Are you thinking about using UGC video ads to promote your ecommerce products? Maybe you’ve heard the buzz about user-generated content and want to learn more.
Well, you’re in the right place. In this article, I will explain everything there is to know about UGC video ads in the simplest possible way.
I will also share examples of UGC video ads and provide tips on how to get them for your ecommerce products.
What are UGC video ads?
UGC video ads are promotional videos created by real people and consumers, rather than brands or professional actors.
UGC video ads can be anything from product reviews or testimonials to demonstrations or unboxing videos.
UGC video ads are typically:
- Created by real people and consumers
- Not created by brands or paid actors
- Reviews, demos, or unboxing-style
- Authentic, natural, and unscripted
- Short format and used on social sites
You’ve probably seen UGC video ads on social media sites before. They are mostly used on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Even major brands use UGC videos to promote their products and services. Some examples of UGC video ads can be found later in this guide.
Pro tip: UGC stands for user-generated content. It’s also known as user-created content (UCC).
Why use UGC video ads?
UGC video ads are quickly becoming the most popular and effective form of online advertising, particularly for ecommerce businesses. Any form of user-generated content results in 29% higher conversion rates than traditional ad campaigns.
UGC video ad statistics
- User-generated content is 35% more memorable than content from professional marketers
- Around 70% of brands believe UGC helps them to better connect with social media users
- 87% of businesses are using UGC content to connect with their target audience
- User-generated videos on YouTube get 10x more views than videos from brands
- More than 50% of users find UGC more trustworthy than brand-made content
- 40% of online shoppers say that UGC makes them more likely to buy a product
The benefits of using UGC video ads to promote your ecommerce products are almost endless. You can expect better conversion rates, more engagements, and quicker sales. Plus, UGC video ads are cheaper and easier to make, as well as trendy and modern.
UGC video ad benefits
- Higher engagement scores
- Better conversion rates
- Authentic and trustworthy
- Low-cost and affordable
- Quick and easy to make
- Modern and trendy format
- Perfect for social media
- Can be used anywhere
Quite simply, if you’re not using UGC video ads as part of your ecommerce marketing strategy, you’re missing out on a ton of sales.
Pro tip: UGC video ads are highly effective for promoting virtually any type of business. Whether you have an ecommerce store or sell software or apps, using UGC video ads is essential.
UGC video ads vs standard video ads?
We have established that UGC video ads provide better results compared to standard video ads. However, there are many other benefits to using UGC video ads over standard ads. Let’s take a look at this side-by-side comparison:
| UGC video ads | Standard video ads |
| Authentic and natural | Paid actors reading scripts |
| Low-cost and affordable | Often thousands of dollars |
| Fast turnaround time | Weeks or months to make |
| Small file sizes | Large file sizes |
| Best for social media | Best for TV advertising |
Pro tip: Generally speaking, standard video ads are promotional videos made by a company or brand using paid actors and scripts.
Types of UGC video ads
UGC video ads come in various types and formats. They can be reviews, testimonials, demonstrations, tutorials, or product unboxing videos.
They can also be filmed in different styles and edited with various effects and filters such as captions, subtitles, and more. Every UGC video creator has a unique process and many are skilled in a specific niche such as fashion, beauty, gym, or fitness.
Most popular UGC video ad styles:
- Reviews or testimonials
- Demonstrations
- Unboxing videos
- How-to videos
Where to use UGC video ads
UGC video ads are particularly effective on social media sites but they can also be placed in product descriptions on your store or marketplaces like eBay and Amazon. Having a video in your description can drastically improve your conversion rates.
You can use UGC video ads on:
- TikTok
- YouTube
- Snapchat
- eBay
- Amazon
- Shopify
It’s important to determine the best aspect ratio for the platform you want to use. For example, TikTok videos perform best in 9:16 format, whereas 16:9 is best for YouTube.
That being said, most social media sites support multiple aspect ratios depending on the ad type. If you want to run ads on different platforms, you should get your video in different aspect ratios.
Best aspect ratios for UGC video ads:
- TikTok: 9:16 (vertical)
- Facebook: 16:9 (horizontal), 1:1 (square)
- Instagram: 16:9 (horizontal), 1:1 (square)
- YouTube: 16:9 (horizontal)
- Twitter: 16:9 (horizontal), 1:1 (square)
- LinkedIn – 1:1 (square)
Pro tip: You can use a free online video resizer to change the aspect ratio. However, this may result in the video being cropped or stretched.
UGC video ad examples
Here you will find a collection of UGC video ad examples from Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and more. These are examples of various styles and formats that meet the criteria of user-generated content. This includes reviews and demonstrations.
UGC video ad tips and tricks
From finding the right creator to providing links to examples, there are a few tips to consider with UGC video ads. Let’s take a closer look at some of them:
Find the right UGC video creator
Finding the right creator is the first step in getting a killer UGC video ad. You need to make sure the creator is a match for your target audience.
For example, if you’re selling a fitness product, it’s important to find a creator that suits the health and fitness niche.
Test and send a working sample
Before you send your product to the creator, make sure you test it. If the product is faulty, you will need to send a replacement. This will cause unnecessary delays and result in more postage costs. It also creates a bad first impression of the product.
Highlight the unique features
Highlighting the unique features of your product is essential. This will allow it to stand out from the competition. Think outside of the box and come up with a list of features that make your product compelling and truly unique.
Provide links to examples
As mentioned previously, each UGC creator has a unique style and process. To help support your vision for the video, provide some links to example videos. This can be ads from your competitors or similar products. This will give the creator a better idea of your expectations.
It’s fairly easy to find some examples. Start by searching on YouTube, Facebook, or TikTok. Keep note of the videos you like and narrow them down to 3 or 4 examples.
Keep the video short
Generally speaking, videos between 15-30 seconds perform best on sites like TikTok and YouTube. This is because most people have a short attention span. Your video should instantly capture the attention of viewers and explain your product in less than 60 seconds.
Get the right aspect ratio
As discussed earlier in this guide, getting the video in the right aspect ratio is important. This is because social media sites use different aspect ratios.
For example, TikTok videos are strictly 9:16 (vertical) aspect ratio. If you upload a video in a different format, it will result in black bars around the video. Depending on the platform, it can also result in the video being cropped or appearing blurry.
If you want to use the video on multiple platforms, make sure you have it made in many aspect ratios. Alternatively, you can use a free video editor to change the aspect ratio.
Add the video to product descriptions
Although most ecommerce stores use UGC videos for running ads on social media, adding them to product descriptions can help boost sales. You can also post the video on your social media pages to help generate buzz through likes, shares, and comments.
How to get UGC video ads
There are a few ways you can get UGC video ads. This includes creating your own videos or using a freelance marketplace such as Fiverr or Peopleperhour. Another option is to search for content creators on social media platforms and contact them directly.
1. Create your own videos
You can create your own UGC videos. All you need is a smartphone or camera. You can also use a free video editing tool to add effects such as captions or subtitles to the video.
2. Use a freelance marketplace
Freelance marketplaces such as Fiverr and PeoplePerHour are great places to find UGC video creators. These sites often have thousands of sellers who offer unique services. Simply search for UGC creators to find suitable options.
3. Use our platform – Udeo
Alternatively, you can use our site – Udeo. We are a free platform that connects brands with trusted and reliable UGC creators.
We have a growing network of creators from various locations including the US, UK, and Europe. You can quickly search and use the filters to find creators that match your requirements. This includes creators who can make custom UGC videos for ecommerce products.
To learn more about our platform, click here.
Summary
UGC video ads are quickly becoming the best way to promote your ecommerce products. Using them as part of your marketing strategy is essential.
Hopefully, this guide has helped you to understand UGC video ads and how they can further your business.
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