Effective UGC ad copy and on-screen text are short, specific, and timed to the viewer’s decision points so your offer is understood in seconds and the video keeps moving.
In UGC, your words have one job, remove confusion fast while still sounding like a real person talking. That means plain language, concrete benefits, and a clear next step, not slogans. When we build concepts through our UGC content creation work, we treat copy and on-screen text like a GPS for the viewer: it should guide attention, explain what’s happening, and answer the first objections before they bounce.
| Where the words live | What they should do | What “effective” looks like | Common miss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hook text (first 1 to 2 seconds) | Stop the scroll | One clear promise or problem in 6 to 10 words | Vague hype or a long sentence |
| Benefit text (middle) | Explain why it matters | One benefit per screen, tied to what’s on camera | Listing features without an outcome |
| Proof text | Add trust | Specific proof you can back up (time, process, social proof) | Big claims you cannot support |
| CTA text (end, sometimes mid) | Tell them what to do | Simple action that matches the funnel (book, call, get quote) | “Learn more” with no reason to click |
Good UGC copy starts with a tight hook that sounds like your customer. For Orlando service businesses, that usually means calling out a situation people recognize: “Termites in Florida spread fast,” “My kid’s teeth staining again,” or “I didn’t know what to ask a lawyer.” The best hooks either (1) name the problem, (2) promise the outcome, or (3) flip an objection. If you want a clean framework, we map most concepts to the UGC ad structure so the words match the story beats.
On-screen text works when it is readable on a phone and it matches what the viewer is seeing right now. Keep each text card to one idea, keep it on screen long enough to read, and use everyday words. A simple pattern that keeps videos clear is: problem line, solution line, proof line, then CTA. Example for a local dental office: “Embarrassed to smile,” “Whitening that fits lunch breaks,” “Most visits under an hour,” “Book your consult.”
Captions and on-screen text are not the same thing. Captions help people follow along, while on-screen text should highlight the key takeaway even if they only catch a glance. For regulated niches like healthcare and law, keep text factual and avoid promises. Instead of “Guaranteed results,” use “Typical process,” “What to expect,” or “Schedule an evaluation.” If your offer is time-based, put the date or deadline on screen so it is not missed.
For paid campaigns, the copy has to connect to the targeting and the landing page, otherwise performance drops and leads get expensive. This is where our PPC management team pairs messaging with intent so the promise in the first two seconds matches what people see after the click.
If you want a fast self-check, read the first line out loud and ask: would a real customer say this? Then look at the first frame and ask: do the words explain what I’m about to see? If not, rewrite the hook so it is specific and customer-said. This is also why we keep a library of hook angles and rotate them, and if you want the concept behind that first moment, see our breakdown of what a hook is in UGC.
Practical tips you can apply on your next shoot: keep text away from the top and bottom UI areas in vertical video, avoid tiny fonts, avoid paragraphs, and use numbers only when you can back them up. Most of all, let the video do the selling and let the words do the clarifying. When those roles are clean, UGC feels natural and still drives action.
