061: Don't Scroll: Steal This UGC Ad Formula Instead

Hello, you lovely Creatives!

Welcome to Volume 6️⃣1️⃣ of Creative Cuts 🔪 - your weekly dose of creative strategy from your friends at Creative OS.

And today on the cutting board…

We’re breaking down one of the most important shifts in paid media:

The evolution of UGC creatives.

Not the overly polished, scripted influencer promotions of the past.

This new wave of UGC is raw, engaging, and feels like something a friend shared—because that’s what resonates.

The problem? Most brands are still running UGC like it’s 2020.

So today, we’re covering:

• Why the UGC landscape has changed and what’s driving performance today

• The storytelling framework behind the highest-converting creatives

• How to source, manage, and scale UGC creators effectively

• A testing system that transforms creative into a predictable revenue driver

Because the brands winning in 2025 aren’t just running ads. They’re blending into the feed, meeting audiences where they are, and turning storytelling into scale.

Enjoy,

Chase

Why UGC Ads Are Crushing Right Now

The biggest shift in UGC ads?

Consumers can see right through traditional advertising.

👉Ad Blindness is at an all-time high. People scroll past anything that feels salesy.

👉Authenticity beats polish. TikTok and IG Reels have redefined content expectations.

👉 Storytelling converts better than testimonials. Customers buy into relatable narratives—not generic product praise.

Winning UGC ads today don’t look like ads.

They feel like organic content someone just had to share.

That’s why the brands crushing it aren’t just hiring creators…

…they’re hiring storytellers.

The New UGC Ad Framework (What Works Now)

Forget basic testimonial-style UGC.

The highest-performing ads follow a structure designed to hook, engage, and convert.

Here’s the framework:

1. The Hook (0-3s) – Grab attention instantly with a pattern interrupt.

"I spent $1,000 on acne products, and this is the only one that worked."

"Stop wasting money on bad coffee. This changes everything."

2. The Problem (3-10s) – Agitate the pain point.

"I was tired of waking up with dry, irritated skin no matter what I tried."

3. The Discovery (10-20s) – Introduce your product naturally.

"I found this serum, and I didn’t expect much—but after two weeks… wow."

4. The Benefits (20-30s) – Show real results.

Instead of: "It hydrates skin."

Say: "My skin stays soft and clear for 12 hours, even in winter."

5. Social Proof (30-40s) – Add credibility.

Before-and-after visuals, testimonials, or user reactions.

6. The CTA (40s+) – Make it a natural next step.

"If you’ve struggled with this too, grab yours below."

—

This isn’t just some theory…

It’s the exact structure that’s scaling brands to 7-figures+ with UGC ads.

Where Brands Fail with UGC (And How to Fix It)

Most brands fail at UGC because they:

👉 Use the wrong creators (influencers vs. natural sellers)

👉 Skip research and force generic scripts

👉 Treat UGC like traditional ads instead of organic storytelling

How to Find and Manage High-Performing UGC Creators

Your UGC creators make or break your ad performance.

Here’s how to find the right ones:

Where to Look:

• TikTok Creator Marketplace (for professional UGC creators)

• Instagram & Twitter (for micro-influencers in your niche)

• Your own customers (often the most authentic option!)

How to Reach Out:

"Hey [Creator’s Name], I love your content about [topic]! We’re looking for creators to showcase our [product] that helps [target audience] with [problem]. Would you be interested in creating authentic content for us?"

Managing Creators Effectively:

• Provide a detailed brief but let them tell the story in their own way.

• Set clear deliverables, usage rights, and payment terms upfront.

• Give them your conversion framework so they create high-converting content.

Testing & Scaling UGC Ads (Without Wasting Budget)

Great UGC is just the first step.

But winning brands turn it into a system.

Here’s the exact testing framework that scales UGC ads without burning cash:

Step 1: The "Triple Hook Test"

Take one UGC video and create 3 versions with different hooks:

• Pain Point Hook: "I was tired of my skin breaking out no matter what I tried."
  

• Curiosity Hook: "The weird reason why your skincare isn’t working."
  

• Pattern Interrupt Hook: "Stop using this common skincare mistake NOW."

Step 2: Budget Allocation (The 2x AOV Rule)

• Spend at least 2x your Average Order Value (AOV) on each variation before deciding to scale or kill it.
  

• If your product sells for $50, give each test at least $100 in ad spend.

Step 3: Key Metrics to Track

• ROAS (Return on Ad Spend) – If it’s profitable, scale it.
  

• Retention Rate (Hook Rate) – Aim for 25% of viewers staying past 3 seconds.
  

• Click-Through Rate (CTR) – Industry benchmarks vary, but aim for above 1%.

Step 4: Scaling Winners the Smart Way

Instead of just increasing budget, create 2-3 variations of your winning ad:

• New creators telling the same story

• Different settings or product angles

• Slight tweaks to the storytelling

This prevents ad fatigue and gives you multiple winners to scale.

Final Thoughts: The UGC Playbook for 2025

At the end of the day, UGC isn’t just about making ads.

It’s about creating content that feels so natural, so authentic…

…that people actually want to watch it.

The brands that are scaling right now?

They’re not forcing polished ads.

They’re:

👉 Telling stories

👉 Solving problems

👉 Meeting customers where they are.

So if your current UGC strategy feels stale—or worse, ignored—it’s time to rethink how you’re doing it.

Because in 2025, the brands that win won’t just be selling.

They’ll be creating moments that feel too real to scroll past.

Here’s a quick recap on how to crush it with UGC:

1️⃣ Make your UGC feel organic, not scripted

2️⃣ Use storytelling frameworks that hook and convert

3️⃣ Find creators who sell without selling

4️⃣ Test systematically to scale winners without wasting budget

And like always…

…don’t just learn about this.

Try.

Test.

Implement.

And see what really sticks.

That’s how you get to the next level.

See you at the forefront,

Chase.

That’s all! If you’re looking to find inspiration or get the best ad templates out there, come hang out with us at Creative OS and tell your friends!