How UGC Can Change Your Life. Interview with a Gen-X creator

“It’s too late for me to turn things around. It’s not going to work out. I’m not one of those hot young girls everyone loves online, so why would brands be interested in me?” This mindset is common, with many believing that “it’s too late to start something new,” particularly a blog, as they get older.

If you’ve ever felt this way, you’re definitely not alone.

But today’s heroine, Eileen Munoz (@helloeileen), shows us that it’s never too late to start. Eileen began her social media journey at 54, leaving behind a job she didn’t enjoy. With no prior experience in content creation or marketing, she took a leap of faith. Fast forward three years, and she’s now making six figures through UGC, creating content for brands like Dove and L’Oreal. Instead of holding her back, her age has become her superpower.

Here, she shares her insights on her work, her journey in the industry, and how being Gen X among Gen Zers makes her stand out.

On what exactly UGC creators do

As a UGC creator, I create content for brands to use on their socials or run as paid ads. Sometimes, they want me to just read their scripts on camera. But more often, I research the product, write scripts, film, and edit the videos — typically 15–30 seconds long.

Other times, brands edit the videos themselves, so they request raw footage — a combination of b-roll (clips of me doing different activities, such as walking) and talking to the camera. I simply provide the clips, and the brand edits them. Raw footage is very valuable to brands because they can stitch different clips together to form multiple videos. As such, the rate for raw footage is higher than for an edited video.

On her long way into UGC

I worked in the insurance industry for nearly 28 years. It was stable, provided a good income, had great insurance… And I hated every minute spent in the cubicle, literally crying on my way home. But the idea of leaving a stable job and venturing into the unknown was extremely scary to me. I was 54 at the time and wondered: who would want to hire an older person?

It was my husband who encouraged me to quit. We saved up some money, and he said we’d be ok for some time until I found a new job.

For a few months, I tried my hand at online teaching to kids, which I loved! But it didn’t really contribute much to my family’s income, so I continued to look for something else. In 2022, my online friend Sarah Franz introduced me to the UGC world. I knew nothing about marketing or content creation. But I thought, what’s there to lose? I’ll try it. So I dug deep into learning everything about UGC. I watched YouTube and TikTok tutorials, I purchased guides. The more I learned, the more I fell in love with content creation and the freedom it could bring.

On her first project

My first UGC gig was a paid collaboration with a sunhat brand, Outdoors Tribe. It started as a one-video order, but the brand ended up purchasing three videos for a total of $300. I was ecstatic!

The client found me on Twitter and reached out to me via email. I immediately accepted the offer, and honestly, I was willing to take any amount of money because I was just so excited to have secured a paid collaboration. I completed the content, sent it in nervously, and waited for feedback. Believe me, I was feeling very anxious! But the brand loved everything, and that’s when they requested two more videos.

On the (non-) importance of a huge following

The beauty of UGC is that you don’t need to be an influencer. You don’t need any following. You’re creating content as a “regular” person that’s relatable and authentic. The audience wants to see content created honestly by the “consumer,” and that’s what a UGC creator does.

Brands sourcing UGC creators don’t look at their following; they look at their portfolios, their work. Does this UGC creator understand how to create authentic and relatable content? Does this UGC creator know how to film, edit, etc.? Those are the questions brands ask when hiring UGC creators. That being said, portfolios are extremely important and should showcase your best work!

On the age factor in the industry

I’m currently 57. When I started UGC, I was afraid my age would limit my business. I even thought about hiding it, marking myself as a 40+ creator! My first year as a UGC creator, while I was getting some collaborations, wasn’t that successful. My career skyrocketed in the second year. I met Kelly Rocklein, a very successful UGC creator and creative strategist. She was the one who told me my age was my superpower.

Kelly advised me to market myself heavily as a Gen-X UGC creator because this makes me valuable in the UGC world. Brands are looking for people like me but can’t find any. That was the night my life changed! From then on, I shouted my age from the mountain tops. My business grew rapidly, and I started getting inbound after inbound.

On which brands reach out to her most often

Because of my age, I get a lot of inbounds for skin care, menopause, health supplements… products targeting the older demo. An older audience is more likely to buy products from people that look like them. A 50-year-old in menopause probably isn’t going to buy a supplement to help with hot flashes from a 20-year-old, for example.

However, I do not have a niche. I work with a variety of brands that have nothing to do with my age. Products such as insurance, home decor, mom life, apps, pets, etc.

I feel that for Gen Xers, the pool of opportunities is so much greater than for younger creators! We can work both with products that have no target age demo (pets, home decor, etc.) and products that are age-related.

On her biggest support

My husband and my three sons are proud of me and have always been very supportive. Every step of the way, they encouraged me. And now they also create UGC with me. I often get collaborations for products geared towards families or couples, and even pets. Penny and Stella, our two Goldendoodles, are now UGC creators too!

On advice to those considering UGC

Be willing to learn. Let go of fear! It is so limiting. I know putting yourself out there can be scary, but if you let go of fear and other people’s opinions, UGC can change your life. Do not compare your journey to anyone else’s. We all have unique and beautiful journeys.

Take it from me! Had I compared my journey to the younger UGC creators, I would not be where I am today. Had I allowed fear to keep me from moving forward, I guarantee I would still be miserable and feeling stuck at a 9–5. Had you told me that in my 50s I would be a successful content creator, I would have laughed. But here I am. I let go of all fear and took the jump into UGC, and then added TikTok Shop, and in these past 2.5 years, I have never looked back. I have more money, freedom, and joy than I have ever had.

I am my own boss. I don’t have to ask anyone for “permission.” This is MY business. UGC and TikTok Shop not only changed my life but the lives of my husband and children too. I am 57 years old and proof that if you think you’re too old to make money creating content, you are wrong! I truly want to see people win! Take the jump!

If you want to dive deeper into UGC, start with our panel discussion featuring UGC creators. It’s part of the Prequel Live series, where we talk to guest experts from the world of audiovisual production and creation. Follow us on IG @prequelapp to catch the next episodes!