partnership with you costs before they ever get on a call. Most professional UGC creators send their rate card within the first email exchange, before any negotiation begins.
The biggest benefit is speed. Instead of a three-email back-and-forth to figure out your pricing, you send one document and the brand either has budget or they don't. It filters out low-budget inquiries fast and attracts brands that are ready to pay professionally.
Key insight: A UGC creator rate card signals professionalism. Brands that work with multiple creators specifically look for structured pricing — it tells them you understand usage rights, deliverable scope, and that you treat this as a business.
What to Include in Your UGC Creator Rate Card
A strong UGC creator rate card has four sections: base rates by format, usage rights tiers, add-on fees, and your contact or booking information. Missing any of these leaves money on the table — especially usage rights, which most new creators forget entirely.
- Base rates per deliverable: Video by length (15s, 30s, 60s), photos, story sets
- Usage rights tiers: Organic-only, paid ads license, in-perpetuity license
- Add-on fees: Raw footage, rush delivery, exclusivity, whitelisting/boosting
- Turnaround time: Standard window and rush window
- Revision policy: Number of revision rounds included
Rate Card Example Table
These ranges reflect market rates for mid-level UGC creators in 2026 — creators with a portfolio of 5–20 completed brand projects and consistent video quality. Beginners should start at the lower end; experienced creators with strong conversion data can charge above the upper end.
| Deliverable | Rate Range | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| 15-sec video | $100 – $250 | Script, filming, edit, 1 revision round |
| 30-sec video | $150 – $400 | Script, filming, edit, 1 revision round |
| 60-sec video | $250 – $600 | Script, filming, edit, 2 revision rounds |
| Story set (3 frames) | $100 – $250 | Vertical format, on-brand design |
| UGC only (no posting) | $75 – $200 | Content delivered, no channel distribution |
| Photo (3 images) | $75 – $175 | Edited, brand-ready JPEGs |
Usage Rights Pricing
Usage rights are where most UGC creators undercharge. When a brand uses your video in paid ads, they are running it to potentially millions of people — that is fundamentally different value than content that only appears on their organic social feed. Price accordingly.
| Usage Type | Price Modifier | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Organic only (brand channel) | +0% | Base rate; content posted to brand's social only |
| Paid social ads (30 days) | +20 – 30% | Facebook, Instagram, TikTok paid amplification |
| Paid social ads (90 days) | +35 – 50% | Longer runway; brand gets more value |
| Paid ads in perpetuity | +100% | Unlimited use; charge at least 2× base rate |
| Out-of-home / TV / print | Custom pricing | Always negotiate separately; minimum 3× base |
Perpetuity clause: Never include in-perpetuity rights in your base rate. If a brand asks for "full rights" without specifying usage, ask what platforms and for how long. Vague "full rights" in a contract typically means perpetual paid ads use — price it as such.
Add-On Pricing
Add-ons let you customize quotes without restructuring your entire UGC creator rate card. Keep these as line items the brand can opt into:
| Add-On | Fee | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Raw footage delivery | +$150 | Unedited clips for brand's own editing team |
| Rush delivery (under 5 days) | +25% | Standard turnaround is 7–10 business days |
| Exclusivity (30 days) | +50% | No competing brand work during the window |
| Additional revisions | +$50/round | Beyond included rounds in base package |
| Whitelisting / boosting access | +$75 – $150/mo | Brand runs ads from your personal account |
How to Send Your Rate Card to Brands
Your rate card should be a clean PDF — one page, easy to read, with your name or creator handle at the top. Don't overthink the design. A simple dark or white background with a clear table is more professional than a heavily designed deck.
When reaching out cold or responding to an inquiry, attach the PDF and include a short paragraph that personalizes the context. Brands receive many rate card emails; the ones that get responses acknowledge the brand specifically.
After sending, follow up once after 5–7 business days if you haven't heard back. One follow-up is professional. Two is annoying. Then move on.
For deeper negotiation tactics once a brand responds, see our guide on how to negotiate brand deals as a creator. And if you're curious how platform-specific rates compare, check out our breakdown of how much to charge for a UGC video in 2026.
Calculate your data-backed rate free
The calculator uses real UGC market benchmarks, niche multipliers, and usage rights logic to generate a rate range you can drop straight into your rate card — no signup required.
Calculate your data-backed rate free →