The Best UGC Instagram Campaigns, Picked By Our Head of Design

Instagram’s visual nature makes it the perfect social platform for user-generated content (UGC).

And brands who understand how to use UGC on Instagram effectively are seeing

seriously awesome results.

Design plays a key role on Instagram,which is why we asked our Head of Design, Roni Klein,

to compile the best UGC Instagram campaigns with explanations for why they rock and tips for how

you can replicate these brands’ success yourself.

The Campaign: #CastMeMarc by Marc by Marc Jacobs

The Takeaway:Skyrocket Engagement Levels with Rewards Your Audience Can’t Resist

The #CastMeMarc campaignreally understood how to get strong audience involvement.

People could participate for the chance to be a Marc by Marc Jacobs model

just by submitting selfies with the hashtag #CastMeMarc!

The results?The hashtag #CastMeMarc was

Instagrammed over 12,000 times in 24 hours– that’s about 8 selfies a minute.

Why did it succeed?The key here was that the contest offered a reward that

was strong enough to elicit real participation. Even people who didn’t submit selfies still wanted to watch.

Replicate this in your own UGC campaigns by understanding

what motivates your specific audience. Come up with a reward that doesn’t just get participants but also gets Instagram buzzing

and watching the campaign.

Learn how to use UGC more effectively in your Instagram campaigns - and more!

The Campaign: The Nike PHOTOiD Campaign

The Takeaway: Allow Customers to Use Content They Already Have

The Nike PHOTOiD campaign let users design, share, and buy custom shoes

inspired by customers’ very own Instagram photos. Customers can upload their favorite

Instagram photos and then design shoes that complement them.

Nike used customers’ own photos as the background for the shoe design,

personalized and created in real-time.

This was genius, because rather than asking customers to

specifically create content for their campaign, Nike made it easy for them to use content

they already had.

People are on social to connect to their friends and share their special moments. They’re

probably not looking to take photos specifically for a brand’s benefit, but for their own.

So, follow in Nike’s footsteps, and make it easy for your customers to participate by inviting them

to share content they’ve already created.

Learn how to use your customers’ content in your marketing

The Campaign: IKEA Norway Catalogue

The Takeaway:Use Content From UGC Campaigns In Your Marketing Materials

IKEA Norway asked their customers to take photos of their favorite products and post the photos on

Instagram for a chance to win free items.

It was so popular, customers Instagrammed every single item one of IKEA Norway’s items! IKEA Norway was the big winner in this - they got tons of

amazing content to use in future marketing materials.

Your customers are your greatest source of

marketing material. Rather than trying new creatives

and A/B testing copy, why not use the images and

content your customers created?

You can then show this off to potential new customers, increasing authenticity and trust in your brand.

The Campaign: Starbucks’ White Cup Contest

The Takeaway:Ask Customers to Re-imagine Iconic Brand Symbols

Starbucks’ White Cup Contest asked customers to get creative and put their own

designs on their iconic cups. Customers participated for a chance to have a winning design printed on a

limited-edition Starbucks reusable plastic cup.

Using the white cup as a canvas brought their brand into the picture while inspiring creativity from their customers.

Your campaign should begin with a simple premise:

This is one of the most important elements of a successful UGC

campaign on social media. Think of an icon people associate with your brand, and ask customers to get creative and reinvent it.

What symbol of your brand can you reimagine with the help of your

customers?

The reason this is so successful is because it naturally gets you

more exposure.People share their UGC with their networks. Your brand is part of the UGC, so you spread

brand awareness without even trying.

For more tips on how to use UGC in your social media marketing, paid

advertising, and more...

Get your free copy of our guide to UGC marketing!