Before you dive headfirst into the bustling world of UGC (User-Generated Content) video creation for mobile apps and games, let’s pump the brakes for a hot sec. 🛑

Creating UGC videos for your apps and games is like preparing a gourmet meal – it’s not just about throwing ingredients together and hoping for the best. It requires finesse, strategy, and a dash of creativity.

Welcome to Flixr’s no-nonsense guide on the biggest oopsies you can make in the pre-production phase of your UGC videos.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newbie dipping your toes in the UGC ocean, this guide is your lifesaver. We’ll navigate through the common pitfalls that could send your UGC strategy plummeting before it even takes off.

Mistake #1: Vague Concepts

AKA the recipe for disaster. Cooking up a UGC video without a clear, crisp concept leads to lackluster content that misses the mark.

How to Fix: Start with a laser-focused creative brief. Know your app or game inside out – its unique features, value propositions, and what sets it apart. And then use these ingredients to create concepts that sizzle and pop.

Mistake #2: Not Considering Your Target Audience

Aiming your UGC arrow without knowing the target (your audience) is a futile effort. Broad, undefined target groups lead to content that resonates with… well, no one.

How to Fix: Get specific with your audience. 🎯 Who are you talking to? Are they hardcore gamers obsessed with leveling up or casual players looking for fun? Really get to know who the people are who are using your app or playing your game, and then speak ONLY to them.

In marketing, this is often called ”the audience of one” – you’re creating your buyer persona and then tailoring your message specifically for them, as if you’re talking to one person only.

Mistake #3: A Hook That’s Not Hookin’

A weak or non-existent hook in your script is like a party without music – nobody sticks around. If you don’t grab attention in the first few seconds, consider your viewers gone poof. ‍💨

How to Fix: Craft a compelling hook that makes viewers stop in their tracks. Be it a shocker, a teaser, or a heart-tugger, make sure it’s relevant and gripping. The point of the hook is to stop the scroll and grab attention.

Mistake #4: Scripting Like a Robot

Overly formal, stiff, or jargon-loaded scripts are snooze-fests. They lack the human touch that UGC thrives on.

How to Fix: Write like you talk. Use a conversational tone, everyday language, and include those ‘umms’ and ‘ahhs’ for authenticity. You want your UGC videos to sound like you’re having a real chat with your viewers, not like you’re giving a corporate presentation. 🥱

Mistake #5: Rigid Creativity in Scripting

This is a tough one to avoid! Finding the fine line between being specific and being too rigid in scripts can be challenging.

Micromanaging every word and action in the script stifles the natural flair of creators. Over-scripting can suck the life out of your UGC, leaving it feeling forced and artificial.

How to Fix: Trust in the spontaneity of your creators. 🙂 Provide detailed guidelines but allow room for improv.

P.S. If you can’t trust the spontaneity of your creators, you may be casting the wrong creators, which brings us to the next point. 👇

Mistake #6: Casting Misfits

Your content can backfire if you cast the wrong people. It’s essential to align the choice of talent – whether influencers, content creators, real users, or actors – with your brand’s voice and your audience’s preferences. An influencer with a mismatched audience or an actor who can’t connect with your brand message can lead to disengaged viewers.

How to Fix: Select your talent wisely. Choose individuals who mirror your target demographic in terms of interests, age, lifestyle, or challenges, to enhance the relatability of your content. Align influencers, content creators, or actors with your brand ethos and ensure they resonate with your audience.

Mistake #7: Ignoring Cultural Nuances

Overlooking the cultural diversity of your audience is like serving the same dish at every global feast. It just doesn’t cater to all tastes.

How to Fix: Embrace and understand the cultural nuances of your audience. Customize your content to be universally appealing yet locally relatable.

💡

➡️ Ready to leap into UGC without these slip-ups? Reach out to Flixr today, and let’s transform your vision into viral victories.

Mistake #8: Stale Storytelling

Rehashing the same old stories and formats can make your UGC feel stale and unoriginal.

How to Fix: Be fresh and innovative. Experiment with new angles, stories, and formats. Surprise your audience with something they haven’t seen before. Read the room! It’s like switching up the playlist at a party to keep the energy high.

Mistake #9: Wrong Video Length

Creating a UGC video that’s too long or too short can quickly lose your audience’s attention or fail to deliver enough information.

How to Fix: Time it right. For platforms like TikTok or Instagram, keep it snappy and engaging. For YouTube or Facebook, you might have a bit more leeway for storytelling. It’s all about matching the rhythm of the platform and the attention span of your audience.

Mistake #10: Overlooking the Post-Production Magic

Thinking the job is done once the video is filmed can leave a lot of potential untapped. Raw footage without the right editing, music, or effects can fail to capture the full impact.

How to Fix: Invest in post-production. Add music, graphics, and edit for pacing to transform good footage into great UGC.

Mistake #11: Forgetting the Call to Action

Wrapping up your UGC video without a clear CTA is like leaving a story without an ending. You’re literally leaving your audience hanging. And if your viewers don’t know what to do next, they’ll do – nothing.

How to Fix: End with a bang, not with a whimper! Make your CTA clear, concise, and compelling. ✔️ Whether it’s to download an app, visit a website, or share the video, tell your viewers exactly what you want them to do.

Mistake #12: Ignoring Feedback Loops

Not gathering or acting on viewer feedback is a missed opportunity to refine and improve your UGC strategy.

How to Fix: Listen and adapt. Use comments, likes, shares, and other metrics to understand what works and what doesn’t. Your audience’s responses should guide your next move.

Remember, creating killer UGC content isn’t just about rolling the camera and hoping for the best. It’s both an art form and a game of strategy.

But hey, we get it – it’s a lot to juggle.

If the thought of dodging these pre-production pitfalls feels like navigating a minefield, don’t sweat it.

That’s where we come in. If you’re ready to create UGC that dazzles without the drama, let’s chat. We’re here to streamline your journey from concept to final cut.