Best UGC Video Examples to Drive Engagement: A Guide for DTC Brands

User-generated content (UGC) has become an essential strategy for DTC brands looking to deepen their connection with audiences and build genuine trust. With platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube making UGC videos more accessible, brands can now encourage and showcase real customer experiences and engage new audiences. In this blog, we’ll explore inspiring UGC examples, highlight successful UGC campaigns, and provide insights into how UGC can help DTC brands thrive.

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Why UGC Matters for DTC Brands

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In an era of advertising saturation, UGC has emerged as a powerful, authentic marketing tool. Studies reveal that 90% of consumers trust user-generated content more than traditional advertising showing that UGC provides an authenticity that resonates with audiences and builds stronger brand trust. UGC can create a ripple effect—drawing in new customers and building brand loyalty—because it shows products in real, relatable scenarios. Here’s a deeper look at what makes UGC so compelling:

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• Authenticity: UGC videos, reviews, and images provide unfiltered perspectives.
• Engagement: Content from real users generates more engagement, as audiences relate more easily to other people than to polished ads.
• Cost-Efficiency: UGC campaigns are often less costly than professional shoots, while still delivering high ROI.

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Let’s dive into some impactful UGC examples and see how DTC brands can use these formats to maximize their marketing strategies.

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Successful Campaigns for Inspiration

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Below are examples of UGC campaigns from leading DTC brands. These examples show the power of UGC in different formats, from videos to testimonials, and how it’s creatively leveraged to engage audiences.

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1. Warby Parker: Try-On Experience with UGC Photos

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Warby Parker’s UGC campaign centers around customers sharing photos of themselves wearing frames from the home try-on program. This content provides potential buyers with a range of real-life examples, making it easier to visualize the product before purchasing.

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Key Takeaway: Encourage customers to share product experiences in their unique ways to provide social proof and inspire potential buyers.

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2. Daniel Wellington: Inspiring Lifestyle UGC with Influencers

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Daniel Wellington, the minimalist watch brand, uses UGC to showcase its products in real-life, stylish settings. By partnering with micro-influencers and everyday users who share images of their watches with the hashtag #DanielWellington, the brand receives a steady stream of visually appealing, authentic content. The brand reposts select content on its Instagram, creating an aspirational, lifestyle-driven brand image through its audience.

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Key Takeaway: Encourage customers to post with a branded hashtag, particularly for aesthetically driven products. Reposting customer content boosts brand image and builds a visually cohesive feed.

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3. Aerie: #AerieREAL for Body Positivity and Product Reviews

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Aerie, the American Eagle Outfitters lingerie and apparel brand, stands out with its #AerieREAL campaign. Encouraging customers to post unretouched photos with the hashtag, Aerie shares content that embraces body positivity and diversity, featuring real customers in their products. This UGC strategy resonates deeply with audiences, creating an inclusive community while promoting Aerie’s clothing line authentically.

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Key Takeaway: Use a community-driven hashtag that aligns with positive brand values. Highlighting real customers’ unfiltered content can build trust, foster loyalty, and connect the brand with a wider audience authentically.

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16 UGC Video Formats that Boost Engagement

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After exploring some successful UGC campaigns, let’s dive into the different formats of UGC videos, each tailored to meet various campaign goals. Here are some creative and effective types to consider for your next campaign:

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1. Product Unboxing

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• Description: Product unboxing videos walk viewers through the experience of opening a new product. These videos capture the anticipation, first impressions, and excitement as creators reveal what’s inside, showing off every detail from the packaging to the product itself. They make viewers feel like they’re part of the moment and can drive interest and desire for the product.

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• Challenges: Capturing genuine reactions and keeping it visually engaging.

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• Best For: New product launches or special-edition releases.

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• Tips: Partner with creators who can highlight unique product details and create suspense.

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2. How-To Tutorials

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• Description: How-to tutorial videos break down the steps to use a product effectively. Creators demonstrate features, provide tips, and explain the best ways to use it, making complex products easier to understand. These tutorials not only educate but also inspire confidence, helping customers feel like they’ll know exactly what to do if they buy.

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• Challenges: Making instructions clear and avoiding overly technical jargon.

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• Best For: Complex products or those with multiple use cases.

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• Tips: Simplify steps, use clear visuals, and feature creators with experience in the product category.

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3. Challenges

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• Description: Challenge videos encourage users to join in on a fun activity with the brand’s product, creating a shared experience that anyone can participate in. These videos often go viral, with people showcasing creative spins on the original challenge. They create a sense of community and make the product feel like part of a larger trend.

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• Challenges: Ensuring widespread participation and creativity.

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• Best For: Increasing brand reach and engagement.

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• Tips: Offer incentives like rewards or social media features to boost participation.

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4. Before and After

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• Description: Before and after videos show how a product transforms or enhances something over time. They start with a “before” shot, then introduce the product, followed by the “after” reveal, letting viewers see real results. These videos are compelling for audiences who want to see tangible changes and know that the product actually works.

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• Challenges: Ensuring realistic, measurable outcomes.

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• Best For: Transformative products like beauty or home improvement.

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• Tips: Choose creators with genuine interest in the product for authenticity.

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5. Day-in-the-Life

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• Description: Day-in-the-life videos offer a peek into a creator’s daily routine, featuring the product as it fits into their lifestyle. These videos show the product in real-world use, helping viewers imagine how it could fit into their own lives. They feel authentic and relatable, making the brand feel closer to everyday moments.

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• Challenges: Making product integrations feel natural.

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• Best For: Lifestyle or wellness brands.

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• Tips: Select relatable creators who can organically weave the product into their routines.

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6. Product Hacks

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• Description: Product hack videos reveal creative and unexpected ways to use a product, often showing tips or shortcuts that make life easier. These videos can make a product feel more versatile, showing how it can solve more than one problem. They’re great for getting people to see new possibilities in something they might already have.

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• Challenges: Finding creative, innovative uses that resonate.

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• Best For: Everyday products or multi-purpose items.

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• Tips: Encourage creators to experiment and showcase unexpected uses.

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7. Reaction Videos

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• Description: Reaction videos capture a creator’s genuine response to trying a product for the first time, often including real-time emotions like surprise, joy, or curiosity. These videos let viewers share the excitement, making them feel like they’re experiencing the product right alongside the creator.

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• Challenges: Ensuring reactions are authentic and impactful.

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• Best For: New, experimental, or unique products.

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• Tips: Choose expressive creators who can effectively convey excitement.

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8. Outfit Try-Ons

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• Description: Outfit try-on videos showcase how clothing or accessories look on a real person, with the creator modeling different styles and options. These videos help viewers see the fit, fabric, and style in action, giving them a better sense of how the items will look in real life.

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• Challenges: Showing products in the best light and angle.

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• Best For: Fashion brands.

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• Tips: Work with creators of diverse body types for broader audience appeal.

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9. Comparisons

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• Description: Comparison videos show the differences between similar products, highlighting why the creator prefers one over the other. They offer an honest side-by-side view, helping viewers make informed choices by understanding each product’s strengths and weaknesses.

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• Challenges: Balancing honest reviews with brand message.

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• Best For: Brands with standout features or benefits over competitors.

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• Tips: Offer detailed product insights to help creators form comparisons.

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10. Testimonials & Reviews

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• Description: Testimonial and review videos feature customers sharing their personal experiences with a product. These videos provide an authentic perspective on the product’s benefits and any potential drawbacks, helping potential customers feel more confident about their purchase decision.

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• Challenges: Keeping reviews credible while conveying positive points.

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• Best For: Trust-building for new or competitive markets.

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• Tips: Select satisfied customers to provide genuine testimonials.

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11. Lifestyle Vlogs

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• Description: Lifestyle vlogs are personal videos that capture the creator’s day-to-day activities, subtly integrating the product as part of their routine. These videos feel genuine and give viewers an idea of how the product fits naturally into real life, making it easy to imagine using it themselves.

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• Challenges: Making product placement appear natural.

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• Best For: Health, wellness, and lifestyle products.

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• Tips: Focus on creators whose lifestyle aligns well with the product’s image.

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12. Behind-the-Scenes

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• Description: Behind-the-scenes videos offer a glimpse into the creation or making of a product, giving viewers an insider look at the brand’s values, craftsmanship, or quality. These videos help build trust and transparency, showing that the brand cares about every detail.

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• Challenges: Maintaining viewer interest with process-driven content.

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• Best For: Brands focusing on craftsmanship or ethical production.

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• Tips: Showcase interesting processes that highlight the brand’s values.

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13. Storytelling Content

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• Description: Storytelling videos weave the product into a compelling narrative, often focusing on a specific experience, memory, or emotion. These videos make an emotional connection, showing that the product is more than just an item—it’s part of a story that viewers can relate to.

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• Challenges: Crafting an engaging story that subtly integrates the product.

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• Best For: Products with a strong emotional appeal.

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• Tips: Work with creators skilled in storytelling to maximize impact.

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14. Event Recap Videos

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• Description: Event recap videos capture highlights from a brand’s event, giving viewers a chance to experience the excitement and atmosphere even if they couldn’t attend. These videos help showcase brand energy, community, and memorable moments, making viewers feel connected to the brand’s bigger story.

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• Challenges: Capturing key moments without losing viewer interest.

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• Best For: Product launches, brand events, or promotions.

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• Tips: Include highlights and customer interactions for greater relatability.

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15. Q&A Session

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• Description: Q&A videos answer common questions about a product, helping to address any doubts or curiosity viewers might have. They’re informative and feel personal, as if the brand is having a direct conversation with the audience to provide clarity and build trust..

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• Challenges: Making answers concise and relevant.

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• Best For: New products or product launches.

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• Tips: Focus on common questions to clarify any uncertainties.

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16. Educational Video

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• Description: Educational videos provide knowledge or tips that are helpful and relevant to the audience’s interests, with the brand subtly incorporated. These videos position the brand as a trusted resource, helping to build credibility and keep viewers coming back for more insights.

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• Challenges: Balancing product promotion with educational value.

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• Best For: Health, finance, or complex product categories.

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• Tips: Keep content informative, positioning the brand as a helpful resource.

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Tools and Tips for Managing UGC

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Creating, implementing and managing user generated content can be streamlined with the right tools. Here are some tips and tools that can make your UGC strategy easier:

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1. Use Social Listening Tools: Tools like Sprout Social or Hootsuite help brands track branded hashtag usage, making it easy to discover new UGC.
2. Automate Permissions: Getting permission to repost UGC is crucial. Tools like Pixlee and TINT allow brands to quickly request and manage permissions from users.
3. Leverage UGC Management Services: If managing a UGC campaign seems overwhelming, consider a partner like Movig. Movig specializes in managing UGC campaigns, from strategy to execution, ensuring content aligns with brand goals.
4. Incorporate UGC in Paid Ads: UGC isn’t just for organic posts. Incorporate it into paid social media ads for an authentic feel that resonates with viewers. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram offer options to include UGC as Spark Ads or in carousel formats.

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Conclusions

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User-generated content is a versatile, powerful way for DTC brands to connect with audiences authentically and cost-effectively. Movig offers customized services to help brands unlock the potential of social media with content and strategies tailored to fit their needs. If your brand is ready to start using UGC, request a demo from Movig and see how we can support your UGC campaigns from start to finish.

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