UGC stands for User Generated Content, but what exactly are UGC videos and how can you make a great income from them? Psst… scroll down to find UGC jobs!
UGC is “marketing a brand through regular people”, as I like to call it. It’s essentially content created by people like you and me, about a particular product or service, for a brand.
UGC is typically shared by brands across social media platforms and is often used for marketing purposes. It can include images, text, videos, audio recordings, and anything else created by users.
It is an effective way of getting people interested in a particular brand as it showcases real-life interactions with customers and the products or services they offer.
UGC is most commonly used across Instagram and TikTok (video and photo).
Is UGC used on organic social or ads too?
User Generated Content (UGC) can be used for both organic social as well as ad campaigns.
Through organic UGC, businesses can create an engaged community of customers by sharing content that they enjoy and not just random stock imagery.
Ads that use UGC tend to be more effective in connecting with customers than standard advertisements as they show real-life interactions with the product by “real people”.
UGC video ads typically require a bit more planning and tend to require a hook, a problem, a solution and a CTA (call to action).
Typically, if a brand wants to use your UGC video for ads, you can ask for more money (I teach all about that in my ultimate UGC guide).
What is a UGC video? Examples:
Ok, so you get the theory behind UGC videos, but what do they actually look like?
There are many forms of UGC, and after a while you’ll learn to recognise them. The most common type used for UGC ads is – you talking to the camera, hyping up a product or service, with b-roll to make the reel look more interesting. It often consists of a “hook” (something to catch the users attention), a list of positives about the brand and a CTA (call to action) at the end.
I don’t normally share my clients, but I like supporting charities or other products I truly see as valuable, so below is an example of one I did for ReDONATEuk that fits into the standard UGC ad category:
Now, the UGC video example below is a totally different form of user generated content. It’s more inspirational and doesn’t have a hard sell, so it’s more frequently used by brands in their organic feed or by luxury brands that seek to inspire their audience to buy their products.
Finally, and I get asked this question a lot – do you need to show your face in a UGC video? No you don’t. A lot of the videos I make are faceless, like this one down here. JUVIA is a fantastic natural product for people with IBS and I’ve done quite a few videos for them that don’t show my face. These types of UGC videos tend to be more aesthetic, informational or just fun.
Why is user generated content so important?
In today’s society, user generated content plays a crucial role in the success of a brand. Gone are the days when brands could rely on traditional marketing techniques to entice customers. Now, customers want to engage with brands on a personal level, and UGC provides just that.
Firstly, UGC allows brands to establish a personal connection with their consumers. Such a connection not only boosts brand loyalty but also increases the likelihood of customers recommending the brand to others.
Secondly, user generated content is a great marketing strategy for brands as it offers a unique perspective on their products. Customers tend to trust each other more than they trust brands – after all, no one knows a product better than the people who use it every day. By featuring user-generated content, brands are showcasing an honest and narratively-rich take on their products.
UGC creator jobs – where to find them?
If you’re a new creator, it can feel overwhelming knowing where to start and where to look for UGC jobs. So many different things to learn (like NEVER do work without a contract!) and so many apps to sign up to. Below are a few simple ways you can get started.
– Scroll through social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, if you come across a brand that is utilizing UGC content, send them a DM! Many of these brands partner with UGC creators, making them an ideal target for pitching.
– Search through Twitter regularly for any posts regarding UGC creators needed by companies. Just make sure to vet the company first before engaging in any deals as there can be a lot of spammy offers.
– There are also a lot of apps and websites that connect creators and brands. I’ve got a large list of them in my UGC guide and I update it as soon as new ones come out. Some of these have been great for me and they take the effort out of looking for brands yourself. You can find the list in “Become a UGC Creator in Just 7 Days” – possibly the most comprehensive UGC guide out there.
– Facebook groups can be a good place too. If you’re in the UK/EU, join my group here. I keep it spam-free unlike most of the UGC groups out there, and brands actively post jobs there.
– I have one more resource for you and I think you’ll like this one. There’s a FREE newsletter that sends you UGC jobs to your mailbox several times a week. You can sign up to it here. It mostly has jobs for creators in the US and Canada, but sometimes it has jobs in the UK, Europe and worldwide.
Hope you found this article useful and now have a better understanding about what is UGC. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me!
3 Comments on What is a UGC video?
Comments are closed.