Today presented two classic “freelance tests of patience,” each tempting me to spiral into the pit of freelancer despair. Spoiler alert: I didn’t. Instead, I’m here to tell the tale and keep moving forward.
First, there was the LinkedIn siren song—a part-time, remote, well-paid UGC Creator gig that checked all the right boxes. Naturally, I applied…cautiously. And, surprise surprise! The red flags unfurled quickly: it turned out to be yet another affiliate marketing scheme disguised as legitimate work. They wanted me to create free content to grow their brand under the guise of “opportunity.” But, no worries. I’d get a piece of the action. Yeah, no. If I’m going to hustle to develop a brand, it’ll be my own—and without someone picking my pocket. Lesson learned, inbox ignored.
Then came the ubiquitous UGC network promising access to brand leads—after mandatory training and quizzes, of course. I love learning, so I gave it a shot. Picture me grimacing as I endured painfully scripted videos delivered by hosts who made AI avatars look relatable. The pièce de résistance? In order to become “certified,” they wanted me to create free ads to market their platform. No thanks. I’m a creator, not a charity.
Still, it’s not all doom and gloom. Every encounter like this—and believe me, there are plenty—sharpens my radar for nonsense and reaffirms my standards. It’s a reminder to stay discerning, protect my time, and never undervalue my skills.
Moving forward, I’m doubling down on seeking collaborations that align with my values—authentic partnerships with brands that respect creators and their contributions. The scams and mediocrity may be noisy, but I know my worth, and I know the right opportunities are out there.
Here’s to resilience, lessons learned, and holding out for the gold. Let’s go!
Minced Media 