UGC cutdowns are shorter edits made from a longer UGC video, and they’re useful because they let you run the same message in more placements, hold attention faster, and test what gets people to book or call without filming new content every time.
Think of a “master” UGC video as your full story (unboxing, demo, testimonial, walkthrough), and cutdowns as tight versions built around one hook and one outcome. In Orlando, we see this work especially well for service businesses like dental, legal, pest control, and home services where people decide quickly and want one clear reason to choose you.
What a cutdown usually changes
- Shorter runtime with the strongest moment first (the hook in the first 1 to 2 seconds).
- Single angle per version (price range, same day availability, pain point, warranty, before and after, social proof).
- Format fit for vertical video placements (9:16), plus clean captions so it still works with sound off.
| Cutdown length | What it’s best for | What we focus on |
|---|---|---|
| 6 to 10 seconds | Fast hook ads, retargeting, quick offers | Problem + outcome, bold on-screen text, instant proof |
| 12 to 20 seconds | Top-of-funnel Reels, TikTok, Shorts style ads | One benefit, one demo moment, one call to action |
| 25 to 40 seconds | Explainer style UGC for higher-consideration offers | Mini story, 2 to 3 proof points, clear next step |
| 45 to 60 seconds | Full story placements, landing page embeds | Objection handling, trust, and specifics |
Why cutdowns help your marketing spend work harder
First, platforms reward watch time and completion rate, and shorter videos are simply easier to finish. Second, ad accounts perform better when you have multiple creative options, since people get tired of seeing the same video. Third, cutdowns let you test different promises without changing your offer, which is the fastest way to learn what your local market responds to.
For example, a 45-second UGC video for an Orlando dentist can turn into three cutdowns: a 9-second “same day crown” hook, a 15-second “nervous patient” reassurance, and a 30-second “insurance and financing” explainer. A pest control company can split one shoot into a fast “same day service” cutdown, a “kids and pets” reassurance cutdown, and a “what to expect on the first visit” cutdown.
If you want these videos to turn into leads, they should match what your prospect is trying to solve right now, which is why we often pair cutdown planning with a quick review of search intent and the main intent types so the hook speaks your customer’s language.
We can produce a cutdown pack as part of our UGC content service, and if you’re putting budget behind it, our PPC management work helps route each cutdown to the right audience and placement. Also, don’t forget the last step: the page you send clicks to has to be clear and fast, so it’s worth checking what makes a good small business website before you start scaling spend.
