🏔 Ready to start hitting consistent 4-figure months? Sign Up For UGC Basecamp—podcast listeners get 25% OFF your membership: https://app.heartbeat.chat/ugcmastermind/invitation?code=4AFJA2&promo_code=SAVE25#landing-page

Today we’re getting real about what’s actually working right now when it comes to cold pitching, landing brand deals, and monetization as a content creator.

I’m recording this from my hotel room in Edinburgh and while I’ve been out here living my best life… my business has still been WORKING. Like, thousands of dollars in inbound UGC deals just casually landing in my inbox.

So let’s talk about it.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• The exact breakdown of how I get paid: inbounds, outbound, and repeat clients
• How to build a personal brand as a content creator (without becoming an influencer)
• Simple ways to get inbound UGC deals while you’re literally off living your life
• How to use social media to find UGC opportunities daily
• The best keywords + strategies to train your algorithm to show you paid creator jobs
• Why you should still apply to opportunities—even when there’s tons of competition
• The truth about UGC monetization and why there’s no “one right way” to do this
• How to approach cold emailing brands (templates vs personalized pitches)
• My current system for consistent outreach using Bento + VA support
• What I would do if I were starting over as a UGC creator in 2026
• How to create a sustainable strategy to consistently land brand deal

💫 Want to stay consistent with cold pitching and actually land more brand deals?
I use Bento to send pitches in the background (yes, even while I’m on vacation), and it’s a game changer for UGC monetization.

Use code MADDY for a discount and start getting those emails out consistently.

Need help figuring out what to post as a content creator?

Go listen to The Travel Creator Podcast—it’s all about making content creation easier and more strategic so you can land more brand deals.

For Talented A.F. Podcast Production:

Follow: @yourgirlmedia

Find us: www.yourgirlmedia.com

🏔 Ready to start hitting consistent 4-figure months? Sign Up For UGC Basecamp—podcast listeners get 25% off for life: https://app.heartbeat.chat/ugcmastermind/invitation?code=4AFJA2&promo_code=SAVE25#landing-page

Follow Me on Instagram: @maddyoutdoors.coach

3-Month UGC Accelerator Program: https://maddyoutdoors.mykajabi.com/ugc-accelerator

Free UGC Masterclass: I've distilled my 3-month process into an easy-to-understand training that will give you clarity on your next steps to becoming a successful UGC creator, so you can work less and travel more! https://maddygarrett.myflodesk.com/accelerator-masterclas

FREE 50+ UGC Ad Examples Library

🏔 Ready to start hitting consistent 4-figure months? Sign Up For UGC Basecamp—podcast listeners get 25% OFF your membership: https://app.heartbeat.chat/ugcmastermind/invitation?code=4AFJA2&promo_code=SAVE25#landing-page

Today we’re getting real about what actually went down in Q1 of my UGC journey—and the mindset shift that kept me from spiraling.

If you’re trying to land paid brand deals, become a UGC creator, or build a content creator business that lets you travel for free—this episode is a MUST listen.

✨ What We’re Getting Into:

• The behind-the-scenes mistake that tanked my pitch response rate (like… 2% 😅)
• Why I didn’t spiral—even though I easily could have
• The truth about landing deals (spoiler: perfection is NOT required)
• A mindset exercise that will literally change how you show up in your business

The Situation (aka what went wrong)

In Q1, I wasn’t landing as many UGC deals from pitching.
Which was weird… because pitching is usually a big part of how I land paid stays and brand deals.

So I dug into the data and realized:
👉 My VA had been sending ~1,000 pitches
👉 But ONLY to hotels, tourism boards, and experiences
👉 Using a pitch meant for product-based brands

Yeah… not ideal, so I am going to help you today with a 3 step mindset change to keep you positive and going in your UGC journey.

Because real talk, being a content creator is not just about aesthetics and brand deals, it’s about resilience.

The difference between people who “make it” and people who don’t?
👉 They don’t spiral over every setback.

They adapt. They adjust. They move.

🎧 Loved this episode?
Share it with a friend, screenshot it, and tag me—let’s normalize the real side of building a UGC business.

See you next Monday 💋

For Talented A.F. Podcast Production:

Follow: @yourgirlmedia

Find us: www.yourgirlmedia.com

🏔 Ready to start hitting consistent 4-figure months? Sign Up For UGC Basecamp—podcast listeners get 25% off for life: https://app.heartbeat.chat/ugcmastermind/invitation?code=4AFJA2&promo_code=SAVE25#landing-page

Follow Me on Instagram: @maddyoutdoors.coach

3-Month UGC Accelerator Program: https://maddyoutdoors.mykajabi.com/ugc-accelerator

Free UGC Masterclass: I've distilled my 3-month process into an easy-to-understand training that will give you clarity on your next steps to becoming a successful UGC creator, so you can work less and travel more! https://maddygarrett.myflodesk.com/accelerator-masterclas

FREE 50+ UGC Ad Examples Library

🏔 Ready to start hitting consistent 4-figure months? Sign Up For UGC Basecamp and save 25% OFF: https://app.heartbeat.chat/ugcmastermind/invitation?code=4AFJA2&promo_code=SAVE25#landing-page

In today’s episode, I’m breaking down my full Q1 income as a content creator—every deal, every brand, where it came from, and how much I charged. And the best part? I did this working part-time hours.

We’re talking UGC, brand deals, paid stays, inbound leads, and how this all adds up to a $10K+ quarter… without grinding 24/7.

Let’s get into it.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How I made $10,420 in Q1 as a UGC content creator
• The exact breakdown of brand deals, deliverables, and pricing
• Where my deals came from (inbounds, returning clients, pitching)
• How I structure ad usage + monetization in my contracts
• Why I don’t do UGC full-time—and how I still make great money
• The role of paid stays + gifted experiences in your income
• My average hourly rate (this might surprise you 👀)

Let’s Talk Numbers (Because I Know You Want Them):

• January: $2,870 (+ a gifted resort stay)
• February: $3,175
• March: $4,375
• Total Q1 Income: $10,420
• Avg. Hourly Rate: ~$110/hour

Working ~8 hours/week.

🎙️ 👉 Want real travel creator strategies (not viral fluff)? Check out the Travel Creator Podcast with Laura Haley.

For Talented A.F. Podcast Production:

Follow: @yourgirlmedia

Find us: www.yourgirlmedia.com

🏔 Ready to start hitting consistent 4-figure months? Sign Up For UGC Basecamp: https://app.heartbeat.chat/ugcmastermind/invitation?code=4AFJA2&promo_code=SAVE30

Follow Me on Instagram: @maddyoutdoors.coach

3-Month UGC Accelerator Program: https://maddyoutdoors.mykajabi.com/ugc-accelerator

Free UGC Masterclass: I've distilled my 3-month process into an easy-to-understand training that will give you clarity on your next steps to becoming a successful UGC creator, so you can work less and travel more! https://maddygarrett.myflodesk.com/accelerator-masterclas

FREE 50+ UGC Ad Examples Library