Let’s face it: we’re all a little burned out on virtual events that feel like glorified webinars. In a world post-Zoom fatigue, simply sharing information doesn’t cut it anymore; your event has to spark something. Today’s digital audiences crave more than slick presentations or back-to-back speaker sessions. They want something interactive, personal, and alive. That’s where user-generated content (UGC) comes in as a total game-changer.
No matter the format, whether it’s a global summit, a virtual town hall, or a live product launch, the playbook has shifted. And the brands that are winning? They’re the ones embracing that shift fast.
Virtual Events Have Changed, So Should Your Video Strategy
Remember when hosting a virtual event meant uploading a pre-recorded keynote, throwing your logo on a Zoom overlay, and calling it a day? Yeah… those days are over. Today’s virtual and hybrid events demand more: more interaction, more authenticity, more connection.
Here’s the reality: attention spans are shorter, and expectations are higher. Virtual audiences are used to swiping through TikTok, liking Instagram Reels, and watching short YouTube clips that make them feel something. Glossy, one-way videos just don’t cut it anymore. That’s why UGC for virtual events isn’t just a bonus but a must.
BrandLens makes it simple to gather this kind of authentic video content for virtual conferences. No chaos, no stress; just streamlined, brand-safe, scalable storytelling. Curious how it works in real-time? Check out how BrandLens helps you collect virtual event content at scale.
Why Traditional Virtual Event Content Falls Flat
Let’s be real for a second: most virtual event video production has gotten a little… stale. Sure, your event might have cool graphics and a high-profile speaker lineup. But if everything feels one-directional, you’ve already lost your audience.
Here’s what’s happening:
- People are tired of livestreams. They don’t just want to “watch”, they want to be part of the experience.
- Over-produced doesn’t mean over-performing. Sometimes, the more polished it is, the less relatable it feels.
- If your audience isn’t contributing, it’s like the event never happened. No trace, no memory, no buzz.
That’s where UGC flips the script. Instead of asking people to watch passively, you invite them to help tell the story. Think: spontaneous video questions during sessions or live reactions during keynotes. That’s the stuff that keeps people engaged and keeps your event alive long after it ends.
Still not convinced? Check the data. Authentic, participatory content drives stronger engagement. Dive deeper into why interactive, authentic content drives virtual engagement. Want to see raw, unfiltered clips outperform studio content? Take a look at how unfiltered content outperforms polished content in virtual settings. Spoiler: it’s not even close.
What UGC Adds to Your Virtual Event Video Strategy
Video content alone isn’t enough anymore. What you need is a compelling narrative and not just one told by your brand. Your audience, partners, speakers, and even sponsors all have a voice worth amplifying. UGC helps bring those voices into the spotlight.
Before the Event
Build buzz and set the tone.
- Ask attendees to submit short RSVP clips like “Why I’m attending.”
- Get teaser videos from speakers.
- Feature early submissions on your website or social channels.
Pro tip: Before the event even starts, this type of pre-event content fosters a sense of community among registrants and increases email open rates.
During the Event
Keep things dynamic and participatory.
- Include attendee reaction videos during live sessions.
- Prompt questions via QR codes or in-platform tools.
- Run contests or shoutouts using submitted clips.
After the Event
Stretch your content’s life and its impact.
- Create highlight reels using both speaker content and attendee clips.
- Craft emotional, community-driven event recap videos.
- Repurpose testimonials to promote future events.
Want some inspiration? Check out our tips for launching interactive UGC campaigns at events.
Types of UGC That Work Best for Virtual Events
Not all UGC is created equal. The most powerful clips are the ones that bring energy, emotion, and authenticity. These formats consistently deliver and make your event unforgettable. Here are the formats that consistently deliver powerful virtual event storytelling and extend the shelf life of your content:
- Live Reactions & Takeaways
Nothing captures the moment like raw, in-the-moment reactions. Whether it’s a laugh, a gasp, or an “aha!”, these are the clips that build connection. BrandLens allows attendees to generate video content in live sessions through its tools. Multiple video clips can be combined into emotional montages or highlight reels that make your event come alive.
- Example: Let’s imagine a marketing conference, where attendees recorded 15-second “What surprised you most today?” clips after sessions. The end-of-day montage can drive 3x more shares than the event’s own keynote videos.
- Speaker and Sponsor Shoutouts
UGC can also boost relationships with partners and speakers. Let your attendees be the ambassadors. Encourage them to thank a speaker or highlight a sponsor product they love. Keep it short, sweet, and genuine. Short, meaningful videos help develop human connections between your partners while building mutual benefits.
- Pro Tip: Turn it into a contest: the most creative shoutout wins a feature at the event’s closing session or gets shared on the sponsor’s socials. Now you’re not just creating content, you’re simultaneously producing advocates who will help your brand.
- Behind-the-Scenes Attendee Clips
What’s it really like to attend virtually? This format turns the mundane into memorable. People love showing off their setups: laptops with sticky notes, pets on their laps, coffee mugs, and kids watching along. It’s real. It’s relatable. And it sparks a communal vibe.
- Example: Imagine a scenario where one summit invited attendees to share “Watch Party” clips that demonstrated their preparation for attending the event. A submission featuring coworkers with branded snacks and matching Zoom backgrounds can end up getting 500+ shares on LinkedIn.
- Post-Event Testimonials & Social Clips
Keep the momentum going by asking for quick reflections. Ask attendees to share their top event moment and biggest learning as you request them to create short video testimonies. The short clips work well for transforming into event recap videos with UGC that can be used in paid ads or embedded on your upcoming registration page.
- Example: Think of a SaaS company that asked customers to present their plans for applying the knowledge gained after the event ended. The responses were transformed into a multi-part video production named “60 Days Later” that displayed real-life transformation and boosted demo request rates by 23% among new leads who watched the content.
This isn’t just content but a connection in motion. When attendees see themselves reflected in the story, engagement turns into loyalty, and moments become movements.
- Discover how BrandLens is capturing attendee reactions and engagement videos to create authentic, on-brand narratives that elevate virtual and hybrid event experiences.
- Explore how we’re empowering agencies to capture real-time event UGC, giving them tools to turn audience participation into marketing gold—live, unscripted, and full of energy.
- You can even take it behind the scenes by adding human storytelling to your virtual experience, bringing emotion, authenticity, and community into internal events and remote work culture.
How to Seamlessly Collect & Manage UGC During Events
Worried about how to organize all this content? Don’t be. That’s where technology makes everything easier. BrandLens handles the workflow for you. Here’s how:
- Trigger submissions via QR codes, overlays, or links.
- Walk participants through guided recording steps.
- Automatically tag, moderate, and approve content in real-time.
- Embed finished videos instantly, no editing required.
Even the voting feature, download controls, and galleries that refresh in real-time can be activated. First time managing UGC? Don’t miss our best practices for managing your first UGC campaign.
Whether you’ve got 200 attendees or 20,000, this setup scales with you. It makes collecting attendee videos for webinars, real-time UGC for live events, and hybrid experiences simple.
Real-Time UGC Ideas to Bring Your Event to Life
Ready to get people engaged on the spot? These tactics help spark interaction right now; no fancy production needed. Static livestreams and “drop your questions in the chat” are yesterday’s playbook. Today’s virtual audiences expect interactive, creative, and community-driven content.
- QR Code Video Prompts on Slides & Screens
Want instant participation without interrupting the session? QR code UGC capture during livestreams provides an instant video recording option for attendees to submit short videos.
For example: During a panel, flash a QR code and ask: “What’s your biggest takeaway so far?” The attendees will scan the QR code, record their video, and submit it within 60 seconds. Your submitted videos can be featured between sessions and in the closing keynote.
- Interactive “Fan Wall” with Live UGC Playback
Display live attendee videos in a content wall where you can display watch party setups, session reactions, or sponsor shoutouts. You can show it in your virtual lobby, on the main stage, or even in email follow-ups. Even when attendees are from different time zones, it creates a feeling of being together.
- Speaker Intro Video Questions
Before each keynote or breakout, cue up attendee-recorded questions using video content for virtual conferences. This helps to warm up the audience and provides your speakers with material to respond to naturally.
For example: “Here’s what Jamie from Austin wants to know…” Suddenly, the session feels less like a lecture and more like a conversation.
- Duet or Side-by-Side Reaction Challenges
Heard of the side-by-side video feature that allows you to create challenges during the event? Use the format to ask users to respond to product teasers, keynote moments, or branded clips in real time. This drives massive engagement and gives you highly shareable, on-brand, snackable content post-event.
- On-the-Spot Contests with Video Predictions
Allow your attendees to make video predictions during major announcements, contests, or product reveals. Recognize the best guesses in real time or reward standout submissions with exclusive swag. This is perfect for energizing your crowd during longer sessions or bridging transitions with authenticity and fun.
These aren’t just gimmicks; they’re part of a smarter, more human video engagement strategy. These tactics are used to create video engagement strategies for virtual events that foster two-way conversations, create FOMO (fear of missing out), and produce evergreen content that outlasts the livestream.
And the best part? With BrandLens, it all happens in one seamless workflow, from collection to moderation to instant publishing.
UGC Isn’t Optional; It’s the Heart of Modern Virtual Events
Whether you’re hosting a global summit or an internal all-hands, your audience doesn’t just want to tune in. They want to show up. Be seen. Be part of the story.
User-generated content is how you make that happen. UGC allows attendees to co-create event experiences that extend the life of your content past the event period. And with our platform, BrandLens, it’s easier than ever to collect, organize, and share that content at scale. All you need is your community and the right tools to spotlight them. By letting your audience become the stars of your content, they will produce conversion-ready material.
Ready to take your virtual event video strategy to the next level? Request a Demo and see how we make it simple.
