Last updated on July 5th, 2024 at 11:38 am
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Last updated on July 5th, 2024 at 11:38 am
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The new trend or should I say a growing trend on social media is User Generated Content (UGC). Granted this isn’t anything new but some brands are using this to their advantage.
Some are even posting user-created content to their social media platforms or even on their websites without consulting the creators or crediting them.
You might be thinking that’s great for the content’s creator but in a sense, it’s not. Some brands don’t credit the creator or even ask for usage rights. Basically, they steal the creator’s content and use it for their own promotional ads or general social media platform.
What is UGC anyway?
UGC is short for user generated content. This means that any form of content from video, audio, photos, etc. You can read more via Wikipedia
This also goes for written content as well. So if you have a blog or leave a review for a product brands can use these on promotions or link back to them.
What’s the point of a brand using your content?
To be honest it cuts down on their own work. So they don’t have to hire a photographer or spend time recording a video.
They can also use various forms of content from hundreds or thousands of creators.
Some brands may just want to include more of their product users in their feeds so the brand is more appealing to shoppers.
This is all fine and dandy but there can be a few downsides. One major one is that brands may want to take advantage of content creators.
How you might be asking?
Some brands may request a number of different content posts such as videos and photos. Some may even ask for reviews or other posts on several social media platforms.
Again this is fine but some expect you to submit content before posting or may get nitpicky after the content is posted.
The perils of UGC
Content used without permission
One of the biggest perils of UGC is that some brands may use your content without permission. I had this happen with Youtube videos. For me, one wasn’t a big deal because it was used on a page for the product I was discussing in the video.
Now the second video I did reach out to the site to have it removed. I didn’t like that the site was sharing my content without my permission. It wasn’t a product review video it was just a general content video but still, they could have asked first.
Content used in promotions or ads
I came across this recently a friend on Instagram shared that one of her friends had her content used without her permission in an ad on social media for a brand. She also saw it posted on the brand’s social media site. I’m not certain if it was on Instagram or TikTok but it was one of them.
Reposting content without credit
Some brands may even repost content that features their products but may not credit the original creator.
Free or discounted product in exchange for content
This seems to be the biggest one right now. The brands want free content but refuse to pay you for your time and work. But they will offer you a discount code or an affiliate link to market to your followers.
This is great and all but not everyone wants or has time to create various forms of content for a 25-dollar lamp.
Pal’s Tips 🐾
- Contact brands who share your content without permission.
- Do your research about a brand before accepting any offers.
- Ask questions about the offers.
- If you don’t feel that the brand aligns with your values or content decline the offer.
Know your worth
It’s important that you know your worth as a content creator. it doesn’t matter if you’ve been working that this for years or just started last summer you shouldn’t let brands bully you into submission.
I need to take this advice myself.
For example, I had two brands reach out to me recently. One was requesting a video review for a product from Amazon.
The other was from a new skincare company that was marketing a facial cleansing device.
The Amazon product was around $25 but they wanted a full video review and wanted to use my content on their seller page. I will admit they did offer to pay me but I’ve been down that road before and never got paid. I declined politely.
As for the skincare brand, I asked a bit more about their offer and what they wanted from me if I agreed. They also offered to pay me but it was in Euros which was understandable since they were overseas. I would have to figure out the conversion for USD. But the biggest drawback was the we’ll give you a percentage off discount for you to purchase our product. I also had two weeks to submit the photos to the brand.
The biggest catch for this was once they received the photos someone from their finance department would contact me to discuss payment.
Tips that may help when considering UGC offers
Here are a few tips that you can use when a brand offers UGC.
Research the brand
If a brand reaches out to you via social media or email you can research them. One of my favorite things to do is search the site’s URL via Whois. This site will give you public information such as site URL creation and where the site is hosted.
I’ve noticed that many newer brands or sites always reach out and request UGC content.
You can also do a general online search of the brand to see what people have to say about it. Also, ask friends that you chat with on social media too.
Ask as many questions as you see fit
Some brands may reach out to you out of the blue so this is important to ask any questions you see fit. Such as content requirements, if the brand has a budget to pay a creator and credit rights.
These are important because you should be able to have an answer to a few of these.
You have a right to decline any offer
You can decline any offer that you don’t see fits your values or if the brand doesn’t seem to align with your values.
No brand should ever bully you into an offer either. If you don’t feel you want a discount code or affiliate link say so. It may feel awkward but remember if the brand reached out to you that means you can set your terms.
If payment is offered
If the brand offers a payment or finally agrees on payment for your content make things clear as to how you will be paid. Such as via a payment service such as Paypal, Venmo, or Stripe. Or if you will be paid another way. Also if the site is paying you outside of your country’s currency check the conversion rates.
If a contract is offered read all the terms and conditions. You may want to reach out to a legal professional who specializes in these types of matters if you see fit.
Helpful tips if your content is used without permission
If you find that your content is used without permission you can do the following:
Reach out to the brand
You can reach out to the brand by sending them a message on the platform you see your content being posted.
If they ignore you contact them via their website contact us link along with via other social platforms.
If the brand replies
If the brand replies to your message you can politely request that your content be removed or that you be credited as the original creator.
You can also ask to be compensated for the content being used.
You can also offer a cease and desist request that basically asks that your content be removed in a set number of days. Some people go as far as to threaten legal action if their content isn’t removed after the date requested. That action is left up to debate for some creators.
In the end
In the end, UGC (User Generated Content) is a big industry. Many brands want to take advantage of content creators by paying them what they are worth. Other brands may try to sidestep payment for content by offering a free product or an affiliate code.
All I can say is be your own advocate and know your worth. UGC isn’t always for everyone.
