WHY IS UGC IMPORTANT?
Alas, advertising and marketers are by nature dishonest. We must present goods and services in the best possible light, but in the process, we exclude information that can have a detrimental effect on consumer purchasing decisions and it is taken way too far. According to a 2013 survey, 76% of consumers believe advertisements are “extremely exaggerated”. 1 out of 5 participants in that survey even stated that they “refuse to make a decision” on a product based on its advertising.
UGC is utilized at every level of the buying process to enhance conversions and affect engagement. Customer-focused content can be utilized on social networking platforms as well as other platforms including email, landing pages, and checkout pages. Here are some reasons why it is important to inculcate effectively in your brand~
- Raises the bar for authenticity: Brands now have to compete fiercely for audience attention in order to be visible online. And that leads consumers (especially the highly unpredictable Gen-Z) to be more cautious about the companies they engage with and buy from. And genuine content is beloved by more than just customers. 60% of marketers concur that profitable content must have both quality and authenticity. UGC from your customers is the only sort of material that is more authentic. It’s crucial to consider UGC as the contemporary version of word of mouth since, in the end, people trust other people.
Refrain from making up your user-generated postings or campaign. The fake sentiment will be immediately detected by audiences, which could drastically harm the reputation of the brand. Always make sure that your UGC originates from one of your consumers, brand advocates, or staff.
- Serves as an indication of trust: More than ever, brands must put in more effort to become trustworthy. UGC is the ideal format for businesses to raise their approval rate, and 93% of marketers concur that people consider the material provided by customers more than content created by brands. Similar to how they would approach their friends, family, or professional network for advice, audiences look to UGC as a trust indication. This is where user-generated content (UGC) can excel since it is simply “a personal suggestion” consumers are looking for. Almost half the proportion of millennials bases their choice to buy a product on recommendations from their family and friends.
- Promotes community growth and brand loyalty: Customers now have a unique opportunity to actively take part in a brand’s expansion through UGC. Because developing UGC enables users to participate in a brand’s community and since individuals enjoy when they are a part of something bigger than themselves, this has a significant impact on brand loyalty and affinity. UGC also facilitates interaction between a brand and its audience, and this degree of brand contact aids in the development and expansion of an active community. By fostering and strengthening ties between the audience and the brand, sharing audience material also helps to increase brand loyalty.
- More economical alternative to influencer marketing: Hiring an influencer or opting for influencer marketing can cost a brand a hefty budget depending on the chosen influencer’s following and engagement. On the other hand, it typically costs hardly anything for consumers to post about how much they love your product. UGC is an affordable option to expand your business and add a fresh marketing approach to the mix. Additionally, there is no need to spend money hiring an extravagant creative firm to create brand assets or content for your campaigns.
UGC is less expensive and simpler to handle for smaller firms or those who are just getting started than engaging in more extensive brand awareness efforts.Compatible with social commerce: Social commerce, or shopping directly on your preferred social networks, is the way of the future of internet retail. The fundamental appeal of social commerce is that it enables users to make purchases directly within a social media app rather than leaving the network
For instance, you are scrolling through Instagram and you come across a pretty dress. You tap to get additional information about the item, choose to buy it, and finish the transaction through the app. That is an example of in-action social commerce. Social commerce and UGC complement each other well since UGC influences conversion rates. User-generated content and social commerce are a perfect match because over 80% of users agree that UGC influences their purchasing choice.
- Boost conversions and have an impact on consumer choices: In the last phases of the buyer’s journey, when you’re trying to convert your audience and persuade them to buy, user-generated content has a huge impact. UGC serves as real-world social proof that the particular brand’s product is worthwhile to purchase. For instance, when they see people who resemble them using or utilizing a specific product, the audience may be more likely to make a purchase. Hence, UGC helps in triggering and multiplying potential consumers.
TIPS TO INCULCATE UGC TO YOUR BRAND
- Emphasize User Feedback
Ask your customers to leave reviews for your brand or product if you want to make them feel heard and that you care about their input.
- Make a distinctive hashtag
In order to promote your brand on social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram, you should create your own custom hashtag. For the finest outcomes in social media marketing, you can also use social media management tools. Additionally, it aids in locating posts that your clients have created on their individual accounts.
- Adhere to the online interactions of your users
Platforms for social media automation can assist you in monitoring the discussions as they take place. In this approach, you may express your gratitude for their kind remarks and inquire about their availability to collaborate with you on the creation of UGC.
These tools include social media analytics that may be used to monitor and assess how well UGC is performing across various social media platforms.
For instance, you are scrolling through Instagram and you come across a pretty dress. You tap to get additional information about the item, choose to buy it, and finish the transaction through the app. That is an example of in-action social commerce. Social commerce and UGC complement each other well since UGC influences conversion rates. User-generated content and social commerce are a perfect match because over 80% of users agree that UGC influences their purchasing choice.
- Boost conversions and have an impact on consumer choices: In the last phases of the buyer’s journey, when you’re trying to convert your audience and persuade them to buy, user-generated content has a huge impact. UGC serves as real-world social proof that the particular brand’s product is worthwhile to purchase. For instance, when they see people who resemble them using or utilizing a specific product, the audience may be more likely to make a purchase. Hence, UGC helps in triggering and multiplying potential consumers.
TIPS TO INCULCATE UGC TO YOUR BRAND
- Emphasize User Feedback
Ask your customers to leave reviews for your brand or product if you want to make them feel heard and that you care about their input.
- Make a distinctive hashtag
In order to promote your brand on social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram, you should create your own custom hashtag. For the finest outcomes in social media marketing, you can also use social media management tools. Additionally, it aids in locating posts that your clients have created on their individual accounts.
- Adhere to the online interactions of your users
Platforms for social media automation can assist you in monitoring the discussions as they take place. In this approach, you may express your gratitude for their kind remarks and inquire about their availability to collaborate with you on the creation of UGC.
These tools include social media analytics that may be used to monitor and assess how well UGC is performing across various social media platforms.