Paid To Travel: The UGC Podcast

What if one of the most controversial UGC trends right now could actually help you make money as a creator?
Canvas UGC has been blowing up across TikTok and creator communities, but opinions are all over the place. Some creators swear by it. Others think it's ruining the UGC industry.
So what's the truth?
In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly what Canvas UGC is, how it works, why brands are hiring creators for it, and whether it's actually worth your time if you're trying to become a UGC creator or make money with UGC.
We'll talk about the real pay structure, the pros and cons, who Canvas UGC is best for, and why I think the conversation around it is a lot more nuanced than people make it seem.
Whether you're interested in travel UGC, UGC apps, tech UGC, or just looking for new ways to land creator opportunities, this episode will help you decide if Canvas UGC belongs in your business strategy.
In This Episode, We Cover:
What Canvas UGC actually is and how it works
Why brands are paying creators to post 30–60 videos per month
The reality behind Canvas UGC rates and compensation
How bonuses, commissions, and viral content can impact earnings
Why beginners are often drawn to Canvas UGC opportunities
The biggest pros and cons of the Canvas UGC model
How Canvas UGC can help you improve your content creation skills faster
Why some creators think Canvas UGC is a scam
How Canvas UGC compares to traditional UGC rates
Why tech brands are investing heavily in Canvas UGC
How travel UGC creators can use Canvas UGC while working remotely
My honest opinion on whether Canvas UGC is worth pursuing
Key Takeaways
✨ More content isn't always better content.
✨ Canvas UGC can be a great learning opportunity for newer creators.
✨ Performance-based pay creates both opportunity and risk.
✨ Consistency and retainers can make Canvas UGC appealing for some creators.
✨ Advanced creators may earn more through traditional UGC deals with guaranteed rates.
✨ Your life should be bigger than your business.

This podcast was produced by Your Girl Media.
Follow: @yourgirlmedia
Find us: www.yourgirlmedia.com 
START HERE: For beginners looking for a clear roadmap to making your first $1,000+ with UGC. Learn all the fundamentals, build your portfolio, create great pitches, and land your first UGC deals. Join the 3-Month UGC Accelerator Course.
SCALE HERE: For the intermediate to expert creators ready to start hitting consistent 4-figure months, without the burnout. Sign Up For UGC Basecamp—podcast listeners get 25% off for life (Code 'SAVE25').
Follow Me on Instagram: @maddyoutdoors.coach
FREE 50+ UGC Ad Examples Library

What happens when you stick with UGC long enough to let it actually work?
Today's episode is a special one because Jess is back on the podcast for a one-year update, and honestly... so much has changed.
When Jess first came on the podcast (Episode 13), she had made about $5,000 total from UGC and was averaging around $1,000/month. She was still working as a massage therapist, trying to balance two businesses, and figuring out if becoming a UGC creator could really turn into something sustainable.
Fast forward a year later, and she's officially left her job, built a roster of returning clients, signed a $6,250 month, and created a business that gives her the freedom to travel, perform in a dance company, and actually enjoy her life.
If you're in that phase where you're wondering if all the pitching, learning, and showing up is worth it, this episode is going to be the encouragement you need.
In This Episode, We Talk About:
✨ How Jess went from "dabbling" in UGC to doing it full-time
✨ The mindset shifts that helped her push through imposter syndrome
✨ Why consistency matters more than trying to grow overnight
✨ How personalized pitching is helping her land more UGC brand deals
✨ The exact changes she made that helped her start signing higher-paying projects
✨ Her biggest brand deal to date ($2,250 for one package)
✨ The month she signed over $6,000 in new business
✨ Why returning clients completely changed her confidence and income
✨ How she's creating a business that supports the lifestyle she actually wants
✨ The reality of balancing UGC, creativity, travel, and life. 
Resources mentioned:
Bento: automated pitching for content creators 
Connect with Jess
Want to follow Jess's journey?
Instagram:
@bodyworkbae
UGC Portfolio
Loved This Episode?
If your goal is to become a UGC creator, learn how to get paid to travel, build a sustainable travel UGC business, and create more freedom in your life, make sure you're subscribed to the podcast so you never miss an episode.
And if this episode inspired you, take a screenshot, share it on Instagram, and tag us so we can see you're listening 💛
This podcast was produced by Your Girl Media.
Follow: @yourgirlmedia
Find us: www.yourgirlmedia.com 
START HERE: For beginners looking for a clear roadmap to making your first $1,000+ with UGC. Learn all the fundamentals, build your portfolio, create great pitches, and land your first UGC deals. Join the 3-Month UGC Accelerator Course.
SCALE HERE: For the intermediate to expert creators ready to start hitting consistent 4-figure months, without the burnout. Sign Up For UGC Basecamp—podcast listeners get 25% off for life (Code 'SAVE25').
Follow Me on Instagram: @maddyoutdoors.coach
FREE 50+ UGC Ad Examples Library

Feeling like your UGC business isn't working? This episode is your sign to keep going.
If you're in the first few months of building your UGC business and questioning whether you're cut out for this, I need you to hear this:
Don't quit yet.
I know it feels frustrating when you're putting in the work, sending pitches, building your portfolio, creating content, and not seeing the results you expected. But what if the only thing standing between you and success is time?
In today's episode, I'm sharing the reminder every new UGC creator needs to hear when they're stuck in the messy middle—the phase where you're working hard, learning fast, and wondering if it's all worth it.
In This Episode, We Cover:
Why the first 3–6 months of building a UGC business can feel so challenging
The truth about profitability and how most businesses take longer than you think to make money
Why almost every successful UGC creator experiences a slow start
The skills you're building right now (even if the money hasn't shown up yet)
How consistency and resilience separate successful creators from those who quit too soon
Why your UGC journey will look different from everyone else's
The mindset shift that can help you stay committed when things feel hard
My challenge for you: give yourself two more months before you decide it's not working

This podcast was produced by Your Girl Media.
Follow: @yourgirlmedia
Find us: www.yourgirlmedia.com 
START HERE: For beginners looking for a clear roadmap to making your first $1,000+ with UGC. Learn all the fundamentals, build your portfolio, create great pitches, and land your first UGC deals. Join the 3-Month UGC Accelerator Course.
SCALE HERE: For the intermediate to expert creators ready to start hitting consistent 4-figure months, without the burnout. Sign Up For UGC Basecamp—podcast listeners get 25% off for life (Code 'SAVE25').
Follow Me on Instagram: @maddyoutdoors.coach
FREE 50+ UGC Ad Examples Library

If taxes make you want to close your laptop and pretend your bank account doesn’t exist… this episode is for you . 
In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with Tommy from Prime to break down all things taxes for UGC creators, freelancers, and content creators in a way that actually makes sense. We’re talking LLCs, write-offs, travel deductions, gifted collaborations, how much money you should actually be setting aside for taxes, and the biggest mistakes creators make that end up costing them thousands.
Whether you’re a brand new UGC creator or already making consistent income online, this episode will help you feel way more confident going into tax season and managing your money as a self-employed creator.
In this episode, we cover:
 The biggest tax mistakes UGC creators make 
 When to form an LLC as a content creator 
 How to track expenses as a freelancer 
 Tax tips for content creators and influencers 
 Common tax deductions for UGC creators 
 How travel write-offs actually work 
 What counts as a business expense 
 Taxes on gifted collaborations and PR packages 
 How to handle PayPal, Venmo, and multiple income streams 
 Why brands ask creators for W-9s 
 How much money to set aside for taxes as a freelancer 
 Business credit cards, points, and using credit strategically 
 Tax strategies creators can use to save money 
Resources Mentioned:
 Keeper Tax 
 QuickBooks 
 Xero 
 Prime Corporate Services 
Connect with Tommy + Prime:
Find them on Instagram at Prime Corporate Services for more tax tips for freelancers, business setup help, and creator finance resources.
Want more Travel Content Advice? Make sure to listen to the Travel Creator Podcast 

This podcast was produced by Your Girl Media.
Follow: @yourgirlmedia
Find us: www.yourgirlmedia.com 
START HERE: For beginners looking for a clear roadmap to making your first $1,000+ with UGC. Learn all the fundamentals, build your portfolio, create great pitches, and land your first UGC deals. Join the 3-Month UGC Accelerator Course.
SCALE HERE: For the intermediate to expert creators ready to start hitting consistent 4-figure months, without the burnout. Sign Up For UGC Basecamp—podcast listeners get 25% off for life (Code 'SAVE25').
Follow Me on Instagram: @maddyoutdoors.coach
FREE 50+ UGC Ad Examples Library

Today  I’m talking about why obsessing over viral hooks, viral hooks for Instagram, and how to go viral is actually hurting so many creators. Because honestly? A crazy good hook means nothing if the rest of your content falls flat. And I see this all the time — especially in the UGC creator space.
I’m breaking down why focusing only on hooks is basically the same thing as love bombing in dating, how this mindset shows up in your UGC creator business, and why your pitch is NOT the thing you should be obsessing over most.
In this episode, I talk about:
 Why focusing too much on viral hooks can backfire 
 The problem with “hook-first” content strategies 
 Why going viral means nothing without good content behind it 
 How viral hooks for Instagram relate to dating (lol) 
 Why your pitch is just the “hook” of your UGC creator business 
 What brands actually look for when hiring a UGC creator 
 Why your portfolio matters more than your pitch 
 The hard truth about building a long-term UGC creator career 
 How to become the kind of creator brands genuinely want to work with 
I also share why I think so many creators are focusing on the wrong things right now — and what I’d focus on instead if I wanted a successful, sustainable business as a UGC creator.
If you’ve been stressing over how to go viral, trying to write the perfect pitch, or searching for the best UGC creator hooks… this episode is your reminder that becoming really good at what you do will always outperform gimmicks.
Make sure you’re subscribed to the Paid to Travel podcast for new episodes every Monday, and if this episode resonated with you, share it with another creator who needs this reminder too 💌
This podcast was produced by Your Girl Media.
Follow: @yourgirlmedia
Find us: www.yourgirlmedia.com 
START HERE: For beginners looking for a clear roadmap to making your first $1,000+ with UGC. Learn all the fundamentals, build your portfolio, create great pitches, and land your first UGC deals. Join the 3-Month UGC Accelerator Course.
SCALE HERE: For the intermediate to expert creators ready to start hitting consistent 4-figure months, without the burnout. Sign Up For UGC Basecamp—podcast listeners get 25% off for life (Code 'SAVE25').
Follow Me on Instagram: @maddyoutdoors.coach
FREE 50+ UGC Ad Examples Library