🎬 UGC Creation Guide

Everything you need to make content that gets views, builds your audience, and earns you money.

The Golden Rule

Don't make ads. Make content people actually want to see.

Your content should answer questions like:

• How do I find someone to do things with right now?
• Why is it so hard to make plans with people?
• I just moved here and don't know anyone — how do I meet people?
• How do I find a tennis partner / climbing buddy / someone to hike with?

Key angles to hit: BuddyUp lets you see who's free, filter by activity, skip the group chat, and make plans in seconds. It's built for spontaneity.

If someone would save your post or send it to a friend, you're doing it right.

Your Username & Brand

Format: firstname.sport

Examples:

• maya.soccer
• alex.hiking
• sarah.yoga

Everything ties back to this identity.

Use these logos and colors if you want to add BuddyUp branding to your videos — for example, overlaying the logo on a screen recording, using brand colors in Canva templates, or adding the app icon to a thumbnail. Totally optional, but they're here if you need them.

Brand Assets — Logos & Colors +

Logos

Full Logo

Download

Wordmark

Download

App Icon

Download

Brand Colors

#FF6B35

#1A1A1A

#FFFFFF

#FFF5F0

Your 3 Video Formats

We keep it simple. You have 3 formats to choose from. That's it. No overthinking — just pick one and post.

Format 1: Talking Head

Look into the camera and share a tip, story, or opinion. This is the easiest format and often performs the best.

• Example: "I found a tennis partner in 30 seconds with this app"
• Example: "How I went from zero friends to weekly plans in 2 weeks"
• Example: "This app literally shows you who's free right now to go do stuff"
• Example: "Why I deleted every group chat and just use this instead"

Tips: Face the camera, speak naturally (like you're talking to a friend), keep it under 60 seconds, add captions.

Format 2: POV / Skit

Act out a relatable scenario. These tend to go viral because people see themselves in the situation.

• Example: "POV: The group chat says 'let's plan something' for the 100th time"
• Example: "POV: You open BuddyUp and find a climbing partner in 30 seconds"
• Example: "POV: Your friend flakes but you already have a backup plan on BuddyUp"
• Example: "POV: You just moved to SF and went from knowing nobody to having weekend plans every week"

Tips: Use trending sounds, keep it short and punchy, the more specific the scenario the better.

Format 3: Screen Record + Voiceover

Record yourself scrolling through BuddyUp while narrating how it works. Show the scheduling, the activity filter, and how fast it is. This is the easiest if you don't want to show your face.

Pro tip: If you have a second phone or camera, try recording your phone screen from the outside — it gives a more natural, authentic feel than a screen recording. Great for POV-style app walkthroughs too.

• Example: "I just found a hiking buddy for this Saturday in like 10 seconds..."
• Example: "This app skips the group chat — you see who's free, pick an activity, and go"
• Example: "Wait... you can just see who's down to do stuff right now? Let me show you"

Tips: Narrate naturally, show the scheduling flow and activity filters in the app, keep it under 60 seconds.

That's It — 3 Formats

Don't overcomplicate it. Pick one, record it, post it. You can also repost your TikToks to Instagram Reels for bonus views — but TikTok is your primary platform.

Visual Inspiration

Study these creators and posts before you start. Copy the energy, the pacing, and the style — not the exact words.

Remember: You'll be recording videos inside the BuddyUp app itself — showing the scheduling, activity filters, and how fast it is to find someone to do things with. Make sure your BuddyUp account is set up before recording.

Tagging & Caption Rules

• Tag @buddyup.eastbay in every caption — this is required. Untagged posts may not count toward your earnings.
• Add the BuddyUp download link to your bio and mention "link in bio" in your captions
• Tag an East Bay location on every post (Oakland, Berkeley, etc.)
• Use the hashtags listed below

Content Usage: By posting content as part of the BuddyUp Creator Program, you grant BuddyUp the right to repost, share, and feature your content on BuddyUp's social media pages, website, and marketing materials. You will be credited. You retain ownership of your content.

Bonus: Instagram Carousels

Carousels are optional but powerful — they get saved, shared, and pushed by the Instagram algorithm. If you're posting to IG, these are your best format.

How to Make a Carousel

1. Use Canva (free) — search "Instagram carousel" for templates
2. Pick a clean, simple template — no crazy colors
3. Aim for 5–8 slides
4. First slide = the hook (biggest text, most compelling)
5. Last slide = CTA ("Download BuddyUp" + link in bio)

Carousel Topics That Work

Example: 8-Slide Carousel Walkthrough

"Best Ways to Make Friends in the Bay Area"

Video Tips

• The first 2 seconds matter. Hook immediately — don't waste time on intros.
• Good lighting. Face a window or use a ring light. Dark video = instant scroll.
• Good audio. Quiet room, speak clearly. Use a cheap lapel mic if needed.
• Talk like you're telling a friend. Not a presentation. Casual, real, conversational.
• Add captions. Most people watch without sound. Use CapCut or TikTok's auto-captions.
• Post at peak hours (California time / PT): 7–9 AM, 12–1 PM, 6–9 PM.

Location & Hashtag Strategy

Locations to Tag

Always tag a specific East Bay location on every post — not just "Bay Area." Be specific. Rotate through these:

East Bay

Hashtags

Must-Use

Location

Activity

Sport / Activity (pick 1–2 that match your content)

Social

Moving

Content Calendar

Here's a simple weekly posting schedule. TikTok is primary — repost to IG Reels when you can.

How to Record a Demo Video

What You Need

• Your phone (iPhone or Android)
• BuddyUp app installed and logged in
• A quiet space with good lighting
• Screen recording enabled on your device
• Ideally, a second phone or camera to record your phone from the outside — this gives a more natural, authentic look than a screen recording. If you don't have one, screen recording works fine too.

Step 1: Set Up Screen Recording

On iPhone: Go to Settings > Control Center > add "Screen Recording." Swipe down from top-right and tap the record button.

On Android: Swipe down from the top, find "Screen Record" in your quick settings, and tap it.

Step 2: Open BuddyUp

Open the app and navigate to the home screen. Make sure your profile looks good — this might be visible during the recording.

Step 3: Plan Your Script

Know what you're going to say before you hit record. Here's an example:

"So I just found this app called BuddyUp and it's literally made for people who want to find friends to do stuff with. You pick your activities — like hiking, soccer, yoga — and it matches you with people nearby. Let me show you how it works..."

Step 4: Record

Start your screen recording, open BuddyUp, and walk through the app while narrating. Show browsing activities, matching with people, and joining events. Keep it under 60 seconds.

Step 5: Edit

Use CapCut (free) or TikTok's built-in editor. Add captions, trim dead air, and add a trending sound at low volume in the background.

Step 6: Post

Upload to TikTok first. Add your hashtags, tag an East Bay location (Oakland, Berkeley, etc.), and include a CTA in the caption like "Link in bio to download." Then repost to IG Reels if you want bonus views.

Tips for Great Demo Videos

• Don't read from a script — sound natural and conversational.
• Show real content in the app, not just the login screen.
• Keep it under 60 seconds. Shorter is better.
• Add a voiceover if you don't want to show your face — but face videos perform better.
• Re-record if needed. Your first take won't be your best.

Do's and Don'ts

Do's

• Be authentic. People can smell fake content instantly.
• Show your face. Face-to-camera content gets 2–3x more engagement.
• Use trending sounds. Ride the algorithm — check TikTok's trending page daily.
• Post consistently — at least 3x/week. Consistency beats perfection.
• Engage with comments. Reply to every comment in the first hour. It boosts your reach.
• Tag East Bay locations. Every single post. This is how locals find you.
• Mention BuddyUp naturally. Work it into the story, don't force it.

Don'ts

• Don't make it feel like a paid ad. If it sounds scripted and salesy, people will scroll past.
• Don't use stock photos. Real photos and videos only. Authenticity wins.
• Don't post without hashtags. You're leaving free reach on the table.
• Don't ignore comments. Engagement is a two-way street.
• Don't go 3+ days without posting. The algorithm forgets you fast.
• Don't copy other creators. Get inspired, but make it your own.
• Don't post non-Bay-Area content. Stay on brand. Every post should be relevant to the Bay.