How To Leverage User-Generated Content on Instagram
If you own or run any of the 25 million business profiles on Instagram, it would be no surprise if you are elbows deep into your digital marketing efforts. Instagram is, after all, still the reigning number one social media platform. With over 112 million active users in the US alone, advertising and selling your products and services on Instagram makes sense.
The real question is: are your efforts bearing fruit? Are you getting the traffic and conversion rates that you’re after?
While content creation is still recognized as one of the tried and tested ways to get attention for your business, it can be costly and time-consuming and may sometimes even give off a stiff, impersonal feel.
But what if there’s a way you can get the creative content you need while also building a warm connection with your followers?
User-Generated Content (UGC) is Power
User-generated content or user-created content is defined as text, images, videos, and other similar content submitted by people who have used your product or service, rather than brands, to online platforms such as social networking sites and wikis.
Based on research, more than 86% of businesses use UGC as part of their digital marketing strategy and get 28% higher engagement from it than standard company content. So, how do you begin to leverage user-generated content to benefit your business? There are many roads to go, but the following points are worth noting before you start.
Let other brands inspire you
Find companies and brands within your particular niche or industry that have achieved much success by applying user-generated content to their marketing strategies. Take a page from their book to determine the best customers to target. You can then grab an idea on how to make your business more attractive to them.
Decide how to get your content
Unsure where or how you can get your hands on some good user-generated content? Check the following recommended methods:
Ask your audience
Yes, it’s as simple as that. Ask your audience if they have any content they want to get featured, then request to tag you. You can make a specific post for it or even just put the request on your bio.
Collaborate with influencers
If connecting with celebrities and other big-league endorsers seem to be out of reach, don’t fret. Connecting with micro-influencers is leading to excellent results for others. There’s no reason you can’t make it work either. Creating unique and entertaining content is an influencer’s playground, especially if they have a solid base of followers. Soon enough, you’ll find you have loads of fresh UGC to work with.
Create your own branded hashtag
Think up a unique and catchy hashtag then check the channel to see if any other brands are using it. If it is, being used, tweak it a little bit to avoid confusion. If not, then it’s all yours for the taking.
Next, create an eye-catching content to post it along with. Make sure to include clear instructions, but make it fun to encourage your followers to get involved and start posting and sharing.
You’ll have your own “filing cabinet” of UGC in one click!
Be authentic
The most definite appeal of user-generated content comes from real people and not some big, faceless brand. That means it doesn’t have to be flashy; it just needs to connect personally with your audience.
So, if you find content that may not be quite grandiose but instead, showcases the best features of your product or brand, don’t be afraid to use it.
What’s Next?
Now that you have your content, the first thing to do is decide on a strategy for how you plan to use UGC on your Instagram Feed and Stories. Think about why and how you want to post user-generated content. Save and organize your new content in Collections.
Do any of them fit your Instagram aesthetic? Would you consider re-styling them? You can easily do so right from the app before reposting.
Make sure to review your mentions and tagged posts for fresh content, so you don’t miss out on any of the good stuff!
Even if you’re tagged in a post, remember that users still own their content and may not necessarily be posting them for you. How you interact with your customers, and IG followers will reflect directly on how your business and your brand is viewed. With that in mind, remember to ask for permission, thank your source, and give proper credit upon posting and sharing.
Tapping into user-generated content opens up countless possibilities that you can explore—coupled with a commitment to producing high-quality customer experiences. You’ll have the best way to get creative, have lots of fun, connect with your target audience, and generate success!
