Unlocking the Power of User-Generated Content

Social media continues to reign as a widely available and popular platform, permeating every aspect of modern life and connecting billions of users worldwide. With a staggering 4.8 billion users across the globe, it's safe to say that its influence is here to stay for the foreseeable future.

Considering this, numerous brands have already successfully established their presence across various social media platforms, such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, or LinkedIn. Now that you've solidified your position in the social world, the logical next step for your social media strategy could be harnessing the power of user-generated content.

What is User-Generated Content?

User-generated content (UGC) refers to any kind of content that is produced or created by a user, consumer or reviewer of a brand or service - this could be in the form of a photo, a video, or a review.

This content is often a more warm, welcoming approach to presenting your brand, rather than content produced by the brand itself and can help provide a full picture of your brand and reputation. By using UGC as part of your ongoing strategy, you can utilise content that stems from genuine interactions and experiences.

Why You Should Use It

When harnessed effectively, UGC becomes a potent marketing instrument, offering multiple benefits. When customers share positive experiences, creative content, or endorsements, it adds credibility and authenticity to your brand and builds trust between the user and the brand.

Beyond enriching your social media content, it also serves as a way to forge a strong sense of community between your brand and its consumers. As we know, social media represents the face of your business, and maintaining a positive brand image is paramount, making engagement a crucial factor in achieving this goal. Not only does UGC come at no cost to your business, but it’s easy to manage and often performs well in engagement and impressions, giving you that boost on your socials.

How to Manage UGC Content

User-generated content usually comes in the form of a tag on a post, Story or Reel on Instagram. On Facebook, UGC may also occur in the comments of your ad or organic post. When collecting UGC, it’s important to remember to ask the user for their permission to use the media they have presented. Although there are exceptions to this, as best practice, it’s handy to keep a log of all your UGC with usernames, dates and permissions for future reference if you ever need to refer back to it. In some cases, without proper permissions, your business could be fined for improper use of the photo or video by the user.

When asking permission, ensure you set out the terms of the permission carefully, clearly stating where the image may be used. Once you have the desired permission, you can use the media in your content plans and Stories and Reels, enriching your Instagram strategy greatly. Remember, if you advised it would be used with credit to add in their username every time you post their content. If the user ever wishes to redact their permission, refer to your log and change their permission, ensuring that you delete all of the images or videos you may have stored away.

Elevate Your Brand’s Social Media and Dominate the Competition

With over 13 years of experience in executing digital marketing strategies, Click2Convert have a team of social media experts ready to deliver real results for your business, no matter your goals. We’re entrusted by big brands to improve impressions, boost engagement levels and encourage fan growth.

Find out more about Our Services, and how we can help your brand sky-rocket to new levels.