Gathering User-Generated Content with Credible Prompts
Written by Fred Ferguson – GeezerWise on Substack at www.geezerwise.com #Perplexity
Ever notice how most “user-generated content” campaigns sink like a lead balloon?
You launch a contest, dangle a prize, beg for submissions… and get a trickle of low-effort entries that don’t move the needle.
Why?
Because most UGC prompts are built for you — your marketing goals — instead of what they actually want to share.
If your ask doesn’t connect with your audience’s own desire to express themselves, your campaign is doomed before it starts.
The Perplexity Advantage
Perplexity’s Predictive AI isn’t just for product ideas — it’s a secret weapon for UGC campaigns too. It helps you uncover:
What your audience already shares voluntarily.
What emotions make them proud to post.
What benefits make participation worth their time.
When you understand those levers, you can create prompts that feel irresistible — not like you’re trying to squeeze free content out of them.
1. Start Where They Already Are
Look at what they’re posting now:
Industry-related experiences.
Problems they’ve solved.
Wins they’re proud of.
If they’re already talking about it, you won’t have to drag them into creating content — they’ll want to.
2. Tap Into Emotion
People share because something moved them.
Pride.
Excitement.
A milestone worth celebrating.
If your prompt doesn’t trigger a feeling, it’s just another request in their inbox.
3. Give Them a Win
Participation needs a payoff:
Recognition.
Value (knowledge, tools, perks).
A result they can use or brag about.
The value exchange has to feel fair — or better yet, generous.
4. Keep It Authentic
Forced prompts smell like marketing.
Authentic prompts? They feel like a natural extension of what people already say and do.
5. Match Their Capabilities
Not everyone has a DSLR camera and a video editing suite.
Perplexity can help you figure out:
What tools they have.
What formats they’re comfortable with.
How complex your ask should be.
6. Time It Right
Seasonality matters:
When do they have time?
What events create sharing opportunities?
When’s the energy highest?
7. Pick the Right Platforms
Meet them where they hang out.
If your people live on Instagram, asking them to upload to your obscure community forum is a recipe for crickets.
8. Make It Rewarding
Rewards aren’t always cash. Sometimes, recognition and genuine appreciation go further.
Show you value their effort.
9. Set Guidelines Without Killing Creativity
A few rails keep quality high — but don’t turn your rules into creative handcuffs.
10. Build for Shareability
The best UGC doesn’t just land in your inbox — it gets shared by the creators themselves, pulling in their network for free.
11. Foster Community
The campaign should connect participants with each other, not just you. That’s how you turn a one-off contest into an ongoing movement.
12. Cover Your Legal Bases
Permissions.
Rights usage.
Clear disclosures.
Skip this step and you might regret it later.
13. Be Inclusive
Remove barriers. Welcome diverse participation. Make sure everyone feels like they can contribute.
14. Give Just Enough Direction
Specific enough to be useful, broad enough to let creativity run wild. That’s the sweet spot.
15. Measure What Matters
Not all “likes” are created equal. Look for engagement patterns, quality of submissions, and whether the campaign achieves your goals.
16. Keep It Sustainable
If you want UGC to keep flowing, don’t burn out your audience. Evolve the format. Keep it fresh.
17. Moderate Without Killing Momentum
Set standards, filter the junk, but don’t crush participation with heavy-handed policing.
18. Make It Educational
Give participants tips, tools, and skill boosts so they walk away better at creating content — win or lose.
19. Partner Up
The right co-sponsor or collaborator can instantly multiply reach and credibility.
20. Credit Where It’s Due
When people get public credit for their work, they’re far more likely to show up next time.
21. Segment Your Prompts
Not all audience groups will respond to the same ask. Tailor prompts to different demographics for maximum participation.
22. Repurpose With Respect
If you’re going to reuse their content, do it in a way that benefits them too — and always keep the relationship warm.
The Bottom Line
A winning UGC campaign isn’t about tricking people into creating free ads for you.
It’s about creating an opportunity for them to share something they’re already proud to say — and making sure it benefits them as much as it does you.
Get that balance right, and you’ll never struggle for content again.
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