What is User Generated Content and Why Do You Need It?

User generated content (UGC) is any content created by users of a company’s product or service. This could be in the form of reviews, comments, forum posts, social media posts, and more. UGC can be an valuable asset to your business because it helps promote your brand and build trust with potential customers.

Why should you care about UGC? Read on to find out!

When it comes to discussing user generated content, it can be summed up with just two words: what a time to be alive! User-generated content (UGC) is anything created by the public, for the public – from photos and videos on Facebook to product reviews on Amazon. Professionals might scoff at it, but we all know how powerful UGC can be in driving people’s decisions. Perhaps that’s why they call it “influencer marketing,” though we like to think of it more as user content with influence! With all its benefits, including reduced advertising costs, user-generated content is here to stay. We all have something valuable to contribute and now the world has a platform to listen. So go ahead and create your own little piece of user generated content magic...the world awaits!

User-Generated Content (UGC) is anyone's guess these days - it could be a funny picture or witty comment on social media, videos or podcasts uploaded to YouTube, someone's blog post about their experiences, even reviews and discussions submitted to product pages. It seems that UGC is everywhere and it's here to stay! With more people than ever flocking to the internet to connect and share their thoughts, UGC provides a kind of mental snack in between bites of online content that can't be matched. Indeed, it looks like we're addicted to UGC, suggesting that however you choose to create and consume it, you won't have trouble finding an audience!

UGC is one of the best ways for businesses and organizations to reap rewards. It allows them to leverage the expansive networks of their customers, which can open up opportunities when it comes to creating awareness or simply making a stronger connection with them. UGC also helps keep costs down as customers essentially do the marketing for you - providing free content that can be reshared. And, with the global reach of social media, UGC gives organizations access to an ever-growing audience who are likely more willing to support a product or service if they feel like they have some kind of emotional investment in it. Long story short: businesses stand to gain a lot from UGC, if they’re smart enough to take advantage!

Creating UGC is a great way to build customer loyalty and engagement among your followers. Encouraging customers and followers to create UGC doesn’t have to be difficult. Try offering incentives for those who post original content you can use on your page, such as discounts or other rewards. You can also have fun by starting challenges that ask your followers to submit their own creations, such as recipes, drawings, or quotes. Make sure you incentivize entries with prizes or special recognition. By getting creative and engaging with your fanbase, you’ll quickly see them creating UGC and helping to spread the word about your products or services!

Once you've put in the hard work of creating a stunning user-generated content (UGC) piece, such as a photo or video, it's time to get it out there! You can start by leveraging your existing social media channels to share your swipe-worthy masterpiece with the world. If you want to get extra creative, set up virtual campaigns and competitions around the UGC, or even host interactive "watch parties" for followers who want to experience viewing it together. And if you really want to make an impression, turn your UGC into a print piece to show off in your physical spaces — it'll make a lasting impression!