User-generated content and why you need it
How many times have you caught yourself watching an ad without realizing it was an ad? It’s not just you! Even as a professional digital marketing guru, I still find myself watching reels that are actually ads. They are designed this way and they’re a part of a broader term, User Generated Content.
Let’s discover what exactly is User Generated Content (UGC) and how it can help your business?
What is User Generated Content?
Well, it's pretty much what it sounds like – content created by your users, customers, or fans. Think about those awesome photos, reviews, testimonials, and videos that people share about your products or services on social media or your website – that's user-generated content in action!
UGC can be used as a marketing strategy that can help increase brand awareness, engagement, and conversions.
Benefits of UGC
Builds Trust and Credibility: When potential customers see real people raving about your products or services, it builds trust. They're more likely to believe other customers than your own marketing messages. It's like getting a thumbs-up from a friend!
Increases Engagement: User-generated content is like a magnet for engagement. When people see others posting about your business, they're more likely to join the conversation, like, comment, and share. It creates a buzz around your brand!
Shows Authenticity: Authenticity is key in today's marketing world. User-generated content gives your brand an authentic voice because it's coming straight from your customers – no filters or fancy editing required!
Boosts SEO: User-generated content can even help your small business rank higher in search engine results. When people create content related to your business, it generates more keywords and backlinks…which Google loves!
UGC for Small Businesses on a Budget
As the UGC industry grows, there are many full time creators that offer their content creation skills to businesses. There are a number of great platforms like hashtagPaid or Trend.io that help UGC creators find businesses that will pay them for their time. But what if you’re a small business just getting started?
You may not have the budget to pay for content creators to make videos for your brand, but don’t discount the loyal customer.
Here are a few tips:
Create Shareable Experiences: Make sure your products or services are so awesome that people can't help but share their experience with others.
Ask Nicely: Don't be afraid to ask your customers to share their thoughts or photos on social media or review sites. Most of the time, they'll be happy to do it!
Offer Incentives: Give your customers a little extra motivation to create content, like running a contest or offering discounts for sharing.
So, now you know – user-generated content is like a hidden gem for small businesses! It's genuine, captivating, and most importantly, and it doesn’t have to cost you anything! Why not tap into the enthusiasm of your satisfied customers and allow them to amplify the message about your incredible business?
