New to the terminology? Skim Core concepts & glossary first — it defines every term used across these docs in one place.
From sign-up to your first payout
Create your account
On the sign-up screen, continue with Google, or enter an email and password (at least 8 characters, typed twice). One account works for both brands and creators — you pick your side in a moment. You’ll see your Creator Terms of Service at sign-up.
Verify your email
If you signed up with email and password, NewWave sends you a verification link and shows a code-entry screen — open the link or enter the code to continue. (Signing in with Google skips this step.) If you arrived from a referral or campaign link, it’s remembered through verification so it can be applied later.
Pick your role: “I'm a Creator”
On the “How will you use NewWave?” screen, choose “I’m a Creator — Get paid to make content for brands” and press Continue. There’s a “Not you? Sign out” link if you need it.
Build your profile in the onboarding wizard
A guided, multi-step form collects everything brands will see — your name, location, phone, stage of life, socials, sample work, and content preferences. Each step has one question, an animated progress bar, and Back / Next buttons. The onboarding steps below cover each one.
Finish onboarding
Submitting saves your full profile and shows “Welcome! Your creator profile is ready.” You land on your creator dashboard — or go straight to a campaign if you arrived through a campaign link.
Set up payouts with Stripe
Open the Payments page and press Set up payouts / Connect Stripe. This opens Stripe’s secure onboarding for identity verification and your bank or debit-card details. When you return, your balance and the Withdraw option appear — usually within a few minutes. See connecting Stripe.
Ways to sign in
You can get into your account however suits you:- Google — one tap, no email verification step.
- Email and password — passwords must be at least 8 characters.
- Email with a one-time code — no password needed.
- Phone via SMS code — sign in with a code texted to your number.
Apple sign-in is available only in the NewWave mobile app, not on the website.
What the onboarding wizard asks
The wizard is a short series of questions that becomes the profile brands browse. Most steps are required; a couple are optional and never block you from finishing.Phone number
Required, in international format. Brands may use it to reach you about urgent campaign updates.
Confirm your phone (verification optional)
You can verify your number now by requesting a 6-digit SMS code (you can resend after a 30-second cooldown), or tap Continue to skip. Verifying shows brands a green Verified check and builds trust, but it never blocks you from moving on.
Stage of life
Required. Pick the option that fits you — it helps tailor opportunities to your schedule.
Confirm your profiles
If you added handles, NewWave shows live previews of your TikTok and Instagram profiles so you can check they’re right (go back to edit if needed).
Share some of your work
Add links to your videos (TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and more), and/or upload video files directly, so brands can see a few samples of your work.
How you heard about us
Required — select all that apply. A referral code captured from your sign-up link is applied here automatically if you have one.
Content preferences
A short set of questions that powers campaign matching: your weekly availability (1–40 hours), the types of videos you enjoy making (pick 1–3), and the topics you create around (pick 1–5).
Rules for socials and sample work
These are the limits the wizard enforces, so it helps to know them going in:Connect your handles
Add your TikTok and Instagram handles so brands can find and review your profiles.
Plain usernames only
Enter just the username (like
yourname) — not a full profile URL or extra symbols. Invalid entries show an inline error and block the step.Portfolio items
Links plus uploads, combined. Uploaded files can be MP4, MOV, WebM, or MPEG, up to 500MB each.
Editing your profile later
Onboarding isn’t a one-shot. After you finish, your profile is fully editable — upload an avatar, change your name or bio, and add or update your TikTok and Instagram handles. Changes auto-save as you go; invalid handles block saving the same way they do during onboarding.Connecting Stripe to get paid
You can earn before you connect Stripe, but you can’t withdraw until you finish setup. It’s a one-time process that usually takes under 5 minutes.Open the Payments page
Until payouts are connected, your earnings card reads “Payouts · not connected” with a Set up payouts headline. Any earnings you’ve already made show as “Waiting to pay out · Released once Stripe is connected.”
Connect Stripe
Press Connect Stripe. This opens Stripe’s secure onboarding, where you complete identity verification (KYC) and add a bank account or debit card.
Return to NewWave
When you come back, your available balance, total earned, any pending balance, and the Withdraw option appear — usually within a few minutes.
The statuses you’ll see
A few labels show up during setup and on your Payments page. Here’s what each means:| Status | What it means |
|---|---|
| Phone: Not verified / Verified | Your number stays “Not verified” until you complete the SMS code, then shows “Verified” with a green check. Verifying is optional and doesn’t block onboarding. |
| Payouts · not connected | You haven’t finished Stripe setup yet. You can earn, but you can’t withdraw, and earnings are held until Stripe is connected. |
| Connected (payout-ready) | Stripe identity and bank/card details are complete; your balance is tracked and Withdraw is unlocked. |
| Pending balance | Money credited to your Stripe account that’s still clearing a holding period — on its way, but not spendable today. |
| Uploading | A sample video is uploading with a live percentage. Wait for “Video uploaded successfully” before it counts toward your samples. |
Frequently asked questions
I've never made UGC — can I still join?
I've never made UGC — can I still join?
Yes. Connect your TikTok and Instagram handles, and add a few portfolio samples so brands can get a sense of your work — for example, a short clip of yourself talking clearly so they can see and hear you.
My handle won't save and I can't continue.
My handle won't save and I can't continue.
Enter just the username (for example,
yourname) — not a full link and not an @ symbol. Invalid entries show an inline error and block the step until they’re fixed.Where do I add my Facebook or YouTube?
Where do I add my Facebook or YouTube?
Your sign-up flow and personal profile only collect TikTok and Instagram. Facebook and YouTube handles used for tracking a campaign are managed on the brand’s campaign workspace, not in your sign-up.
I finished onboarding but can't withdraw.
I finished onboarding but can't withdraw.
Withdrawals stay locked until you finish Stripe Connect on the Payments page. Earnings can accrue in the meantime and are released once Stripe is connected.
Why does my money show as “pending”?
Why does my money show as “pending”?
That’s a normal Stripe holding period. Pending funds become available to withdraw once they clear.
Do I have to verify my phone?
Do I have to verify my phone?
No. You can skip it with Continue. Verifying only adds trust with brands — it doesn’t gate anything in onboarding.
I picked the wrong role.
I picked the wrong role.
Your role is set after sign-up and isn’t easy to change later, as the app warns. If you chose incorrectly, reach out and we’ll help sort it out.
Can I sign in with Apple?
Can I sign in with Apple?
Apple sign-in is available in the NewWave mobile app only — it isn’t offered on the website.
Next steps
Find campaigns
Browse the marketplace, apply to open campaigns, and sign on to a campaign.
Submit content
Create a submission, get it approved, post it, and add your published links.
Earnings & payouts
Balances, withdrawals, and accruing vs. settled in your wallet.
How tracking & payouts work
The exact rules behind views, accrual, and pay.