A useful user-generated content brief gives a creator enough direction to make a truthful, specific video while leaving room for their own voice. In October, seasonal prompts can help, but the product and audience should still be the center of the story.
Write the audience and job first
Complete this sentence: “This video is for [audience] who want to [job] but struggle with [obstacle].” For a small food brand, that might mean busy people planning a quick lunch. For a fashion brand, it might mean shoppers comparing how one item works in different weather. This sentence should shape the demonstration and the opening line.
A simple brief you can copy
- Objective: the one action the viewer should understand or take.
- Product facts: verified features, price or availability if relevant, and claims that require approval.
- Creative angle: one real use case, a possible opening, and what to show on camera.
- Deliverables: number of videos, aspect ratio, approximate duration, captions, and deadline.
- Rights: where the brand may use the content, for how long, and whether paid advertising is included.
- Review: who approves factual claims and when feedback will arrive.
Make the October angle local
Do not assume that every audience has the same season or holiday. A “cozy fall morning” concept may fit one market but not another. Offer the creator a choice between a seasonal use case and an evergreen use case. If the brief names a public holiday, verify the country and year before filming.
Protect trust in the final video
Ask for a demonstration that shows what the product does in a realistic setting. Avoid scripted personal experiences the creator has not had. Make any paid relationship clear according to the rules that apply to the creator and audience. Approve facts and permissions, but do not polish away every natural detail that makes the video credible.
Frequently asked question
How detailed should a UGC brief be? Detailed enough to prevent factual errors and disputes about deliverables, but short enough that the creator can see the main idea at a glance. A one-page brief plus a product fact sheet is often easier to use than a long script.