Fake It Till You Book It: How to Become a UGC Creator (Even Before Brands Find You)
- Your Butter Bar
- Oct 9, 2025
- 3 min read
You don’t need a contract to start creating like a creator.You need consistency, creativity, and a little bit of proof magic.
Every single top UGC creator you know started with nothing — no brand deals, no free PR boxes, and no fancy collaborations. They created the illusion of momentum until it became their reality.
That’s what I call “Fake It Till You Book It.”
It’s not about pretending. It’s about positioning yourself to look booked, credible, and capable before the first brand ever slides into your DMs.
💡 What “Fake It Till You Book It” Really Means
Let’s get one thing straight: faking it isn’t lying. It’s showing up as if you already belong in the rooms you’re walking toward.
You create portfolio pieces, shoot spec ads, and talk like the professional you’re becoming.You embody the energy of a paid creator because that energy attracts the reality you’re aiming for.
Think of it as your creative internship, except you’re the boss.
✨ My Current Phase as a Creator
Even though I’ve worked with so many amazing brands, I’m back in a Fake It Till You Book It era myself.This season of my journey is about rebuilding, refining, and repositioning what I want to be known for next.
I’m reshooting my portfolio, creating spec work, and showing the kind of content I want to attract — not just the kind I’ve already done.Because the truth is, even experienced creators outgrow old proof. We evolve, and our proof has to evolve with us.
📸 Step 1: Build Your “Proof Portfolio”
You don’t need paid work to build proof. You just need good storytelling and examples that show your potential.
Here’s how to do it:
Use products you already own. Film your skincare routine, coffee ritual, favorite planner, or morning supplements.
Create spec ads. Pretend a brand hired you and make a 15-second video showing the product’s problem and solution.
Show range. Create a few different styles: talking head, lifestyle B-roll, tutorial, and testimonial-style content.
Keep it polished. Brands don’t care if it was “fake.” They care that it looks real enough to sell.
Your “Proof Portfolio” is how you say, Look what I can do for your brand.
🧠 Step 2: Act Like You’re Already a Brand Partner
Language shapes perception. The more you talk like a professional, the more people will see you as one.
Start saying “I help brands…” instead of “I want to do UGC.”
Post your videos with captions like “Content created for [Brand Name]” even if it’s a spec concept.
Share behind-the-scenes stories: setting up lighting, editing clips, packaging your content. It all communicates skill and workflow.
Creators who treat their passion like a business get treated like a business.
🎬 Step 3: Create a Consistent Online Identity
UGC is about trust, and trust comes from consistency.
Audit your profiles:
Is your bio clear about what you do?
Does your feed show your skills in action?
Are your highlights or pinned posts acting like a digital storefront?
Consistency builds belief in you, your brand, and your reliability.
💰 Step 4: Market Yourself Like a Mini Agency
Start pitching yourself even before you feel “ready.”
DM small businesses with genuine compliments and a video idea.
Offer a one-time UGC trial package at a low intro rate to gain testimonials.
Post value-driven content about content creation, not just your work.
Every post is proof. Every video is a pitch. Every brand comment is an open door.
💎 Step 5: Keep It Real (Even While You’re “Faking It”)
The best creators build their brand on truthful storytelling.
Don’t act like you’ve landed huge partnerships if you haven’t. Instead, showcase your potential and personality.What you’re “faking” is the confidence and professionalism of someone who already knows their value.
You’re not pretending. You’re preparing.
🔑 Final Thought
If you’re waiting for a brand deal before you start creating, you’re already behind.
Pick up your camera.Pick a product.Tell a story.
Every piece of content you make is another signal to the universe (and the algorithm) that you’re open for business.
Because the truth is, the moment you start acting like a booked creator, you become one.
💬 Ready to Start Your Own UGC Journey?
If you’re serious about becoming a UGC creator and want guidance on building your proof portfolio, storytelling strategy, and pricing structure, let’s talk.
📅 Book a Creator Strategy Call with Me and I’ll help you map out your next steps, refine your content direction, and start landing paid brand deals.
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