How to Get UGC for Your Brand Without Paying Influencers

Learn how to get UGC for your brand from happy customers and boost trust without influencers.

The Moast Team

January 6, 2025

User-generated content (UGC) has become one of the most powerful tools in a brand’s marketing arsenal. It’s authentic, relatable, and, most importantly, trusted by consumers. After all, people trust recommendations from other people far more than polished ads. But here’s the thing—getting UGC doesn’t have to mean partnering with pricey influencers or spending thousands of dollars on professional campaigns.

The truth is, your happiest customers are your best content creators. They’ve already used and loved your product, so why not turn their genuine enthusiasm into compelling UGC? In this article, we’ll explore how to get UGC for your brand without relying on influencers. We’ll dive into strategies that make it easy to collect content directly from your customers, how to enhance it with AI tools, and how to display it for maximum impact—all while keeping your budget in check.

If you’ve been wondering how to elevate your brand’s social proof without breaking the bank, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive in!

Why UGC Is Crucial for Your Brand’s Growth

If you’re wondering whether investing time in user-generated content is worth it, the answer is a resounding yes. UGC isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a game-changer for brands looking to build trust, drive engagement, and boost sales. Here’s why:

1. UGC Builds Authenticity and Trust

Consumers crave authenticity. Polished ads are great, but they don’t compare to the realness of a customer sharing their experience. UGC showcases your product through the eyes of those who use it, making your brand feel relatable and trustworthy. In fact, studies show that 79% of people say UGC highly impacts their purchasing decisions.

2. Social Proof Drives Sales

When potential customers see others raving about your brand, it creates a powerful sense of FOMO (fear of missing out). People are more likely to purchase when they see real customers enjoying your product. It’s the digital equivalent of seeing a packed restaurant and deciding to eat there because it must be good.

3. UGC Increases Engagement

UGC naturally sparks conversations. When you share content from your customers, they’re more likely to repost, comment, and share with their own followers. This ripple effect drives organic reach and engagement, amplifying your brand’s visibility without additional ad spend.

How to get UGC for your brand example

4. It’s Cost-Effective Marketing

Unlike influencer partnerships or professional photo shoots, UGC often costs little to nothing. Your customers are already creating content—you just need to encourage and curate it. With the right strategies, you can build a treasure trove of high-quality UGC without stretching your budget.

In short, UGC isn’t just about pretty pictures or glowing reviews. It’s about creating a connection between your brand and its audience. And the best part? You don’t need influencers to make it happen. By tapping into your existing customers, you can create a steady stream of authentic content that grows your brand’s credibility and bottom line.

How to Get UGC for Your Brand From Existing Customers

The easiest way to get authentic, high-quality UGC for your brand is by tapping into your existing customers. These are the people who already love your product and are likely to rave about it when given the chance. Here’s how to encourage them to share their experiences:

1. Encourage Reviews and Testimonials

Happy customers often want to share their experiences—they just need a little nudge.

  • Make It Easy: Send follow-up emails after a purchase asking for feedback. Include a direct link to leave a review or share a testimonial.
  • Offer Incentives: While you don’t need to pay influencers, small perks like discounts, loyalty points, or entries into a giveaway can motivate customers to take action.
  • Show Examples: Provide clear examples of the type of content you’re looking for, such as a quick photo of the product in use or a short video review.

2. Leverage Social Media Tags

Social media is a goldmine for organic UGC. Make it part of your strategy to encourage customers to tag your brand in their posts.

  • Run a Hashtag Campaign: Create a branded hashtag like #My[BrandName]Story that customers can use to share their content.
  • Engage and Repost: When customers tag your brand, engage with their posts by liking, commenting, or resharing. This recognition makes them more likely to post again.
  • Create Opportunities: Encourage customers to post about their unboxing experience, how they use your product, or what they love most about it.

3. Use Interactive Tools to Collect UGC

Simplify the process for your customers by providing easy-to-use tools to share their content.

  • Post-Purchase Requests: Use a widget on your website or email that allows customers to upload photos, videos, or testimonials directly.
  • Try Moast: Tools like Moast make it simple for brands to collect, manage, and showcase UGC. For example, Moast enables customers to submit video reviews or images with just a few clicks. While it’s not promotional, this approach highlights how Moast can help streamline UGC collection.
  • Make It Fun: Gamify the process by turning content submissions into a challenge or competition, like “Best Customer Story of the Month.”

4. Show Appreciation for Shared Content

Customers are more likely to share if they feel valued.

  • Feature Customers: Highlight submitted content on your website, social media, or emails. Add a personal touch by mentioning their name or handle.
  • Thank Them Personally: Send a quick thank-you note or email when someone shares their experience. Better yet, offer a small reward, like a coupon code, to show your appreciation.

By focusing on your existing customers, you can build an ongoing stream of UGC that is genuine, cost-effective, and perfectly aligned with your brand’s story. And the best part? The content will resonate far more than anything created by influencers because it’s grounded in real experiences (this chart breaks down why).

Creating Engaging UGC Campaigns Without Influencers

Engaging campaigns are the secret to encouraging customers to share UGC organically. By giving them a reason to participate and a clear direction, you can generate a steady stream of authentic content—no influencers required. Here are some ideas to get started:

1. Host a “Before and After” Challenge

If your product delivers visible results or transformations, encourage customers to document their journey.

  • How It Works: Ask customers to share side-by-side photos or videos showing the “before” and “after” of using your product.
  • Make It Fun: Turn it into a challenge with a catchy name and offer a prize for the most impressive transformation.
  • Amplify the Results: Feature the best submissions in your marketing campaigns or on your website to inspire others to participate.

2. Encourage “How I Use It” Submissions

Customers love showing off their unique ways of using a product.

  • Invite Creativity: Ask them to share photos or videos of how they incorporate your product into their daily lives.
  • Run a Series: Create themes like “Weekend Vibes with [Your Brand]” or “Best Travel Hacks with [Your Product]” to guide submissions.
  • Make It Personal: Highlight individual submissions with captions like, “Meet [Customer Name], who uses [Your Product] to [specific use case].”

3. Create a Customer Spotlight Program

Shine a light on your loyal customers by turning them into brand ambassadors.

  • Feature Their Stories: Share a customer’s story on your website, blog, or social media, highlighting their experience with your product.
  • Add Value: Offer participants exclusive discounts or early access to new products as a thank-you for their involvement.
  • Build Community: Create a dedicated hashtag or online group for customers who want to be part of your spotlight program.
A sample eail on how to get UGC for brands

4. Run Seasonal or Holiday Campaigns

Tie your UGC campaigns to a season or holiday for added relevance and excitement.

  • Examples:some text
    • “Share Your Cozy Winter Looks with [Your Brand].”
    • “Best Summer Adventures Featuring [Your Product].”
    • “Unbox the Holidays with [Your Brand].”
  • Leverage the Buzz: Use these campaigns to engage customers during peak shopping seasons when excitement is high.

5. Host a Giveaway for UGC Participants

Everyone loves free stuff, and giveaways are a great incentive to get customers involved.

  • Simple Entry: Ask customers to post photos or videos featuring your product and tag your brand to enter.
  • Exciting Prizes: Offer a product bundle, gift card, or exclusive merch as the reward.
  • Create a Ripple Effect: The more entries you get, the more organic reach your campaign will achieve.

By focusing on creative and inclusive campaigns, you can motivate your customers to generate UGC that reflects their genuine love for your brand. These campaigns not only provide valuable content but also deepen your relationship with your customers, turning them into lifelong advocates. And the best part? You’re building authentic engagement without having to pay influencers.

Enhancing UGC Using AI Content Generators

User-generated content (UGC) is already a powerhouse for building trust and engagement, but pairing it with AI tools can take it to the next level. AI content generators help merchants enhance, organize, and repurpose customer-submitted content, making it even more effective for marketing. Here’s how you can use AI to make your UGC shine:

1. Generate Captivating Captions

Not all customers will write engaging captions with their submissions—but that’s where AI comes in.

  • Tools to Try:some text
    • ChatGPT: Generate creative, personalized captions for Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok posts based on the tone and style of your brand.
    • Copy.ai or Writesonic: Use these tools to brainstorm captions that align with specific campaigns or themes.
  • Pro Tip: Combine customer testimonials with AI-generated captions to create posts that feel both authentic and polished.

2. Enhance Visual Content

AI tools can help improve the quality of photos and videos submitted by customers.

  • Tools to Try:some text
    • Canva: Use AI features like Magic Resize to format UGC for different platforms and adjust lighting or clarity.
    • Runway ML: Enhance video content with AI-powered tools for trimming, color correction, and even background removal.
  • Pro Tip: Subtly enhance visuals to maintain the authenticity of customer submissions while improving their overall presentation.

3. Automate UGC Curation and Management

Sorting through and organizing UGC can be time-consuming, but AI can make it seamless.

  • Tools to Try:some text
    • Moast: Simplifies collecting and displaying UGC with interactive widgets that automatically showcase customer stories.
    • TINT or Stackla: AI-powered platforms that curate, tag, and organize UGC for easy access and usage in campaigns.
  • Pro Tip: Use AI tools to categorize UGC based on themes, product types, or campaigns to streamline your workflow.

4. Create Stunning Video Content

Turn raw UGC into professional-looking videos with the help of AI video editing tools.

  • Tools to Try:some text
    • Pictory: Automatically transform customer-submitted videos into short, engaging clips perfect for social media or ads.
    • Animoto: Combine customer testimonials, product footage, and text overlays into polished video content.
  • Pro Tip: Use AI to add captions, transitions, and music to your videos, making them more engaging for viewers.

5. Repurpose UGC for Multi-Channel Marketing

AI tools make it easy to adapt UGC for use across different platforms.

  • Tools to Try:some text
    • Jasper: Repurpose UGC into blog posts, emails, or ad copy.
    • Descript: Edit customer-submitted videos and repurpose them for YouTube, Instagram Reels, or TikTok.
  • Pro Tip: Use AI to tailor UGC to the specific style and audience of each platform, maximizing its impact.

Enhancing your UGC with AI tools allows you to get more mileage out of every piece of content. From fine-tuning visuals to creating compelling captions, these tools ensure that your customer stories look and feel professional while staying authentic. The best part? AI streamlines the process, saving you time and effort while letting your customers’ voices shine.

Displaying UGC for Maximum Impact

You’ve collected amazing UGC—now it’s time to showcase it where it will make the biggest difference. Whether it’s on your website, social media, or email campaigns, strategic placement ensures that UGC not only impresses but also converts. Here are six creative ways to display UGC, complete with actionable ideas and examples:

Highlight UGC on Product Pages

Your product pages are prime real estate for UGC because they’re where potential customers are already considering a purchase.

  • Quick Idea: Add a "See It in Action" section where customer photos or videos are displayed below the product description.
  • Pro Tip: Feature quotes or testimonials at the top of the page to immediately build trust.
  • Example: Use a carousel format for UGC, so shoppers can scroll through multiple customer photos with ease.

Create a Standalone UGC Gallery

A dedicated UGC page can act as a hub of customer success stories.

  • Why It Works: Customers love browsing real-life examples of how others are using your product.
  • Action Step: Use categories (e.g., "Style Inspiration," "Product Hacks") to organize the content and make it easy to navigate.
  • Example: A "Customer Showcase" gallery with clickable photos leading to detailed testimonials.

Make UGC Interactive with Widgets

Static UGC is great, but interactive UGC can take engagement to the next level.

  • What You Can Do:some text
    • Use Moast's interactive widgets to showcase customer stories, testimonials, and shoppable content directly on your website.
    • Include video reviews that let visitors click to hear real customers share their experiences.
  • Why It Works: Interactive UGC keeps customers engaged longer, increasing the likelihood of a purchase.
  • Real-World Impact: Brands using Moast’s widgets see higher conversions thanks to the dynamic, trustworthy experience they create.
Sample displaying UGC

Incorporate UGC into Social Media Posts and Ads

Social media thrives on authenticity, making it the perfect place for UGC.

  • Idea: Run a recurring “Fan Feature Friday” where you share the best customer photo or story of the week.
  • Pro Tip: Turn UGC into ads by overlaying captions like, “Loved by [Customer Name],” to give them a grassroots vibe.
  • Why It Works: User-generated content outperforms polished ads because it feels more real.

Boost Email Campaigns with UGC

Emails are an underrated yet powerful place to incorporate UGC.

  • Implementation Tips:some text
    • Include a glowing customer testimonial in your welcome email to build trust immediately.
    • Use customer images in product launch emails to showcase real-life excitement.
    • Feature UGC in post-purchase emails to encourage upsells, such as “Look how others are styling their [Product Name]!”
  • Why It Works: Emails featuring UGC have higher open and click-through rates because they feel personal and relatable.

Use UGC Offline: Events and In-Store Displays

If your brand sells in person or attends trade shows, don’t overlook the power of UGC offline.

  • What to Try:some text
    • Use a screen to display a slideshow of UGC at your booth or storefront.
    • Print customer reviews or photos to create a physical “Wall of Love” in your store.
  • Pro Tip: Adding QR codes to these displays can direct customers to your website for more interactive UGC experiences.

Why Moast Makes UGC Display Simple

Moast provides an easy way to collect, organize, and display UGC in the most effective formats. With our interactive widgets, you can showcase clickable customer stories, video testimonials, and even shoppable content directly on your site. These widgets don’t just display UGC—they make it engaging and actionable, ensuring your customers’ voices work as hard as possible for your brand.

By thoughtfully placing UGC and leveraging tools like Moast, you’re not just showing customer content—you’re weaving it into the very fabric of your brand’s story. When done right, UGC becomes your most persuasive and cost-effective marketing asset.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Collecting UGC

While user-generated content (UGC) is an incredibly powerful tool, mishandling it can backfire. Avoid these common pitfalls to ensure your UGC strategy works smoothly and benefits your brand.

A checklist of mistakes made when collecting UGC

Mistake #1: Making the Process Too Complicated

If it’s hard for customers to share their content, they simply won’t do it.

  • What Happens: Customers may abandon the process if forms are long or platforms are clunky.
  • How to Avoid It:some text
    • Use simple tools like email links or post-purchase widgets to make sharing effortless.
    • Platforms like Moast streamline the submission process, allowing customers to upload photos, videos, and testimonials in just a few clicks.

Mistake #2: Over-Editing Customer Content

Authenticity is what makes UGC effective, so don’t polish it to the point it looks staged.

  • What Happens: Overly edited photos or rewritten testimonials lose the personal touch that makes UGC relatable.
  • How to Avoid It:some text
    • Make subtle edits to enhance quality (like lighting or cropping) without altering the original feel.
    • Only clean up text for clarity while keeping the customer’s voice intact.

Mistake #3: Neglecting Permissions

Sharing content without permission can lead to trust issues or even legal problems.

  • What Happens: Customers may feel their privacy is violated if you use their content without consent.
  • How to Avoid It:some text
    • Always ask for explicit permission before featuring customer content.
    • Provide clear terms and conditions when running campaigns or requesting submissions.

Mistake #4: Ignoring Negative or Neutral Feedback

Not all customer stories will be glowing, but ignoring less-than-perfect reviews can make your brand seem inauthentic.

  • What Happens: Potential customers may question your credibility if only flawless UGC is showcased.
  • How to Avoid It:some text
    • Embrace diverse feedback and use constructive criticism to highlight transparency.
    • Respond publicly to concerns to show your commitment to improvement.

Mistake #5: Not Following Up with Customers

UGC isn’t a one-and-done process; it thrives on ongoing customer relationships.

  • What Happens: Customers may feel undervalued if there’s no acknowledgment or follow-up after sharing content.
  • How to Avoid It:some text
    • Send a thank-you email or social media shout-out to show your appreciation.
    • Offer small incentives like discounts or loyalty points to encourage future participation.

Mistake #6: Failing to Use the Right Tools

Managing UGC manually can lead to inefficiencies and missed opportunities.

  • What Happens: Content gets lost, disorganized, or underutilized.
  • How to Avoid It:some text
    • Use tools like Moast to centralize UGC collection, management, and display.
    • Automate tasks like requesting content, curating submissions, and embedding widgets on your site.

Recap: Keep UGC Simple, Authentic, and Thoughtful

By avoiding these mistakes, you’ll ensure your UGC strategy is effective, ethical, and engaging. From simplifying the submission process to leveraging tools like Moast, a well-executed UGC plan will build trust, drive engagement, and ultimately grow your brand.

Conclusion: Unlock the Power of UGC Without Breaking the Bank

User-generated content is one of the most effective ways to build trust, drive engagement, and increase sales—all while keeping your marketing authentic and relatable. The best part? You don’t need to rely on expensive influencer campaigns to make it happen. By focusing on your existing customers, you can unlock a treasure trove of valuable content that resonates with potential buyers.

Here’s a quick recap of what we covered:

  • UGC is crucial for your brand’s growth because it builds trust and showcases authenticity.
  • Tapping into happy customers through reviews, social media tags, and interactive tools is the easiest way to gather high-quality UGC.
  • Creative campaigns and AI tools can enhance UGC while maintaining its genuine appeal.
  • Displaying UGC strategically on product pages, social media, emails, and interactive widgets ensures maximum impact.
  • Avoid common mistakes like over-editing, ignoring permissions, or making the process too complicated to keep your UGC strategy on track.

By using tools like Moast to simplify collection and create dynamic, engaging displays, you can turn customer-generated content into one of your brand’s most powerful assets. Remember, your best advocates are already your customers—let their voices drive your success!

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