We encourage customers to create user-generated content (UGC) on social media by giving them one simple prompt, one easy way to tag you, and a small, clear reason to post right when they’re happiest with the result.
In practice, UGC happens when it’s built into your day-to-day, not when you post a random “tag us!” once a month, and that’s exactly what we set up in our social media marketing services for Orlando and Central Florida businesses.
Next, give people a “content moment” they can’t miss: a clean photo spot, good lighting, a quick sign at checkout, a follow-up text or email with your handle and hashtag, and a 10-second reminder from staff. If you want higher-quality short videos, we can also help you plan and produce a repeatable flow through UGC content creation so your customers know what to film and you get clips you can actually post.
What consistently gets customers to post
- Make it specific: ask for one photo, one Reel, or one Story, not “post about us.”
- Give a prompt: “before-and-after,” “unboxing,” “first reaction,” “a quick walkthrough,” or “the finished look.”
- Feature them: “Customer of the week” on Stories is a strong motivator and costs nothing.
- Add a light reward: a monthly gift card draw, a free add-on, or a credit toward the next visit.
- Lower friction: a QR code that opens Instagram, plus a sample caption they can copy.
- Respond fast: like, comment, and reshare quickly so posting feels worth it.
Copy-and-paste prompts you can use
Here are a few prompts that work well for local services in Orlando: “Show your result in one photo and tag @YourBusiness.” “Post a 5-second clip of the finished job and use #YourBrandOrlando.” “Tell people the one thing you wish you knew before booking.” For dental, medical, and aesthetics, keep it general, like a smile selfie in your lobby or a “great experience” Story, not anything that reveals treatment details unless the patient chooses to share it.
Train your team on a short ask that doesn’t feel awkward: “If you’re happy with how everything turned out, would you post a quick photo and tag us? We’ll reshare it so people can find a local provider they can trust.” That one sentence, delivered at the right moment, beats a long script every time.
If you offer discounts, freebies, or giveaway entries for posting, keep the rules and disclosure clean. The FTC expects people to clearly disclose a material connection when they get something of value, so your offer should tell customers what to write (for example, “Thanks @Brand for the free upgrade” or “#ad” if you’re compensating them). We break this down in plain English in FTC disclosures and we’ll also help you avoid language that could trigger ad rejections or compliance issues in regulated industries.
Finally, protect your brand when you repost. Even if a customer tags you, get clear permission before you use their photo in ads or on your website. A simple comment works: “Love this, reply YES if we can repost and credit you.” If you run a bigger giveaway in Florida, be careful with prize value and rules: game promotions with total prizes over $5,000 can trigger filing requirements, posted rules, and a trust account or surety bond, and your giveaway should never require a purchase to enter. If you want ideas for turning customer posts into a full content library, UGC content repurposing lays out the clean way to do it.
