User-Generated Content (UGC) is not a new concept but it has newly been taking the marketing world by storm. With the rise of Tik Tok and creators, brands and eager to curate honest and relatable content for consumers to enjoy. Throughout this post, we will explain the concept of UGC, its benefits, and how to implement it within your business.

What is User-Generated Content (UGC)?

“User-generated content (UGC) is [traditionally] published information that an unpaid contributor provides to a website. The information might be a photo, video, blog or discussion forum post, poll response, or comment made through a social media website.” (Tech Target)

What are the benefits?

• Authenticity 

  • Aids in creating authentic reviews of a brand’s product or service to sway consumers in a competitive market.

• Brand Loyalty

  • Helps build customer faith by putting the audience first and involving them in the building of the brands image. 

• Cost Effectiveness

  • Often brands can use UGC at no cost as long as permission has been granted by the created. More common with micro-influencers/everyday people. 

• Relatability

  • Provides consumers with a trustworthy source of information that is created by someone who looks and lives like them.

Example

On the left is the original social media users post featuring the brands bag and on the brand took this photo to promote the bag to their followers. You can also do this with locations, food items, or a piece of branded merchandise.

How to Use it in Your Business

• Ask your audience to post a testimonial during their next visit or share their favorite thing about your product.

• Collect images, videos, reviews left on Google, surveys, etc.. from Instagram accounts, Facebook pages, or other social networking sites.

• Visit the tagged section or hashtags on your brands social platforms and ask the creators if you can feature their image or video on your page. It does not have to be anything too in depth, just a “Hey! We love this photo, do you mind if we share it on our social pages?”.

UGC is a great approach if you have a brand that people love but that you don't have time to manage content for, if you don't this might be an incentive to reach to customers to use social media to post about your brand!