In today’s age of social proof and peer recommendations, user generated content is one of your most powerful tools. But what is user generated content, really? Simply put, what user generated content asks: content made by your users - photos, reviews, unboxing videos, testimonials - that you can amplify. It’s the raw voice of real people talking about your brand.

When brands lean into UGC marketing with sincerity, the payoff is huge. It’s not just a trend - it’s baked into how people trust what they see online.UGC in digital marketing injects authenticity (“real people”,“true experiences”) that polished ads often lack.

Why UGC Matters for Your Brand

• Social proof & trust: When someone sees a peer using your product and giving it praise, that influences decisions far more than a polished ad.
• Cost efficiency: Let your audience create content, and you can recycle or feature it - saving on content creation costs.
• Engagement & community: Encouraging participation makes people feel part of the brand, not just customers.
• Fresh perspectives: You see your product through new eyes, sometimes revealing ideas you hadn't considered.

When working on your user generated content strategy, these benefits become the pillars: trust, cost leverage, engagement, fresh insight.

Encouraging People to Create UGC Content

Getting someone to create content is the first hurdle. Here’s how to empower your community to participate:

1. Prompt with a theme or contest

Launch a campaign where users share their experiences under a branded hashtag (e.g. “#ThinkFirstStories”) and win a small reward. Challenges spark creativity.

2. Ask at the moment of delight

Right after purchase or delivery, ask for a photo or short video. Send a simple email or SMS: “Share your moment with us and tag us to be featured!”

3. Offer incentives that feel meaningful

Discounts, shout-outs, early access - these work better than cash for many. When users see a chance to be featured or appreciated, they take notice.

4. Make it frictionless

Use templates, examples and clear instructions. If it’s too hard or unclear, people won’t bother.

5. Show existing examples

Feature user generated content examples on your site or social feed. When others see normal people doing it, they’re more likely to join in.

6. Engage actively

Like, comment, share users’ posts. Recognize and elevate their voices.

7. Build habit loops

Run recurring themes (e.g. “Photo Friday”) so creating UGC content becomes part of the rhythm.

Ways to Use UGC for Your Brand

Collecting UGC is just the beginning. Making it work is where strategy steps in. Here are ways to use UGC content marketing across your channels:

• Social media

Share user images and videos. UGC social media posts often perform better in reach and engagement than brand-only posts.

• Website & landing pages

Feature testimonials, reviews, unboxings. That adds authenticity at the point of decision.

• Ads & retargeting

Combine real-user photos or short clips into ad creatives. A UGC video (user video) included in ads can dramatically boost performance when people see real use, not just staged setups.

• Email campaigns

Embed real user stories or feedback to build connections.

• Product development & feedback loops

Monitor what people share about use cases, features they love, pain points. Use that insight to refine your offerings.

• Community building

Create forums or spaces where users can share their experiences publicly, helping others and fostering loyalty.

Common UGC Formats & User Generated Content Examples

Here are formats you can aim for:

• Photos of users with your product
• Short video reviews or demos
• Stories or captions about usage
• Testimonials & written reviews
• Unboxing or “first impressions” clips
• Before/after images, transformations
• Social media mentions / tags
• Blog posts by users or guest writers

These are all UGC content in action - authentic contributions that tell your brand’s story from the customer’s side. You can browse curated lists of user generated content examples for inspiration.

Tips for Building an Ongoing UGC Strategy

To truly harness user generated content marketing, think long-term:

• Plan regular campaigns (monthly, quarterly) to cycle fresh UGC.
• Train your team to spot good submissions, ask permission, and repurpose intelligently.
• Set clear guidelines and legal safeguards so when you share someone’s content, you have consent.
• Measure what matters: engagement rate, conversion lift, cost per UGC piece, sentiment.
• Test small, scale high: roll out UGC campaigns in controlled segments first.
• Refine and evolve: see what formats or themes your audience loves, and lean into those.

Conclusion

At Think First Digital, if you approach UGC for brands with genuine respect, the rewards are manifold. Your audience becomes your creative partner, and your brand becomes more human. Start small: ask a few customers to share, amplify thoughtfully, measure, repeat. Over time, your user generated content marketing becomes one of your strongest, most authentic channels.