First things first: What is user generated content?
It’s just what it sounds like! Content generated by your customers through engaging tactics that you can, in turn, use in your own marketing. You’ve seen this before through reviews, posts on social media, haul and unwrapping videos, etc. Think of User Generated Content as the “word of mouth” of the digital world.
Should you be using User Generated Content?
If you want to build a sense of trust and authenticity—the answer is a resounding yes! According to Spectoos, customer testimonials are the most effective type of content with an astounding 89% effectiveness rating in comparison to other types of content. Whatever your goals as a business are, testimonials through UGC are an easy and effective way to get there.
What else can UGC do for my business?
In addition to helping you meet your goals, UGC can help you create a brand identity that is authentic and worthy of engagement and loyalty. According to Stackla, 90% of customers say authenticity is important when decided what brands to support. UGC provides an easy way to create that sense of trust. Almost half of customers don’t trust what a company says about itself—but the good news is, they are just as likely to trust a testimonial or review as they would a personal recommendation from a friend or family member.
Sounds good, right?
So, how can I get UGC to use?
While using UGC in your marketing can create a sense of authenticity, you have to encourage customers to create UGC in a way that feels authentic, too. Whether reviews are big in your business, or you can create contests that ask for engagement, there are endless ways to ask your customers to create content that you can use. You just have to know what kind of content will be the most effective for your industry.
Not sure where to start?
Send us an email! Our social media services include campaign and content strategy which can provide natural ways to encourage UGC from your customers. All you have to do is watch the reviews flow in!
