UGC Ad Examples #97

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🎬 UGC Ad Examples #16 | August 26, 2025

Welcome to your weekly dose of ad creative inspiration.

While viral trends come and go, the fundamental structure of a high-performing ad rarely changes. Having a reliable framework is the key to consistently creating content that not only looks good but also drives results for your clients.

This week, we're breaking down a classic "recipe" for the perfect UGC ad, based on a timeless video from creative strategist Dara Denney. Even three years later, these core elements are the secret behind almost every successful ad you see today.

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Ad Teardown: The Recipe for a High-Converting UGC Ad

This framework is a step-by-step guide to telling a compelling story that moves a viewer from problem-aware to ready-to-buy in under 30 seconds.

➡️ Credit: This breakdown is based on the teachings of Dara Denney. You can watch her original, full explanation on YouTube here.

The 6 Essential Ingredients

1. The Hook (0-3s) Your only goal is to stop the scroll. You can do this with a compelling visual (satisfying, disgusting, or beautiful), by jumping on a TikTok trend, or by presenting a relatable problem in an interesting way.

• Pro Tip: Always film 3-5 different hooks for every ad you create. The hook is the most important variable, and testing multiple options is what turns a good campaign into a great one.

2. The Problem Agitator Now that you have their attention, you need to "agitate" the problem you introduced. Show the real-world frustration or pain point. This makes the problem feel real and proves your video isn't just clickbait.

3. The Solution Seamlessly introduce the product or service as the solution to the problem you just agitated. This should feel like a moment of relief or discovery.

4. The Benefits Don't just list features—show the specific benefits. How does the product make the user's life easier, better, or more enjoyable? Show, don't just tell.

5. The Authentic Testimonial This is where the "user-generated" aspect shines. Share your genuine experience or results. A simple, honest statement like, "This is the only thing that's worked for me," is often more powerful than a fancy script.

6. The Call to Action (CTA) End with a clear and catchy CTA. Tell the viewer exactly what you want them to do next, whether it's "Shop Now," "Learn More," or a special discount code.

Optional Spices (Add for Extra Flavor)

Once you've mastered the core recipe, you can sprinkle in these additional elements to make your ad even more persuasive:

• Social Proof: Mentioning things like "over 50,000 happy customers" or showing other user reviews.

• Competitor Comparison: A quick "what I used to use vs. what I use now" shot.

• How-To / Demo: A quick demonstration of how easy the product is to use.

• Shipping Details: Highlighting fast or free shipping can be a powerful final push.

💡 Steal This Tactic:

Before you film your next ad, write out these six steps as a checklist in your notes app. As you plan your shots, make sure you have a clear answer for each one. This simple act of pre-production will ensure your final video is structured for success.

The Creator Suite

• Need a client to test this recipe on? ➡️ Find your next gig in our UGC Jobs newsletter, featuring 10+ paid opportunities every week. Click here to join now.

• Want to learn the business side? ➡️ Level up with our UGC Community newsletter for pro strategies on pricing, pitching, and building systems. Click here to join now.

Of course. Here is a "Creative Roundup" section featuring the three examples you found, formatted for your newsletter with a brief, insightful takeaway for each.

Creative Roundup

Here are three more ads worth studying, each mastering a different niche.

1. Skincare / Beauty This ad is a great example of using satisfying close-ups and texture shots to make a skincare product look irresistible and feel luxurious. ➡️ Watch the example on X

2. Fast Food Notice how the quick, energetic cuts and focus on the food create a sense of urgency and craving, which is a perfect strategy for a fast-food brand like Chick-fil-A. ➡️ Watch the example on Instagram

3. Fashion A perfect example of a fashion ad that uses the popular 'Get Ready With Me' (GRWM) format and trending audio to feel like native, entertaining content rather than a hard sell. ➡️ Watch the example on Instagram