Aug 14, 2025
7 MIN READ
Management
Management
How to Run a UGC Campaign with a Lean Team
How to Run a UGC Campaign with a Lean Team
How to Run a UGC Campaign with a Lean Team
Rashmi Singh
Rashmi Singh
Rashmi Singh
Rashmi Singh
Content Marketer @impulze.ai
Sections
Blog in Short ⏱️
Blog in Short ⏱️
A quick glance at the highlights—perfect for when you're short on time.
A quick glance at the highlights—perfect for when you're short on time.
Here’s your lean-team playbook for running UGC campaigns:
One goal, one format – Keep it simple. Focus on a single clear content goal like “10 Instagram Reels.”
Low-lift campaigns – Try freebies-for-posts, story reposts, TikTok duets, or hashtag challenges.
Pre-built briefs – Use ready templates with shot ideas, moodboards, do’s/don’ts, and incentives.
Find micro-creators fast – Target 1k–20k follower creators via hashtags, TikTok Creative Center, impulze.ai, SocialiQ, or Collab Finder.
Automate outreach – Use Google Sheets + Mail Merge or impulze.ai’s instant outreach to save time.
Get usage rights – Secure written permission before repurposing.
Repurpose smart – Turn one clip into Reels, TikToks, Shorts, ads, and carousels.
Track simply – Note engagement, shares, conversions, or use impulze.ai for real-time metrics.
🎁 Free Download – Grab the UGC Playbook with templates, scripts, and tracking sheets.
A few weeks ago, my founder shared something with me that instantly clicked.
It was a conversation they’d had with a skincare brand founder—just her and one intern, running everything from Instagram to customer service. She said, “I know UGC works, but with just the two of us, where do I even start?”
That one line stuck with me because I’ve heard it so many times from the support team at impulze.ai, friends in marketing, and even the brands I see online.
So I thought, why not write a blog on this?
Here’s a scrappy, step-by-step playbook for running UGC campaigns with a lean team without burning out or letting things slip through the cracks.
Let’s dive in.
P.S. I have also created a downloadable free guide on the same. Get it at the end of this blog.
1. Start with One Goal, One Format
When you're running a UGC campaign with a small team, focus is everything. Don’t try to collect testimonials, tutorials, unboxings, and Reels all at once. Pick one core outcome and one content format.
For example:
“We want 10 Instagram Reels showing customers using our product in real life.”
This gives clarity to both you and the creators you're working with. It also makes briefing easier and measuring success straightforward.
Take the example of a small fitness brand. Their goal? To get 5 workout Reels showing how their resistance bands could be used at home. They reached out to micro-influencers, gave a short creative brief, and repurposed the content into ads, website visuals, and emails.
Pro tip: Don’t chase viral hits. Chase usable content, something authentic that feels native to your brand and can be reposted across channels.
Start small. Start focused. You can always scale once you find what works.
2. Pick a Campaign Style That’s Low-Lift
When you’re short on time and hands, choose UGC formats that are easy to launch and manage. The goal is to reduce friction for both you and your creators.
Here are some lean-team-friendly campaign ideas:
Give-to-get campaigns: Offer a freebie in exchange for a short video or post. It’s simple and gets you real-life product usage content.
Story repost contests: Ask followers to tag you while using the product. You get quick, authentic Stories you can reshare instantly.
“Duet this” or “Stitch this” TikTok prompts: Let creators piggyback on your video idea. Easy for them, engaging for you.
Hashtag challenges: Set a clear, visual theme and let people join in.
Example: Fortnite’s TikTok Duet Challenge
Fortnite joined the #alternativewoahchallenge on TikTok, using a simple "Duet this" prompt. They posted a video with the hashtag and invited users to duet, creating engaging UGC. The original video got 470,000 likes, while the duets added another 310,000 likes.
By jumping into a trending challenge, Fortnite made it easy for creators to participate, generating tons of content with minimal effort. A perfect example of a low-lift, high-impact campaign!
3. Use Pre-Built Templates for Creator Briefs
Don’t start from scratch every time you want to work with a new creator. Instead, create a plug-and-play UGC creator briefs and templates that you can easily tweak.
Your brief should include:
Shot ideas: Instead of asking for a “script,” say things like, “Show yourself applying the serum, then talk about how it feels.”
Moodboard: Use tools like Canva or Pinterest to visually communicate the style you want.
Brand do’s and don’ts: Be clear on what’s a must-have and what to avoid.
Incentives: Let creators know what they’ll get whether it’s free products, exposure, or discounts.
🔧 Tool: Use Notion or Tally to quickly create a brief + submission form for creators.
🎁 Hack: Offer a 20% off code in exchange for a video, as it is easy to scale.
4. Find Micro-Creators Fast (No Outreach Overload)
Let’s be real. Manually messaging 100 creators is just not doable when your team is small. The good news? You don’t have to. You can find the right micro-creators quickly with smart search tactics and the right tools.
Start by narrowing your focus:
Target creators with 1k–20k followers: These are your sweet spot. They’re more affordable, usually have higher engagement, and are more likely to say yes.
Look for video-first creators: Think Reels, TikToks, or unboxings. They’ll be a better fit for UGC.
Match audience: If you’re a skincare brand for Gen Z, don’t just go by aesthetics. Look at who’s engaging with their content.
Where to Look:
Instagram: Search your own brand hashtag (e.g.,
#GlowWithUs) or product-related tags to discover people already posting about you or your niche.TikTok Creative Center: Filter by category (like “beauty” or “fashion”) to find rising creators in your space.
Tools to Speed It Up:
Impulze.ai: Use advanced filters and search options to find creators by follower count, engagement rate, video content, and more. Plus, this also gives you access to automated influencer outreach and campaign management tools.
SocialiQ: If your budget is low, use our free Chrome extension that helps you find influencers right there on social media.
Pro Tip: Start with people who already know and love your brand. Check tagged posts and story mentions. Look through your Shopify or order history and cross-check usernames. These folks already have context and are much more likely to create authentic content. You can also use Collab Finder to see influencers who have already collaborated with your competitors and reach out to them.
5. Automate the Outreach & Tracking
Let’s be honest. Influencer outreach is where most lean teams hit a wall.
You find the right creators, then what?
You’re stuck manually validating emails, sending 1:1 messages, tracking who replied, who ghosted, who needs a follow-up… all while juggling 10 other things. It’s tedious. It's messy. And it steals time you don't have.
That’s why you need to automate this process.
Here’s the free and long way:
Track creator progress:
Use Google Sheets or Airtable with columns like Name, Status (Contacted/Sent/Live), and Asset Link. Add filters to stay organized.Send outreach at scale:
Use ChatGPT for personal messages, then Mail Merge (Gmail + Google Sheets or YAMM) to send 50+ emails fast.Manage content flow:
Use Trello or Notion with columns like “Brief Sent,” “Received,” “Posted” to stay on top without the chaos.
Or you can simply try our latest feature: Instant influencer outreach! (Yess, this is what I was excited about!!)
Here’s how it works:
✅ Start with search: Filter only creators with verified contact info using “Ready to Reach Out.”
✅ Pick your people: Select one or many. Fill out a simple form with campaign details.
✅ We do the rest: Your setup becomes a reusable template. All emails go out automatically.
✅ Track replies visually: A clean Kanban board shows you exactly where each outreach stands.
✅ Follow-ups handled: No extra tools, no manual chasing. Replies land right in your inbox.
It’s outreach designed for speed and built for small teams who want to do more with less. Watch this video to learn more.
6. Get Usage Rights the Right Way
Just because someone tags you in a video doesn’t mean you can use it freely. To actually repurpose UGC across your channels, especially for ads, you need clear usage rights.
Always share a simple, friendly terms document before the creator starts.
It should cover where the content will be used (e.g., social and paid ads for 6 months), whether attribution is needed (optional or required), and the type of compensation (gifted or paid).
This protects both you and the creator while keeping expectations clear. If you’re unsure where to start, tools like Billo help manage rights and delivery, and platforms like Tally or Typefully offer free UGC contract templates you can customize.
It takes 5 minutes, but saves you from future legal headaches.
7. Repurpose Like a Pro
A single 15-second UGC clip can go a long way if you know how to stretch it. Don’t just post it once and move on. Turn that one video into five or more different assets across platforms.
Start by trimming and reformatting the raw UGC for different channels:
A Reel for Instagram
A TikTok with trending audio
A YouTube Short
A static carousel with a quote
A thumb-stopping ad with a call to action
Use tools like CapCut or Descript to edit quickly, and add branded overlays using Canva to maintain a consistent look and feel. Once your content’s ready, schedule it with tools like Buffer, Later, or Metricool so you’re not posting manually every day.
Pro tip: Don’t drop all your UGC at once. Stack it and drip it out, like 3 videos a week for two weeks. This keeps your feed fresh and lets your content work harder for you over time.
8. Track What’s Working Without Overwhelm
You don’t need a fancy dashboard to stay on top of your UGC, just a simple system that tells you what’s landing and what’s not.
Start by tracking the basics:
✅ Content received
💬 Engagement (likes, comments, saves)
🔁 Reposts and shares
💸 UGC that converts (using UTM links or unique discount codes)
Tools like Google Sheets or a Notion table work well to keep everything in one place. You can even add notes like “fun vibe” or “great lighting” to quickly spot standout content later.
But if you want to make it simple, just go for impulze.ai. We have a in-depth campaign tracking with real-time impressions, CPC, EMV, and other details.
(Dashbored image)
As Promised – Get the Free UGC Playbook!
Our Free UGC Playbook is packed with:
✅ Ready-to-use templates for creator briefs
✅ Outreach scripts you can send today
✅ Campaign tracking sheets for lean teams
✅ Repurposing checklists to get more from every piece of content
Whether you’re a solo founder or part of a small marketing team, this playbook will help you launch and manage UGC campaigns without the overwhelm.
Wrapping Up!
So you have the steps, you have the whole guide, now it’s time to get started. As for the tools needed to run the campaigns, you can download SocialiQ for free and also create a free account on impulze.ai. If you have any other questions, do reach out to our team. Happy campaigning!
A few weeks ago, my founder shared something with me that instantly clicked.
It was a conversation they’d had with a skincare brand founder—just her and one intern, running everything from Instagram to customer service. She said, “I know UGC works, but with just the two of us, where do I even start?”
That one line stuck with me because I’ve heard it so many times from the support team at impulze.ai, friends in marketing, and even the brands I see online.
So I thought, why not write a blog on this?
Here’s a scrappy, step-by-step playbook for running UGC campaigns with a lean team without burning out or letting things slip through the cracks.
Let’s dive in.
P.S. I have also created a downloadable free guide on the same. Get it at the end of this blog.
1. Start with One Goal, One Format
When you're running a UGC campaign with a small team, focus is everything. Don’t try to collect testimonials, tutorials, unboxings, and Reels all at once. Pick one core outcome and one content format.
For example:
“We want 10 Instagram Reels showing customers using our product in real life.”
This gives clarity to both you and the creators you're working with. It also makes briefing easier and measuring success straightforward.
Take the example of a small fitness brand. Their goal? To get 5 workout Reels showing how their resistance bands could be used at home. They reached out to micro-influencers, gave a short creative brief, and repurposed the content into ads, website visuals, and emails.
Pro tip: Don’t chase viral hits. Chase usable content, something authentic that feels native to your brand and can be reposted across channels.
Start small. Start focused. You can always scale once you find what works.
2. Pick a Campaign Style That’s Low-Lift
When you’re short on time and hands, choose UGC formats that are easy to launch and manage. The goal is to reduce friction for both you and your creators.
Here are some lean-team-friendly campaign ideas:
Give-to-get campaigns: Offer a freebie in exchange for a short video or post. It’s simple and gets you real-life product usage content.
Story repost contests: Ask followers to tag you while using the product. You get quick, authentic Stories you can reshare instantly.
“Duet this” or “Stitch this” TikTok prompts: Let creators piggyback on your video idea. Easy for them, engaging for you.
Hashtag challenges: Set a clear, visual theme and let people join in.
Example: Fortnite’s TikTok Duet Challenge
Fortnite joined the #alternativewoahchallenge on TikTok, using a simple "Duet this" prompt. They posted a video with the hashtag and invited users to duet, creating engaging UGC. The original video got 470,000 likes, while the duets added another 310,000 likes.
By jumping into a trending challenge, Fortnite made it easy for creators to participate, generating tons of content with minimal effort. A perfect example of a low-lift, high-impact campaign!
3. Use Pre-Built Templates for Creator Briefs
Don’t start from scratch every time you want to work with a new creator. Instead, create a plug-and-play UGC creator briefs and templates that you can easily tweak.
Your brief should include:
Shot ideas: Instead of asking for a “script,” say things like, “Show yourself applying the serum, then talk about how it feels.”
Moodboard: Use tools like Canva or Pinterest to visually communicate the style you want.
Brand do’s and don’ts: Be clear on what’s a must-have and what to avoid.
Incentives: Let creators know what they’ll get whether it’s free products, exposure, or discounts.
🔧 Tool: Use Notion or Tally to quickly create a brief + submission form for creators.
🎁 Hack: Offer a 20% off code in exchange for a video, as it is easy to scale.
4. Find Micro-Creators Fast (No Outreach Overload)
Let’s be real. Manually messaging 100 creators is just not doable when your team is small. The good news? You don’t have to. You can find the right micro-creators quickly with smart search tactics and the right tools.
Start by narrowing your focus:
Target creators with 1k–20k followers: These are your sweet spot. They’re more affordable, usually have higher engagement, and are more likely to say yes.
Look for video-first creators: Think Reels, TikToks, or unboxings. They’ll be a better fit for UGC.
Match audience: If you’re a skincare brand for Gen Z, don’t just go by aesthetics. Look at who’s engaging with their content.
Where to Look:
Instagram: Search your own brand hashtag (e.g.,
#GlowWithUs) or product-related tags to discover people already posting about you or your niche.TikTok Creative Center: Filter by category (like “beauty” or “fashion”) to find rising creators in your space.
Tools to Speed It Up:
Impulze.ai: Use advanced filters and search options to find creators by follower count, engagement rate, video content, and more. Plus, this also gives you access to automated influencer outreach and campaign management tools.
SocialiQ: If your budget is low, use our free Chrome extension that helps you find influencers right there on social media.
Pro Tip: Start with people who already know and love your brand. Check tagged posts and story mentions. Look through your Shopify or order history and cross-check usernames. These folks already have context and are much more likely to create authentic content. You can also use Collab Finder to see influencers who have already collaborated with your competitors and reach out to them.
5. Automate the Outreach & Tracking
Let’s be honest. Influencer outreach is where most lean teams hit a wall.
You find the right creators, then what?
You’re stuck manually validating emails, sending 1:1 messages, tracking who replied, who ghosted, who needs a follow-up… all while juggling 10 other things. It’s tedious. It's messy. And it steals time you don't have.
That’s why you need to automate this process.
Here’s the free and long way:
Track creator progress:
Use Google Sheets or Airtable with columns like Name, Status (Contacted/Sent/Live), and Asset Link. Add filters to stay organized.Send outreach at scale:
Use ChatGPT for personal messages, then Mail Merge (Gmail + Google Sheets or YAMM) to send 50+ emails fast.Manage content flow:
Use Trello or Notion with columns like “Brief Sent,” “Received,” “Posted” to stay on top without the chaos.
Or you can simply try our latest feature: Instant influencer outreach! (Yess, this is what I was excited about!!)
Here’s how it works:
✅ Start with search: Filter only creators with verified contact info using “Ready to Reach Out.”
✅ Pick your people: Select one or many. Fill out a simple form with campaign details.
✅ We do the rest: Your setup becomes a reusable template. All emails go out automatically.
✅ Track replies visually: A clean Kanban board shows you exactly where each outreach stands.
✅ Follow-ups handled: No extra tools, no manual chasing. Replies land right in your inbox.
It’s outreach designed for speed and built for small teams who want to do more with less. Watch this video to learn more.
6. Get Usage Rights the Right Way
Just because someone tags you in a video doesn’t mean you can use it freely. To actually repurpose UGC across your channels, especially for ads, you need clear usage rights.
Always share a simple, friendly terms document before the creator starts.
It should cover where the content will be used (e.g., social and paid ads for 6 months), whether attribution is needed (optional or required), and the type of compensation (gifted or paid).
This protects both you and the creator while keeping expectations clear. If you’re unsure where to start, tools like Billo help manage rights and delivery, and platforms like Tally or Typefully offer free UGC contract templates you can customize.
It takes 5 minutes, but saves you from future legal headaches.
7. Repurpose Like a Pro
A single 15-second UGC clip can go a long way if you know how to stretch it. Don’t just post it once and move on. Turn that one video into five or more different assets across platforms.
Start by trimming and reformatting the raw UGC for different channels:
A Reel for Instagram
A TikTok with trending audio
A YouTube Short
A static carousel with a quote
A thumb-stopping ad with a call to action
Use tools like CapCut or Descript to edit quickly, and add branded overlays using Canva to maintain a consistent look and feel. Once your content’s ready, schedule it with tools like Buffer, Later, or Metricool so you’re not posting manually every day.
Pro tip: Don’t drop all your UGC at once. Stack it and drip it out, like 3 videos a week for two weeks. This keeps your feed fresh and lets your content work harder for you over time.
8. Track What’s Working Without Overwhelm
You don’t need a fancy dashboard to stay on top of your UGC, just a simple system that tells you what’s landing and what’s not.
Start by tracking the basics:
✅ Content received
💬 Engagement (likes, comments, saves)
🔁 Reposts and shares
💸 UGC that converts (using UTM links or unique discount codes)
Tools like Google Sheets or a Notion table work well to keep everything in one place. You can even add notes like “fun vibe” or “great lighting” to quickly spot standout content later.
But if you want to make it simple, just go for impulze.ai. We have a in-depth campaign tracking with real-time impressions, CPC, EMV, and other details.
(Dashbored image)
As Promised – Get the Free UGC Playbook!
Our Free UGC Playbook is packed with:
✅ Ready-to-use templates for creator briefs
✅ Outreach scripts you can send today
✅ Campaign tracking sheets for lean teams
✅ Repurposing checklists to get more from every piece of content
Whether you’re a solo founder or part of a small marketing team, this playbook will help you launch and manage UGC campaigns without the overwhelm.
Wrapping Up!
So you have the steps, you have the whole guide, now it’s time to get started. As for the tools needed to run the campaigns, you can download SocialiQ for free and also create a free account on impulze.ai. If you have any other questions, do reach out to our team. Happy campaigning!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start a UGC campaign with a small team?
How do I start a UGC campaign with a small team?
How do I start a UGC campaign with a small team?
What is the best UGC campaign strategy for small e-commerce brands?
What is the best UGC campaign strategy for small e-commerce brands?
What is the best UGC campaign strategy for small e-commerce brands?
How can I find influencers for UGC quickly?
How can I find influencers for UGC quickly?
How can I find influencers for UGC quickly?
Can I automate UGC campaign outreach?
Can I automate UGC campaign outreach?
Can I automate UGC campaign outreach?
Do I need creator permission to use UGC in ads?
Do I need creator permission to use UGC in ads?
Do I need creator permission to use UGC in ads?
How can I track UGC campaign performance without expensive tools?
How can I track UGC campaign performance without expensive tools?
How can I track UGC campaign performance without expensive tools?
How do I repurpose UGC content for maximum reach?
How do I repurpose UGC content for maximum reach?
How do I repurpose UGC content for maximum reach?
Author Bio
Author Bio
Rashmi Singh
Rashmi Singh
Rashmi Singh is a writer and strategist with more than 7 years of experience. When not writing, she is either spending time with her friends or planning her next trip. You can learn more about her here.
Rashmi Singh is a writer and strategist with more than 7 years of experience. When not writing, she is either spending time with her friends or planning her next trip. You can learn more about her here.
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May be Later