UGC Use
- By
- January 7, 2020
- Social
User-Generated Content (UGC) Definition
Any form of content, such as images, videos, text, and audio, that have been posted by users on online platforms such as social media channels.
Today everyone thinks they’re a content creator. In many cases, they’re not wrong!
If you are using social media, it’s very likely that you are creating content that might be of value to a brand, campaign, or even an influencer. If you’re reading this, I’d bet you’re operating on both sides of the fence and are creating content on your personal social channels as well as curating content for a client or your own company.
Navigating the waters of UGC can be difficult. That’s why it’s become imperative to ask for the explicit use of content and also state where and how it will be used.
Here at RBA, we’ve set a standard to ask for permission to use any kind of content for any reason—leaving nothing to chance and ultimately doing what’s best to protect the brands we represent and create for.
In addition to simply asking for permission, it’s important to be as specific as possible about the use case of the content you’d like to have permission to use. For example, if you are approved for use on social channels, you cannot at a later date decide to also use that content on a website, postcard, billboard, door hanger—you name i—without going back to the originator of the content and asking for permission to use the content in the new domain.
Ready to take a peek behind the curtain?
Below are my department’s guidelines for obtaining permission for content use on social channels, as well as examples of approved messaging that we use here at RBA.
Requests for Use
You must ask for permission to utilize user-generated content of any kind (image, video, animation, GIF, etc.). Planning ahead and continually sourcing content will ensure this approval process doesn’t hinder deadlines.
Examples of Approved Messaging
Comments
Please leave comments as your first attempt to gain approval for the use of an image/video/etc. We can then search for the corresponding approval hashtag, making it easier for us when developing content calendars and keeping track of previously used content/creators.
We 💕 this photo! If it’s okay with you, we’d like to share this image on our social channels and give you credit. If you’d like to give us permission to share, please reply with #Yes[Brand]. Thanks!
This is a great photo! We’d like to feature it on our social channels and give you credit. If you approve of our use of your image, please reply to this comment with #Yes[Brand]. Thanks!
Wow, we love this photo! 💖 Can we share this on our social channels and give you credit? If you’re okay with our use of your image, please reply with #Yes[Brand] to this comment. Have a great day!
Direct Messages
After a failed attempt at gaining approval for the use of an image via the comments section, you can send a DM to give them an extra nudge. Please screenshot the photo you’d like to use so that you can send them the image with your written request for use on a brand’s social channels.
Hi [Name]! You may have missed our comment. We love your photo! If it’s okay with you, we’d like to share this image on our social channels and give you credit. If you’d like to give us permission to share, please reply with “You may use my image on your social channels.” Thanks!
Hi [Name]! We found this great image on your feed and would like to feature it on our social channels. If you approve of our use of your image please reply with “You may use my image on your social channels.” Thanks!
By being detailed and specific, letting them know what they can expect in relation to the use of their content, and also highlighting the fact that they’ll receive credit for their handiwork, you not only cover your bases, but you’ll also likely make someone’s day.
Who doesn’t love being recognized and having their profile featured?
If you have any questions or if you have any questions about UGC usage or are looking for someone to protect your content the way we protect our friends’ content, send us an email at [email protected] and we’ll get back to you ASAP.
