[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”2%|20%|2%|20%|false|true” custom_padding_tablet=”4%|0%|4%|0%|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”6%|0%|6%|0%|true|true” border_color_top=”#e1e1e1″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”7b1bf5ad-cc2a-4448-981c-4963d88bd6e8″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_line_height=”1.8em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Implementing a user\u2011generated content (UGC) workflow has become a must for many organizations. According to a recent MASV UGC report, 81 percent of consumers say user\u2011generated video feels more trustworthy than influencer or branded content.<\/p>\n
Yet creating a reliable UGC workflow takes more than posting a creator\u2019s clip. Managing high\u2011quality submissions \u2013 especially large 4K video files \u2013 can stall the entire process before it even starts.<\/p>\n
This guide breaks down what UGC is, outlines the four key stages of a professional UGC workflow, and shows how to fix its biggest challenge once and for all: the submission process.<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”2514b1ee-af07-4bc3-a96b-c9aaa32f4a18″ text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”26px” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|tablet” max_width=”100%” custom_margin=”|-54px|0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|||0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Table of Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”2514b1ee-af07-4bc3-a96b-c9aaa32f4a18″ text_text_color=”#000000″ text_line_height=”1.8em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_cta title=”Receive UGC from anyone, anywhere, anytime” button_url=”https:\/\/app.massive.io\/en\/signup” button_text=”Start for Free” module_class=”starttrial” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h5″ header_font=”||||||||” header_font_size=”26px” header_line_height=”1.3em” body_line_height=”1.8em” background_color=”#202332″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_start=”#072231″ background_color_gradient_end=”#031119″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”18px” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#0472ef” button_bg_color_gradient_start=”#0472ef” button_bg_color_gradient_end=”#005dc6″ button_bg_color_gradient_direction=”90deg” button_border_width=”0px” button_font=”Roboto|700|||||||” button_custom_padding=”10px|42px|10px|42px|true|true” custom_margin=”||20px||false|false” link_option_url=”https:\/\/app.massive.io\/en\/signup” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_color_top=”#3d72e7″ border_color_left=”#3d72e7″ box_shadow_style=”preset2″ box_shadow_horizontal=”-13px” box_shadow_style_button=”preset1″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_custom_padding__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_custom_padding__hover=”|2em|||false|false” button_border_width__hover=”0px” button_bg_color__hover=”#005dc6″ button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on|desktop”]<\/p>\n Upload massive amounts of UGC without breaking a sweat with MASV.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_cta][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”2%|20%|2%|20%|false|true” custom_padding_tablet=”4%|0%|4%|0%|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”6%|0%|6%|0%|true|true” border_width_top=”1px” border_color_top=”#e1e1e1″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”7b1bf5ad-cc2a-4448-981c-4963d88bd6e8″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|true” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text module_id=”section-one” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”2514b1ee-af07-4bc3-a96b-c9aaa32f4a18″ text_text_color=”#000000″ text_line_height=”1.8em” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n User-generated content<\/a> (UGC) is any form of content, from videos to customer photos to social media posts and product reviews, created and shared by individuals rather than by brands or organizations. Because it’s social proof made by loyal customers and active brand advocates, UGC often inspires greater brand loyalty than other types of content.<\/p>\n Most digital marketing organizations don\u2019t consider paid influencer content to be UGC. That\u2019s because UGC from everyday content creators is considered more authentic, while professional influencer content that may earn the influencer millions of dollars usually isn\u2019t considered super genuine.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=”physical” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_line_height=”1.8em” header_4_text_color=”#444444″ background_color=”rgba(158,213,247,0.19)” custom_padding=”2%|3%|2%|3%|false|true” border_width_left=”5px” border_color_left=”#3d72e7″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \ud83d\udca1 Note<\/strong>: While some UGC creators get paid or receive product gifts to review or feature specific products or services, UGC creators generally create authentic content on products, services, or organizations they\u2019re passionate about and often use in their everyday lives \u2013 hence their high level of trust and customer loyalty.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_line_height=”1.8em” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Various types of UGC exist, but the most common types are:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/massive.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Types-of-UGC-illustration.jpg” alt=”Various types of UGC in a user-generated content workflow.” title_text=”Types of UGC illustration” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_line_height=”1.8em” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n MASV\u2019s 2024 State of User-Generated Content<\/a> report showed that most marketers and creative agencies consider video the most effective UGC type \u2013 but working with heavy video files often comes with challenges other types don\u2019t have. And as the report showed, UGC is often considered so valuable some brands are even willing to steal it (not recommended!).<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”7b1bf5ad-cc2a-4448-981c-4963d88bd6e8″ background_color=”#f5f5f5″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”3%|3%|3%|3%|true|true” border_radii=”on|8px|8px|8px|8px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/massive.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/jellysmack-creator-image-1.jpg” alt=”Learn how to send files securely with this guide” title_text=”jellysmack-creator-image” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” border_radii=”on|5px|5px|5px|5px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”2514b1ee-af07-4bc3-a96b-c9aaa32f4a18″ text_text_color=”#000000″ text_line_height=”1.8em” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Stay on top of your posting schedule and move content faster with MASV.<\/p>\n How MASV helps creators and YouTubers >><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”2%|20%|2%|20%|false|true” custom_padding_tablet=”4%|0%|4%|0%|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”6%|0%|6%|0%|true|true” border_width_top=”1px” border_color_top=”#e1e1e1″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”7b1bf5ad-cc2a-4448-981c-4963d88bd6e8″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|true” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text module_id=”section-two” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”2514b1ee-af07-4bc3-a96b-c9aaa32f4a18″ text_text_color=”#000000″ text_line_height=”1.8em” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Publishing a hot new UGC video and watching the likes roll in is the easy part. The hard part \u2013 at least traditionally \u2013 has always been collecting UGC and keeping it organized, especially high-resolution and 4K video files from creators.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a step-by-step guide showing the easiest and most effective way to leverage UGC among your target audience.\u00a0<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/massive.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/UGC-workflow-with-words.jpg” alt=”A four-step user-generated content workflow.” title_text=”UGC workflow with words” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text module_id=”planning” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_line_height=”1.8em” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n You know what they say about failing to plan? Yeah, well, that\u2019s the case with a UGC content strategy as much as any other content marketing efforts. For a UGC campaign to be a success, meticulous planning at the outset is a must.<\/p>\n To expedite the second step brands can leverage creator marketplaces<\/a> on social media, which help establish partnerships with like-minded creators in the same vertical. Just don’t push your creator to change their style or to make their video a blatant advertisement, which will kill their authenticity and could make the creator not want to work with you.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=”submission” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_line_height=”1.8em” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n This is when many UGC workflows break down (or at least become super annoying and inefficient). That\u2019s because heavy video files usually can\u2019t be reliably transferred or submitted via consumer-grade tools, and most ingest tools don’t include built-in quality control mechanisms.<\/p>\n Common failure points of ingesting relevant content include email (Gmail\u2019s maximum attachment size is 25MB) and consumer cloud storage (Google Drive<\/strong><\/a> tops out at 750 GB within a 24-hour period, often fails when users try to share large files, and requires several steps before users can share files).<\/p>\n Slow upload and download speeds are also common because these services often throttle user bandwidth<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n Free file transfer services also don\u2019t offer professional-looking, branded upload portals you can embed in a website or elsewhere. Speaking of which\u2026<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=”physical” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_line_height=”1.8em” header_4_text_color=”#444444″ background_color=”rgba(158,213,247,0.19)” custom_padding=”2%|3%|2%|3%|false|true” border_width_left=”5px” border_color_left=”#3d72e7″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \ud83d\udca1 Read More<\/strong>: Why Blended Sense ditched Google Drive for MASV when collecting freelance video<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=”portals” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_line_height=”1.8em” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n MASV Portals<\/a> are powerful and customizable upload portals that add file upload functionality and automation to virtually any website or app. They\u2019re designed specifically for receiving large media files, facilitating fast and easy large file transfer for UGC.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=”youtube.com\/watch?v=qlFQ6AyflfI&feature=youtu.be” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_line_height=”1.8em” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Here\u2019s how MASV Portals help solve the UGC collection conundrum by acting as a versatile video submission portal for secure file collection:<\/p>\n Content quality<\/strong>: Organizations can set Upload Rules that place limits on uploaded content, from blocking specific file types to enforcing naming conventions.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n For one-off requests, organizations can also use MASV sharable links as a quick and easy alternative for requests that don’t require a fully branded page.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=”scenario” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_line_height=”1.8em” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The scenario<\/strong>: Fiona Apple and her team wanted to create a documentary-style music video<\/a> using authentic UGC from women detained pretrial. The video aimed to highlight the domino effects of pretrial detention on families and the systemic inequities of the bail system in the U.S.<\/p>\n The problem<\/strong>: The team needed a way for non-technical users to upload video and image files quickly, easily, and reliably without app downloads, technical support, or file transfer failures. The uploaded process needed custom forms to collect metadata and to get terms of service sign off from uploaders, ideally complimented by an automated process to ingest content into cloud storage<\/a>.<\/p>\n The MASV solution<\/strong>: Fiona Apple and Special Operations Studios \u2013 which directed, edited, and co-produced the video \u2013 set up a MASV Portal for fans to submit UGC<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/ki1nvcNbYH8?si=FxPxM6IvjYZgOF6a” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_text module_id=”scenario” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_line_height=”1.8em” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n More than 4,000 pieces of media were uploaded by about 45 women, with some uploading their entire camera rolls with a simple drag and drop and no software installations. They didn’t even need access to a computer.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=”curation” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_line_height=”1.8em” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n OK, you\u2019ve now got a fresh stable of UGC to choose from. Great! Now you need to decide which videos (or other pieces of content) make the final cut, while also making sure the creator is on-side with you using their content. And that means UGC curation and UGC rights management.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/massive.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/UGC.jpg” alt=”user generated content product review” title_text=”Women start small businesses selling products online, online sellers are selling clothes and shoes through social networks at home.” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_line_height=”1.8em” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n MASV Portals allow organizations to set up a terms and conditions or legal release form to gather consent for use from creators with a simple checkbox.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=”physical” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_line_height=”1.8em” header_4_text_color=”#444444″ background_color=”rgba(158,213,247,0.19)” custom_padding=”2%|3%|2%|3%|false|true” border_width_left=”5px” border_color_left=”#3d72e7″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \ud83d\udca1 Read More<\/strong>: The State of User-Generated Content Report<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=”distribution” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_line_height=”1.8em” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n After selecting your preferred content and getting permission from the creator, you\u2019ve now hit the fourth and final UGC workflow step: Associating it with your brand, releasing it into the wild, and measuring the results against your larger marketing strategy and community building efforts.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=”physical” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_line_height=”1.8em” header_4_text_color=”#444444″ background_color=”rgba(158,213,247,0.19)” custom_padding=”2%|3%|2%|3%|false|true” border_width_left=”5px” border_color_left=”#3d72e7″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \ud83d\udca1 Note: <\/b>Around 35 percent of creators surveyed by MASV last year weren\u2019t credited after their content was used by brands.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”2%|20%|2%|20%|false|true” custom_padding_tablet=”4%|0%|4%|0%|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”6%|0%|6%|0%|true|true” border_width_top=”1px” border_color_top=”#e1e1e1″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”7b1bf5ad-cc2a-4448-981c-4963d88bd6e8″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|true” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text module_id=”section-four” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”2514b1ee-af07-4bc3-a96b-c9aaa32f4a18″ text_text_color=”#000000″ text_line_height=”1.8em” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Using the right technology to streamline a well-defined, regimented UGC workflow isn\u2019t just a stress reliever for marketing teams. It can also boost a company\u2019s business prospects and bottom line: According to MASV\u2019s 2024 report, 85 percent of consumers say they rely on user-generated video before making a purchase.<\/p>\n But there are other benefits specifically for marketing teams:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ background_color=”#f5f5f5″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”2%|20%|2%|20%|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”4%|0%|4%|0%|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”6%|0%|6%|0%|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”7b1bf5ad-cc2a-4448-981c-4963d88bd6e8″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text module_id=”section-five” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”2514b1ee-af07-4bc3-a96b-c9aaa32f4a18″ text_text_color=”#000000″ text_line_height=”1.8em” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n UGC is of vital importance to marketing teams and can often be more valuable and trusted by your audience than official brand content (especially for business-to-consumer businesses). A well-executed user-generated content workflow can increase web traffic, social engagement, click-through rates, and \u2013 ultimately \u2013 trust in your business and its products and services.<\/strong><\/p>\n But a great UGC strategy is only as good as its weakest link \u2013 and that weak link is often the collection of large video and other media files.<\/p>\n Marketing teams that rely on tools like Google Drive, Dropbox, and WeTransfer for collecting UGC often run into technical difficulties, wasted time, and unhappy creators (because no one gets excited about having to wait around to re-send a failed large video file \u2013 especially creators and freelancers not getting paid for that extra time).<\/p>\n\n
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What is User-Generated Content?<\/h2>\n
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MASV for Content Creators and YouTubers<\/h4>\n
The Four-Step UGC Collection Workflow<\/h2>\n
Step 1: Strategy and planning<\/h3>\n
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Step 2: Content collection and submission<\/h3>\n
The professional solution: MASV Portals<\/h4>\n
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MASV Portals in action: UGC collection for Fiona Apple\u2019s \u201cPretrial\u201d music video<\/h4>\n
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Step 3: Curation and rights management<\/h3>\n
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Step 4: Distribution and measurement<\/h3>\n
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Business Benefits of a Streamlined UGC Workflow<\/h2>\n
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The Star of Your User-Generated Content Workflow: MASV Portals<\/h2>\n