UGC Community #87

Inside the mind of an agency owner reviewing hundreds of portfolios a month. Here is exactly why you aren't getting a reply.

December 29, 2025

In partnership with

📧 UGC Community #87 | December 29, 2025

You send your portfolio link. You wait. You get silence.

It’s the most frustrating part of the UGC game. Recently, a high-volume agency owner (hiring for 200+ videos a month) opened up the hood on exactly why they skip over certain portfolios.

The truth? It’s rarely about your lighting. It’s about logistics and friction.

Here is how to optimize your portfolio to make it "agency-ready."

LOOKING FOR UGC JOBS?

A big 2026 starts now

Most people treat this stretch of the year as dead time. But builders like you know it’s actually prime time. And with beehiiv powering your content, world domination is truly in sight.

On beehiiv, you can launch your website in minutes with the AI Web Builder, publish a professional newsletter with ease, and even tap into huge earnings with the beehiiv Ad Network. It’s everything you need to create, grow, and monetize in one place.

In fact, we’re so hyped about what you’ll create, we’re giving you 30% off your first three months with code BIG30. So forget about taking a break. It’s time for a break-through.

[THE DEEP DIVE]

3 Updates to Make to Your Portfolio Today

If an agency has to dig for information, they move to the next creator. Speed is the name of the game. Here is how to keep them on your page:

1. Define Your Logistics (Location & Languages) It sounds basic, but agencies often scout for location-specific or demographic-specific shoots. If your "About Me" is vague, you lose.

  • The Fix: Put your City, State, and Country at the very top.

  • The Multi-lingual Unlock: Data shows clients are desperate for non-English content to reach untapped markets. If you speak a second language (even conversationally), create a dedicated "Languages" section with a video example of you speaking it.

2. Strategist vs. Executor: Pick a Lane Agencies need to know how much hand-holding you require. Being vague here creates hesitation. Define your service level clearly:

  • The Strategist: You charge a premium. You handle research, scripting, hooks, and creative direction.

  • The Executor: You prefer to take a finished brief and shoot it perfectly.

  • The Hybrid: You execute briefs but offer "creative spins" or ad-libbed hooks.

  • Note: Also, explicitly state if you offer Whitelisting/Spark Ads and list your 30/60/90-day rates. Don't make them ask.

3. Remove the "Canva Friction" Most creators build portfolios on Canva. The problem? Canva blocks video downloads. Agencies often need to pull your video to put into a specific pitch deck for their clients. If they can't download your sample, they might not pitch you.

  • The Fix: Include a Google Drive link under your best video examples. This allows the agency to grab the file, pitch you to their client, and get you hired without a 10-email back-and-forth.

Can you scale without chaos?

It's peak season, so volume's about to spike. Most teams either hire temps (expensive) or burn out their people (worse). See what smarter teams do: let AI handle predictable volume so your humans stay great.

[PRO TIP OF THE WEEK]

Segment Your Work by Niche. Agencies scan, they don't read. If an agency is hiring for a SaaS app, they don't want to scroll past three dog videos and a skincare routine. Create specific sections (or tabs) for your niches (e.g., "Tech/Apps," "Beauty," "Home"). If you prove you know their specific industry instantly, your conversion rate will skyrocket.

The Creator Suite

A free newsletter with the marketing ideas you need

The best marketing ideas come from marketers who live it. That’s what The Marketing Millennials delivers: real insights, fresh takes, and no fluff. Written by Daniel Murray, a marketer who knows what works, this newsletter cuts through the noise so you can stop guessing and start winning. Subscribe and level up your marketing game.