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When making purchasing decisions, we often rely on reviews from our peers to help us make up our minds. Whether looking for a new hotel to stay at on vacation or the best dish on a restaurant menu, customer reviews provide invaluable insights that can help us make informed decisions.
But what if there was a way to get even more customer insights? A way to hear what they have to say about your product or service and see it for yourself? That's where user-generated content (UGC) comes in.
What is UGC?
User-generated content is precisely what it sounds like: content created by users rather than businesses or brands. This can take many different forms, including but not limited to the following:
1. Reviews
2. Testimonials
3. Videos
4. Photos
5. Social media posts
6. Blogs
And thanks to social media, it's easier than ever for businesses to collect UGC. But first, you must encourage your customers and followers to share their experiences with your brand using a specific hashtag or tagging your business in their posts. This gives you a wealth of first-hand insights into how customers feel about your product or service and allows you to tap into the power of social proof.
Why UGC Matters
In today's competitive marketplace, businesses need to do everything they can to set themselves apart. And one of the best ways to do that is by leveraging UGC. After all, 92% of consumers trust peer recommendations over advertising, and UGC is the modern-day equivalent of a peer recommendation. By featuring UGC on your website or social media channels, you can show potential customers that others have had positive experiences with your brand—and that you're worthy of their business.
Conclusion
Now is the time to start if you're not already incorporating user-generated content into your marketing strategy. Social media makes it easier than ever to collect UGC from your customers and followers. And when it comes to making purchasing decisions, 92% of consumers trust peer recommendations over advertising.
