What’s the marketing buzzword for 2023? We’re definitely putting our money on User-Generated Content (UGC)!
UGC is original, brand-specific content created by customers and published on social media or other channels. These clips are valuable for brands, from images to videos, reviews, testimonials, or even a mention in a podcast. If you haven’t started incorporating UGC content into your marketing strategy, now is the time.
Why is UGC so important for businesses now? How does it boost sales, earn customer loyalty and increase brand recognition? How do you jump on this bandwagon and actually implement a successful user-generated content strategy for your business?
According to a recent Stackla report, 90% of consumers feel “authenticity is important when deciding which brands they like and support.” So clearly, we are witnessing a shift away from influencer marketing (what may be viewed as paid mini ads by professional reviewers and where only 10% of consumers reportedly view influencer posts favorably) and a trend towards more authentic marketing.
This is where UGC comes in, as a credible and authentic form of word-of-mouth advertising. UGC is marketing that involves creating content from customers, clients, or users, instead of from the business itself. It can help your brand create more meaningful connections with customers as there is increased interaction, inclusivity, and personalization.
With UGC, there is direct interaction between brands and the actual users publicizing their brands – the customer. It effectively takes consumers and future users from the point of inspiration to imagining themselves with their purchase. This increases engagement, boosts brand recognition, builds customer relationships, and even drives sales.
For any modern business looking to stay competitive in today’s market, UGC offers real insights into what people think about your product or service and also increases customer loyalty as they feel more invested in your business when they contribute their own ideas or experiences.
UGC content is an incredibly cost-effective way to promote your products or services! You get a wide reach and multiple citings and sightings on social media platforms. In addition, using customer reviews on product pages and Google reviews is inexpensive and just, if not more, as effective as paid marketing.
In addition, UGC can help you reach new audiences through social media platforms and other online channels. With the right creator pool showcasing your product through first person reviews in an attractive, entertaining and credible format, such as videos and reels, your brand can really stand out from the competition.
The reaction can be on a potentially unprecedented scale, particularly if it goes viral like Zoe Gabriel’s touching Charles and Keith Story. (Read more here!)
The best value of UGC is that it gives a unique insight into what people really think about your product or service, what works best for your target audience, increases engagement levels among customers, builds trust between you and the consumer, opens up opportunities for collaborations with influencers and other creators that might be interested in featuring your products or services on their channels.
