User-Generated Content Prompt Templates
AI prompt templates for encouraging user-generated content. Inspire customers to create and share content.
Overview
User-generated content prompts help you encourage, collect, and use authentic content from your customers. These templates make it easy to inspire UGC creation, run hashtag campaigns, and repurpose customer content while respecting their contributions.
Best Practices
1
Make participation easy, the simpler the ask, the more content you'll receive
2
Showcase UGC prominently, when customers see others featured, they want to participate too
3
Always credit creators and ask permission before repurposing their content
4
Provide creative direction without being too prescriptive, authentic content outperforms staged content
5
Respond to and engage with UGC quickly, it encourages more participation
Prompt Templates
1. UGC Campaign Launch
Create a user-generated content campaign for [BRAND/PRODUCT]. Campaign goal: [GOAL]. Type of content wanted: [CONTENT_TYPE]. Incentive: [INCENTIVE]. Campaign hashtag: [HASHTAG]. Platform focus: [PLATFORMS]. Write: launch announcement, participation guidelines, and example post customers can reference.
Brand: Coffee subscription service. Goal: Build social proof and community. Content type: Photos of morning coffee routine. Incentive: Featured accounts get free month, monthly winner gets year free. Hashtag: #MyMorningWith[Brand]. Platforms: Instagram, TikTok.
Launch Announcement (Email + Social): Subject: Show us your mornings (and win free coffee) --- We want to see your coffee routine. Snap a photo of your morning with [Brand] coffee and share it with #MyMorningWith[Brand]. What we're looking for: - Your coffee setup (messy kitchen welcome) - Your morning view - Your coffee companion (pets definitely count) - Your ritual, however you make it yours What you get: - We'll feature our favorites on our feed (with credit) - Featured creators get a free month of [Brand] - Monthly winner gets a FULL YEAR free No professional photos needed. Real mornings only. [See Examples + Start Sharing] --- Participation Guidelines: 1. Post a photo or video of your morning coffee routine 2. Use #MyMorningWith[Brand] and tag @[Brand] 3. Make sure your account is public so we can see it 4. That's it, no purchase necessary to participate We'll pick favorites throughout the month to feature. Winners are chosen based on creativity and authenticity, not follower count. By participating, you give us permission to reshare your content (with credit). Full terms: [link] --- Example Post (to inspire participants): "Just a typical Tuesday morning. Coffee's brewing, dog's waiting for her walk, and I'm pretending I'm a morning person. ☕ #MyMorningWith[Brand] @[Brand]" [Photo: Casual kitchen scene, coffee maker, dog in frame]
When launching new UGC campaigns or hashtag initiatives
- •Show examples of what you're looking for, but emphasize 'real' over 'perfect'
- •Feature early submissions quickly to build momentum
2. UGC Request After Purchase
Write a post-purchase email requesting user-generated content. Product: [PRODUCT]. When to send: [TIMING]. Type of content: [CONTENT_TYPE]. Incentive: [INCENTIVE]. Make the ask feel natural, not demanding. Include specific prompts to help customers know what to share.
Product: Fitness apparel. Timing: 2 weeks after delivery (enough time to wear it). Content type: Workout photos wearing the product. Incentive: $20 store credit + chance to be featured.
Subject: Wearing your [Product] yet? We'd love to see! --- Hey [Name], Your [Product Name] has been in your closet for a couple weeks now. How's it treating you? If you've worn it to the gym, on a run, or just around the house (no judgment), we'd love to see. Share a photo wearing your [Brand] gear: 1. Post to Instagram or TikTok 2. Tag @[Brand] and use #[Brand]Crew 3. We'll send you $20 store credit as a thank you Bonus: We feature our favorite customer photos on our website and social. You might end up as our next homepage model. 📸 What to share: - Mid-workout selfie - Post-run glow - Mirror pic before heading out - Your pet photobombing your fitness moment No professional photos needed, we love seeing real people in real workouts. [Share Your Photo] Thanks for being a customer. [Your name] P.S. - Not on social? Reply with a photo and we'll still send you the $20 credit. We might feature you too (with your permission).
For automated post-purchase sequences encouraging customer content creation
- •Time the ask after they've had a chance to actually use the product
- •Provide an alternative for customers not on social media
3. UGC Permission Request
Write a message requesting permission to repurpose user-generated content. Platform where you found it: [PLATFORM]. How you want to use it: [USAGE]. Credit you'll provide: [CREDIT]. Be clear, respectful, and make it easy to say yes.
Platform: Instagram. Usage: Feature on our website homepage and potentially in paid ads. Credit: Full credit with their handle visible.
DM Version: Hey [Name]! 👋 We absolutely love the photo you posted of [describe their content]. It perfectly captures what we're about. Would you be okay with us featuring it on our website and social media? You'd be credited with your handle visible. We might also use it in some paid ads, if that's okay with you, just let me know and I'll send over a quick release form (takes 30 seconds). Totally fine if you'd rather not, just wanted to ask! [Your name] @ [Brand] --- Comment Version (public): Love this shot! 😍 Would you mind if we shared it on our page? Full credit to you of course. DM us if you're up for it! --- Email Version (if you have their email): Subject: Can we feature your photo? Hi [Name], We came across your Instagram post featuring [Product] and loved it. Would you be open to us using it on our website and social channels? Here's how we'd use it: - Featured on our homepage gallery - Shared on our Instagram/Facebook (with credit to you) - Potentially in paid social ads (with your additional permission) You'd be credited as @[their handle] wherever it appears. If you're interested, just reply 'yes' and I'll send over a quick release form. If you'd rather not, no worries at all, we'll keep enjoying it from afar. Thanks! [Your name]
When reaching out to users who've organically created content you want to repurpose
- •Always ask permission, even if terms of service technically allow repurposing
- •Be specific about usage, especially if you want to use it in paid advertising
4. UGC Contest/Challenge
Create a UGC contest or challenge campaign. Brand: [BRAND]. Challenge/contest concept: [CONCEPT]. Prize: [PRIZE]. Duration: [DURATION]. Judging criteria: [CRITERIA]. Platforms: [PLATFORMS]. Write: announcement post, rules, and promotional content for throughout the contest.
Brand: Home decor company. Concept: Room transformation challenge, show before and after. Prize: $500 shopping spree, 5 runners-up get $100 each. Duration: 2 weeks. Criteria: Creativity, transformation impact, use of brand products. Platforms: Instagram, Pinterest.
Contest Announcement: 🏠 THE ROOM REFRESH CHALLENGE 🏠 Your chance to win a $500 [Brand] shopping spree. The Challenge: Show us your room transformation. Before → After. Big changes or small tweaks, we want to see how you've refreshed your space. How to Enter: 1. Post a before/after of your room refresh (carousel, video, or side-by-side) 2. Include at least one [Brand] product in your 'after' (tag it!) 3. Use #[Brand]Refresh and tag @[Brand] 4. Tell us the story of your transformation in the caption Prizes: 🥇 Grand Prize: $500 [Brand] shopping spree 🥈 5 Runners-up: $100 [Brand] gift card each We're judging on: - Creativity in your approach - Impact of the transformation (small spaces welcome!) - How you incorporated [Brand] products - The story you tell Contest runs [Start Date] - [End Date]. Winners announced [Announcement Date]. Full rules: [link] Ready to show off your space? 👇 --- Mid-Contest Promo (Week 1): "The entries are coming in and WOW. 🤩 Here are some of our early favorites... [carousel of entries with credit] Still time to enter, challenge runs through [End Date]. Show us your #[Brand]Refresh!" --- Final Push (3 Days Left): "3 DAYS LEFT to enter the Room Refresh Challenge! $500 grand prize is still up for grabs. Don't leave your transformation sitting in your camera roll. Enter now: #[Brand]Refresh + tag @[Brand]" --- Winner Announcement: "Drumroll please... 🥁 Your #[Brand]Refresh WINNER is @[winner]! [Share their transformation] We loved: [Specific thing that made it special] Congrats to our runners-up: @name, @name, @name, @name, @name Thank you to everyone who entered, seeing your spaces made our week. Stay tuned for more challenges soon!"
For driving high-quality UGC through incentivized competitions or challenges
- •Feature entries throughout the contest to encourage more participation
- •Make judging criteria clear so participants know what you're looking for
Common Mistakes to Avoid
•
Making participation requirements too complicated, every extra step significantly reduces entries
•
Using customer content without permission or proper credit, this damages trust and can create legal issues
•
Only featuring 'perfect' UGC, authenticity means showing real customers, not just photogenic ones
Frequently Asked Questions
User-generated content prompts help you encourage, collect, and use authentic content from your customers. These templates make it easy to inspire UGC creation, run hashtag campaigns, and repurpose customer content while respecting their contributions.
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