7 Underrated Types of User-Generated Content That Drive Sales
When most people think about user-generated content, they immediately picture customer reviews and Instagram posts. While those formats certainly work, they’re also the most obvious choices that everyone is already using. If you want to stand out and capture attention in ways your competitors aren’t, you need to look beyond the standard playbook. This list focuses on the lesser-known types of user-generated content that quietly drive conversions without getting nearly enough credit. These are the hidden opportunities that smart businesses are using to build trust, create social proof, and boost sales in ways that feel fresh and authentic.
- Freelancer Portfolio Showcases on Legiit
Most businesses overlook the power of showcasing real work examples from freelancers who’ve helped previous clients succeed. Legiit is a freelance marketplace where you can find professionals who document their actual client results in detailed portfolio entries. These portfolios function as user-generated content because they’re created by service providers who’ve worked with real businesses, and they include specific examples of deliverables, outcomes, and client feedback.
What makes this particularly effective is that potential customers can see tangible proof of what’s possible before they commit to working with someone. Instead of vague promises, they get screenshots, case details, and honest assessments from people who’ve been in their shoes. When you hire through Legiit and encourage those freelancers to document the work they do for you, that content becomes social proof for both of you. Your business gets featured in their portfolio, and you gain material you can reference when talking about your growth strategies. It’s a win-win that most companies never think to leverage, yet it creates authentic content that directly influences buying decisions.
- Customer Support Ticket Conversations
Your customer service interactions are sitting on a goldmine of content that most businesses never think to use. When customers reach out with questions, problems, or requests for help, those conversations reveal exactly what real people care about and how your team solves their issues. With permission, you can turn these exchanges into powerful content that shows your responsiveness and expertise.
Compile common questions and your detailed answers into FAQ content, blog posts, or social media snippets. Show screenshots of particularly helpful exchanges where your team went above and beyond to solve a problem. These conversations carry weight because they’re unscripted and genuine. People trust them more than polished marketing copy precisely because they weren’t created for promotional purposes. They were created to help someone, and that authenticity translates directly into trust from prospects who are evaluating whether your company will treat them right.
- Customer Modification and Customization Photos
Some of the most compelling content comes from customers who’ve taken your product and adapted it to fit their specific needs. These modification photos show creativity, problem-solving, and real-world application in ways that your official product photography never could. Whether someone is combining your products in an unusual way, using them in an unexpected context, or adding their own personal touches, these images tell a story about versatility and value.
This type of content works particularly well for physical products, but it applies to digital goods too. Screenshots of customized dashboards, personalized templates, or adapted workflows all demonstrate that your offering is flexible enough to meet different needs. When potential customers see others making your product their own, it signals that they’ll be able to do the same. It removes the fear that they’ll be locked into a one-size-fits-all solution that doesn’t quite work for their situation. Encourage this content by creating a dedicated hashtag or community space where people can share their modifications, and feature the best examples prominently.
- User-Created Comparison Charts and Guides
Customers who’ve done extensive research before choosing your product often create their own comparison documents, spreadsheets, or guides to help them make the decision. These materials are incredibly valuable because they show the specific criteria real buyers care about, not just what you think matters. When someone shares a detailed comparison chart that includes your product alongside competitors, it demonstrates transparency and builds credibility.
Reach out to customers who mention doing research or creating comparison materials and ask if they’d be willing to share their process. Some will have created elaborate spreadsheets weighing features, prices, and reviews. Others might have written blog posts or forum comments breaking down their decision-making process. This content resonates because it comes from someone with no financial incentive to choose you. They simply picked what worked best for their needs, and they’re sharing their reasoning. For prospects in the research phase, this type of user-generated content is pure gold. It validates their own research process and gives them a framework for making their decision.
- Customer-Led Webinars and Workshops
Instead of always having your team present educational content, invite satisfied customers to lead sessions about how they use your product or service. These customer-led presentations carry a different kind of authority because the presenter has walked the same path your prospects are on. They faced the same challenges, had the same doubts, and figured out solutions that actually work in the real world.
This format works particularly well for B2B products and services where implementation and strategy matter as much as the tool itself. A customer who’s achieved impressive results can share their specific approach, mistakes they made along the way, and tips they wish they’d known from the start. The audience connects with this perspective in ways they never would with a sales presentation. They ask different questions, engage more deeply, and come away with practical ideas they can implement immediately. Record these sessions and turn them into evergreen content that continues driving sales long after the live event ends.
- Unboxing and First Impression Audio Messages
While unboxing videos have become common, audio-only first impressions remain surprisingly rare and remarkably effective. Voice messages or audio notes from customers capturing their genuine reaction when they first receive and use your product have an intimacy that video sometimes lacks. You hear the excitement, surprise, or relief in their voice without any visual polish or editing.
These audio snippets work well as social media content, on product pages, or even as short clips in email campaigns. They take seconds to consume but pack an emotional punch that written testimonials often miss. The informal nature of voice messages also means customers are more likely to share them spontaneously without overthinking or scripting their response. Set up a simple system where customers can leave voice messages through your website, a dedicated phone line, or messaging apps. Feature the best ones prominently, and watch how these raw, human moments of reaction influence potential buyers who are trying to imagine their own experience with your product.
- Customer-Generated Data Visualizations and Results Tracking
When customers track their results and create visual representations of their progress, they’re generating some of the most persuasive content possible. Charts showing improvement over time, graphs demonstrating cost savings, or simple before-and-after metrics tell a story that’s both personal and quantifiable. This content works because it combines the authenticity of user-generated material with the credibility of hard data.
Encourage customers to share their tracking methods and results by providing templates, suggesting tools, or creating a results-sharing community. Some customers love documenting their progress and will gladly share detailed spreadsheets or custom dashboards they’ve built. Others might just snap a photo of their handwritten tracking journal. Both formats have value because they show real people achieving real results. When prospects see multiple customers independently tracking and sharing similar positive outcomes, it creates a pattern of proof that’s far more convincing than any claim you could make in your marketing materials. This type of content also naturally segments itself by use case, making it easy to show relevant examples to different audience segments.
The most powerful user-generated content often hides in places most businesses never think to look. While everyone chases reviews and social media mentions, these underrated formats quietly build trust and drive sales without much competition for attention. Start by identifying which of these content types your customers are already creating, even if they’re not sharing it publicly yet. Then make it easy for them to share, give them a reason to participate, and showcase their contributions in ways that benefit both of you. The businesses that win with user-generated content aren’t necessarily the ones with the biggest audiences. They’re the ones who recognize valuable content in unexpected places and turn it into social proof that actually influences buying decisions.