If you’ve ever scrolled through Instagram or TikTok and thought, “I wish I could get paid to make videos like that…” this is for you.
I talk to so many women who feel stuck. Maybe you’ve tried that “work from home” hustle—whether it’s network marketing, direct sales, or other online gigs—and ended up more stressed than successful.
Maybe you worry that you have to be young, trendy, or have a huge following to get brand partnerships. Maybe you’re creative at heart but feel like the online world has shut you out if you aren’t a full-time influencer.
Let me be very clear: You do not need a big audience, years of editing experience, or a marketing degree to succeed in User Generated Content (UGC). What you do need is a willingness to learn, a desire for flexible income, and the real experiences and perspective you already have.
What is UGC—and Why Should You Care?
User Generated Content (UGC) is authentic, relatable content created by everyday people, NOT traditional influencers or celebrities. Brands crave this kind of content because people trust real people, which leads to more sales than any polished ad.
In practical terms, UGC might look like:
- A selfie video sharing the results of trying a new skincare cream.
- A quick voiceover review of your favorite kitchen gadget.
- A series of product photos showing how you use a supplement, planner, or cozy socks in daily life.
Brands use these videos and photos on their websites, Amazon product listings, paid ads, and social media platforms. Some hire creators directly; others work through UGC platforms where you can apply for jobs you like and skip what you don’t.
The biggest myth? You need thousands of followers to start.
The truth? You don’t need any! In fact, many of my students start fresh, with just a handful of followers on a new account. Brands want diverse creators—different backgrounds, ages, family types, and styles because customers come in all shapes and sizes.
If you can show a product in real life, you’re already more valuable than the 10th flawless influencer in a glossy ad.
Why More Women Are Turning to UGC (And Ditching Old-School Side Hustles)
Let’s be honest. Many of the “work from home” jobs marketed to women are more stressful than they look. Maybe you’ve felt this, too:
- The pressure to “just share” in DMs, text messages, and stories, but never sure if it’s enough.
- The never-ending cycle of hitting sales goals, earning commissions, and trying to keep your rank (while still buying your own products to stay active).
- That sinking feeling when your warm market dries up and suddenly it’s all about chasing cold leads.
- The overwhelm of balancing family, busy schedules, and being present, while constantly glued to your phone for work that… sometimes goes unrewarded.
I know this pain, because I lived it. And when I found UGC, it was a lightbulb moment. This was what I’d been looking for as a creative, busy, family-focused woman.
Here’s why UGC works for so many women like you and me:
1. You Get Paid for Your Work—Not a Hopeful Sale Down the Line
With UGC, when you’re offered a job, the compensation is clear. Make a video? You get paid. Snap a photo? You get paid. There’s no sliding scale, no “maybe if your friend buys,” and zero pressure to recruit or hustle people into your downline.
2. You’re Not Obligated to Buy or Stock Inventory
There’s nothing wrong with loving a brand and buying their products. But with UGC, it isn’t about filling your pantry or closet with inventory or spending hundreds just to qualify for commissions. You might get free products for jobs, or just use items you already own (I’ll teach you all the creative ways to do both!).
3. Flexibility is Built-In—Not Just Promised
UGC truly fits your life, not the other way around. Got a full-time job? You can do a photo job in five minutes before dinner. Are your kids home for summer break? Pick up a handful of quick, high-paying UGC projects that work around their needs. Want a week off for a family vacation? UGC is waiting for you when you return—no penalty, no guilt.
4. You Can Be Yourself. Really.
The best UGC work comes from being real, not perfectly polished, not 22-years-old, not living in a high-rise apartment overlooking the city. In fact, brands LOVE when you bring your quirks, family, pets, and “real-life” moments on camera. It’s what makes people trust your reviews much more than high-gloss ads.
From Creativity to Cash: What a Real UGC Journey Looks Like
Let me share a success story. One of my UGC course students is your classic creative type. Always organizing, making things, editing videos for fun, and crafting totally unrelated to Instagram fame. Her talents sat unused as she juggled parenting neurodivergent adoptees, supporting her husband’s local business, and little side gigs for “fun money.”
She tried network marketing for several years. At first, it was fulfilling—connecting with people, motivating friends, creating group challenges. But the longer she stayed, the more she realized:
As her friends’ interest waned and her own energy for recruitment faded, she was just… stuck.
She was chasing “Success Club” quotas and feeling the anxiety of hitting numbers each month.
Her income depended on others making purchases, not on her actual effort or creativity.
She’d pour energy into social posts, messages, and team encouragement, but if someone else didn’t click or buy, she made nothing—no matter how much she gave.
Related Podcast Episodes:
Is BODi Broken? MLM Truth Bombs & Trainer Fallout
Are Former Beachbody Coaches Exposing the Truth Behind Its Closure?
Now? She gets offered UGC jobs tailored to everything from menopause support supplements to fun family wellness products. She gets inbox requests for quick product reviews where she’s paid just to talk honestly and show how something fits her real life (sometimes with her daughter or husband joining in!).
She’s grown her own skills, learned new video techniques, and, most importantly, rediscovered her creative spark.
Let’s talk about the numbers:
- Her first UGC gig paid her to make a video about a simple supplement, and she loved it so much she genuinely kept using the product.
- She quickly landed paid jobs with less than 100 Instagram followers—because brands cared more about her perspective than her audience size.
- She picked up jobs while traveling (yes, you can even shoot UGC on vacation!) and landed repeat contracts from companies who loved her work.
And the best part? She’s now teaching her teenage daughter not only creative storytelling skills, but also financial responsibility. Like, “Let me pay you for helping with this project, and you put that in your own savings.” It’s a family affair—and it’s building confidence, independence, and memories.
“But I’m Not Techy/Young/Influencer-y Enough…”
I’ve heard it all:
- “Aren’t these jobs just for young people?”
- “I only have 79 followers on Instagram.”
- “I don’t want to dance on TikTok, Maren!”
- “What if I’m not creative or I hate being on camera?”
Let’s break down the truth:
🎉 Age is a Non-Issue:
Brands need creators of all ages and backgrounds. They want women in their 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond because their customers are! I see jobs seeking grandmothers, retirees, dads, teens, and everyone in between.
🤳 Followers Don’t Matter:
All those “minimum 10K followers” requirements? Not here. Our members routinely land paid jobs with fresh, tiny accounts. What matters most is your ability to follow directions, have fun on camera, and give honest feedback.
🎬 No Dancing, No Problem:
While “viral” dances are fun, most UGC jobs just want you to speak face-to-camera or show a product. Sometimes your hands, voice, or even just your photos are needed. You don’t have to play a character or perform—you just have to be you.
✨ Creativity is a Muscle—You Can Grow It:
Maybe you haven’t made a video since your wedding. Maybe you feel “too ordinary.” Here’s a secret: There’s a UGC job for every comfort level. Quick selfie-style snaps, top-down shots, or “unboxing” videos are all in-demand. And if you want to learn how to add editing flair, that’s what I teach in the course.
Find Your UGC Niche & Start Creating With Confidence
How UGC Has Changed Lives (And Can Change Yours)
I hear about it regularly from my UGC students:
- Moms who were fed up with cold messaging; now making their first $100 from short product reviews.
- Retirees who want a fun “side gig” that fits around their coffee dates and weekend getaways.
- Women balancing health, family challenges, or neurodivergent kids, now able to pick up quick jobs and earn extra for dance lessons, therapy, or summer camps without feeling like they’re always “on call.”
- Women of all backgrounds, turning their everyday life into marketable, paid content—just by being themselves, learning a new skill, and saying “yes” to opportunity.
The best part about this work? UGC gives you agency.
YOU pick the brands, the products, the jobs. If something isn’t a fit? Pass. If you want to create as a family? There’s room! If one week you want to work hard, and the next you want to rest, you can—because it’s 100% up to your lifestyle.
And don’t underestimate the power of small beginnings:
- A five-minute selfie job can pay $15–$25, and many creators pick up several a week.
- Higher-effort product reviews can pay $50, $75, or more—plus you often get to keep the product.
- And with additional platforms like Amazon Shoppable, you can earn commissions in perpetuity (as long as people watch your video and make a purchase—even if they’re not buying the exact product you featured!).
It doesn’t matter if it’s “fun money,” vacation savings, or a serious side hustle goal. The skills, confidence, and financial boost are all real.
Where Do You Start?
I’ve Worked Out the Roadmap for You.
Starting something new can feel intimidating, but my UGC Course walks you through every single step:
- How to get set up (with swipe-and-go scripts and a plug-and-play portfolio template)
- How to find real brands and platforms offering jobs for beginners
- How to create your first (and fiftieth!) piece of content using tools you already have (your phone is enough!)
- Filming, editing, submitting, and what to do if brands want you back as a regular creator
- Even advanced strategies for building ongoing partnerships or using Amazon to create truly passive, recurring income
Best of all, you get community, feedback, and ongoing support—so you’re never doing it alone.
What Will You Choose?
If you long for flexible, creative, paid work that fits you—not the other way around—UGC is made for you.
You don’t need to be “special.” Just start where you are—real, honest, willing to learn, and up for a little fun.
Ready to see how UGC could fit into your life?
