Hi, I’m Sage, the Jr. Community Manager here at Planoly. I manage our brand partnerships and review UGC creator pitches on the daily, which means I’ve seen a lot of portfolios. While a well-structured portfolio can get a brand’s attention, it’s the quality of your work that will get you a response. 

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If you want to attract clients, your content can’t just exist — it has to stand out. Here’s how to create high-quality content that will convince brands to hire you. 

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Nail Your Lighting

Nothing kills great content faster than bad lighting. This is the most common issue I see with portfolios that would otherwise be great. The good news is, it’s the easiest thing to fix.

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Here are a few tips to help you get the lighting that brands are looking for:

1. Always film facing the lighting to avoid being backlit.
2. The first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset (aka the golden hours) are prime time to get beautiful, warm lighting.
3. Shooting with natural lighting will always be the best way to produce professional-looking content, but if you don’t have access to it, you can supplement with a ring light or small LED panel.
4. Avoid harsh overhead lighting.

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Record With Clean Audio

If you’re creating talking-head content or voiceovers, the audio quality matters just as much as the visuals. Muffled, echoey sound will instantly turn off brands from wanting your content.

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I highly recommend using a microphone, but you don’t need to spend hundreds to get one. A small, clip-on microphone that connects to your phone is all you need. To reduce echo, record your audio in a small, furnished room and always do a quick audio check before filming a full take.

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Hook Them in the First Few Seconds

If your content doesn't grab viewers’ attention immediately, it doesn’t matter how good the rest is. On platforms like TikTok and Instagram, viewers decide whether to keep watching within the first two to three seconds. Brands already know this, and they’re looking for creators who know it too.

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Your hook should spark emotion, create curiosity, or make a bold statement. Lead with the most interesting part of your story, not the setup. For example, instead of “Today I’m going to be reviewing this moisturizer…” try “I’ve tried 12 different moisturizers this year, and this is the only one I’d actually repurchase.”

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Tell a Story With Your Content

Nobody likes to feel like they’re being “sold to.” The best UGC content doesn’t feel like an ad (even if it is). Instead of listing off features or reading off a script, show viewers how the product fits into your life. Here are a couple of ways you can incorporate storytelling into your UGC:

• Record a routine and show how [product] fits into it
• Describe a problem you face and how [product] solves it

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Creating high-quality UGC content comes down to the fundamentals: good lighting, clear sound, a strong hook, and an engaging story. It may take practice to get a hold of the basics, but when you do, your content will begin to stand out and get you the attention you’re looking for from your dream brands.

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