What should the monthly prize be for a boutique UGC hashtag campaign?

The prize needs to feel worth the effort of taking and posting a photo, but it doesn't have to be expensive. Fifty dollars in store credit is a sweet spot for most boutiques because it brings the winner back into your store for another purchase. Gift cards, styling sessions, first-access previews of new arrivals, or a free accessory from your current collection are all effective alternatives.

What matters more than the prize itself is how you present it. The single most important rule is to never mention your hashtag without the prize in the same sentence. When they live in separate posts, people mentally disconnect the action from the reward and never participate. Your caption should read something like "Post your look with #DressedAtDahlia for a chance to win our monthly fifty-dollar prize."

Beyond the monthly prize, public recognition is actually the more powerful motivator. A three-slide Story recognition ritual — featuring the customer's photo, a quote about how the outfit makes them feel, and a call for others to join — drives more participation than prizes alone. People don't just want a reward; they want to be seen.