Influencer
From Dental Assistant To Full-Time Content Creator: Bailey Mitchell’s 7-Month UGC Transformation
In just seven months, Bailey Mitchell has transformed from a dental assistant in a small North Carolina town into a full-time User-Generated Content (UGC) creator, proving that passion and dedication can fast-track success in the digital age.
But her journey wasn’t without its challenges. Balancing a full-time job, studies, and a budding content creation career, Bailey had to navigate the complexities of the digital landscape. Her story reveals the grit behind the glamor of social media success.
Bailey Mitchell’s journey into content creation began serendipitously. “I was really focused on self-care and self-acceptance,” she recalls. “I started sharing my self-care journey on Instagram and TikTok. My feeds were flooded with skincare and beauty content, and I thought, ‘I want to do this. I want to share my own experience and growth.'” This realization marked the beginning of her meteoric rise in the UGC space.
Initially, Bailey juggled content creation with her full-time job as a dental assistant and her studies. “I started in February, and at that time, I was working as a full-time dental assistant and a full-time student,” she explains. Despite her busy schedule, she dove headfirst into content creation, quickly realizing it was a full-time job in itself. “As soon as I put my email in my bio, so many people were contacting me for collaborations. I thought they were all scams at first, but I soon learned the value of my work.”
By the third or fourth month, Bailey had matched her dental assistant salary with her UGC income and decided to pursue content creation full-time. Her relatability resonated with her growing audience, and her knack for live streaming played a significant role in building a loyal community. “Live streaming is such a strong tool that has not been used by a lot of content creators, and it really helps with growth,” she says. “It brings a whole different relatableness to the field of content creation.”
Bailey’s content, primarily focused on beauty and self-care, is a mix of tutorials, reviews, and motivational posts. “My content is engaging and relatable. Everybody wants to see relatableness,” she asserts. Her approach to live streaming has been particularly effective. “Monday through Saturday, I go live and do a live stream. My audience trusts me; they’re always there to support. It just brings a different level of engagement.”
Deciding on her niche wasn’t immediate. Bailey experimented with various topics before settling on skincare and beauty. “What stuck with me was skincare because of the self-acceptance journey,” she notes. “Later, I added makeup because I wanted to share my learning process, which resonated with my audience.”
Maintaining a consistent posting schedule is crucial for Bailey. “I use content calendars and tools like Planoly to schedule my content in advance. It’s all about careful planning and organization,” she advises. The inspiration for her content often comes from her audience and trending topics. “Live streaming gives me direct feedback from my audience. They tell me what they want to see, and I deliver.”
Different platforms require different strategies, and Bailey is acutely aware of this. “Instagram and TikTok have very different audiences and content formats. TikTok is more about short, engaging videos, while Instagram focuses more on polished, low-effort posts with long captions,” she explains. Her preference, however, remains with TikTok. “TikTok’s live streaming and for you page make it easier to grow and engage with a broader audience.”
Balancing professionalism with authenticity is a fine line that Bailey walks with finesse. “I always stay genuine and transparent with my audience while maintaining a polished presentation. I let them in on my milestones and inspire them with my journey,” she shares. “But it’s important to stay professional. At the end of the day, this is my business.”
Measuring the success of her content goes beyond numbers for Bailey. “Engagement rates, reach, and follower growth motivate me, but success to me is more about the genuine connections I make,” she says. “Recently, I had an agency battle on TikTok, and over 100 people registered for the event. Knowing that they showed up for me because of the connections we made through content creation means the most.”
On the business side of content creation, Bailey emphasizes the importance of financial planning and diversification of income streams. “Budgeting, tracking expenses, and exploring multiple monetization avenues like brand partnerships and affiliate marketing are crucial,” she advises. “It’s also important to have realistic goals. Everyone says they make six figures in a month, but setting achievable goals is more sustainable.”
Brand partnerships are a significant part of Bailey’s income, and she is selective about the brands she works with. “I look for brands that align with my values and resonate with my audience,” she says. Authenticity remains key even in promotional content. “I integrate products into my content in a way that adds value to my audience, like through honest reviews and tutorials.”
One of Bailey’s most impactful campaigns was with a magazine brand, promoting a digital guide on becoming a UGC creator. “The engagement and positive feedback were overwhelming. It helped me gain visibility and attract new followers interested in UGC,” she reflects. This success underscores the importance of choosing the right brand partners and creating content that resonates with her audience.
The creator economy’s growth has presented both opportunities and challenges for Bailey. “The audience is more selective now and values genuine connections over polished ads,” she observes. To stay ahead, Bailey focuses on building strong relationships with her followers and staying updated on industry trends. “The for you page is a strong tool. If TikTok is pushing it out, it’s because people want to see that type of content.”
Looking ahead, Bailey is excited about attending networking events and expanding her reach. “I’m in North Carolina, so there’s not as many events for content creators. Traveling for these events is a goal,” she says. She is also exploring opportunities in modeling and talent agencies and plans to provide a digital product on growing as a UGC creator. “Everyone wants to know how I did it in seven months, and I want to share that knowledge.”
In a final piece of advice to aspiring UGC creators, Bailey emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself and not getting discouraged by numbers. “UGC is about quality, not numbers. Stay dedicated, keep pushing through, and you’ll achieve your goals with time and consistency.”
Bailey Mitchell’s story is a testament to the power of passion, dedication, and authenticity in the rapidly evolving world of content creation. Her journey from a small-town dental assistant to a full-time UGC creator in just seven months is an inspiration for anyone looking to make their mark in the digital age.
