The 3 things I wish I had on Day 1 🕊️✨

When I started UGC, I thought I just needed a camera. I was so wrong. 💀 It took me a minute to realize that the tools you use to manage the business are just as important as the tools you use to film it.

1. The Sony ZV-1: My go-to for that crisp, aesthetic

look.

2. The DJI Pocket 3: For the best 'on-the-go' content (it literally fits in my pocket).

3. The Empire Creator OS: My Notion "brain" where I track every single deal so I never miss a payment.

Want to steal my organization system? I just put the Free Lite Archive link in my bio. Grab the checklist and let’s get your creator era started! 💻💕💅🏽

#lemon8creator #ugctips #notiontemplate #desksetup #cameragear

Los Angeles
4/14 Edited to

... Read moreStarting out as a UGC creator, I quickly learned that success isn’t just about having a good camera—it’s about the full ecosystem of tools that support both content creation and business management. The Sony ZV-1 became my favorite camera because of its high-quality image output and user-friendly interface, perfect for delivering that clean, aesthetic look my audience loves. Paired with the DJI Pocket 3, which is compact enough to fit in my pocket, I was able to capture spontaneous moments and dynamic 'day-in-the-life' style content effortlessly. This combination made filming both at home and on the move smooth and efficient. But beyond filming, managing a UGC business requires organization and tracking. That’s where the Empire Creator OS, built on Notion, became indispensable. It’s like having a personal assistant that tracks every brand deal, payment, and content idea all in one place. Being able to organize content pillars, engagement efforts, and deal administration digitally saved me hours and stress, allowing me to focus more on creativity and less on logistics. If you’re just starting out, I can't recommend enough testing different tools to find your perfect workflow, but investing early in a reliable camera, a portable filming option, and a robust organizational system will give you a huge head start. Also, creating a dedicated quiet space for brainstorming and planning (like I did) helps keep your ideas flowing and your content on point. Don’t underestimate how managing your creator business with smart tools can make a big difference in both your productivity and peace of mind. Remember, the creator journey is as much about staying organized as it is about filming quality content. These tools helped me develop a professional mindset and created a foundation that supported growth and consistent output. If you want to streamline your creator workflow and never miss a payment or deal milestone, consider setting up a system that works for you early on. Your future self will thank you!

Related posts

Target books I wish I had gotten
#books #targetfinds #target #targetbooks #wishlist
Mansehaj_K

Mansehaj_K

3506 likes

Things I wish I knew
What do you guys think about the little list? Do you guys wish that you knew these things by the time you turn 23 I think the lesson is something that all of us can learn at the time that we need #letschat #lemon8contest #knowing #whatsoyouthink
Tokki1254

Tokki1254

967 likes

3 things I wish I knew before going to Korea
I want to take this time to introduce myself! Hello, my name is LaRiah 😁 and I literally grew to 3000 followers seemingly within a few weeks from old videos that have just been flourishing to be honest. 😂🥲 I used supposed a lot of travel content, but have switched more to videos but want to inco
LaRiah Glasper

LaRiah Glasper

594 likes

A page titled "25 THINGS ABOUT LIFE I WISH I HAD KNOWN 10 YEARS AGO" lists life lessons from 1 to 10, including "Struggle Is Good," "Don't Complain," "Spend Time with People You Love," and "Exercise Daily." Many points are highlighted in yellow.
A page continues the list of life lessons from 11 to 20, all highlighted in yellow. Points include "Lead the Way," "Money Isn't Important," "Be Nice," "Learn Every Day," "Rest Before You Are Tired," and "Don't Judge."
A page concludes the list of life lessons from 21 to 25, all highlighted in yellow. Points include "Don't Take Yourself So Seriously," "Don't Blame People," "Create Something," "Never Look Back Too Long," and "Take Action." Concluding text about continuous learning is also visible.
✍️25 things I wish I learnt 10 years ago.🙏🏻
#Lemon8 #lemon8bookclub #healthylifestyle2024
🌹ylaisa sanz 🌹

🌹ylaisa sanz 🌹

2531 likes

Things I Wish I Could Tell Younger Me
Sometimes I wish I could go back time just to give myself advice. What’s the phrase, if I knew then what I know now… But since I can’t, here’s my advice for any 20 year olds, from your 34 year old big sis. XOXO, LC #advice #embracevulnerability #Lemon8Diary #lifestyle #Diary #advi
LC Chere

LC Chere

317 likes

A view of a Walmart book aisle featuring various titles, with an overlay stating 'WALMART BOOKS I WISH I HAD GOTTEN'.
A close-up of several books from the 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' series by Sarah J. Maas on a store shelf, with an overlay saying 'THIS SERIES'.
A hand holding the book 'Does It Hurt?' by H. D. Carlton, with an overlay indicating 'Heard great things about this one'.
Walmart books I wish I had gotten
Mansehaj_K

Mansehaj_K

1938 likes

Things I wish I new before becoming a mom 🌸
Note: every baby and mama is different, what may work for me may not work for you.Each baby grows differently. #youngmommy #youngmomjourney #i am a mom #Lemon8Diary #notyourbaby
Mariiiimg

Mariiiimg

1932 likes

A black and white image shows a couple embracing in a kitchen, with the text overlay 'What I Wish Men knew Pt. 2'. The woman is wearing a bra and shorts, and the man is shirtless, kissing her neck.
A black and white close-up of a person's arm with a tattoo resting on another person's leg. The text overlay reads: 'It's okay to be intimate through vulnerability. Share your pains, your trauma, your goals and desires.'
Shadows of two people holding hands are cast on an asphalt road with a white line and a traffic cone. The text overlay states: 'I am whole in myself. You are whole in yourself. We elevate each other. We do not need each other, we want each other.'
What I wish men knew Pt. 2
These are coming from personal experiences, and I hope that someone out there can relate. My previous relationship was the best I’ve ever had… unfortunately it was not enough in the long run because we failed on some massive points. Reflecting, this is what I came up with to realize how we fa
Mavis Shahar

Mavis Shahar

4412 likes

Things I’d wish I’d known going into high school
#growthmindset #lemon8challenge #last year of high school✨ #iwishiknew #highschool #school #unfiltered I wish I had known this ask anything in the comments
School tips

School tips

317 likes

Things I wish I had put on my baby registry 🤰
As a first-time mom, I really had no idea what to put on my registry and what not to put on my registry. There are a few things that I wish now that I had put on my baby registry. You can find all of them on Amazon! 🩷 #amazonfinds #mamaamazonfinds #babyamazonfinds #baby #babiesoflemon8
alayna s 🇺🇲

alayna s 🇺🇲

321 likes

25 Things I Wish
10. Pick An Industry, Not A Job If you want to become good at something, you need to spend years and years doing that. You can’t do that if you hop from industry to industry. Pick an industry you love and start at the bottom. You will find the perfect role for you eventually.
Qwuayra

Qwuayra

12 likes

Things I Wish I Knew Before Traveling to Japan 🇯🇵✈
Japan is one of the most amazing travel destinations, but trust me, there are things I wish I had known before my trip🤩 Save this for later so you don’t make the same mistakes⬇️ 🔹 Cash is still king 💴 Despite being super high-tech, many places (like small restaurants & temples) only accept
Julia

Julia

266 likes

A person's legs in blue jeans and white sneakers with flower-patterned socks are shown inside a car. Overlay text reads "10 THINGS I WISH I WOULD HAVE KNOWN BEFORE MOVING OUT AT 18," serving as the article's title card.
10 things i wish i knew before moving out @ 18 🏡💰
eating out, sleeping too much or too little, spending money like no one’s business.. all things i didn’t properly prepare myself for 😫 it’s worth it every day but IT IS HARD dude #embracevulnerability #movingout #moved out at 18 #thingsyoushouldknow #Lemon8Diary #groceryessentials #s
ashley 🎀🪩

ashley 🎀🪩

6607 likes

things i wish people had told me about college pt2
cause y’all seemed to really like the last one i wanted to share some more #collegediaries #collegestudent #collegelife #collegetips #college
Stephanie

Stephanie

35 likes

things I wish I know before I packed up my life
3 Things I Wish I Knew Before Moving to Thailand 🌴 1️⃣ I seriously underestimated how hot it gets here! 🥵 I wish I packed more short-sleeve shirts. My melanin was not ready for this heat—I’m sweating all day, every day. 2️⃣ I overpacked on toiletries like toothpaste, shampoo, and deodorant. T
tonydeclass

tonydeclass

9 likes

A woman with dark skin and long curly hair looks at the camera. Text overlays read "Year 29 Things I Wish I knew..." in pink and orange, with decorative elements like a pink flower, blue wings, and sparkles. The Lemon8 handle @ashlimccoy is also visible.
Things I Wish I knew…
Sis, as I enter my last year in my twenties, I can't help but reflect on the things I wish I knew about leveling up and prioritizing mental health earlier. 1. Embrace a growth mindset Your mindset is everything!! I wish I had realized sooner that setbacks aren't failures—they're
therealashlimccoy

therealashlimccoy

5 likes

Things I wish I had done in Nursing School
Take it from me #nursing #nurse #nursingschool #nurses #hospitalduty
Nurse Samuel M 🩺 💉

Nurse Samuel M 🩺 💉

6 likes

Things I wish I knew when I was younger:
#godlovesyou #mindfulness #mindset #relationship #relationshipadvice #relationships #youngerselfadvice #growingup #faith
Mina 🤍

Mina 🤍

50 likes

5 Things I wish I knew before my Freshman year
Everyone goes into Uni feeling incredibly underprepared. Here are some things I learned this year that I would have loved to know before move-in day!! #college #university #dormlife #dormdecor #uni #study #studentlife #student #Lemon8Diary #classof2024
Jay Nicole

Jay Nicole

192 likes

A hand with green nail polish holds the book 'Stop Walking on Eggshells' by Paul T. Mason and Randi Kreger, against a green outdoor background. A 'Swipe' graphic is in the bottom right corner.
A digital display shows the book 'Stop Walking on Eggshells' by Paul T. Mason and Randi Kreger, with a description about navigating relationships with borderline personality disorder. A 'Grow with you Book Psychic' button is visible.
A digital screen displays a section from 'Stop Walking on Eggshells' titled 'Understanding the Chaos: Recognizing Borderline and Narcissistic Personality Disorders,' with options for audio and reading time.
🚨 I Wish I Had Found This 10 Years Ago
📖 Intro Ever feel like you’re constantly tiptoeing around someone’s emotions? Stop Walking on Eggshells (rated ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐) breaks that cycle. 🔑 Key Takeaways 1️⃣ Emotional whiplash is real – Living with someone with BPD can feel like riding a rollercoaster without a seatbelt. This book helps you un
EllaReadsThings

EllaReadsThings

174 likes

Things I Wish I Knew
These are a few things that I wish I had known before starting nursing school.. In the beginning, it felt like no matter what I did, I was upsetting someone by saying I could not hang out or go somewhere because I had to study. I am currently about to start my 2nd semester of the LPN program an
Amanda

Amanda

247 likes

The image shows a camera, coffee, and greenery with text asking "Wait... You Can't Sell Templates Using Canva Free?" and stating it's about lessons learned in the first week of using Canva.
The image displays text explaining that a Canva Pro subscription is now required to share template links, which is crucial for selling digital products, making older advice about Canva Free outdated.
The image highlights that trendy fonts, popular graphics, and aesthetic layouts are often exclusive to Canva Pro, indicating the limitations of the free plan.
What I Wish Someone Had Told Me About Canva!
A lot of creators recommend using Canva to create a free product to sell — and while that used to be doable, recent updates have changed some things. For example, you now need a Pro subscription to share a template link — which is kind of essential if you're selling digital products. Not
Short Order Chef 🍳

Short Order Chef 🍳

123 likes

A young woman takes a mirror selfie in a bathroom, wearing a rust-colored top and white shorts. Text overlays read "WHAT I WISH I KNEW GOING INTO COLLEGE" and "As an almost junior."
Three young women smile and pose together at night, with balloons in the background. The image includes the text "Number 1: Make friends right away!".
A group of young people, including several smiling women and a man, are gathered together. The image features the text "Number 2: Learn to say no.".
Things I wish I knew before college!
1: Make friends as soon as you get there. Being a freshman makes it super easy to talk to new people because you get to say “hey! I’m new here and I’m trying to meet new people and make new friends. Wanna hang out sometime?” 2: Learn to say no. There are going to be nights that going out seems s
Cassie Covey

Cassie Covey

275 likes

A well-organized college desk setup featuring a laptop on a stand, a monitor displaying 'SEPTEMBER', a tablet, keyboard, mouse, and various desk accessories. The background includes shelves with white boxes and a glowing lamp, illustrating college essentials.
A black backpack is displayed against a background of white flowers. The backpack features a laptop sleeve, a side pocket suitable for a water bottle, and is described as capable of holding lab equipment.
A pink water bottle with a convenient carry handle is shown against a pink background with floral illustrations. It is noted for keeping ice cold longer and storing hot drinks effectively.
Things I wish I had freshmen year of college 🎀
#college #collegestudent #collegelifestyle #collegelife #freshman #fyp #dormdecor #dormroom #dormroominspo #dormlife
Callista Opal

Callista Opal

11 likes

📖 I Wish I Had Read This Sooner
⭐ Intro A global bestseller on happiness and self-liberation, The Courage to Be Disliked shatters everything you thought about life. 9/10. 🔑 Key Takeaways 1️⃣ Happiness is a choice – You suffer not because of your past but because you believe it defines you. Drop that baggage. 2️⃣ Stop seeki
EllaReadsThings

EllaReadsThings

34 likes

A person stands with arms outstretched in front of the Universal Studios globe, which is partially obscured by mist. The image has a text overlay: '5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to Universal Studios'.
A crowd of people gathers in what appears to be a theme park entrance or queue area. The image has a text overlay: '1. Arrive Early Getting to the park before it opens can save you from long lines and give you a head start on popular attractions.'
A person walks on a red paved path towards the Universal Orlando Resort entrance, with buildings and signs visible. The image has a text overlay: '2. Download the App The Universal Studios app is a lifesaver. It shows wait times, park maps, and even lets you order food in advance.'
5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to Universal
Planning a trip to Universal Studios? Here are 5 things I wish I knew before going: 1. **Arrive Early:** Getting to the park before it opens can save you from long lines and give you a head start on popular attractions. It's worth setting that alarm a little earlier! 2. **Download the App
Lemon8er

Lemon8er

278 likes

A tabby cat wearing red heart-shaped sunglasses with its tongue slightly out. Text overlay reads "5 things i Wish i knew before adopting a kitten" and "Swipe" with an arrow.
A tabby cat with its eyes closed, appearing to be sleeping or very relaxed. Text overlay reads "1. all kittens need at least one other kitten."
A tortoiseshell cat winking and looking directly at the camera. Text overlay reads "2. Spontaneous trips/vacations are a thing of the past."
5 things I wish I knew
#Petlover #lemon8challenge I have had my fur babies for a little over a year now and everyday I’m learning something new. If you’re anything like me, you’ve already done tons of research on litter, food, playtime, watched all of Jackson Galaxy’s videos, etc… But with all that, There was sti
victoria 🩰

victoria 🩰

13 likes

A person with braided hair, wearing a purple hoodie, white puffer jacket, and jeans, takes a mirror selfie in a dorm room with purple LED lights. Text overlays discuss college freshman year.
A clear plastic cup filled with a red beverage, ice, and mint leaves sits on a white table. Text overlays advise on the importance of studying in college.
Plates of raw meat (beef and chicken) are arranged on a black table with a hot pot grill, suggesting a meal. Text overlays encourage leaving the dorm and socializing.
things i wish people told me about college
respectfully i would never do freshman year again but now that i’ve gotten it over with i can look back and giggle a little 🥹 #freshmanyear #collegelife #collegeadvice #collegetips #collegefreshman
Stephanie

Stephanie

658 likes

A low-angle view of the Florence Cathedral (Duomo) with its iconic dome and intricate white, green, and pink marble facade under a blue sky with white clouds. Scaffolding is visible on one side of the building.
A panoramic view of Florence, Italy, showcasing the city's historic skyline with the Duomo and other prominent buildings, framed by a tall cypress tree on the left and distant hills under a clear blue sky.
A scenic sunset view over Florence, Italy, featuring the Arno River with multiple bridges spanning across it. The sky is painted in vibrant orange and red hues, reflecting on the water.
i wish someone had told me this…
Florence is, understandably, one of the most popular destinations in Italy and it is 1000% worth the hype! But due to it's popularity, it can be a bit difficult to navigate - especially if you have a limited amount of time in the city. These tips are the most important things I always tell p
Marisa • Travel

Marisa • Travel

19 likes

I wish I had space for one of these!
It’s probably my last year at our family’s house and we will be moving out so we really don’t have the space to be adding things like this but I wish I had the space #peepplushie
meeps

meeps

105 likes

A woman on a sandy beach with palm trees and the ocean in the background, with text overlay "things I wish I heard before studying abroad part 3".
A woman in a black coat and plaid skirt walks on an autumn path, with text advising not to stress about packing for studying abroad.
A woman in a beige coat stands in a cobblestone square with the Arc de Triomphe behind her, accompanied by text encouraging taking touristy photos.
things I wish I heard before studying abroad pt.3
Studying abroad is amazing but there are so many things I would've done differently on mine if I knew better. I loved my time at the London College of Fashion, but I know if I went back I could use my time soooo much more wisely. Here are 3 more things I wish I heard before studying abroad for
TravelwithSam

TravelwithSam

102 likes

See more