Popular UGC Ad Concepts for your UA Strategy.

UGC – literally means User Generated Content.

Most often It is hard to get actual customer experience videos especially one suitable for ad usage, that’s how UGC – like ads were born. They are often made by real simple people aka creators, who receive a scenario and text that they need to record in a proper manner.

It is definitely not an influence marketing, because creators don’t even post on their socials. The creatives are made for performance marketing campaigns, best performing on TikTok, Meta, Google, and Snapchat and currently, we are noticing the trends of UGC-like ads appearing on Applovin, InMoby, Unity, and more.

Let’s dive into popular UGC Ad Concepts that you can implement into your Creative Strategy.

1. Native formats, aka Street Interviews, Podcasts, Sketches

• Concept: Randomly interviewing people on the street to get their spontaneous and genuine reactions about a product or service. Podcast setup with one person in front of the camera with the mic.
• Benefits: Authentic reactions, diverse perspectives, and a dynamic, lively format.
• Tips: Choose high-traffic locations, prepare a set of engaging questions, and ensure good audio and video quality.

Check the creative in Podcast Style

2. Talking Head Videos

• Concept: Individuals talking directly to the camera, sharing their experiences, reviews, or tutorials about a product or service.
• Benefits: Personal and direct communication, easy to produce, and effective for building trust.
• Tips: Encourage sincerity, use natural lighting, and ensure the background is not distracting.

Samples?

3. Product Unboxings

• Concept: Users record themselves unboxing and exploring a new product for the first time, showcasing its features and their initial impressions.
• Benefits: Builds excitement and anticipation, provides detailed product insights, and creates a sense of authenticity.
• Tips: Focus on the user’s genuine reactions, highlight unique product features, and use multiple camera angles if possible.

4. Before-and-After Transformations

• Concept: Users show the changes or improvements after using a product or service, often with side-by-side comparisons.
• Benefits: Visual proof of effectiveness, compelling and persuasive, and great for products with visible results.
• Tips: Ensure clear and consistent lighting, document the process thoroughly, and use captions to explain the changes.

5. How-To Tutorials

• Concept: Users create step-by-step guides on how to use a product or achieve a certain result.
• Benefits: Provides value to viewers, establishes the product as useful, and encourages engagement through actionable content.
• Tips: Break down steps clearly, use close-up shots for details, and include tips and tricks for best results.

6. Testimonials and Reviews. Problem | Solution concept

• Concept: Satisfied customers share their positive experiences and results after using a product or service.
• Benefits: Builds credibility, provides social proof, and encourages trust among potential customers.
• Tips: Feature diverse demographics, focus on specific benefits and outcomes, and keep the tone conversational.

🔗 https://youtube.com/shorts/mm3IInFh4M4?si=k1xnZds5vlC01iGO

7. Day-in-the-Life Vlogs

• Concept: Users document their daily routines, integrating the product or service into their everyday activities.
• Benefits: Shows practical use cases, provides a real-world context, and connects with viewers personally.
• Tips: Keep it natural and unscripted, highlight different product uses, and edit for a smooth flow.

8. Trends

• Concept: incorporating current organic trends
• Benefits: less skipping of the ads, as it looks more organic
• Tips: Focus on compelling narratives, use a mix of video and text, and feature diverse user experiences.

🔗 https://youtube.com/shorts/_awzC1JsELc?si=IFOkEZwJynpAH_2k

9. Memes and Humor

• Concept: Users create funny and relatable memes or short videos that incorporate the product in a humorous context.
• Benefits: Highly shareable, engages younger audiences, and adds fun to marketing.
• Tips: Keep it light-hearted, ensure humor aligns with the brand, and be mindful of current trends and sensibilities.

🔗 https://youtube.com/shorts/mWKfgcEco0M

10. Reality VS Virtuality

• Concept: a game | app character in real-life situations or vice versa a player | user becomes a part of the virtual world
• Benefits: Immersive Experience, blends reality and virtual worlds, engaging users deeply.
• Tips: Use Visuals, side-by-side photos, or videos that can effectively show the contrasts and similarities.

Tips for UGC like Ads creation

• Sound matters. The story can be told through lyrics. Emotions may be explained using rhythm. So let them show the product’s benefits;
• Experiment with sound: try ASMR or even rhythmic flow to tell about the product
• You can use different visual tricks; split-screen, transitions and visual effects, and dynamic editing. 
Try to match visuals with product points, and show people and their emotions
• Everything matters: UGC-visual, captions, music, simple tone of voice, and definitely – a positive vibe
• It is better to show the charismatic and active person in the frame, AI can’t provide that. Use simple puns, emotions, and exciting actions matched with the product