If you’re looking for a cost-effective and powerful way to promote your business on social media, it’s time to turn to the people who already love what you do: your customers.
User-generated content (UGC) is any content, photos, videos, reviews, and posts, that your customers create about your products or services. Not only does it give your brand more authenticity, it also builds trust with new potential customers who want to see real people using what you offer.
In 2025, UGC is more important than ever, and businesses of all sizes should be actively encouraging and leveraging it. Here’s how to tap into your existing customers and turn them into your most valuable content creators.
Why UGC Works So Well
- Authenticity: People trust other people more than they trust brands.
- Reach: When a customer posts about you, it reaches their entire network.
- Engagement: UGC often gets higher engagement than branded content.
- Cost-Effective: It reduces your need for expensive photo or video shoots.
Example: DJs Promoting a Music Subscription Platform
At SMR Social, we’re currently strategising with an online business that provides professional DJs with licensed music for their sets. Many of their existing customers are DJs with large followings on TikTok and Instagram, which makes them perfect collaborators for UGC.
Instead of relying solely on paid advertising, this business is launching an outreach campaign to engage these high-visibility customers. By offering them incentives (free subscriptions, early access to music, exclusive features), they’re encouraging these DJs to create content that highlights the platform in action.
This could include:
- Behind-the-scenes clips of the DJ preparing their set
- Short Reels showcasing a live crowd reacting to a track from the platform
- Tutorials or gear run-throughs featuring the music subscription service
Steps to Generate More UGC from Your Customers
1. Identify Your Most Engaged Customers
Start by looking at your most loyal or vocal customers. These might be:
- People who leave reviews or regularly tag you in posts
- Customers with a social following of their own
- Clients who consistently buy from you and love your product
2. Reach Out Personally
Send a friendly, personalised message inviting them to collaborate. You don’t need to offer cash—many people will participate for perks like discounts, early access, or being featured on your channels.
3. Give Clear Guidelines (But Keep it Flexible)
Help your customers understand what kind of content you’re looking for, without making it feel scripted. Some pointers include:
- Show how you use our product/service
- Keep it under 30 seconds if it’s a video
- Tag us and use our hashtag
4. Create a Campaign or Challenge
To build momentum, consider creating a hashtag challenge or campaign. Encourage your customers to post within a certain timeframe for a chance to win a prize or be featured. This works especially well on Instagram and TikTok.
5. Share and Celebrate Their Content
Once your customers start posting, make sure to:
- Repost their content on your stories or main feed
- Comment and thank them publicly
- Add the best content to a highlight reel or gallery on your website
This not only boosts the impact of their content, it encourages others to join in.
Build a UGC Strategy That Lasts
Don’t treat UGC as a one-off campaign. Build it into your long-term social media strategy by continually looking for new opportunities to involve your customers.
Whether you run a clothing brand, a local cafe, or a tech platform for DJs, there are always creative ways to feature your customers and turn their experiences into powerful, relatable content.
Need Help with UGC Strategy?
At SMR Social, we work with businesses of all sizes to craft content strategies that connect, convert and grow your online presence. If you want help building a user-generated content campaign that feels natural and delivers real results, get in touch today.