What is UGC? User-generated content is any content, be it images, text, reviews, or videos, that consumers create about your brand. Since UGC is one of the most appealing forms of marketing content, companies share UGC’s on their social media accounts and other marketing channels like the website.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Consumers trust the recommendations of other customers over that of the brand.
- User-generated content inspires other consumers to become loyal ambassadors of your brand.
- UGC is an effective way to improve conversion rates.
Most brands tend to use UGC on Instagram. Once users begin to share posts about your product or service, it exposes your brand to an audience that will seek to try out what you are providing without a lot of hesitation. Better yet, you can boost the credibility of your brand by sharing this content with your audience.
Today, our discussion will be about the need to create a UGC strategy for your company.
Why UGC?
Here are three reasons why UGC is essential in your marketing strategy:
Insider Tip
User-generated content is any content, be it images, text, reviews, or videos, that consumers create about your brand.
Creates Trust
Whether you are selling a product, an experience, or a service, modern consumers always want to know the utility of the product or service before purchasing. For instance, 30% of millennials would choose to go to a restaurant if its Instagram page is full of customers enjoying the experience. That is why transparency is important for your business, because it means sharing company information openly.
Promotes Originality
Consumers are twice as likely to view UGC as an authentic testimonial compared to the content the brand creates. Brands that use UGC boost their credibility because even a short testimony from a consumer can go a long way. In case you’re wondering, product reviews are also considered UGC, and they go a long way in influencing a purchasing decision.
Boosts Sales
Close to 80% of people say that UGC is big on boosting purchasing decisions. For instance, people like seeing Instagram stories with UGC to drive up purchases. When you combine the demand for stories with highlights in Insta-stories, you can leave consumers begging for more.
3 Important Ways of using UGC on Social Media Platforms
Make Your Brand Desirable
One of the effective techniques to create brand desire is sharing interesting user-generated content. For lifestyle brands, it gets even powerful for them to use the lens of a visitor to present the destination to the audience. The UGC samples will attract lots of attention and inspire followers to gain interest in visiting the location.
Insider Tip
Consumers are twice as likely to view UGC as an authentic testimonial compared to the content the brand creates.
Inspire Brand Loyalty
To build brand loyalty means designing a long-term relationship with your customers that results in growth in sales over time. Some of the biggest fans of your brand are those who share UGC. They are the ones who buy your product/service more than once and then share their experiences with their networks and other people who gain an interest in their content. If you want to build brand excitement and loyalty, figure out how to incorporate UGC on your social media platforms.
Come Up with a Content Library
It is hard to design or develop new, attractive, and fresh content for your social media pages. UGC campaigns are one way to collect content that you can use to keep your products relevant to the market at all times.
F.A.Q.S
What is user-generated content?
UGC is content about your brand created by customers who are not official representatives of your company.
Where can you place UGC content?
You can place your UGC content on your website, your landing page, emails, social ads, print ads, physical stores, webinars, product packaging, and all your social media platforms.
Why should I be using UGC?
So that people can engage with your brand. A mix of professional content and user-created content can increase the engagement of your viewers with your company. On one end, your customers will feel special to represent your brand. On the opposite end, other customers will get the need to experience what you are offering.
STAT: A full 92 percent of consumers trust recommendations from people they know, and 70% trust online consumer opinions. (source)
REFERENCES:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User-generated_content
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330456491_User-Generated_Content_and_Consumer_Brand_Engagement
- https://digital.gov/2016/07/11/how-to-leverage-user-generated-content-to-resonate-with-your-audience/r
- https://harvardlawreview.org/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/principles_for_user_generated_content.pdf
- https://www.jmir.org/2014/4/e118/
