Lately, I’ve turn out to be obsessive about “Pack my Stanley” movies, however not as a result of I personal a Stanley tumbler or have any need to “pack” it with customized ice cubes and snack accouterments earlier than plunking it down in my also-nonexistent automotive. (Do I additionally discover their recognition ethically doubtful within the face of our ever-growing shopper waste? Positive!) No, I’m obsessive about them as a result of they’re a primary instance of user-generated content material discovering its natural viewers.
These kind of movies are rampant on TikTok, and with many of those accounts selling their very own Amazon Storefronts, they’re an effective way for Amazon — and Stanley, for that matter — to leverage real-life person experiences. UGC typically works so nicely as a result of it doesn’t really feel like an advert; it looks like a true-to-life testimonial that permits a viewer to check how a product may truly operate in their very own life. And that may nonetheless be true, even when it comes straight by means of a model’s owned channels. Right here’s how.
An important lesson from user-generated content material
One phrase: authenticity. Once more, UGC works nicely when it’s a real, natural dialogue of a services or products, moderately than a paid-for advert placement. Oftentimes, that’s within the type of a social submit showcasing a product in motion. Warby Parker’s well-known marketing campaign, encouraging customers to point out off their eyeglass choices with the hashtag #warbyhometryon, was an ideal instance of this, producing tens of 1000’s of natural social posts from real-life clients.
However, you don’t must share user-generated content material on social media alone. Shopper testimonials are a implausible approach to make use of UGC for B2B manufacturers, particularly when they are often framed in a solutions-oriented mild. Adobe Expertise Cloud options myriad customer-generated case research. Customers may even search by trade and product, including an additional layer of customization. Once I looked for case research for the Doc Cloud product within the monetary service trade, I used to be met with three hyper-relevant testimonials with out having to waste time scrolling by means of case research that won’t apply to my search phrases.
Encouraging extra engagement out of your neighborhood
In the case of customer-generated content material, particularly for area of interest or B2B manufacturers, the secret’s to search out natural methods to encourage your viewers to take part in UGC in a manner that can also be useful to them. And there’s arguably no higher useful resource for encouraging customer-brand engagement than inner assist hubs.
The IBM Knowledge Science Group is likely one of the finest user-generated content material examples. It incorporates a “Be part of the Dialogue” part highlighting trending subjects which might be related for information scientists, from embeddable AI to determination optimization (subjects I, as a content material marketer, completely perceive in and out). Scroll additional, and also you’ll discover 1000’s of debate threads began by IBM customers troubleshooting points, not paid model ambassadors. It reads extra like a subreddit than a content material advertising hub — and that’s why it really works.
Using UGC methods in brand-owned content material
Person-generated content material advertising works so nicely partly as a result of there isn’t a authorized or compliance division telling customers what they’ll and might’t say to their viewers a few product, particularly when it’s not an outright sponsorship. Plus, web customers (and Gen Z particularly) reply nicely to low-fi content material that particularly doesn’t really feel overproduced. Fortunately, that unpolished attraction of UGC continues to be one thing content material entrepreneurs can lean into on owned channels.
For example, the fast-growing piercing retailer Studs has made piercing really feel extra accessible for a wider viewers due to their low-fi natural movies of customers giving an academic overview of their piercing experiences. They don’t harp on how nice their Studs-branded earrings are; they merely share the solutions to questions the piercing-curious would naturally ask. The consequence? Movies that give extra “pep discuss out of your cool older sister” than “commercial from a jewellery firm.”
The fantastic thing about user-generated content material is that you just actually don’t must overthink it. Put your self within the sneakers of your core viewers: what are they really all for studying about your product? It could be as complicated as constructing out a hub of lots of of case research to your dozens (lots of?) of merchandise like Adobe, or it might be as simple as offering “(ear)ducation” like Studs.
Or, perhaps it’s simply as indulgent as no matter on earth we’re all getting out of the “pack my Stanley” movies.
Ask the Content material Strategist: FAQs about user-generated content material
How do you measure the success of user-generated content material on owned channels?
Metrics like engagement charges, person interactions, and conversion charges are frequent indicators. It’s essential to trace how nicely UGC-influenced content material drives genuine engagement.
What instruments can manufacturers use to supply user-generated content material successfully?
Instruments like TINT, Olapic, and Stackla enable manufacturers to mixture UGC whereas guaranteeing correct permissions. They assist streamline the method of discovering and curating person content material.
How ought to manufacturers deal with damaging user-generated content material on their owned channels?
Manufacturers ought to reply transparently and interact with damaging suggestions to resolve points publicly. This strategy builds belief by demonstrating a dedication to buyer satisfaction.
To be taught extra about content material technique and finest practices round user-generated content material, subscribe to The Content material Strategist.
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