If you’ve been watching former network marketers suddenly pivot to UGC content creation, you’re not imagining things. There’s a mass exodus happening, and it’s not just coincidence.
I’ll be the first to tell you there were pieces I loved about Beachbody. Notice I said Beachbody and not network marketing? There’s a reason for that distinction.
The MLM Reality Check Nobody Talks About
Wild how many former Beachbody coaches are suddenly reflective about the company closing its doors a year ago… only to turn around and pitch their new MLM. Different name, same tactics.
Here’s the uncomfortable truth they don’t want you to see: MLMs don’t give you ownership, freedom, or stability. You’re building on someone else’s terms, with someone else’s rules, and when the company changes direction (like Beachbody did), you’re left with nothing to show for it.
Think about it:
- Your income depends on recruiting others
- You don’t own your customer relationships
- Company policy changes can destroy your business overnight
- You’re always chasing the next “ground floor opportunity”
- Your success requires others to fail (because math)
That’s exactly why I chose to pivot. I wanted to build something real through UGC and the Amazon Influencer Program,
where I create content, own my work, and get paid for actual performance.
Why UGC is the Anti-MLM Business Model
UGC (User-Generated Content) creation is everything MLMs pretend to be:
- You own your relationships. Brands work directly with you. No upline taking cuts or changing compensation plans.
- Performance-based income. You get paid when you deliver results, not when you recruit your neighbor.
- Skill-building that transfers. Video creation, copywriting, and marketing skills work everywhere. MLM tactics? Not so much.
- No inventory or quotas. You create content about products you actually use and love.
- Compound growth. Your portfolio builds over time. Your skills improve. Your rates increase. In MLMs, you’re always starting over.
Find Your UGC Niche & Start Creating With Confidence
Use code “STOPWAITING” to get it FREE!
The “Beginner in UGC” Roadmap That Actually Works
If you’re tired of hopping from one “ground floor opportunity” to the next, here’s how to build something sustainable. My course has been taken by hundreds of students who wanted out of the network marketing hustle—and these five steps are where we always start.
1 – Get Comfortable on Camera (Even When It’s Awkward)
The reality: Most MLM training focuses on talking to people, not creating content for them. UGC requires a different energy.
Action Step: Film yourself daily for one week. Doesn’t matter if you post it. Set a timer, talk about anything for 60 seconds, then delete it. Practice showing up until it feels natural.
Why this works: Brands can spot authentic comfort on camera instantly. They’re not looking for perfection—they’re looking for genuine connection.
2 – Study What’s Actually Converting (Not What’s Pretty)
The reality: MLM content is all hype and lifestyle shots. UGC content solves problems and demonstrates value.
Action Step: Save 3 UGC-style ads today while you’re scrolling (give yourself 5 minutes max). Watch how they start, the lighting, the pace they speak, and then recreate one in your own way for your portfolio.
Pro tip: Look for videos where you actually stopped scrolling. What made you pause? That’s the hook you want to master.
3 – Prioritize Relatability Over Polish
The reality: MLM training teaches you to project an image. UGC rewards authenticity.
Action Step: Next time you film, pretend you’re explaining the product to your best friend over coffee—not “performing” to impress a brand. Notice the difference in your energy and tone?
What brands want: Someone their customers will trust, not someone trying to sell them something.
4 – Keep Your Setup Simple (Expensive Gear Won’t Fix Bad Content)
The reality: MLM culture loves showing off luxury purchases. UGC succeeds with good lighting and clear audio.
Action Step: Pick a well-lit window, clean your background, and use your phone to film a video you can add to your portfolio. Don’t overthink equipment because you don’t need it yet.
Equipment priority: Good natural lighting > expensive camera every time.
5 – Build Your Portfolio Before You Need It
The reality: In MLMs, you start selling before you have proof. In UGC, your portfolio is your proof.
Action Step: Create one video this week that fits into each category: unboxing, demo, testimonial, lifestyle. Use products you already own—skincare, kitchen tools, workout gear, whatever.
Portfolio goals: 12-15 solid videos across different product types and content styles. Quality over quantity, always.
The Mental Shift That Changes Everything
Here’s what took me longest to understand: Brands don’t need perfection even when you’re hard on yourself. They need proof that you can make content people connect with.
In MLMs, you’re taught that people buy from people they want to be like. In UGC, people buy from people they relate to. That’s a completely different energy to bring to your content.
Your Next 24 Hours
Stop waiting for permission, the perfect moment, or the ideal opportunity. Those are MLM mindsets.
Do this today: Pick one product you genuinely use and love. Film a 30-second video explaining why. Don’t script it—just talk naturally about what problem it solves for you.
Post it or don’t, but create it. Because brands need to see that you can make content people connect with, and the opportunities will follow.
If you’re ready to build something real, where you own your work, your relationships, and your results, UGC creation offers everything MLMs promised but never delivered.
