Think back to the last time you purchased an item online. What did you do before you hit that "confirm purchase" button? Chances are, you read reviews and maybe even searched for YouTube videos or Instagram posts from real-life users.
If so, you engaged with UGC, or user-generated content.
UGC is any content created by people, rather than brands. It can come in the form of reviews, videos, text, photos, TikToks or reels.
Creating a steady stream of UGC is crucial to the longevity of your brand. It allows customers to build trust with your brand, provides additional social content, and gives your brand credibility. Basically, UGC proves that your brand doesn’t exist in a vacuum. People are talking about your brand, and you might as well share it with the world!
Look to employees, customers, and superfans to help you generate brand related content. (But be sure to always ask permission before sharing a post! This will help build rapport with your most loyal fans.)
sharing ugc in 2022
Every year, TINT, a UGC platform, releases a report of the top trends they see in User Generated Content. Here's how you can use these trends to boost your print on demand business.
Personalization
As a POD brand, this is one category your brand and products can really shine in. Try sharing pics of personalized products your customers have already ordered and tag them (with their permission of course!)
StorkWares, a personalized baby blanket brand, covers their feed in UGC. I mean, who doesn't love a cute baby pic?
connecting with brands
UGC allows consumers to feel connected with the brands they love.
To make the most of this, make sure you comment on and reshare UGC. Encourage users to keep creating and keep the conversation going!
64% of users said they are more likely to share content about brands who already share user generated content.
consumers care about dei
DEI stands for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Customers want UGC to amplify diverse voices behind your brand.
If you’re a small company, look for customers from a variety of cultural backgrounds to promote your products.
Nike, for example, used words from Megan Rapinoe to launch their collection that "creates a space for everybody to feel safe, seen and heard."
positive reviews are key
72% of consumers believe that reviews and testimonials submitted by customers are more credible than the brand talking about their products.
Encourage customers to leave positive reviews through marketing cards, and then promote those reviews on social media. UGC can be text as well as photos!
social media starts brand relationships
Consumers 18-45 engage with brands on social media, but older customers are more likely to engage with emails.
Promote UGC on platforms that resonate with your customer base, whether that's newsletters, blogs, videos or social media content.
Canva, for example, shares weekly UGC in their newsletters.
Great User Generated Content is key to a successful marketing strategy. It not only allows you to build trust with your customers, but it also relieves some of the pressures of content creation. For more tips on letting your customers do the talking, check out Tint's complete UGC report!
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