UGC, or User Generated Content, is a concept in digital marketing that encompasses a variety of content created by third parties. This could include customers, UGC creators, company employees showcasing work processes, or professionally art-directed photographers whose work resembles UGC.
What is UGC?
UGC content can be posted on the creator’s account or sent directly to the brand. With the current availability of digital cameras and powerful phone video capabilities, it become simpler to find individuals willing to try your product and document the process, ushering in a new era in Digital Marketing.
Types of UGC content:
Video Content:
Users create unboxing videos, capturing moments when they open and explore new products. These videos, shared on social media platforms, contribute to brand awareness and trust.
Brand tributes and product demonstrations by real people further reinforce the positive image of the brand.
Branded Selfies:
Customers take selfies featuring products or within the context of branded materials like posters, storefronts, or backdrops.
These selfies become a powerful tool for enhancing brand awareness on various social media platforms.
Reviews and Testimonials:
Users contribute authentic reviews and testimonials on platforms such as Yelp, Google, and the brand’s website.
This user-generated feedback, including product review videos, provides valuable insights and builds credibility for the brand.
Podcast Conversations:
Podcast hosts and guests share their experiences with brands and products during podcast discussions.
This form of user-generated content helps generate brand awareness and fosters trust among the podcast’s audience.
Articles:
Users and employees write articles or blog posts detailing their experiences with a brand or related topics.
These articles may be published on personal blogs, serving as reviews or recommendations. Alternatively, users may share their perspectives on community forums and platforms such as Quora or Medium.
Contests:
Contests prompt users to create and submit content, such as photos or videos, for a chance to win prizes.
This user-generated content serves promotional purposes while simultaneously encouraging engagement and fostering creativity within the brand’s audience.
Social Media Challenges:
Users participate in challenges initiated by brands, creating content and sharing it on social media.
These challenges often involve specific actions or creative tasks that align with the brand’s values.
Live Streams and Webinars:
Users engage in live streaming or webinars, discussing products, services, or industry-related topics.
This real-time interaction allows for direct engagement and builds a sense of community around the brand.
Infographics and Visual Content:
Users create and share visually appealing content, such as infographics, that highlights key aspects of a brand or product.
Visual content is easily shareable and can quickly convey information to a broader audience.
Interactive Content:
Brands encourage users to participate in interactive content, such as polls, quizzes, or surveys.
This not only engages the audience but also provides valuable insights for the brand.
Memes and GIFs:
Users generate humorous or relatable memes and GIFs related to the brand, contributing to a more light-hearted and shareable online presence.
Social Media Takeovers:
Brands allow users to take control of their social media accounts for a day, sharing their experiences and perspectives.
Takeovers provide a fresh and authentic viewpoint, fostering a sense of community.
Customer Q&A Sessions:
Brands host sessions where customers can ask questions, share their experiences, and interact directly with the brand.
This type of content humanizes the brand and builds a stronger connection with the audience.
Behind-the-Scenes Content:
Users share behind-the-scenes glimpses of their experiences with the brand, whether it’s at events, during product development, or in day-to-day interactions.
This type of content provides transparency and a deeper understanding of the brand’s values and processes.
Where does UGC content come from?
Customers (Free)
Consider the unboxing videos shared on TikTok or praise-filled posts on Instagram. Your customers are usually the largest group from which you’ll obtain UGC, either because you’ve requested it or they’ve chosen to share content about your brand organically.
Brand Loyalists / Ambassadors (Free/ Extra fee)
Whether you label them as loyalists, advocates, or fans, your most dedicated customers are typically highly enthusiastic about your business. These loyalists, passionate about your brand, make an ideal audience for sourcing specific UGC content.
Employees (Free/ Extra fee)
Employee-generated content (EGC) reveals the value and story behind your brand. This could be photos of employees packing orders, or a video of your team discussing why they love working for your company. Such behind-the-scenes content helps establish brand identity and showcases authenticity across social media and advertisements.
UGC Creators (Extra fee)
A UGC-creator is someone who produces sponsored content that appears authentic but is designed to promote a specific business or product. Unlike traditional organic UGC-creators, UGC-creators are paid by brands to create content that imitates traditional UGC.
Marketing Agencies (Extra fee & can attract more organic UGC)
Marketing agencies, with their expertise and creative resources, can create perfectly curated user-generated content. They can craft content that not only engages and resonates with your target audience but also authentically reflects their experiences and perspectives, making it feel organic and genuine. This could potentially drive more engagement and build stronger relationships with your customers.
The Power of User-Generated Content
In the dynamic world of digital marketing, businesses are always seeking innovative ways to connect with their audience. Among various strategies, User Generated Content has emerged as a powerful tool, becoming an integral part of many company’s marketing approaches.
- The 2021 State of UGC report by Tintup found that “93% of marketers agree that consumers trust content created by customers more than content created by brands. People trust people.”
- A study at the University of California showed that millennials find user-generated content to be 35% more memorable than content from traditional media sources.
- A further 79% of people say UGC highly impacts their purchasing decisions.
UGC Creators: The New Wave of Content Creators
UGC creators, the new wave of content creators, are leading this transformation with a unique and refreshing approach to content creation.
UGC creators focus on creating content that strikes a perfect balance – it’s authentic, engaging, and tailored for businesses. While the content effectively showcases a product or business, it retains an organic feel, making it highly relatable and impactful.
The Power of Video Content: Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok
The world is changing today, much like people’s attention spans. Many people find solace in the digital realm, often preferring videos over reading a blog post. Thus, video has become an essential medium for user-generated content creators. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok are their preferred channels for distributing content.
Curated UGC Content: The Future of Digital Marketing
In the competitive digital landscape, businesses must stay ahead of the curve. Incorporating UGC creators into their marketing strategies offers a unique and effective method to achieve this. Guided by a marketing strategy, organic UGC content can generate a sense of authenticity for your product.
The Problem of authentic UGC content
The biggest problem of authentic UGC content, except for the content from experienced UGC creators is the low quality of the content, which often doesn’t resonate with the Brand guidelines. It’s ok to have amateur photography on a review website, like Google reviews, but you can’t use this content to post on your social media. The resolve this problem you need to use professional UGC content.
At FAMEsolutely we offer different kinds of content such as photos and videography, available in Koh Samui, Thailand, and for some international services.