How to Get Customers to Make Content for You
Photos and videos from real customers are some of the most convincing content you can post. How to encourage, collect and use customer content, with permission.
Your customers are already taking photos of what they bought: the outfit at a wedding, the cake at a birthday, the new phone on the dashboard. That content is more convincing than anything you could produce yourself, because it comes from a real buyer.
Here's how to get more of it, and use it properly.
Why customer content works
- It's proof. Real people, real products, real results.
- It feels honest. Less polished, more believable.
- It shows the product in real Ghanaian life.
- It's free, or nearly.
How to encourage it
Ask directly
Most customers will share if you ask nicely at the right time:
So glad it arrived safely, Kwesi! If you take a photo wearing them, please send it to us or tag us. We love seeing our customers' style.
Make packaging photo-worthy
Branded packaging, a thank-you card, tissue paper or a small surprise turns an unboxing into a moment people want to share. See packaging design.
Create a hashtag or tag habit
A simple, branded hashtag, and a note on packaging: "Tag us @brand to be featured."
Feature customers
Repost customer content, with credit. When customers see others being featured, they want to be too.
Run occasional challenges
"Show us how you styled it" with a small prize for the best entry each month.
Reward it
A discount on the next order, store credit or early access for customers who send photos or videos.
Always get permission
Before you post someone's photo, video or messages, ask. Something as simple as:
Thank you! Would you be happy for us to share this on our page?
For adverts, get clear written permission, because ads reach far more people and run longer. Hide phone numbers and personal details in chat screenshots.
Where to use it
- Instagram and TikTok posts and stories.
- A "Customers" or "Reviews" highlight.
- Product pages.
- Adverts. Customer content often makes strong adverts. See AI UGC ads for how to combine real and produced content.
- WhatsApp follow-ups and broadcasts.
Organise it
Keep a folder for customer content, labelled by product and with notes on permission. It saves hours when you need proof for an advert or a reply.
Common questions
What if customers send poor-quality photos?
Use them anyway in stories and reviews; authenticity matters. For adverts, choose the clearest ones, or ask the customer if you can reshoot with them.
Can I edit customer photos?
Light cropping and brightening is fine. Don't change the product or the result.
If you'd like a content plan built around your customers, see our content and social media service.