While some may see user-generated content (UGC) as unprofessional or low quality, TikTok and Instagram Reels have proved that UGC can be not only high quality but also very popular.
What is user-generated content (UGC)? User-generated content is, quite simply, any content that has been created and published by someone other than the brand or business. That includes images, videos, reviews, comments, blog posts, and more.
But why should businesses care about UGC? There are several benefits and reasons for this.
For one, user-generated content (UGC) is a great way to connect with customers and build relationships. When customers or fans create content about your brand, they’re essentially doing your marketing for you. And because this type of content is coming from a real person (not a paid spokesperson), it can be more relatable and trustworthy than traditional advertising.
Furthermore, UGC can help you reach new audiences. When customers or fans share your content with their followers, you’re getting free exposure to people who might not have otherwise heard of you. And because UGC is often shared organically (i.e., without any prompt from the brand), it can come across as more genuine and less “sales-y” than traditional marketing efforts.
Finally, user-generated content (UGC) can benefit businesses by being a great source of customer insights. By monitoring the UGC that’s being created about your brand, you can get a better understanding of what people like and don’t like about your products or services. This feedback can be invaluable as you work to improve your offering.
So how can you encourage customers or fans to create UGC about your brand? There are a few different strategies you can try:
Offer a prize to whoever creates the best piece of user-generated content (UGC) about your brand (be sure to promote the contest across your social channels to get maximum exposure).
Provide a discount on products or services to customers who share user-generated content (UGC) about your brand on social media.
Make it easy for customers to create user-generated content (UGC) by providing templates, graphics, or other materials they can use.
No matter what approach you take, remember that quality is key when it comes to user-generated content (UGC). So focus on encouraging customers or fans to create high-quality content that will reflect well on your brand.
If you found this valuable, you may want to check out our FREE Resources that you can download!
Learn actionable steps for businesses to harness customer criticism and transform it into valuable business improvements on social media platforms. Leverage customer feedback to drive innovation and growth.
Learn actionable steps for businesses to harness customer criticism and transform it into valuable business improvements on social media platforms. Leverage customer feedback to drive innovation and growth.
Learn how social media analytics will evolve to become more sophisticated to provide businesses with valuable insights and opportunities to drive growth.