📹 ✅ Brands on Clip are always looking for high-quality, versatile UGC. To ensure their content fits different platforms and audiences, they might include Add-Ons in their briefs.

These are specific enhancements or options that can help you increase the value of your work - and what comes hand in hand, your earnings!

Here’s a breakdown of common Add-Ons you will see on briefs and how to deliver them like a pro:

⭐ADD-ON 1: ASPECT RATIO

Why Brands Need This:

Different platforms require different aspect ratios, and brands want their content to be as flexible as possible. A single piece of UGC should be adaptable for TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, websites, and ads - without losing impact or quality. Instead of re-editing content themselves, brands prefer creators to deliver multiple formats upfront to save time and ensure consistency.

What You Might See in a Brief:

✔ 9:16 (Vertical) – The go-to format for TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. Essential for mobile-first platforms - this is the most commonly used aspect ratio you will see.
✔ 16:9 (Horizontal) – Perfect for YouTube, websites, and digital ads. Brands may use this for longer-form content. This tends to be the trickiest to edit from different aspect ratios.
✔ 1:1 (Square) – Works well for Instagram feed posts, Facebook, and some ad placements. As easy as it seems, there are some things to remember while shooting in 9:16.
✔ 3:5 (Portrait) – A great choice for mobile-focused ads, especially on Instagram and Facebook. Probably the easiest to edit from different formats, however comes with its challenges too.

Pro Tips for Easy Resizing:

✔ Frame with flexibility – Keep your subject (or yourself) centred and leave extra space around the edges to allow for easy cropping. When extending frames, always ensure the entire space is filled to avoid black strips on sides!
✔ Use safe zones – Ensure no critical text or visuals get cut off when adjusting ratios. Nothing too high up or low down! Try the desktop version of CapCut for the easiest framing when changing aspect ratios!
✔ Shoot in the highest resolution possible – This ensures quality stays sharp, even after resizing. Also remember to export with the highest quality possible - this can be done in CapCut etc.

⭐ADD-ON 2: CAPTIONS

Why Brands Need This:

Studies show that 85% of videos on social media are watched without sound, as most likely watching in public. Captions increase retention, accessibility, and engagement - helping brands reach a wider audience, including non-native speakers and those with hearing impairments.

What Brands Expect:

✔ Clear, well-timed text that syncs naturally with speech or key visuals.
✔ Easy-to-read fonts that match the brand’s style (bold for energetic brands, minimal for modern aesthetics).
✔ Short, snappy phrases to keep viewers engaged without overwhelming them.

Pro Tips for Perfect Captions:

✔ Keep text concise and in the safe zone – Avoid overcrowding the screen with too many words at once. Instead, after using Auto-Captions, go through the video and manually edit the lines that are too long or overcrowd your clips. Remember to always adhere to the Safe Zone of captions, which mean they will never get cropped out or hidden behind other in-app text.
✔ Use high-contrast colours – Make sure captions are easy to read against the background. The best and safest way to go is always white text with black border.
✔ Consider dynamic captions – Some brands prefer animated text that appears in sync with speech for extra engagement. However, be mindful of how the edit looks throughout your video, as these are trickier to edit manually!

⭐ADD-ON 3: MUSIC

Why Brands Need This:

Music sets the tone and emotion of a video. Whether it’s an upbeat track for a fitness brand or a calming melody for a wellness campaign, the right music can increase emotional connection and make content more memorable.

What Brands Expect:

✔ Copyright-free tracks to avoid legal issues or takedowns.
✔ Music that matches their brand identity (energetic, relaxing, cinematic, etc.).
✔ Balanced volume so the track enhances the video without overpowering dialogue.

Pro Tips for Choosing the Right Music:

✔ Use royalty-free music libraries – More and more editing apps supply you with copy-right-free libraries - and so does CapCut!
✔ Adjust the volume properly – The music should complement, not compete, with the video’s key sounds. Always ensure to listen through the entire video with the music to avoid any overwhelming moments.
✔ Follow brand guidelines – If the brand has a signature sound or preference, stick to it. It’s always a great idea to also discuss it with brand in the messages on Clip beforehand to save time!

⭐ADD-ON 4: CAPTIONS + MUSIC

Why Brands Need This:

This is a true fan favourite - and the most used Add-on on Clip. Combining captions and music creates a polished, professional feel that boosts engagement and watch time. This combo is especially useful for:
✔ Story-driven content – Where music enhances the narrative while captions ensure the message is clear.
✔ Fast-paced videos – Where viewers might miss key points without subtitles.
✔ Ad campaigns – Where brands need a polished, high-quality look.

How to Make It Work:

✔ Sync captions to the beat – This creates a seamless, dynamic feel. Always ensure the text starts and finishes together with the scene underneath it.
✔ Ensure captions remain visible – Don’t let them clash with busy backgrounds and always ensure they are in sync with the dialogue.
✔ Adjust music carefully – Keep it subtle when text is the focus, you don’t want to overwhelm the audience.

⭐ADD-ON 5: VARIATIONS

Why Brands Need This:

Sometimes, a brand wants to test different versions of a video to see which one performs better. This could mean:
✔ A different hook at the start to grab attention in various ways.
✔ An alternate CTA at the end to drive different actions.

Having multiple variations allows brands to A/B test their content and optimise for engagement, conversions, or brand messaging. Instead of just one video, they get two complete versions with slight but impactful differences.

How to Deliver Strong Variations:

✔ Try different opening lines – One might be a bold statement, another a question. It could also be a different visual hook (one that’s shocking and one that feels more organic - always communicate with the brand prior to shooting).
✔ Experiment with CTA wording – “Shop now” vs. “Learn more” can impact performance. A different variation might mean different CTA, as well as a visual behind the same messaging.
✔ Always submit final versions – When submitting your Variation Add-On, always ensure it’s a full video with incorporated hook or CTA, whichever was changed!

🎬 Now, It’s Your Turn!

If a brand includes Add-Ons in a brief, it means they’re essential to their campaign. Delivering them correctly shows professionalism and increases your chances of being hired again. Plus, mastering these skills helps you stand out as a top-tier UGC creator!

Check your next brief carefully and start creating content that brands love!

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