The Internet is full of constant information and many voices zooming around every space. There are so many people creating content online, and many brands are taking advantage of this.
What a brand can do with this is instead of posting their own ads, they can simply get the people who use their products to spread the word on their behalf.
Welcome to the world of User-Generated Content. This article will help you figure out what it is exactly, and the different kinds you’ll find online.
What is User Generated Content?
User-Generated Content (UGC) is content that is created by users of a brand or product. It can come in many different forms, such as images, videos, tweets, Instagram stories, blog posts, or testimonials.
Basically, UGC can help a brand get the word out without having to do it themselves since the customers are the ones who are doing the talking for the brand.
UGC also doesn’t necessarily have to include your product in the forefront. It can also include the lifestyle aspect of your brand. What kind of values does your brand uphold? What kind of people represent your brand the best? Those are some of the things that UGC can show.
What’s So Good About UGC?
One of the main reasons why UGC is one of the best ways to get your brand out there is that it promotes a level of authenticity. When you’re trying to advertise your own brand, there would understandably be a certain form of skepticism coming from the user’s point of view.
However, with UGC, users are more likely to be authentic, posting photos or videos of themselves enjoying a product out of their own volition. Other consumers are more willing to buy a product if, for example, someone within their immediate social circle can vouch for it themselves.
People are constantly trying to add social value to their online personas. It’s like high school. If a person belongs to a certain clique, they would most likely be seen in school with products that adhere them to that clique even more.
This sort of solidifies a brand in the day-to-day life of a user, if they associate that product with who they are. That leads to a more organic spread of brand awareness without the brand doing much. In a nutshell, these are only some of the reasons why UGC would be great for a brand.
A Couple of Real Life Examples of UGC
A big way Lego is remaining relevant to people who are way above the age range of their market – people below 12 years old – are videos of people creating amazing and impossible builds using the plastic building blocks. In that respect, Lego can also appeal to a much wider audience.
Influencer media is also a good way for brands to utilize UGC. Influencers are people who have a lot of followers on social media. If there is an influencer that a user can identify as someone they could be friends with, they’d be more likely to buy a product that an influencer is vouching for.
Conclusion
The Internet seems like a place where it would be great to get your brand out there. However, there are a lot of pitfalls regarding UGC. If you want to get the best out of getting your customers to post on your behalf, maybe a good idea would be to consult The Marketing Co to figure it out.
As an online advertising agency in Sydney, we can help find a way for your brand to get the word out authentically and organically. Consider enquiring today for a free audit for your brand today.
