How to Get User Generated Content: Guide & Strategies

In today’s interconnected world, brands have numerous avenues to reach out and resonate with their audience. Among these strategies, one shines particularly bright: user generated content (UGC). It’s content that users create, not brands. Many companies want this kind of content because it feels genuine. But getting it isn’t always easy. So, the big question is: how to get user generated content that truly stands out? Let’s jump in and explore the top strategies to achieve this.

The rise of user generated content

The surge in user-generated content isn’t just a passing trend. It reflects a fundamental shift in the dynamics of content creation and consumption.

Traditionally, content was a one-way street. Brands would craft messages and push them out, hoping they would resonate with their target audience. Now, in an era where individuals can broadcast their experiences in real-time, brands have an unprecedented opportunity to listen more than they speak.

Furthermore, when consumers share their own stories or reviews about a product or service, it carries a weight of authenticity that no marketing campaign can match. It’s organic, personal, and, most importantly, honest. Such content often resonates deeply with fellow consumers, offering them relatable experiences and invaluable insights.

However, while the benefits of UGC are vast, curating and leveraging it can be challenging. The central concern for many brands is: how to get user-generated content that aligns with their messaging, values, and brand identity? It’s a delicate balance to strike, ensuring that the content remains authentic while still being aligned with the brand’s overall narrative.

Nevertheless, those brands that master the art of integrating user-generated content into their strategies find themselves richly rewarded. They not only build stronger relationships with their existing user base but also attract new customers through the genuine testimonials of their peers. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the importance of user-generated content only promises to grow, and brands need to adapt and embrace this crowd-sourced goldmine.

Embracing UGC

In the marketing, embracing or user generated content isn’t merely an option—it’s a strategic must have. Let’s delve deeper into why integrating this type of content is crucial and how businesses can get it.

💬 85% of consumers say UGC is more compelling than photos and videos produced by brands.
(ADWEEK)

Genuine experiences

Brands are not just logos and slogans. Instead, they are built upon the experiences and perceptions of their customer base. More importantly, material from actual customers embodies these genuine interactions, serving as an authentic reflection of how consumers feel, think, and engage with a brand. Clearly, it’s real. Undoubtedly, it’s raw. And most of the time, it’s unscripted. Consequently, this authenticity can foster trust at a level that polished brand campaigns often can’t achieve.

Real, unfiltered experiences always overshadow manufactured ones. Above all, it speaks volumes as it is often unscripted, presenting authentic interactions between brands and their audience.

📝 TIPS 

• Advocate for transparency.
• Prioritize honesty.
• Infuse brand personality into user content.

💡 IDEAS 

Product Spotlight
Encourage people to create content that throws the limelight on essential brand products.

Review and Comparison Video
Promote honest reviews and comparisons of your offerings.

Day-in-the-Life
Showcase how to integrate your brand into their daily lives.

Personal connections

By showcasing UGC, brands signal that they’re listening. Furthermore, they acknowledge and value their community’s voice. As a result, this can transform a brand’s image from being a mere provider of products or services to an entity that cares and connect. Ultimately, such an approach nurtures loyalty and creates a sense of belonging among consumers.

More than that, this real content fosters a bond between brands and consumers, making content more relatable.

📝 TIPS 

• Encourage personal product stories.
• Showcase behind-the-scenes brand content.
• Highlight transformative experiences with your product.

💡 IDEAS

AMA Sessions
Foster deeper brand-user relationships with regular “Ask Me Anything” sessions. It’s an opportunity to build a deeper connection through open and candid conversations.

Story Swap
Collaborate with your brand ambassadors or followers to exchange personal stories related to the product. Share how it has impacted each other’s lives in a heartfelt and genuine way.

Diverse insights

No two people have the exact same experience. By embracing all types of content, businesses can showcase a rich tapestry of perspectives, experiences, and insights. This diversity can reveal unforeseen trends, highlight unique use-cases, and offer a broader understanding of the brand’s impact.

💬 Almost half of customers (48%) claim that user-generated content is a great method for them to discover new products.
(Source: Stackla)

📝 TIPS 

• Promote brief product tutorials.
• Seek honest product feedback.
• Encourage sharing of product-related hacks and tips.

💡 IDEAS

Review your recent purchase
Urge customers to share their recent experiences with your products.

Amazon Reviews
Always ask for feedback. Get customers to create a product review on platforms like Amazon to aid potential buyers.

Strategies to get user generated content

While the benefits are clear, how do brands motivate their audience to contribute? Here are some actionable strategies:

💡 Incentivize contributions

Contests
Host creative challenges where participants can showcase how they use your product or service, with winners receiving exclusive rewards. Be sure to check out our guide on how to run an Amazing social media contest.

Rewards program
Implement a system or milestone program where creators earn points or benefits for every piece of content they share. Over time, these can be redeemed for discounts, exclusive items, or other perks.

Recognition
Sometimes, a simple acknowledgment or feature on your social media or website can be a huge incentive to share more.

🌟 Spotlight stories

Testimonial sections
Dedicate a segment of your website or app for people to share their experiences and stories.

User of the month
Feature a story monthly, giving them a platform and others an inspiration to share.

Collaborative campaigns
Partner with influential customers to co-create content, thereby setting a precedent for others to follow.

📱 Engage on social media

Calls to action
Regularly ask customers to share their experiences with specific hashtags or mentions.

UGC campaigns
Initiate themed UGC campaigns, asking fans to share content around a particular topic or event.

Engage with shares
Always like, comment on, and sometimes even reshare content to show appreciation and encourage more contributions.

📷 Provide content platforms

Dedicated forums
Establish a brand-centric community platform where people can freely discuss, share, and connect over your products or services, fostering a sense of belonging and active participation.

UGC galleries
Designate a section on your site where UGC photos, videos, and stories are displayed.

Hashtag campaigns
Use a unique hashtag for your brand to easily find and display content.

Listening to user content is like truly hearing your audience. It means valuing their input, including their stories in your brand’s narrative, and growing with their feedback. So, brands that effectively gather and use this genuine content stand out and stay ahead.

Takeaways

To conclude, understanding how to get user generated content is crucial for today’s brands. It offers a unique blend of authenticity and deep audience connection. For a clear roadmap on harnessing this potential, check out our infographic. It breaks down the essentials: authenticity, quality, brand alignment, best practices, and tapping into your brand community. Unlock the power of UGC for your brand.