Curation is one of the most important steps in finding the right content for your campaign. If you are you handling content curation in house, here are some pro-trips from our lead curators on searching our creator community and searching the internet.
Searching the Creator Community Marketplace:
We recommend starting with our creator community, this content will be licensed faster as you can source visuals from creators who are eager to license to brands. We can secure the rights for Creator Community content quickly and reliably—at no cost to you (a $250 value per shot).
Here are some tips for curating the best content from the Creator Community:
Use the AI-powered search bar to surface content based on prompts.Your searches can be vague such as a mood or emotion, or long and specific, like polaroid snapshots of friends or scenic car portrait at golden hour. Experiment with different descriptions such as candid, cinematic, sunny, or moody.
You can filter by video or photo, and by the following sources: YouTube, TikTok, Instagram
If you come across a shot that speaks to you, check out the creator’s profile. To do this, click on the shot, then click on the creator profile. There, you can view their entire feed or use the search bar to narrow your search.
Similar content is suggested under each shot. Often, clicking into these shots can lead you down expansive rabbit holes, showcasing different creators and ways of expressing an idea.
Searching the Internet:
Always look for the original post.
This means that the person that posted it either shot it or appears in it and knows the person that shot it.
If you come across a viral video repost you would like to curate:
Do some digging to surface the original post. News outlets do a good job of crediting content owners. If you are not able to find the original video, adding a repost that credits the owner is the second best option.
If you are interested in part of a compilation video with no credit:
See if you are able to find the original shot on its own. Many of these shots have distinct titles.
As you get more comfortable with searching, you will come up with your own strategies to help you sift past viral and influencer content to find the hidden gems that make UGC so special!
How to find what you’re looking for:
Put yourself in the shoes of a creator when you search.
What descriptions, hashtags, viral sounds, or titles would they use? What online groups/communities might they be a part of?
Get specific and creative with your search phrases to help you filter past viral and reposted content.
For example, if you’re looking for a group of women spending time together, you could search 31st birthday vlog, girls trip to Nashville, or endless other topic ideas to bring you closer to the exact tone and style you’re after. Be open to the rabbit holes you go down as these often lead to fresh and unexpected content!
Add descriptors such as cinema camera models, drone models, film emulation, 16mm, super 8, etc to surface the aesthetic you are seeking.
Experiment with how each social media platform handles its search. Make sure to check out the filters. For example, filtering by recent date ranges may help surface fresh content.
Look up advanced search tips for your favorite search engine to help you search for a specific phrase, within a specific date range, and more.
We recommend allowing yourself and your team flexibility in what you’re seeking so that you are able to weave unexpected content that you come across into your project. You can always create a separate collection if you’d like to save a shot for inspiration or a future project.
Have fun out there and thank you for following these responsible research tips! If you would like our team to handle curation services reach out to us, you can contact your Account Executive or the customer success team at succes@catchandrelease.com.