Why Your Brand Needs These Specific UGC Video Types Right Now

Why Brands Are Winning (or Losing) Based on the Types of UGC Video Content They Use

The types of ugc video content your brand uses can be the difference between scrolled-past ads and content that actually converts. Here’s a quick overview of the main types:

Traditional ads are easy to ignore. UGC is not. That’s because it feels real — and audiences respond to real.

Consider this: 93% of marketers say UGC outperforms branded content. And it’s not hard to see why. When a real person picks up your product, films themselves using it, and shares their honest reaction — that’s social proof that no studio production can fake.

For active lifestyle brands especially, this authenticity matters. Your customers live the life your brand represents. Their content is your best marketing.

I’m Adam Bocik, founder of Evergreen Results, and I’ve spent years helping active lifestyle and outdoor brands grow through smarter digital strategy — including identifying which types of ugc video content actually move the needle for e-commerce. Let’s break down exactly what’s working right now.

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The ROI of Authenticity: Why UGC Videos Outperform Branded Content

In the modern marketing landscape, “polished” often translates to “ignored.” We’ve all become experts at spotting—and skipping—traditional commercials. Research shows that 84% of consumers trust brands that include UGC, while a staggering 90% of people trust user-generated content over the mere 4% who trust branded messages.

The financial impact is just as compelling. Switching to a UGC-focused strategy can help brands cut annual production costs by as much as $72,000. Instead of hiring a full production crew, renting a studio, and spending weeks in post-production, we can leverage real customers who are already using their smartphones to capture high-impact moments.

UGC vs. Branded Content: The Head-to-Head

The data speaks for itself. Millennials, a core demographic for many active lifestyle brands in Denver and Boulder, spend an average of 5.4 hours a day interacting with content made by other consumers. Furthermore, 82% of people were convinced to buy a product after watching a video, proving that video is the ultimate medium for conversion.

For our clients in the food, beverage, and outdoor sectors, this means that a grainy video of a hiker using a portable stove on a trail in the Rockies often generates more revenue than a $20,000 studio shoot of that same stove. Authenticity isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a revenue driver.

12 Essential Types of UGC Video Content to Boost Your Strategy

To truly scale, we can’t just post the same “talking head” review over and over. We need to diversify the types of ugc video content we use to keep the audience engaged and move them through different stages of the buying journey.

1. Product Reviews & Testimonials

These are the bread and butter of social proof. A product review focuses on the features and performance, while a testimonial focuses on the user’s emotional journey or specific results. Because 47% of shoppers consider user reviews the most influential content, these are non-negotiable for any brand’s library.

2. Unboxing & First Impressions

There is a psychological thrill in watching someone open a package. Unboxing videos capture the raw excitement and “new car smell” of a product. They allow potential customers to see exactly what they will receive, from the packaging quality to the initial setup.

3. Product Hauls

Common in fashion, beauty, and CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods), hauls show a creator going through a “shopping spree” of your items. This format is excellent for showing variety and encouraging larger average order values (AOV).

4. Tutorials & How-To Guides

These videos educate the customer. Whether it’s showing how to assemble a piece of furniture or the best way to brew a specific blend of coffee, tutorials reduce “buyer’s remorse” and lower customer support inquiries by answering questions before they are asked.

5. Before and After

Transformation content is incredibly powerful for skincare, fitness, and home improvement. Seeing a 7-day microneedling journey or a kitchen renovation provides visual proof that the product actually works.

6. Problem and Solution

This is often the highest-performing style for ads. The creator starts with a relatable pain point (e.g., “I can never find a protein bar that doesn’t taste like chalk”) and introduces your product as the hero that solves it.

7. Lifestyle Vlogs & Day in the Life

These videos don’t feel like ads because they aren’t “about” the product—they are about the lifestyle. A creator might film their morning routine in Fort Collins, and your electrolyte drink just happens to be on the counter. This builds a natural, aspirational connection.

8. GRWM (Get Ready With Me)

A sub-type of lifestyle content where the creator talks to the camera while getting ready for an event or a workout. It’s intimate, conversational, and allows for organic product placement.

9. Shop With Me

This takes the audience on a journey to a physical retail location. For brands stocked in local stores across Aurora or Lakewood, this helps drive foot traffic and reinforces retail partnerships.

10. Educational & Q/A Videos

Answering FAQs in video form builds immense trust. When a creator answers a question like “Is this jacket actually waterproof in a Colorado downpour?”, it carries more weight than the brand’s own spec sheet.

11. Trend Videos & Storytelling

Tapping into viral TikTok sounds or Instagram Reel trends can skyrocket your visibility. Whether it’s a “No Hands Dance” or a comedic “Reality TV Edit,” these formats capitalize on platform culture to reach new audiences.

12. Advanced Formats: Podcast Style, Green Screen, & Mashups

• Podcast Style: Two creators casually discussing a product as if on a show.
• Green Screen: A creator pointing to your website or a news article while explaining a product feature.
• Mashups: A compilation of multiple customers using the product, often used for “hype” videos.

Why These Types of UGC Video Content Drive Conversions

The magic lies in the details. UGC captures micro-expressions, tone of voice, and unfiltered opinions that professional actors simply can’t replicate. When we include UGC in the purchase path, we typically see a conversion increase of around 10%. It bridges the gap between seeing a product online and feeling confident enough to hit “buy.”

Scaling Your Brand with Diverse Types of UGC Video Content

Using a variety of formats prevents “creative fatigue.” If you only run unboxing ads, your audience will eventually tune them out. By rotating through tutorials, lifestyle vlogs, and trend videos, we keep the brand fresh. This variety also allows us to match specific creators to niche audience segments—for example, matching a mountain biker in Castle Rock with a rugged outdoor gear brand.

Strategies to Collect and Repurpose High-Performing UGC

Collecting great content doesn’t have to be a manual, one-by-one process. We recommend building a “UGC Flywheel” that encourages customers to create content naturally.

1. Hashtag Contests: Encourage your community to post using a specific branded hashtag for a chance to be featured or win a prize. This creates a massive library of authentic assets.
2. Post-Purchase Emails: Set up an automated email 14–30 days after a customer receives their order. Offer a small incentive (like a discount code) in exchange for a short video review. These emails often convert at a rate of 1–3%.
3. Ambassador Programs: Partner with your most loyal fans in Colorado Springs or Boulder to provide a steady stream of high-quality content in exchange for early access to products.

Once you have the content, don’t let it sit on social media. You can repurpose UGC content across all your marketing channels:

• Websites: Brands that show UGC on their website see 29% more website conversions.
• Email Marketing: Including videos in your emails can boost click-through rates by 300%.
• Product Pages (PDPs): Placing a “How-To” or “Review” video right next to the “Add to Cart” button helps overcome final hesitations.

If you’re looking for professional help managing this entire lifecycle—from sourcing creators to rights management—check out our UGC Services.

Best Practices for Optimizing Your Types of UGC Video Content

Simply having a video isn’t enough; it needs to be optimized for the platform it lives on. Here are the “non-negotiables” for high-performing UGC:

• The 2-Second Hook: You have less than two seconds to stop the scroll. Start with a bold statement, a dramatic visual, or a relatable question.
• Authentic Lighting & Audio: It doesn’t need to be “studio quality,” but it does need to be clear. Natural lighting and a quiet environment are usually all a creator needs.
• Mobile-First (9:16): Most UGC is consumed on phones. Ensure all videos are shot vertically to take up the full screen on TikTok and Instagram.
• Natural Tone: Avoid overly scripted lines. Let the creators use their own slang and personality. 59% of consumers say inauthentic advertising annoys them, so keep it real.
• A/B Testing: We always recommend testing different hooks. Run the same video with two different opening lines and see which one drives a lower cost-per-click (CPC).
• Clear CTA: Tell the viewer exactly what to do next. “Link in bio,” “Shop the sale,” or “Swipe up to learn more” are essential for driving action.

By following these best practices, we’ve seen brands achieve a 50% reduction in cost-per-click for their ad campaigns.

Frequently Asked Questions about Types of UGC Video Content

What is the most effective type of UGC video for sales?

While it varies by industry, Problem & Solution and Product Reviews generally drive the highest direct conversions. Problem/Solution videos work well for “cold” audiences who don’t know they need your product yet, while Reviews are perfect for “warm” audiences who are comparing you against competitors.

How do brands get permission to use customer videos?

You must secure explicit usage rights. This can be done via a simple DM (for smaller creators) or a formal digital contract (for larger influencers). Always specify where the video will be used (social, web, ads) and for how long. Many brands use automated tools to manage these “rights requests” at scale.

Why is video UGC better than photo UGC for engagement?

Video allows for storytelling, movement, and sound, which captures attention much more effectively than a static image. Research shows that Instagram posts with user content get 70% more engagement when they are in video format. Additionally, video allows customers to see the product in motion, which builds more trust than a potentially edited photo.

Conclusion

The shift toward authenticity isn’t a temporary trend; it’s a fundamental change in how people buy. Whether you’re a craft brewery in Fort Collins or a fitness apparel brand in Denver, leveraging the right types of ugc video content is the most cost-effective way to build a community and drive sustainable growth.

At Evergreen Results, we specialize in helping active lifestyle and food/beverage brands navigate this landscape. We don’t just “make ads”—we build strategies that turn your customers into your most effective sales force.

Ready to stop guessing and start growing? Learn more about our UGC services and let’s build something authentic together.