UGC video testimonials establish trust in an authentic way. We’ve compiled six great examples of user-generated content to get your creative juices flowing.
You’re craving a midday respite in between meetings, and have only a couple of valuable minutes to take a walk and grab a bite. Faced with a choice, what are the chances you’re willing to go out on a limb and give that new bakery a chance on blind faith - versus the other latest local hot spot that your friends keep posting on Instagram about?
The answer to this question is already likely obvious: When you see your peers fully supporting brands and their services, that inefficient veil of uncertainty is lifted and the choice becomes clear. This example encapsulates the value of social proof, for which video reviews, generated by like minded consumers, is becoming an increasingly valuable facet of online marketing.
User-generated, video reviews are persuasive because they are relatable, unscripted, and undeniably authentic. Hearing about an experience with a product or service from previous customers helps establish consumer confidence in future prospects. Add video to the mix, and the effect is undeniably escalated. And any industry under the sun may benefit from ugc testimonials. For now, we’ll provide examples for the following:
We’ve handpicked a few ugc video examples that helped brands stand out to our team.
If you’ve been on YouTube in the last 10 years, we hope for your sake you’ve seen Daymon Patterson’s hot take on Five Guys - or at least the remixes. This example of a ugc review made its mark on the internet with over 11 million views on the original video since 2012.
Here at Widewail, we love this example because it ignited a storm of word-of-mouth marketing. All Daymon had to do was sit in his car and enjoy some fast food. It’s gotta feel good to work on the marketing team of a company whose customers just put out rave reviews like this without being asked. And an even bigger plus is when your customers create content as hilarious and genuine as Daymon’s.
Ilia benefited from user-generated video content of their products working in real-time (and with no beauty filters). As she effortlessly applies her makeup routine, lifestyle blogger, Lynn (@WhiteHairWisdom), helps to demonstrate several benefits of the Ilia product in this video tutorial. Not only is she revealing the ease of use with this makeup, but she’s also showing that the blend of powerful botanicals is suitable for a wide range of skin types and textures.
Video testimonials like this one are persuasive because they can be so relatable to shoppers who are in the market for a specific product or experience. Getting your customers to show off how they use your product or service is a fantastic way to build trust and answer any lingering questions a prospective customer may have so they can make a confident decision to go with your brand.
The BBC did a fantastic job creating a video that generates empathy and compassion. This clip introduces 50 people who were invited to The Royal Wedding as a thank you for all of their work through their local charities. It not only was a great marketing campaign, but it also allowed the invitees a platform to promote the charities they care about. Video testimonials like this prove it’s possible to establish an emotional connection with other humans through authenric footage of their feel-good experiences.
Rather than solely relying on their Google Business Profile to show customers their newly adjusted hours, Dolan took to the drawing board and came up with a more gratifying way to connect with their audience. By asking their employees to record quick videos of what they do in their free time, and compiling it into a 30-second video, Dolan made two announcements: they strongly value their workers and loved ones, and will also now be closed on Sundays.
This video demonstrates a more sincere way to update your customer base by tugging at their heartstrings and giving them insight as to why the decision has been made - the perfect recipe to demonstrate your company’s core values within your marketing content.
Coach DreRVA kept it short and sweet during his video testimonial covering Sleefs workout gear. In under 30 seconds he told us how he and his son’s sport team rely on Sleefs to make sure they stay comfortable while keeping the “drip” strong during game day. He even went as far as adding a little bit of flare by personalizing his video with some music. This is a great example of how your customers would love to talk about your brand. They will even go the extra mile to make their testimonials are fun, captivating and informative.
While we love user-generated content that comes organically from real users of a product or service, the truth is... there are people who get paid to make this kind of content as well. Outsourcing video reviews and product demos from expert reviewers and influencers may be a strategy worth investing in if you want to increase the reach and quality of your third-party content.
For those who love outdoor sports, product reviews are huge for buyers looking to purchase the latest gear for the upcoming season. Expert snowboarder and reviewer, Mike Leighton, takes to the slopes to demonstrate the 2022 Burton Hometown Hero Unisex Snowboard in this video from Curated. From the early rise in the nose, to the tapered tail, Mike’s video testimonial spends 4 minutes discussing the technical specs as well as showing off how his choice of snowboard for the 2022 season rides on the mountain.
This is a great video to give the buyer all the information they’ll need to know before purchasing, and having an external creator publish the video adds a level of trust and credibility you would not be able to achieve with a traditional advertisement and in-house production.
These are just six of the many ways your customers may be using user-generated content videos and testimonials to spread their thoughts and experiences regarding your company.
With the rise of video content on the internet, and the ongoing importance of authentic online reviews, your prospective customers are looking to make an easy decision as to whether or not to buy your products or services. Get ahead of the curve and start using your past customer's experiences to your advantage.
Whether you have a customer explaining why they love your product (just as much as Daymon Patterson loves Five Guys) or get an expert to give a full-on product demo (like Mike Leighton does on his new snowboard), user-generated video testimonials can be a persuasive weapon in your digital marketing arsenal.
* Originally posted on November 17th, 2021 and updated on October 26th, 2022.
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