Yes, we usually recommend requesting raw footage with UGC videos when you plan to repurpose the content, run paid ads, or need multiple edits over time, but it’s optional if you only need a single final cut for one platform.
Raw footage gives you flexibility: you can cut new hooks, swap product shots, create shorter versions for Reels or Shorts, and refresh creatives without booking another shoot. When we manage production through our UGC video services, we treat raw footage as a separate deliverable with clear rules, so you get usable clips instead of a messy camera dump.
| Deliverable option | Best fit | What you gain | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Final edited video only | One-off organic post, tight budget, simple message | Fast delivery, fewer files to manage, consistent creator style | Less flexibility later, new edits usually mean a new project |
| Final edit plus raw footage | Ads testing, ongoing social, multi-platform reuse, seasonal refreshes | More variations, more cutdowns, longer content life | Higher cost, storage and file organization needed, rights must be spelled out |
When we tell you to ask for raw footage
Raw footage is worth it when any of these are true:
- You want multiple hooks or opening lines to test in ads.
- You need several lengths (6–10 seconds, 15 seconds, 30 seconds) from the same shoot.
- You plan to reuse the content on your website, in email, or on Amazon product pages.
- You operate in a regulated space (dental, medical, legal) and want tighter control over what stays in the final edit.
- You expect frequent promos in Orlando and Central Florida (storm season offers for home services, back-to-school for pediatric, tourist spikes for hospitality) and want fast refreshes without reshooting.
When raw footage can be skipped
We often skip raw footage when you’re buying UGC mainly for one post, you trust the creator’s editing, and you do not plan to run the content as paid ads. For many local service businesses, one clean edit with captions is enough to start, then we add raw footage once we see what angles actually pull calls and form fills.
Rights, privacy, and how to request it the right way
Raw footage is still copyrighted content, so your agreement should clearly state how you can use it, where you can use it (organic, ads, website), and for how long. If you want a quick refresher on what “usage rights” usually covers, read our FAQ on UGC usage rights.
For Florida healthcare and dental practices, raw footage can accidentally capture patient names, charts, or faces in the background. We recommend filming in a controlled area, getting written releases for anyone identifiable, and building a “no patient info on set” checklist into the brief.
If your goal is to run ads from the creator’s handle (common on TikTok and Instagram), raw footage is not the same thing as whitelisting permission. That process typically uses platform tools and creator authorization, so review our FAQ on running UGC from the creator’s account.
One practical tip that saves headaches: ask for raw clips to be organized by scene (unboxing, demo, close-ups, lifestyle), delivered in the original resolution, with any separate audio files included. If you want us to turn raw footage into multiple ad-ready variations, we can pair it with campaign build and testing through our PPC management.
