Episode Details

What if your "side hustle survival skills" were actually the exact training you needed to crush it in UGC?

Host Nate Flake sits down with Alex Gettlin, a standup comedian and podcaster who went from touring comedy clubs and hustling through DoorDash shifts to building a thriving UGC business. 

Alex didn't come from the typical nine-to-five burnout story. He came from a world where every gig was uncertain, every paycheck was inconsistent, and learning to perform under pressure was just part of the deal. That background turned out to be his secret weapon.

Chapters:
04:45 – Losing Everything Overnight to COVID
07:10 – The Podcast That Changed Everything
09:30 – Discovering UGC Was a Real Business
11:55 – Why Most Creators Quit Too Early
14:10 – Spending Money to Make Money
16:25 – The Power of Creator Meetups
19:05 – Trading Free UGC for Real Opportunities
21:40 – Why Talking Head Videos Win
24:55 – When UGC Goes Wrong Fast
29:10 – Turning Small Gigs Into Big Retainers
34:20 – Comedy Skills as a UGC Superpower
41:15 – How Consistency Creates Long-Term Income
If you've ever felt stuck in the "feast or famine" cycle, or you'r

If you've ever felt stuck in the "feast or famine" cycle, or you're wondering how to turn your creative skills into steady income without losing your authenticity, Nate and Alex break it all down. 

Alex shares how he built his first portfolio, why he treats every client like a long-term relationship, and the mindset shifts that helped him go from $100 gigs to retainer deals that actually pay the bills. 

Plus, he gets real about the importance of community, why over-delivering early creates momentum, and how thinking like an entertainer (not just a creator) can set you apart.

By the end, you'll understand why your first gig matters way more than the paycheck, how to find opportunities hiding in plain sight, and what it actually takes to build a UGC business that works for you, not the other way around. 

Press play and learn how Alex landed his first podcast deal, turning a $100 Ball Buddy ad into a major retainer, and why he tells his students there's no "one right way" to do this.

Alex's Atlanta Studio: https://www.skewedorbitstudios.com/

Alex's podcast Highly Unlikely: https://open.spotify.com/show/2iMdab3eZjUQNV2zyIPZe0?si=rjNW8iX8RT2jrFegBrtAQQ

Alex's Portfolio: http://www.alexgettlin.com/

Attend this week's FREE UGC webinar and learn how you can start today: https://ugcmasteryacademynate.com/webinarsignup

UGC CREATOR CONNECT DALLAS! Join the waitlist here to be notified when tickets become available for UGC Creator Connect in Dallas, Texas -Spring 2027: http://www.ugccreatorconnectevent.com/

FREE Call: Discover how to start UGC and land brand deals (even with 0 experience): Book a Call Now

Connect with Nate
Instagram: @nateflakecreates
YouTube: UGC 101 Podcast

Contact / Collabs
For guest pitches, partnerships, or sponsorship inquiries.
https://ugcbynate.com/

UGC 101 is a podcast for creators who want to make real money with user-generated content without a big following, expensive gear, or a background in marketing. Host Nate Flake is a working UGC creator who has partnered with hundreds of brands and built his business from scratch. Each week, he sits down with e