UGC Pro Podcast

Most people start a side hustle chasing projects—one deliverable, one invoice, one paycheck at a time. And while that works in the beginning, one-off work doesn’t create stability. It creates income spikes. In this episode, we’re breaking down how to move from unpredictable “project money” to predictable, recurring income—and how to evolve from being paid for execution to being paid for thinking....

Are you building a side hustle before you need it — or because you need it now? In this episode, I break down how to start a side hustle without reinventing yourself, whether you’re currently employed or recently laid off. In today’s economy, job security isn’t guaranteed. The smartest move isn’t starting from scratch — it’s monetizing the skills you already have and building multiple income strea...

What would happen if your paycheck stopped tomorrow? In this episode, I break down why your 9–5 job is no longer a safety net — it’s a single point of failure — and how to build a side hustle strategically without quitting your job or reinventing your career. In 2023, I was a $160K Creative Director with benefits at a company I genuinely liked. I wasn’t burned out. I wasn’t job hunting. I built a...

If your Meta ads have been tanking lately, it’s not your ad account — it’s your creative strategy. In this episode, we break down what really changed with Meta's new ad delivery system, including the truth about Andromeda, Gem, and Lattice — the three AI models that now power Facebook and Instagram ad performance. If you want to see the visual version (with a graphic breakdown of this 3-step Meta...

I’m beyond excited for today’s episode, because I’m joined by  Mia Mirzayan : a powerhouse  UGC Creator, Creative Strategist, and the CEO + Founder of Creator Vault. After working with over  150+ brands  and coaching  250+ creators , Mia saw firsthand how confusing, isolating, and unfair the creator economy can be—from scams and ghosted payments to lowball offers and lack of transparency. Instead...

Storytelling isn’t optional—it’s how clients, customers, and media decide what you stand for. In this live  Deschutes Women in Business  panel, we break down practical storytelling frameworks for  creators, entrepreneurs, and founders : how to position your personal brand, why  founder-led ads  outperform product-only content, how to turn testimonials into sales, and how to  pitch press  without a...

Join me and Terri as we go through a series of questions having to do with UGC and creative strategy. In this episode, I share my story of how I got started in user-generated content (UGC) back in 2014—before the industry even had a name—and how I turned that passion into a decade-long creative career helping brands generate over $500 million in revenue. We talk about everything from building a UG...

What happens when you go 72 hours without your ADHD meds as a neurodivergent entrepreneur? In this raw and reflective episode, Kelly Rocklein (Creative Strategist, Founder of UGC Pro, and soon-to-be host of  Recovering Sad Girl ) shares what it  really  feels like when your brain just won’t brain. Kelly opens up about accidentally doubling her Adderall dosage, running out of her prescription early...

This is the follow-up episode to part 1 of 2 (listen to part 1 if you haven't already). In this episode , we dig into  UGC creative strategy  end-to-end—how ideas become briefs, scripts, and launch-ready ads, plus the metrics that actually matter (ROAS, CTR, hook rate). We cover  testing frameworks , balancing  performance vs. experimentation , and why “failed” tests still create winning insig...

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 avoid...

🎙️  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...

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...

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 t...

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 Project...

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 ex...

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: Welcome to UGC Pro + who this episode is for The difference between Client...

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...