How Long Should It Take to Create One Video?

Introduction

You're juggling multiple projects and the inconsistency of your income is driving you up the wall. Every minute counts, yet it feels like creating just one video can eat up half your day. You're not alone. Many UGC creators are struggling to balance quality content with efficient production. The truth is, the video creation time for UGC isn't set in stone, but understanding what influences it can help you streamline your process and maximize your earnings.

When you're ghosted by brands or see your emails go unanswered, it's easy to feel like you're wasting time. But what if you could cut your video creation time by 25%? That's more time to pitch brands, using tools like UGCRoster to automate your outreach, ensuring you’re targeting verified contacts with effective Gmail pitches. Let’s dig into how you can make this a reality.

Understanding Time Allocation

Creating a video isn't just about hitting the record button. It involves planning, shooting, editing, and sometimes re-editing. On average, a UGC creator might spend anywhere from 2 to 5 hours on a single video. Here's how that can break down:

1. Planning and Scripting: 30 minutes to 1 hour. This includes researching the brand or product and writing a script that aligns with your unique style.
2. Filming: 1 to 2 hours. Setting up your equipment, capturing the right angles, and ensuring good lighting can be time-consuming.
3. Editing: 1 to 2 hours. Depending on the complexity of the video, editing might take longer than filming.

For instance, Sarah, a lifestyle UGC creator, spends around 3 hours on her videos. She allocates 45 minutes for planning, 1 hour for filming, and the remainder on editing. She’s found that rushing any part of this process leads to lower quality, which in turn affects her chances of landing more deals.

Strategies for Efficiency

Efficiency doesn't mean cutting corners; it means optimizing your workflow. Here are some strategies that can help:

- Batching Tasks: Dedicate a day to script all your videos for the week. This can save you at least 2 hours a week. For instance, if you plan to create 5 videos, scripting them in one go allows you to dive into filming with a clear vision.
- Standardizing Equipment Settings: Keep your camera settings consistent to minimize setup time. This small change shaved about 30 minutes off each filming session for tech reviewer Alex, who now spends those extra minutes refining his edits.
- Using Templates: Create a standard editing template for intros, transitions, and end screens. This can cut your editing time by about 30%.

Tools to Speed Up Creation

Leveraging the right tools can drastically reduce your creation time. Here are a few that might help:

- Editing Software like Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere Pro: These programs offer advanced features like batch processing, which can speed up the editing process by 20%.
- Time Management Apps like Trello or Asana: Organize your tasks and set deadlines. Creators who use these saw a 15% increase in productivity.
- UGCRoster for Brand Outreach: Automate your pitching process by accessing verified contacts and using effective Gmail pitches. This not only saves time but increases your response rates by up to 30%.

Consider Jessica, who switched to using Asana to plan her week. She now spends 2 hours less on organizational tasks and more on creative processes.

Balancing Quality and Speed

High-quality content takes time, but speed doesn’t have to compromise quality. Focus on:

- Prioritizing High-Impact Edits: Spend time where it matters most. For a beauty influencer, ensuring the lighting and color grading are perfect is more important than complex transitions.
- Feedback Loops: Send drafts to a trusted peer or mentor. This can help identify areas of improvement early, saving you from complete overhauls later.

When Tim, a fitness creator, started seeking feedback, he reduced his revision time by 40% and saw a 50% increase in engagement.

Common Mistakes

1. Skipping the Planning Phase: Results in disorganized content. Plan your video flow to ensure clarity and reduce unnecessary reshoots.
2. Over-Editing: Spending hours on effects that don’t add value. Focus on clean, simple edits that enhance the message.
3. Ignoring Feedback: Leads to repeated mistakes. Regularly seek constructive criticism to refine your style.
4. Inconsistent Filming Schedule: Causes burnout and rushed work. Stick to a consistent schedule to manage workload effectively.
5. Not Automating Outreach: Wastes time on manual pitches. Use UGCRoster to streamline contacting brands, improving your workload.
6. Neglecting Equipment Maintenance: Results in technical issues during filming. Regular checks save time in the long run.
7. Failing to Set Realistic Deadlines: Leads to stress and compromised quality. Set achievable targets and allocate time wisely.

Next Steps

Start by analyzing your current video creation process. Identify where you spend most of your time and apply the batching strategy to see immediate improvements. Next, invest in tools that can automate repetitive tasks, like UGCRoster for your outreach. By automating your brand pitches, you'll have more time to refine your content.

Dive into our Efficiency & Systems articles for more strategies on improving your workflow. If you're struggling with outreach, our Scaling & Growth section has actionable insights to get you more deals faster. Prioritize these changes, and you’ll not only produce content faster but also increase your chances of securing consistent income.

FAQ

How do I scale from $1,000/month to $5,000/month?

You scale from $1,000 to $5,000/month by increasing your client base and raising your rates. Start by analyzing your current workload and identifying which clients offer the best return on investment. If you currently have five clients paying $200 each, consider doubling your rates to $400 and finding five more clients. This could boost your monthly income to $4,000. You can get there by leveraging platforms like UGCRoster to streamline your outreach and ensure you're pitching to high-value brands.

What's the path to making $10,000/month?

To reach $10,000/month, focus on securing retainer clients and optimizing your pricing strategy. For example, if you have 10 clients paying $500 each, aim to convert half into $1,000/month retainers. This approach not only stabilizes your income but also allows you to focus on long-term collaboration. Additionally, consider diversifying your content offerings, such as adding photography or social media management, to increase your value proposition.

How long does it take to go full-time with UGC?

Going full-time with UGC typically takes 6 to 12 months, depending on your effort and strategy. If you dedicate 20 hours a week while working another job, you could accelerate this timeline. By focusing on building a strong portfolio and networking effectively, you can gradually increase your client base and income. For instance, Jane, a beauty UGC creator, transitioned to full-time in 8 months by consistently landing new deals through automated outreach.

Should I quit my job to do UGC full-time?

You should only quit your job for UGC full-time if you have a steady client base and savings to cover 3-6 months of expenses. For instance, if you're currently earning $2,500/month from UGC and your monthly expenses are $2,000, ensure you have at least $6,000 saved. This cushion allows you to focus on scaling your UGC business without financial stress. Balance is key until your UGC income is stable and consistent.

How many clients do I need to make $5,000/month?

You need 5 to 10 clients paying $500 to $1,000 each to make $5,000/month. If you currently have five clients paying $200, consider increasing your rates to $500 and finding more clients through targeted outreach. Sarah, a lifestyle UGC creator, found that securing five $1,000 retainers significantly stabilized her income, allowing her to focus on quality rather than quantity. Use tools like UGCRoster to efficiently reach potential higher-paying clients.

What's the difference between $3,000/month and $10,000/month creators?

The difference lies in client volume, rates, and retainer agreements. A $3,000/month creator might work with 10 clients at $300 each, while a $10,000/month creator likely has a mix of high-paying retainers and higher rates. For example, Alex, a tech reviewer, moved from $3,000 to $10,000 by securing five $1,000/month retainers and increasing his rate for new clients. Invest time in honing your niche and leveraging platforms to automate outreach for sustainable growth.

Should I focus on more clients or higher rates?

You should focus on higher rates to maximize your income with less work. For instance, instead of managing 10 clients at $200 each, aim for 5 clients at $500. This approach allows you to deliver better quality content and build stronger relationships. By using efficient outreach strategies, you can target brands willing to pay premium rates, ensuring you get more value for each project without spreading yourself too thin.

Is it better to have 10 small clients or 3 big clients?

It's better to have 3 big clients if they offer more stability and higher pay. Having three $1,500/month clients is often more manageable than juggling ten $450 clients. This approach reduces administrative work and fosters deeper brand partnerships. Jenny, an experienced fashion UGC creator, found that focusing on a few high-paying clients improved her creative output and led to more long-term collaborations, ultimately increasing her income consistency.

How do I get retainer clients?

You get retainer clients by demonstrating consistent quality and reliability. Start by offering a free trial or a discounted first project to showcase your skills. Once the brand sees your value, propose a retainer package, such as $1,000/month for two videos and social media management. Highlight the benefits of a retainer, like priority scheduling and consistent branding. Personalize pitches using UGCRoster to target brands more likely to commit to long-term agreements.

What's a retainer and how does it work?

A retainer is a monthly agreement where a brand pays you a set fee for ongoing services. For example, a $1,000/month retainer might include two videos and weekly social media posts. This model provides predictable income and encourages deeper client relationships. You commit to a certain amount of work each month, and in return, the brand gets consistent content. This setup allows for better financial planning and workflow optimization, making it a preferred choice for many UGC creators.