In this episode, I sit down with Sam—a former massage therapist and modern dance grad who discovered UGC on TikTok, landed her first creative strategy client from my free Saturday trainings, and more than doubled her business within 12 months. We dive into how she went from low-paid UGC gigs to becoming a $100/hr+ fractional strategist, all while balancing motherhood, setting boundaries, and avoiding burnout—while still delivering measurable ad results.
You’ll hear us talk about:
— What creative strategy actually looks like day-to-day (briefs, scripting, iteration, KPI reviews).
— How Sam pitched a UGC client into a retainer/fractional strategy role.
— Setting hourly rates, minimums, scopes, and when to delegate to a VA.
— Handling founder feedback vs. trusting your creative instincts (and how to win tests with data).
— Practical portfolio tips, “About Me” video must-haves, and how to get performance metrics.
— Burnout prevention for creators (boundaries, DND, weekends off).
— The tools & workflows we rely on: Motion, MagicBrief, Foreplay, Notion, Slack, ChatGPT, Meta Ads Manager.
This episode is for you if: you’re a UGC creator who wants to charge more, a freelancer ready to move into strategy retainers, or a brand/agency partner looking to tap into creator-led performance creative.
Connect with Sam on socials if you aren't already! Also, work with her if you're looking for a bad ass strategist. 🤩
— LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-stroheker-2b75942b9/
— Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sam.stroheker/
Thanks so much for watching! As a little gift, I’ve added discounts to all of our resources—just for you. Use code “FLASH35” for 35% off our three video courses:
UGC University 🎓 https://go.ugc.pro/offers/6UKA46zT/checkout
Creative Strategy 🤓 https://go.ugc.pro/offers/oAbc82jW/checkout
Creative Strategy x Paid Media Master Class ✨ https://go.ugc.pro/offers/B9awpTFf/checkout
And join the UGC Pro Community and receive 35% off for life 🫶 https://go.ugc.pro/offers/doPLyYei/checkout?coupon_code=MEMBER35
Did you know that we're on other social platforms?
Follow us on...
✨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ugc.pro/
✨ Twitter: https://x.com/UGCpro_
✨ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kellyandshane?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
We also post EVERY MONDAY on our YouTube channel! Be sure to subscribe and turn on post notifications. I read all the comments + respond to them, so ask any and all Q's.
Channel here 👉 https://youtu.be/1g2I5DwL-EE
ugc, ugc creator, user generated content, creative strategy, creative strategist, fractional creative strategist, performance creative, paid social, meta ads, facebook ads, instagram ads, tiktok ads, ad creative, creative testing, a/b testing, direct response, kpis, ctr, thumb stop rate, vtr, view through rate, scripting, briefs, iterations, raw footage, portfolio, about me video, case studies, motion app, magicbrief, foreplay, notion, chatgpt, slack, meta ads manager, freelancer rates, hourly rate, retainers, consulting, virtual assistant, va, burnout, boundaries, marketing careers, creator economy, ugc pro, podcast for creators
🎙️ What is Creative Strategy & How UGC Creators Can Get Paid More
Join Arbel's private community (Creator5) here: https://whop.com/creator5?a=kellyb4
If you’ve been wondering how to break out of low-paying UGC deals and start charging premium rates as a creator, this episode is for you. Kelly Rocklein—Head of Performance Creative and founder of UGC Pro—unpacks the fundamentals of creative strategy: what it is, why brands desperately need it, and how you’re probably already using it without realizing it.
💡 In this episode, you’ll discover:
The difference between a UGC creator and a creative strategist
Why brands value creators who understand data, paid media, and ad performance
How to upsell your UGC work with creative strategy, scripting, and iteration
Key campaign metrics like CTR, thumb-stop rate, and view-through rate
How to position yourself as a true creative partner—not just a freelancer
Portfolio tips, About Me video strategies, and how to stand out to agencies and brands
🔥 Whether you’re brand new to UGC or already booking deals, this conversation will help you transform simple content creation into a profitable, sustainable business.
👉 Perfect for:
UGC creators ready to raise their rates
Freelancers interested in creative strategy consulting
Marketers curious about where paid ads and UGC intersect
Most importantly: Anyone building a profitable creator business in 2025
Thanks so much for watching! As a little gift, I’ve added discounts to all of our resources—just for you. Use code “FLASH35” for 35% off our three video courses:
UGC University 🎓 https://go.ugc.pro/offers/6UKA46zT/checkout
Creative Strategy 🤓 https://go.ugc.pro/offers/oAbc82jW/checkout
Creative Strategy x Paid Media Master Class ✨ https://go.ugc.pro/offers/B9awpTFf/checkout
And join the UGC Pro Community and receive 35% off for life 🫶 https://go.ugc.pro/offers/doPLyYei/checkout?coupon_code=MEMBER35
Did you know that we're on other social platforms?
Follow us on...
✨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ugc.pro/
✨ Twitter: https://x.com/UGCpro_
✨ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kellyandshane?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
We also post EVERY MONDAY on our YouTube channel! Be sure to subscribe and turn on post notifications. I read all the comments + respond to them, so ask any and all Q's.
Channel here 👉 https://youtu.be/1g2I5DwL-EE
ugc, user generated content, ugc creator, creative strategist, creative strategy, creative strategy course, performance marketing, performance creative, paid media, paid social, media buying, meta ads, facebook ads, instagram ads, tiktok ads, youtube shorts ads, ad creative, direct response, direct response video editing, ad performance, kpis, key performance indicators, thumb stop rate, view through rate, vtr, click through rate, ctr, cpc, cpa, cac, roas, creative testing, a/b testing, iterative testing, hooks, angles, scripts, scriptwriting, shot list, b-roll, raw footage, captions, cta, call to action, landing page conversion, funnel, portfolio tips, about me video, case studies, performance feedback, motion app, data driven marketing, audience insights, trend research, market research, creator economy, brand deals, brand partnerships, creator sourcing, influencer marketing, outreach, pitching brands, inbound leads, linkedin optimization, seo for linkedin, pricing strategy, negotiate rates, day rate, retainers, fractional creative strategist, consulting, freelance marketing, ugc rates, usage rights, licensing, whitelisting, dark posting, content rights, content strategy, campaign strategy, campaign optimization, post-production, editing workflow, meta ads manager, creative brief, concept ideation, high converting creatives, portfolio building, testimonials, social proof, ugc pro, courses for creators, video course, community for creators, 2025 marketing trends, offer positioning, value ladder, upsell, renewals, agency vs brand, working with agencies, referrals, real world examples, beginner to advanced ugc
In this episode, I cut through the hype and give you the real blueprint for building long-term success as a UGC creator.
I share why gimmicky programs aren't the answer, and how many “new” coaching offers are simply repackaged from free resources that have been around for years. You’ll hear my unfiltered take on:
The truth about high-ticket UGC retainers and why they’re not a new concept
How to go from one-off projects → monthly retainers → brand recognition
The red flags in today’s creator coaching industry (and what to avoid)
Real examples from my career, including multi-year brand partnerships that led to Amazon Lives, tutorials, and recognition as the go-to face of a brand
This episode is a tactical, no-fluff roadmap for creators who want to secure recurring income, scale their role with brands, and actually stand out in today’s saturated UGC space.
If you’ve been asking yourself: “How do I land retainer deals? How do I become the face of a brand? What’s real vs. what’s just marketing?” — this episode has your answers.
Back & Bigger Than Ever: Creator Confidential Recap, High-Ticket UGC Deals, What to Post for Inbounds, & What Future Episodes to Expect on the UGC Pro Podcast...
After a short break, the UGC Pro Podcast is back! 🎙️ In this episode, Kelly recaps Creator Confidential 2025—the biggest UGC creator event to date with over 200 attendees in Toronto—and shares behind-the-scenes insights on how the event came together, why community is so powerful for creators, and what’s next for 2026 (hint: Los Angeles 👀).
You’ll also hear Kelly’s unfiltered take on high-ticket UGC deals (and why so many “new coaches” are repackaging old advice), plus practical tips on what to post as a UGC creator to attract inbound brand deals without falling into the “posting UGC tips” trap.
Whether you’re looking to grow your UGC business, land retainer clients, or connect with other creators IRL, this episode is packed with strategy, tough love, and inspiration to level up in 2025.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
The impact of Creator Confidential 2025 & why in-person creator events matter
How to think about high-ticket UGC deals without the hype
Content strategies that actually attract inbound clients
A sneak peek at upcoming podcast episodes & guests
👉 CC 2026 waitlist: https://creatorconfidential.myflodesk.com/hvnv54sw4t
👉 CC recording (use code CC10 for $10 off): https://stan.store/CreatorConfidential/p/cc-2025-panel-replay
👉 Youtube video about what to post as a UGC creator wanting to attract more inbounds: https://youtu.be/RjpNHbGBAg8?si=m20x6D1xCCKfkRBe
👉 UGC creators posting content that shows their personality, along with storytelling, filming, and editing skills:
— Shylynne: https://www.instagram.com/shylynnesocial/
— Julia: https://www.instagram.com/juliademolaugc/
— Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/ugcwtaylor/
What happens when a rising creative strategist leaves her secure role for a dream opportunity — only to be let go just two weeks in? In this eye-opening episode of the UGC Pro Podcast, host Kelly Rocklein dives into the systemic failures of modern hiring practices in the creative industry. Discover:
Onboarding Gone Wrong: Why the first 90 days matter far more than three weeks.
Unpaid Test Projects & Negotiation Traps: How exploitative hiring processes waste talent and damage your brand.
Employer Empathy & Accountability: The human cost of knee-jerk terminations and performance creative “disposability.”
Actionable Advice for Job Seekers: Questions to ask in interviews, and why you should never feel like a failure when the system fails you.
Whether you’re a UGC creator, freelance strategist, or hiring manager, tune in to learn how to protect your livelihood, build empathy-driven workplaces, and redefine success in 2025. Hit follow, leave a review, and join the UGC Pro community to keep your creative career bulletproof.
As a sign of gratitude, I want to give you 35% off UGC Pro resources. Use code “FLASH35” for 35% off our three video courses:
· UGC University 🎓 https://go.ugc.pro/offers/6UKA46zT/checkout
· Creative Strategy 🤓 https://go.ugc.pro/offers/oAbc82jW/checkout
· Creative Strategy x Paid Media Master Class ✨ https://go.ugc.pro/offers/B9awpTFf/checkout
And join the UGC Pro Community and receive 35% off for life 🫶 https://go.ugc.pro/offers/doPLyYei/checkout?coupon_code=MEMBER35
Other cool initiatives in the works...
👉 Get added to the UGC Pro x Motion Roster here: https://tally.so/r/wgd9e1
👉 Creator Confidential tickets (Event, VIP, and Virtual): https://stan.store/CreatorConfidential (use code Kelly25 at checkout) 😱
Did you know that we're on other social platforms? Follow us on...
✨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ugc.pro/
✨ Twitter: https://x.com/UGCpro_
✨ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kellyandshane?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
In this Part 1 or 2 episode of the UGC Pro Podcast, Kelly and Shane unpack how AI is transforming UGC, creative strategy, and infinite message testing—without replacing the human spark.
🎯 You’ll learn:
How AI is best used to support, not replace, UGC creators
What’s working now in performance marketing with hybrid content strategies
Why authenticity still sells—even in the age of AI
Real-world examples of tools and workflows that actually increase output and ROI
What brands are getting wrong (and right) with AI-powered ad strategies
How to test infinite messages while protecting your brand’s voice
This episode is the uncut breakdown of Kelly’s keynote from Motion’s Make Ads That Convert conference, where 12,000+ marketers tuned in to explore the intersection of AI and performance creative.
🔁 Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll dive into legal and ethical considerations of AI use—and break down the best tools for performance teams.
🚨 Subscribe now, and make sure you’re following UGC Pro across platforms for more expert insights.
As a sign of gratitude, I want to give you 35% off UGC Pro resources. Use code “FLASH35” for 35% off our three video courses:
· UGC University 🎓 https://go.ugc.pro/offers/6UKA46zT/checkout
· Creative Strategy 🤓 https://go.ugc.pro/offers/oAbc82jW/checkout
· Creative Strategy x Paid Media Master Class ✨ https://go.ugc.pro/offers/B9awpTFf/checkout
And join the UGC Pro Community and receive 35% off for life 🫶 https://go.ugc.pro/offers/doPLyYei/checkout?coupon_code=MEMBER35
Other cool initiatives in the works...
👉 Get added to the UGC Pro x Motion Roster here: https://tally.so/r/wgd9e1
👉 Creator Confidential tickets (Event, VIP, and Virtual): https://stan.store/CreatorConfidential (use code Kelly25 at checkout) 😱
Did you know that we're on other social platforms? Follow us on...
✨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ugc.pro/
✨ Twitter: https://x.com/UGCpro_
✨ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kellyandshane?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Ever wonder what a creative strategist actually does in week one? In this deep-dive episode, Kelly shares her unfiltered experience onboarding two clients, walking through real SOWs, team dynamics, pivots, and tips to set yourself up for long-term success in performance creative.
⏱️ Topics Discussed in Chronological Order:
As a THANK YOU for supporting the UGC Pro Podcast, use code “PODCAST40” for 40% off our three video courses:
· UGC University 🎓 https://go.ugc.pro/offers/6UKA46zT/checkout
· Creative Strategy 🤓 https://go.ugc.pro/offers/oAbc82jW/checkout
· Creative Strategy x Paid Media Master Class ✨ https://go.ugc.pro/offers/B9awpTFf/checkout
And join the UGC Pro Community and receive 40% off for life 🫶 https://go.ugc.pro/offers/doPLyYei?coupon_code=PODCAST40
Some other exciting things to check out... 👀
👉 Get added to the UGC Pro x Motion Roster here: https://tally.so/r/wgd9e1
👉 Creator Confidential tickets (Event, VIP, and Virtual): https://stan.store/CreatorConfidential (use code Kelly25 at checkout) 😱
👉 https://motionapp.com/make-ads-that-convert?utm_source=kelly-rocklein&utm_medium=social&utm_content=make-ads-that-convert-2025
Did you know that we're on other social platforms? Follow us on...
✨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ugc.pro/
✨ Twitter: https://x.com/UGCpro_
✨ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kellyandshane?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Creative strategy, UGC creator, fractional strategist, brand onboarding, freelance strategist, ad creative roles, SOW walkthrough, agency life, performance creative, strategy vs. execution, marketing consultant, onboarding best practices, creative strategist podcast, Kelly Rocklein, UGC Pro
Welcome to UGC Pro, the podcast where creative strategy, UGC innovation, and freelancing success collide. Hosted by Kelly Rocklein—a self-taught creative marketer with over a decade of experience on both the brand and creator side—this show is here to help you unlock your full potential. Whether you’re here to sharpen your ad game or gain fresh insights to elevate your creative freelance business, you’re in the right place.
