u/Al_Caps

This is probably the least glamorous “side hustle” I’ve seen, but it actually surprised me.

A few months ago, I noticed a lot of small sellers around our area were looking for cheap containers for homemade chili garlic, desserts, candles, body scrubs, and other stuff. At the same time, cafés, bakeries, and even some households were just throwing away decent glass jars.

So instead of treating them as basura, I started asking a few places if they were okay with me taking the clean ones.

The trick was not selling them as random used jars.

I washed and disinfected them, removed the labels, separated them by size, and only kept the ones with good lids and no chips. Then I posted them in local FB Marketplace and barangay buy-and-sell groups as:

“Clean glass jars for small business packaging – assorted sizes”

Some sold for ₱5–₱15 each depending on size. Sets of 10–20 moved faster because small food sellers could just buy a batch instead of hunting for containers individually.

The weird part is that the jars themselves were basically free. The actual “work” was collecting them, cleaning them properly, and storing them without my wife wondering why there was suddenly a shelf full of empty mayonnaise jars. 😂

I also learned pretty quickly that cleanliness matters more than quantity. A buyer would rather get 12 spotless jars with decent lids than 50 random bottles that still smell like spaghetti sauce.

It’s definitely not some magical ₱50k/month hustle. For me, the interesting part was realizing that some things we automatically call basura already have a buyer — you just have to find out what they’re useful for.

Now I’m curious:

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever sold that people actually paid for?

Imagine Shinpei Ajiro finally getting a break from all the time loops, shadows, and island mysteries.

Except… he’s at the beach, staring at the same stranger walking past him for the 17th time.

Shinpei: “...Wait.”

Stranger: “What?”

Shinpei: “Nothing. Just wondering if I’ve already lived this exact beach day.”

Ushio slowly appears behind him: “Shinpei… we need to talk.”

Shinpei: “Can I have ONE normal summer vacation?! 😭”

https://preview.redd.it/sbuly1zusckh1.png?width=720&format=png&auto=webp&s=21e1b9df492b7f9a82ef1266f50d3af332de2f15

I used to think you needed a big following before brands would take you seriously.

Turns out, a lot of local businesses just want someone who can make a product look good on camera and actually understand Filipino buyers.

One thing that helped me was changing how I approached my portfolio.

Instead of:

“Hi! I’m a UGC creator. Here’s my portfolio.”

I started making sample videos specifically for PH brands.

For example:

* A ₱299 skincare product → “Sulit ba talaga under ₱300?”

* A local coffee shop → short POV/reaction video

* A Shopee find → honest unboxing + 3 things I liked

* A local clothing brand → “3 ways I’d style this”

Even if the brand didn't hire me, I had something relevant to show the next one.

Another thing I learned: don't price only for the filming.

If a brand wants:

* 1 video

* 3 hooks

* raw footage

* 30-day ad usage

that's not really the same job as making one TikTok and sending it over.

For small PH brands, I found it easier to explain pricing by deliverables and usage instead of just saying “₱X per video.”

And honestly, don't be afraid to start with local businesses. A small café in Pampanga, a Shopee seller, a salon, or a local clothing brand can give you real portfolio material that looks much better than having 20 generic “UGC samples.”

Curious though, for Filipino UGC creators here, what's been harder for you: finding the first client, figuring out what to charge, or getting brands to reply to your outreach?

When I was trying to get into sell-side research I spent a lot of time making my resume better. I added classes fixed the bullet points and thought that one more certificate would get me noticed. I did this over and over.

What really made a difference was talking to someone who already worked in finance. I asked them about their work and what I should focus on. They gave me some advice and told me what not to waste my time on.

A weeks later I had a job interview. I was not the qualified person but I could talk about a company and explain my thoughts. I could also ask questions. I did not get that job but the next interview went much better. This made me realize that getting into finance is not about having a great resume. It is, about understanding the job so you can show that you can do it.

For people who have gotten into Investment Banking, Equity Research, Sales and Trading or corporate banking. What helped you the most?

You will probably send twenty pitches. You will not hear anything back. Then you will start to think that your UGC content is not good enough or that your portfolio is really bad or that you should just stop trying.

Do not do that.

Sometimes it only takes one yes to make a difference in your UGC work.

Instead of waiting for brands to find you you should keep making your portfolio better make your outreach more personal and learn how to charge the right price for your UGC work. Even making sample videos with products you already have at home can help you get started with your UGC.

Your first few pitches might feel like you are talking to a wall😅, Every single pitch will teach you something new about UGC.

I have been trying to find the way to get better paying jobs as a UGC creator. I want to know what worked for people who got better paying clients.

Did you work on making your portfolio or did you raise the money you charge for your work? Maybe you talked to brands directly. Used platforms, for creators.

I also want to know when you decided it was time to charge money for your work. I do not want to charge little or too much and lose jobs.

I would really like to hear what worked for you as a UGC creator. I want to know what you wish you knew when you started.

What would you tell a UGC creator who is trying to get their few better paying clients as a UGC creator?