If getting paid to travel as a UGC creator has been sitting on your vision board but you don’t actually know what to do month by month… this episode is your roadmap.

Today I’m breaking down exactly what to focus on from now through the end of the year to become a full-time content creator — without burnout, overwhelm, or guessing what comes next.

In this super practical episode, I’m walking you through a month-by-month plan to scale your UGC business and start making consistent four figures a month. Whether you’re brand new to UGC or already dabbling, this is the structure I wish I had when I was starting out.

What We Cover in This Episode:

If you’ve ever wondered:

• How do I actually become a full-time content creator?
• When should I start pitching brands?
• How do people get paid to travel with UGC?

This episode answers all of that — step by step.

Resources Mentioned:

• 📁 50+ UGC Ad Study Folder
• 🎥 Editing apps: InShot & CapCut
• 💻 UGC platforms: Popfly, Cohley, Billo, Insense, Backstage, Vizi, Vidlo, Collabstr, Fiverr
• 📧 Bento (email pitching platform) use code: MADDY
• 🎙 Fiverr UGC episode with Nate Flake

I'm offering a New Year listener-only discount on the UGC Accelerator Program to help you land paid brand deals faster.

✨ Save $250 on the UGC Accelerator
🗓 Promo ends January 31
💸 $250 off (pay-in-full option)
🏷 Code: NEWYEAR250

Enter the code NEWYEAR250 at checkout and $250 will be deducted from the total.

APPLY HERE

For Talented A.F. Podcast Production:

Follow: @yourgirlmedia

Find us: www.yourgirlmedia.com

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

Today I’m answering your most-asked UGC questions as we head into the next year — everything from getting comfortable on camera, landing hotel and Airbnb deals, andwhether AI is coming for our jobs.

Let’s get into it.

✨ What We’re Covering

• How to stop feeling awkward on camera (without sounding like a robot)
• The easiest way to practice UGC when you’re brand new
• How content creators and UGC creators can land non-product deals
• How to get paid to travel with hotels, Airbnbs, and tourism boards
• The real secret to turning random deals into consistent income
• Where to find brands looking for UGC (even outside of Bento)
• The most effective UGC tips for pitching in 2026
• Passive platforms where brands come to you
• How brands pay UGC creators (and if you need an LLC)
• Will AI replace UGC creators? (my honest take)
• Exactly how to build a portfolio with zero experience

UGC Creator Connect Event in Utah: https://ugccreatorconnectevent.com/tickets?am_id=maddy993

🔍 Where to Find Brands Looking for UGC

👉 I use Bento to pitch brands efficiently and at scale.
Check the show notes for my link to Bento to start pitching like a pro.

BENTO AFFILATE CODE:

>>https://app.onbento.com/?acode=MADDY

Use the Code: MADDY

Connect with Jaclyn and Bento:

• Instagram: @onbento
• TikTok: @onbento
• Website: Onbento

🎧 Episodes Mentioned

• Episode 12: Airbnb & Hotel Content Creation with Emma
• Episode 18: How to Make Consistent Four Figures with UGC

I'm offering a New Year listener-only discount on the UGC Accelerator Program to help you land paid brand deals faster.

✨ Save $250 on the UGC Accelerator
🗓 Promo ends January 31
💸 $250 off (pay-in-full option)
🏷 Code: NEWYEAR250

Enter the code NEWYEAR250 at checkout and $250 will be deducted from the total.

APPLY HERE

For Talented A.F. Podcast Production:

Follow: @yourgirlmedia

Find us: www.yourgirlmedia.com

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

Manifestation without a plan is just a wish. If you’re serious about your 2026 goal setting, especially as a UGC creator, this episode will help you turn big dreams into actionable steps you can actually follow through on.

If you’re someone who loves short-term wins but struggles with long-term planning (sameeee), this episode is for you. I’m sharing the goal-setting method I personally use to break big-picture dreams into quarterly milestones, weekly action steps, and realistic expectations, especially for UGC and content creators.

We’re talking about how to set goals that align with the life you actually want, not just what you think you should want.

In this episode, I cover:

• Why your 2026 goal setting should start with feelings, not numbers
• How to choose 3 core emotions to guide your goals (and avoid burnout)
• The 4 categories I use for intentional goal setting:
  Health, Wealth, Relationships, and Self
• How UGC fits into your wealth goals as a content creator
• Turning manifestation into strategy with quarterly milestones
• How to break big goals into small, doable action steps
• Why alignment matters more than hustle (especially for creators)
• How to reward yourself and stay motivated all year long

This is about taking your manifestations and giving them structure—so you don’t wake up next November wondering where the year went.

Whether your goal is to:

• Make consistent income with UGC
• Quit your job as a content creator
• Have a paid-for trip through brand deals
• Or simply create more ease and time freedom

This episode will help you map it out in a way that feels grounded and achievable.

If you loved this episode, don’t forget to rate, review, and share it with a fellow content creator who’s planning their 2026 goals right now ✨

I'm offering a New Year listener-only discount on the UGC Accelerator Program to help you land paid brand deals faster.

✨ Save $250 on the UGC Accelerator
🗓 Promo ends January 31
💸 $250 off (pay-in-full option)
🏷 Code: NEWYEAR250

Enter the code NEWYEAR250 at checkout and $250 will be deducted from the total.

APPLY HERE

For Talented A.F. Podcast Production:

Follow: @yourgirlmedia

Find us: www.yourgirlmedia.com

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

Today we are sharing our most POPULAR episode of 2025 with Emma—Airbnb content creator and social media manager—who went from free stays to fully booked and fully paid… all without a massive following or photography degree.

If you're ready to land paid stays, build your travel creator portfolio, and break into the UGC (user-generated content) world—this one’s PACKED with actionable tips.

In This Episode:

• Exactly how she landed her first free and then paid Airbnb stays
• Why professional photography isn't required to get started (but what helps!)
• What kind of content packages actually convert—and what she charges 💸
• How to stand out when pitching Airbnbs (spoiler: stop copying and pasting bad DMs 🙃)
• The difference between UGC for Airbnbs vs. hotels
• Why adding social media management can 2X your income as a creator
• What Emma would do step-by-step if she were starting over today

Emma and I break down the mindset + game plan to:

• Build your portfolio (even with no experience)
• Pitch with confidence and intention
• Move from free stays → paid packages

Connect with Emma:

• Website: elevatedescapesmgmt.com
• Instagram: @eiffelemma + @elevatedescapesmgmt

I'm offering a New Year listener-only discount on the UGC Accelerator Program to help you land paid brand deals faster.

✨ Save $250 on the UGC Accelerator
🗓 Promo ends January 31
💸 $250 off (pay-in-full option)
🏷 Code: NEWYEAR250

Enter the code NEWYEAR250 at checkout and $250 will be deducted from the total.

APPLY HERE

For Talented A.F. Podcast Production:

Follow: @yourgirlmedia

Find us: www.yourgirlmedia.com

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

Everyone wants to be paid to travel ( that is why you listen to this podcast)… but no one talks about what it actually costs you. Today, I’m pulling back the curtain on travel UGC, burnout, and why I stopped chasing free hotel stays (even though I still make money as a content creator.)

If you’ve ever scrolled Instagram thinking, “I want that life,” this episode is for you.

Today I’m getting very real and very honest about my journey as a UGC creator and what three years of being a full-time travel and outdoor content creator actually taught me. We see reels all the time about creators getting paid to travel, working with hotels, Airbnbs, and tourism boards—and yes, it can be amazing. But there’s another side that doesn’t get talked about enough.

I share how building my UGC business while living full-time in a van slowly led to burnout, why turning your hobbies into work can take the joy out of them, and how constantly filming while traveling started to feel exhausting instead of exciting.

You’ll hear exactly why I’ve shifted away from hotel and tourism board work, how I structure my business now, and why focusing on product-based travel UGC has allowed me to enjoy my life and still fund my adventures. Spoiler: I still get paid… I just don’t work on vacation anymore.

This episode is your reminder that you don’t have to do UGC the way everyone else is doing it. You’re allowed to change your mind, set boundaries, and build a business that actually supports your life—not consumes it.

✨ What We Cover:

• The glamorized vs. real reality of being paid to travel
• Why travel UGC can lead to burnout if you don’t set boundaries
• How turning travel and hiking into work affected my mental health
• Why I no longer prioritize hotels and tourism boards
• How I make money as a content creator without working on vacation
• The mindset shift that helped me move away from scarcity
• Practical boundary-setting tips for travel and outdoor creators
• Why consistency (not perfection) built my UGC career

I'm offering a New Year listener-only discount on the UGC Accelerator Program to help you land paid brand deals faster.

✨ Save $250 on the UGC Accelerator
🗓 Promo ends January 31
💸 $250 off (pay-in-full option)
🏷 Code: NEWYEAR250

Enter the code NEWYEAR250 at checkout and $250 will be deducted from the total.

APPLY HERE

For Talented A.F. Podcast Production:

Follow: @yourgirlmedia

Find us: www.yourgirlmedia.com

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

I met up with 9 top UGC creators in Nashville and that weekend changed the way I see the UGC industry, and today I’m spilling everything.

Welcome back to the Paid to Travel Podcast, where we talk all things content creation, getting paid to travel, and building a freedom-first life as a UGC creator.

Let’s dive into what really went down at the Nashville UGC meetup… and the biggest lessons YOU can apply to grow your own creator business.

We talk about:
1. What is the #1 important thing to grow in the UGC Industry

2. How to Scale your UGC Business

3. Why There Is No One Way To Succeed in UGC

4. Why UGC Is NOT Too Saturated

5. How the Top Successful Creators Invest in Themselves

✨ Upcoming Events + Resources Mentioned
🎤 UGC Creator Connect — Utah, March 14th

I’m a keynote speaker (!!)
There will be 400+ UGC creators and 15+ top coaches.
This is the #1 event to meet other creators, network, learn, and build friendships that make the journey so much more fun.

Come meet me in person!!! 💛

📩 Bento — Automated Pitching for Creators

The Bento VA version sends 300–400 pitches for you every month.
If you want consistent deals without spending hours pitching, this is the tool you need.

>>https://app.onbento.com/?acode=MADDY
Use the Code : MADDY

I'm offering a New Year listener-only discount on the UGC Accelerator Program to help you land paid brand deals faster.

✨ Save $250 on the UGC Accelerator
🗓 Promo ends January 31
💸 $250 off (pay-in-full option)
🏷 Code: NEWYEAR250

Enter the code NEWYEAR250 at checkout and $250 will be deducted from the total.

APPLY HERE

For Talented A.F. Podcast Production:

Follow: @yourgirlmedia

Find us: www.yourgirlmedia.com

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

If you’ve been grinding so hard in your UGC or content creation journey that you can’t tell the difference between hustle and full-body burnout… this episode is your permission slip to slow down, reconnect with yourself, and build a business that doesn’t drain your soul.

Today, I’m sitting down with my friend Jordan Flynn — a life transformation coach and somatic practitioner — to talk about the real reason creators burn out, what “high-functioning burnout” actually looks like, and how to get back into alignment so your creativity (and confidence) can come back online.

Jordan has lived the corporate burnout cycle, rebuilt her life from the inside out, and now helps women regulate their nervous systems, rebuild self-trust, and step out of survival mode. If you’ve been feeling out of alignment, stuck, overwhelmed, or just off in your content creation era… buckle up. This convo will hit home.

✨ What We Talk About

• The truth about burnout and why it’s not just “being tired”
• How creators end up in high-functioning burnout without realizing it
• Signs your nervous system is stuck in fight-or-flight
• Why misalignment — not workload — is often the real cause
• How to reconnect with your body so you can make aligned, confident decisions
• Daily micro-resets to regulate your nervous system
• How to prevent burnout before you hit the wall
• What to do if you’re exhausted from content creation or UGC client work
• Boundaries, delegating, and raising your rates so you can work less & earn more

✨ Connect With Jordan

Instagram: @thejordanflynn
Website

I'm offering a New Year listener-only discount on the UGC Accelerator Program to help you land paid brand deals faster.

✨ Save $250 on the UGC Accelerator
🗓 Promo ends January 31
💸 $250 off (pay-in-full option)
🏷 Code: NEWYEAR250

Enter the code NEWYEAR250 at checkout and $250 will be deducted from the total.

APPLY HERE

For Talented A.F. Podcast Production:

Follow: @yourgirlmedia

Find us: www.yourgirlmedia.com

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

November was one of my biggest months ever . Today I want to show you how I made $14k in one month in UGC so you can too while working an average of just 20 hours a week.

We’re diving into:
✨ The exact breakdown of every deal
✨ Where each client came from (inbound, returning, or Bento cold pitch)
✨ How I crossed my Q4 goal early with $22,150 earned so far
✨ What this means for YOU as a new or growing UGC content creator

If building a lifestyle where you can travel, create, and get paid feels like a dream — it’s closer than you think.

💸 November UGC Breakdown

• Total earned: $14,050
• Hours worked: ~20 hrs/week
• Avg per video: ~$520
• Total videos booked: 27 (plus photos + extended usage)
• Where deals came from:
  • Returning clients: $6,200
  • Inbounds: $3,100
  • Bento cold pitches: $4,750
• Multiple new footwear, snack, haircare, outdoor, and tech brands
• Biggest deal? A Bento cold pitch that turned into a $3,250 contract 🙌

This month proves (again): there is zero shortage of brands needing UGC content creators… and so many ways to make money online through this industry.

✨ Sponsor: HUEL

You guys… we got our first podcast sponsor and it’s literally my favorite thing ever: HUEL.

Their ready-to-drink meals are insane:

• 35g protein
• 27 vitamins + minerals
• 7g fiber
• Plant-based
• Under $5
  My fave flavor? Iced Coffee — it’s my breakfast AND caffeine in one.

PLUS, their Daily Greens are ✨that girl✨. Peach & hibiscus = elite.

New customers get 15% off using code: PAID
➡️ huel.com/PAYED

Use my code + fill out the post-checkout survey to support the show! 💛

📲 Follow My UGC Instagram

Want to see the actual UGC examples brands are hiring me for — even though I post there maybe twice a month?
👉 @maddyoutdoors.ugc

It brought me TWO inbound deals this month alone. Don’t sleep on socials.

I'm offering a New Year listener-only discount on the UGC Accelerator Program to help you land paid brand deals faster.

✨ Save $250 on the UGC Accelerator
🗓 Promo ends January 31
💸 $250 off (pay-in-full option)
🏷 Code: NEWYEAR250

Enter the code NEWYEAR250 at checkout and $250 will be deducted from the total.

APPLY HERE

For Talented A.F. Podcast Production:

Follow: @yourgirlmedia

Find us: www.yourgirlmedia.com

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