Introduction You're hustling, pitching your heart out to brands, and waiting. Waiting for responses that take forever or, worse, never come at all. You're not alone. Many UGC creators find themselves in this frustrating cycle, wondering if platforms like Billo could offer a better path to consistent income. Today, we're diving into the nitty-gritty of Billo versus cold pitching, so you can decide which strategy, or combination, works best for you.
What is Billo? Billo is a marketplace designed to connect UGC creators with brands looking for video content. Brands pay Billo starting at $99 per video, and creators receive a portion of this fee, though the exact split isn't publicly detailed. With over 5,000 vetted creators on the platform, it's a competitive space where brands filter applicants by niche, demographics, and past performance. Payments are made twice monthly via PayPal, making it convenient if you have a strong profile history. However, if you're just starting, gaining traction can be challenging as the platform tends to favor creators with proven track records. To maximize your chances on Billo, focus on building a standout portfolio. Highlight your best work, and ensure your profile reflects your unique style and niche expertise. Engage with the platform regularly and apply to multiple briefs to increase visibility. Consider this: if you apply to 30 briefs a month and land 3 jobs, you're looking at a 10% success rate, which can improve as your profile gains more traction.
Understanding Cold Pitching Cold pitching involves proactively reaching out to brands, crafting personalized pitches, and proposing how your content can add value. Unlike passive marketplaces, this approach allows you to control the volume and target specific brands. It's a numbers game, if your success rate is 10%, cold pitching 100 brands could land you 10 jobs. You set your rates, negotiate terms, and build relationships directly. This method requires hustle and resilience but can lead to higher-value projects and more control over your income. To succeed in cold pitching, develop a streamlined workflow. Start by researching brands that align with your content style and audience. Create a pitch template that can be customized for each brand, highlighting specific ways your content can solve their needs. Track your pitches in a spreadsheet or CRM tool to manage follow-ups effectively. If you send out 20 pitches a week and land 2 deals, you're maintaining a 10% success rate, which is a solid benchmark.
Billo vs Cold Pitching: Pros and Cons Billo Pros:
- Passive income stream: Once your profile is set, you apply and wait.
- Built-in audience: Over 5,000 creators means brands are actively browsing.
- Platform management: Payments and contracts handled by Billo. Billo Cons:
- Competitive: New creators struggle against established profiles.
- Limited income potential: Rates and job availability are set by the platform.
- Waiting game: Success depends on being chosen from a pool of applicants. Cold Pitching Pros:
- Control: You target brands you want, set your rates, and negotiate terms.
- Higher potential income: Direct negotiation can lead to better rates.
- Flexibility: Choose projects that align with your brand and skills. Cold Pitching Cons:
- Time-consuming: Crafting pitches and managing follow-ups is labor-intensive.
- Rejection: High likelihood of non-response or declines.
- Requires skills: Strong pitching and negotiation skills are vital. Consider this scenario: You send 50 cold pitches, land 5 jobs, and each job pays $
- That's $2,000, compared to potentially earning less through Billo if you only secure a few $99 gigs. The trade-off is the time and effort invested in crafting and sending those pitches.
Cost Comparison: Billo vs Direct Pitching On Billo, brands start at $99 per video, and creators get a portion of this fee. If you're applying to multiple briefs, this can add up, but remember, you're competing with thousands of creators. Cold pitching, on the other hand, doesn't require upfront fees but does demand time and effort. Consider the cost of your time: if you spend 10 hours pitching to land one $300 deal, does it balance out? With Billo, the platform fee is baked into the brand's cost, but with cold pitching, you might secure higher-paying jobs with more effort. Let's break it down: If you spend 20 hours a month cold pitching and land 4 jobs at $300 each, that's $1,
- Compare this to Billo, where you might need to land 12 jobs at $99 each to earn the same amount. Evaluate your hourly rate and decide which method offers the best return on your time investment.
Effectiveness in Landing Deals Billo can be effective if you have a strong profile and good past performance. However, new creators might find it tough to land jobs initially. If you apply to 20 briefs and get one gig, that's a 5% success rate. Cold pitching lets you control the numbers. If you pitch 50 brands and land five jobs, you've hit a 10% success rate. The control cold pitching offers can be more rewarding if you’re willing to invest the effort. To improve your success rate on Billo, focus on niche-specific briefs where your expertise shines. For cold pitching, refine your pitch based on feedback and results. If you notice a particular type of pitch or brand sector yields better results, double down on those efforts.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Relying Solely on Billo: Many creators think setting up a profile is enough. To succeed, actively apply to relevant briefs regularly.
- Neglecting Pitch Personalization: Sending generic pitches to brands often results in rejection. Tailor each pitch to the brand's unique needs.
- Underestimating the Competition: The sheer number of creators on Billo can be daunting. Ensure your profile stands out with quality past work.
- Ignoring Follow-Ups: After pitching, many creators forget to follow up. A simple follow-up can significantly increase response rates.
- Setting Unrealistic Rates: In cold pitching, setting rates too high or too low can scare off potential clients or undervalue your work.
- Failure to Track Applications: Without tracking, it's easy to lose track of which brands you've pitched to or where you stand in the process.
- Lack of Consistent Effort: Both Billo and cold pitching require persistence. A few efforts won't suffice; consistency is key. To avoid these pitfalls, create a checklist for each pitch or application. Include steps like research, personalization, and follow-up reminders. Use tools like Trello or Asana to keep track of your progress and maintain momentum.
Next Steps for UGC Creators To hit consistent income targets, diversify your strategy. Use Billo for inbound leads, set up a robust profile, apply regularly, and refine your application tactics. Simultaneously, harness the power of cold pitching by targeting brands that align with your niche and crafting compelling pitches. For managing outreach without extra hassle, platforms like UGC Roster can automate your cold email campaigns, allowing you to maintain both strategies efficiently. Start by reviewing your current approach, identify gaps, and integrate these insights to optimize your brand outreach efforts. Consider setting monthly goals for both Billo applications and cold pitches. Track your success rates and adjust your strategies based on what's working. Use analytics tools to measure engagement and refine your pitches or profiles accordingly.
FAQ
How does Billo compare to cold pitching brands directly for UGC income?
Billo offers a more passive way to earn, where you apply to briefs and wait to be chosen, while cold pitching gives you control over who you approach and what you charge. On Billo, if you submit for 10 briefs and get selected for 2, you might earn less than if you cold pitched 100 brands and landed 10 deals due to higher negotiated rates. If you're strategic, cold pitching could lead to projects paying $500 each versus the $99 starting rate on Billo. For instance, if you manage to secure 5 high-paying gigs through cold pitching, you could potentially earn $2,500, compared to the $198 you might earn from two Billo gigs.