Getting Content from Customers Is Like Pulling Teeth 🦷🦷

Ever had a tooth pulled? That slow, dreadful anticipation. The uncomfortable tugging. The sheer effort it takes to get something out that doesn’t want to budge.

Well, that’s exactly what trying to get content (videos & images) from your customers feels like.

You send emails. You post on social media. Maybe you even slip a handwritten note into their package, pleading for a photo of them with the product like a desperate ex. And still… nothing..

It’s not that your customers don’t love your product or service. 

The problem is that asking them to make content is asking them to do work - and most people avoid extra effort like they avoid a trip to the dentist.

So, how do you make it painless?

Why Getting UGC Feels Like a Root Canal

You wouldn’t expect someone to sit back and enjoy a tooth extraction, right? It’s the same with user-generated content (UGC). Most customers don’t want to take time out of their day to snap the perfect photo, or film a TikTok review - at least, not without a very good reason.

Here’s why pulling UGC out of customers is so hard:

1. People Are Lazy (Or Just Really Busy)

Your customer is not waking up thinking, You know what I need to do today? Post a killer review for that brand I bought from two weeks ago!

Unless you practically hand them the camera and script, they’ll put it off - just like they put off their dentist appointments.

That’s why making it effortless is crucial. If you don’t remove friction, you’ll be left trying to yank out a tooth with your bare hands.

2. They Don’t See a Reward for the Pain

No one gets excited about going to the dentist… unless there’s a treat at the end. Kids get lollipops. Adults get, well, clean teeth (which isn’t nearly as motivating).

It’s the same with UGC - customers won’t create content unless they see what’s in it for them.

A promise of “helping the brand” won’t cut it. But a discount, a giveaway, a feature on your Instagram page? That’s the equivalent of a pain-free dental visit with a goodie bag.

3. Fear of Looking Silly (Or Saying the Wrong Thing)

For a lot of people, posting a video or picture of themselves using a product feels like having their wisdom teeth removed without anaesthesia. They don’t want to look awkward. They don’t want to mess up.

That’s why you need to give them a script or a clear framework to follow. Instead of “Tag us in a post!” (which is like telling someone “Just pull out your own tooth!”), try:

🎥 “Film a 10-second unboxing reaction—we’ll feature the best ones!”
📸 “Show us how you style your new sunglasses & win a free pair!”
📝 “Leave a quick review and we’ll DM you a 10% discount code!”

People will engage when the instructions are clear and the risk of embarrassment is low.

4. They Don’t Want to Post on Their Own Social Media

Asking customers to post your product on their personal social media is like asking them to wear braces for you.

They might love your brand, but they don’t necessarily want to interrupt their carefully curated feeds with a product plug.

Instead of forcing them to post on their own channels, give them a private way to submit:

✅ A direct upload option on your website

✅ A fun contest where they DM you their entry

✅ An in-app submission if you have a digital product

Make it easy,
make it private,
and you’ll get way more content.

How to Make UGC Feel Like a Regular Checkup
(Instead of an Extraction)

The brands that get tons of UGC don’t nag their customers—they create a painless, rewarding process that makes content creation feel natural. Here’s how:

1. Numb the Pain—Make It Stupidly Easy

The less effort required, the better. Instead of telling customers to “post a review,” guide them through a frictionless process:

• Pre-filled review templates
• One-click video submissions
• Auto-generated captions and hashtags

If it feels effortless, they won’t resist.

2. Give Them a Reason to Open Their Mouth (or Camera)

Remember those free toothbrushes at the dentist?
Your customers need a treat too:

🎁 “Upload a photo & get 10% off your next order!”
🏆 “Best review of the month wins a free product!”
📢 “We’ll feature you on our Instagram to boost your followers!”

Make it worth their while, and they’ll stop avoiding your requests.

3. Build a Habit (Like Regular Checkups)

People who get into the habit of visiting the dentist regularly don’t dread it as much. The same goes for UGC—if sharing content feels like a normal part of engaging with your brand, they’ll do it without hesitation.

💡 How

- Include a content request right after a support interaction
(when they’re feeling positive).

Reward repeat contributors
(like a VIP program for those who share often).

Feature past UGC on your website & social media to set the expectation that this is what customers do.

4. If All Else Fails… Bring the Dentist to Them

Some teeth won’t budge no matter how much wiggling you do. And in those cases, the best move isn’t to sit back and hope—it’s to go in with the right tools and extract it yourself.

If your customers won’t create content on their own, go to them and make it happen in person.

📍 Host an event or pop-up where you film customers using your product.

📷 Bring your camera and crew to their store, home, or workspace to capture real-life testimonials and action shots.

🎤 Interview them on the spot—a quick chat about their experience while they hold or use your product is golden.

🏢 Set up a mini content station in your showroom, office, or even at trade shows, where customers can step in and create content with your guidance.

Instead of waiting for customers to do the work, make it fun, make it easy, and make it part of their experience with your brand. A great session with a camera and a simple ask can do more in an hour than months of email requests.

And the best part? No legal headaches from using their content—because you captured it with them, right then and there.

Final Thought: Make It About Them, Not You

Getting user-generated content doesn’t have to feel like pulling teeth. The trick is to make it rewarding, easy, and part of a habit - so customers want to participate instead of dodging your emails like a root canal appointment.

Rather than begging, create an experience where customers choose to share -because it benefits them just as much as it benefits you.

Join our waitlist for 82DASH— a streamlined solution for capturing authentic customer content effortlessly. No AI, no friction—just real engagement and high-quality UGC.

Further Reading & Resources:

- How to remove friction from customer engagement
- The psychology behind why customers don’t engage
- How to structure an effective customer incentive system
- Ways to build customer loyalty through small asks

Isabelle Simon - Communications Lead - 82DASH