Written By Megan Collier

One of the easiest ways to stand out as a UGC creator is to show brands that you understand platform strategy.

Most creators just hand over a video—but smart creators think ahead:
👉 How will this look on TikTok vs. Instagram?
👉 What’s different about a LinkedIn audience compared to YouTube Shorts?

When you can deliver content that’s already optimized for each channel, brands see you as more than a video maker—they see you as a marketing partner.

Here’s how to adjust your UGC content for the platforms brands care about most.

1️⃣ TikTok: Raw, Fast, and Relatable

  • Style: Casual, quick cuts, handheld feel.

  • Hooks: Trend-based or conversational (“You won’t believe this…”).

  • Length: 9–20 seconds performs best.

  • What to avoid: Overproduced videos—authenticity wins here.

Pro Tip: Suggest a trending audio option when delivering your video so brands can test it natively.

2️⃣ Instagram Reels: Polished and Aesthetic

  • Style: Still authentic, but slightly more curated than TikTok.

  • Hooks: Bold text overlays + captions keep people engaged.

  • Length: 15–30 seconds.

  • Best extras: Add an aesthetic thumbnail that works in the feed grid.

Pro Tip: Suggest both vertical Reels and square (1:1) cuts for in-feed posts.

3️⃣ YouTube Shorts: Value + Personality

  • Style: Clear storytelling and tips perform well here.

  • Hooks: Direct questions or lessons (“Here’s how I fixed…”).

  • Length: 30–60 seconds can work—slightly longer than TikTok.

  • Why it matters: Brands are testing Shorts heavily in 2025 as YouTube pushes vertical content.

Pro Tip: End with a strong CTA since YouTube viewers often search with intent.

4️⃣ LinkedIn: Professional and Educational

  • Style: Insightful, informative, less “trendy.”

  • Hooks: Data or authority-driven (“80% of buyers choose…”).

  • Length: 30–60 seconds with subtitles.

  • Focus: Positioning the product as a professional solution, not just lifestyle content.

Pro Tip: Suggest brands use your testimonial-style clips for B2B or professional angles.

5️⃣ Facebook Ads: Clear + Conversion-Focused

  • Style: Direct, testimonial-heavy, with strong CTAs.

  • Hooks: Problem → solution in the first 3 seconds.

  • Length: 20–30 seconds max.

  • Important: Brands will often re-edit your content into multiple ad variations.

Pro Tip: Always offer raw clips too—media buyers love having extra footage to test.

Final Thoughts

The same video doesn’t perform the same everywhere. By tailoring content for each platform—or at least understanding the differences—you set yourself apart from 90% of creators.

Inside The Ultimate UGC Course, I teach you how to:
✔ Break down content into platform-friendly versions
✔ Use templates for captions + hooks
✔ Deliver content that feels native across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and more

Join the course and start positioning yourself as a UGC creator who gets strategy, not just content.

Because when you make your work perform everywhere, brands will keep coming back for more. 🚀

Megan Collier
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