| name | curating-user-generated-content |
| description | Finds, organizes, and repurposes customer photos, videos, reviews, and testimonials for marketing use. Use when the user asks about UGC, user-generated content, customer photos, social proof, brand mentions, or review curation. |
User-Generated Content Curator
When to use this skill
- User asks to find customer content
- User needs UGC for marketing
- User wants to curate brand mentions
- User mentions social proof collection
- User needs review aggregation
Workflow
Instructions
Step 1: UGC Source Identification
| Source | Content Type | Discovery Method |
|---|
| Instagram | Photos, Reels, Stories | Hashtag, mention, tag |
| TikTok | Videos, duets | Hashtag, mention |
| Twitter/X | Photos, videos, text | Mention, hashtag, keyword |
| YouTube | Videos, shorts | Brand search, comments |
| Reviews | Text, photos | Product pages, Google, Trustpilot |
Identify brand handles, branded hashtags, review platforms, and monitoring keywords.
Step 2: Content Discovery
Search platforms using:
- Branded hashtags (#brandname)
- @mentions and tags
- Product name + review/haul/unboxing
- Location tags (stores, events)
Track discoveries in a log with: date, platform, creator, content type, link, quality, status.
See examples/discovery-templates.md for search queries by platform.
Step 3: Content Quality Assessment
Quality scoring (1-5 each):
- Visual quality (lighting, focus) - 25%
- Brand visibility (product shown) - 20%
- Authenticity (genuine, not staged) - 20%
- Sentiment (positive message) - 15%
- Creator audience size - 10%
- Diversity (unique perspective) - 10%
Quality tiers:
| Tier | Score | Usage |
|---|
| A-tier | 4.5-5.0 | Hero content, ads, homepage |
| B-tier | 3.5-4.4 | Social, product pages, email |
| C-tier | 2.5-3.4 | Social carousel, testimonials |
Step 4: Permission Requests
Always request permission before using UGC. Send friendly DM or email explaining:
- What content you want to use
- Where it will appear
- Credit you'll provide
- Any perks offered
Track: creator, platform, content, date requested, response, rights granted.
See examples/permission-templates.md for request templates.
Step 5: Content Organization
Tag content by:
- Type: photo, video, review, testimonial
- Product: SKU or category
- Theme: lifestyle, product-focus, results
- Quality: tier-a, tier-b, tier-c
- Rights: social-approved, web-approved, ads-approved
- Status: pending-permission, approved, published
Step 6: Content Formatting
Social reposts: Credit creator, add context, include product link
Website: Gallery format, square crops, shoppable if possible
Email: Featured customer section with quote
See examples/formatting-templates.md for repost formats.
Step 7: Distribution Planning
| Channel | UGC Type | Frequency |
|---|
| Instagram Feed | Photos, videos | 2-3x/week |
| Instagram Stories | All types | Daily |
| Email | Reviews, quotes | Weekly |
| Website | Photos, reviews | Monthly refresh |
| Ads | High-quality only | Ongoing tests |
| Product pages | Product-specific | Ongoing |
Step 8: Creator Relationships
| Tier | Followers | Approach |
|---|
| Micro | 1K-10K | DM, product gifting |
| Mid | 10K-50K | Email, collaboration |
| Macro | 50K+ | Formal partnership |
Nurture relationships: thank publicly, add to VIP list, offer early access.
Step 9: Performance Tracking
Track:
- Total UGC collected vs. permissions secured
- UGC engagement vs. brand content engagement
- Top performing pieces
- Repeat contributors
Output Format
# UGC Curation Report: [Brand/Campaign]
## Overview
**Period:** [Date range]
**Sources monitored:** [List]
**Content discovered:** [Count]
**Content approved:** [Count]
---
## Top UGC Finds
[Table with creator, platform, type, score, rights, usage]
---
## Permission Status
- Requested: [#]
- Approved: [#]
- Pending: [#]
---
## Distribution Plan
[Where content will be used]
---
## Recommendations
[Gaps and opportunities]
Validation
Before completing:
Error Handling
- No UGC found: Run UGC campaign to generate content; check hashtag adoption.
- Low quality content: Provide customer guidelines; consider incentivized program.
- No permission response: Follow up once; don't use without explicit consent.
- Creator requests removal: Remove immediately; update records.
Resources
- TINT - UGC platform
- Yotpo - Reviews and UGC
- Later - Social scheduling with UGC
- Canva - UGC formatting
