Why You Should Include User Generated Content in Your Digital Marketing Strategy
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So there you are, scratching your head trying to figure out how to make your digital marketing more engaging for the masses. You’ve posted cute photos, shared industry insights, and even tried your hand at a viral meme or two. Yet something is still missing. The solution is staring you right in the face, but you can’t see the forest for the trees. It’s time to embrace your inner narcissist and make your content all about your customers – not you. User generated content is the not-so-secret weapon that will transform yourDigital Marketing from meh to marvelous. Pictures of happy customers using your product, authentic reviews and testimonials, social shares of your branded hashtag – this is the stuff that marketing dreams are made of. Once you unleash the power of user generated content, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner. Your followers will become your fans and your sales will soar. All because you were brilliant enough to make your content about them.Harnessing User Generated Content to Boost Your Digital Marketing.
Table of Contents
What is User Generated Content and Why Does It Matter?
Improve the Customer Experience With User Generated Content :
User generated content is anything your customers create and share online about your company or products – reviews, social posts, blog comments, you name it. Why should you care? Because it’s authentic, engaging social proof that boosts trust and authority.
People believe what other real people say about a brand far more than any slick marketing campaign. Leveraging UGC in your digital strategy is a no-brainer. Here are a few ways to put those rave reviews and shares to work:
Social Media
Promote those glowing reviews and passionate customer photos on your social feeds. Not only does it make you look good, but it gives your fans a chance to engage and spread the word.
Your Website
Feature a “Customer Stories” section with reviews, testimonials and case studies. Let visitors see your product or service in action. They’ll be clicking “Buy Now” in no time.
Blog Content
Repurpose the best customer content like social posts, reviews and Q&A’s into blog articles and email newsletters. It’s a quick way to create useful content, and your readers will appreciate the genuine, relatable stories from people just like them.
Advertising
Testimonials and reviews also make great social proof in paid ads. Quoting a happy customer’s words alongside an image of them gives your message credibility and an emotional appeal that you just can’t beat.
UGC is the gift that keeps on giving. Put in the effort to collect, curate and leverage those customer stories and social shares. Your brand will reap the rewards of higher visibility, more traffic, and increased conversion rates. Now that’s what we call a smart digital marketing strategy.
Types of User Generated Content to Include in Your Marketing
Alright people, listen up. You need to get on board the user generated content train if you want your digital marketing to really take off. UGC is basically free content created by your lovely customers that you can use to spread brand awareness and boost engagement. Here are a few types you should be tapping into:
Reviews and Testimonials
People trust reviews from real customers over your marketing spiel any day. Ask happy clients to leave reviews on your website, social media, and third-party sites like Yelp or Trustpilot. Their glowing recommendations are social proof that you deliver the goods.
Social Media Posts
Your followers sharing about their positive experiences with your company on social media is a gift. Repost user photos, shoutouts, and stories on your own profiles. Not only does it make your tribe feel special, but it shows potential new followers how much people love you.
Blog Comments
If you have an active blog, engage with commenters by replying to their questions and feedback. Some may become superfans who frequently join the conversation. Spot these repeat commenters and ask if they’d like to become regular contributors by writing guest posts. Many will jump at the opportunity to share their expertise with your audience.
Video Testimonials
User generated video content is incredibly persuasive. Ask satisfied customers if they’d record a quick video sharing why they love your product or service. Post these authentic video testimonials on your website, YouTube channel, and social media. People want to see and hear from real people like themselves. UGC builds trust, boosts social proof, and strengthens your connection with customers and followers. Now get out there and start cultivating those user contributions! The rewards of their loyalty and advocacy will be well worth the effort.
Best Practices for Using UGC Across Different Platforms
So you’ve decided to hop on the user-generated content bandwagon—congrats, you’re in for a wild ride! Once you start sourcing authentic content from your fans and followers, you’ll wonder how you ever marketed without it. But before you dive in headfirst, there are a few best practices to keep in mind for each platform.
#Facebook
On Facebook, focus on sharing photos and short videos from users. Ask people to share pics of themselves using or enjoying your product or service and repost the best ones. Start a weekly contest where people submit photos and the winner gets a shoutout or small prize. The more you engage with your Facebook community, the more UGC you’ll receive.
#Instagram
Instagram is a UGC goldmine. Repost user photos by sharing the image and tagging the user in your caption. This spreads brand awareness to their followers and makes them feel like an influencer. Run photo contests and challenges to increase posts about your brand. And don’t forget Instagram Stories—share stories from users on your own story or in a dedicated highlights section.
#Twitter
On Twitter, retweet positive mentions of your brand from users. This amplifies their voice and shows you value their opinion. Search relevant hashtags, like your brand name plus “love” or “favorite,” and retweet or like tweets from users sharing their experience with your product or service. You can also source content for social media contests by asking people to tweet a photo or short video with your brand hashtag.
#YouTube
On YouTube, feature user reviews and unboxing videos on your channel. Ask fans to record themselves talking about their experience with your product or service and share the best submissions. You can also collaborate with YouTube influencers in your industry to create UGC on their channels featuring your brand. Then amplify their content on your other social platforms.
The possibilities for sourcing and sharing UGC on social media are endless. But by following a few best practices for each platform, you’ll be leveraging user-generated content like a pro in no time. Now get out there and engage with your fans! They’re creating content for you as we speak.
Real-World Examples of Brands Successfully Leveraging UGC
Want to give your marketing strategy a boost of authenticity and social proof? Look no further than user generated content. UGC is any form of content – videos, blog posts, tweets, photos, reviews – created by your actual customers and shared online. Some of the biggest brands have mastered incorporating UGC into their marketing, and you should too.
Take a page from GoPro’s playbook. They built their entire business model around UGC. Almost all of their marketing features videos and photos shot by real people using GoPro cameras during extreme sports and adventures. This approach makes their content way more compelling than standard marketing videos and photos. GoPro’s UGC-centric strategy has been instrumental to their success and popularity.
Ever heard of Blendtec? They make high-powered blenders and are a prime example of leveraging UGC to go viral. Their “Will It Blend” YouTube series features their blenders obliterating everything from marbles to iPhones. The videos racked up millions of views, skyrocketing Blendtec into fame and boosting sales. All thanks to a clever UGC campaign.
Of course, you can’t forget about Lego. The beloved brand smartly turned to its dedicated fanbase to help market new sets. Lego Ideas lets fans submit and vote on new Lego set ideas. The winners get turned into actual Lego sets, with the creators receiving a cut of the profits. This highly engaging UGC approach strengthened Lego’s connection to its fans and introduced new products Lego customers actually asked for.
The takeaway is clear: you need to get real with your audience and leverage the power of UGC. Identify ways for customers to contribute content, then feature their content prominently in your marketing. Your strategy will become infinitely more authentic, social and viral. And your customers will become your best brand ambassadors.
Tactics to Encourage and Curate Authentic UGC From Customers
Want customers to generate content for your brand? You’ve got to give them incentive. No one’s creating hashtagged selfies with your product just for kicks. Here are a few ways to encourage authentic user-generated content:
Run a contest
Everyone loves free stuff. Offer a prize like a gift card, free product, or experience for the best UGC submission. Make sure to promote the contest on social media because no one enters a contest they don’t know about.
Give them a reason to share
Create something interesting or attention-grabbing that people will want to share on their own. Maybe it’s an interactive web experience, shareable video, or behind-the-scenes content. The more engaging it is, the more shares you’ll get.
Make it easy to submit
Don’t make people jump through hoops to submit UGC or you’ll get crickets. Have a simple submission form on your website or allow people to share on social media with a campaign hashtag. The less friction, the more content you’ll receive.
Give credit and rewards
Repost and share customer photos, videos and stories on your social channels and website. Mention them by name or social media handle and thank them for sharing. For extra brownie points, send a personal note or small gift. People will keep creating content if you keep showing the love.
Curate and moderate
Go through all UGC and curate the best, most engaging pieces to share. Also monitor for inappropriate content and spam. No one wants to see that. Stay on top of moderating and you’ll build trust in your brand and community.
The bottom line : Treat your customers like the awesome content creators they are. Give them the spotlight, express gratitude for their shares, and keep giving them motivation to promote your brand to their networks. With the right incentives and curation, user-generated content can become an authentic acquisition and engagement machine.
Conclusion:
So there you have it, you marketing maven you. The secret sauce to connecting with your customers in today’s digital world is harnessing the power of user generated content. Give the people what they want – a platform to share their experiences, opinions and creations. Not only will they do the work for you, spreading your message far and wide through their networks, they’ll feel more invested in your brand. Their voices will come through loud and clear, bringing a much-needed authenticity and relatability to your digital marketing. What are you waiting for? Unleash your users and let them do what they do best – generate content, generate buzz, and generate results. The rewards of relinquishing control will far outweigh any risks. Trust us, your future customers will thank you. Now get to it! The people have spoken and it’s time to start listening.
