Summary

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Introduction

If you are an eCommerce owner, it goes without saying that the digital marketing landscape is evolving at a rapid rate with video content having emerged as an essential tool for growth. However, over the course of 2023, those brands implementing video content have faced numerous challenges right from ensuring the highest qualities of video production to the increase in demand for authenticity and transparency. In order to tackle these issues, brands have started to implement the use of user-generated content.

These UGC videos in utilise the content from real time users to engage audiences offering a cost effective solution to these modern day marketing challenges. Over the course of this article we dive into the significance of UGC, its purposes, and a comprehensive four-step process to effectively produce UGC videos for your eCommerce website.

What is UGC Marketing?

You must be wondering what is the meaning of UGC? In simple words User Generated Content, is content that is originally created by individuals with established audiences and digital communities, that use their channels to promote your products or services.

This type of content is your key to success in 2024 due to the simple reason that, they give your business a sense of authenticity and credibility with exponential engagement potential in a cost effective manner.

This engaging feature of User Generated Content, doesn't solely drive traffic to your website but additionally sparks interactions through two way conversations between the users and potential buyers of your products or services. To keep it short:

Authentic

  • UGC is created by real people, not marketers, which makes it more believable and relatable to viewers.

Engaging

  • UGC often sparks conversations and interactions, which can drive traffic to your website and social media channels.

Cost-effective

  • UGC can be a great way to save money on video production costs, especially if you have a large customer base.
Image showing cost effective nature of UGC.

What is the Purpose of UGC?

When it comes to understanding 'why' UGC is a must have in your marketing arsenal, look no further! Lets delve into the purpose behind UGC:

Building Brand Trust and Credibility

The most influential element when it comes to UGC, is the sole fact that it creates room for your organisation to seamlessly come across to target audiences as credible and authentic channel to purchase products or services. Why? This is because you are using content that isn't created by your marketing team but rather by an individual themselves on their personal channels. These individuals already are 'reliable' in the eyes of their followers turning their loyalty towards your brand effortlessly.

Generating Leads and Sales

In addition to brand trust and credibility, UGC gives your brand the opportunity to distribute your marketing efforts in a unique and engaging manner that resonates with your target audiences, with a potential to influence their decisions transparently.

Improving Customer Service

By understanding the needs and preferences of your customers through UGC, you can enhance your customer service, ultimately fostering a loyal customer base and improving your brand image.

Boosting Social Media Engagement

Image showing Leads Funnel

4 Steps to create a winning UGC strategy

1. Set Criteria for Selection

  • Set up parameters and criteria based on which you would identify and select UGC creators and videos. Make sure that you take into consideration, the creator and contents relevance to your brand, their creative nature and quality of videos being produced.
  • Set up parameters and criteria based on which collections you want to focus on promoting.
  • Aim at diversifying your audiences in order to successfully target unique and different visual experiences and audience perspectives.
  • Create a scoring system or checklist to objectively evaluate each submission, keeping the selection process structured.

2. Provide Recognition and Incentives

  • Acknowledge and appreciate the creators of the selected UGC. Mention their names, social media handles, or any other identifiers with their consent.
  • Consider offering incentives, such as discounts, exclusive access, or even featuring them in a spotlight section on your website. This adds a layer of motivation for your audience to participate.

3. Optimize User Experience on Your Website

  • Designate a section of your website to display these created videos by users in order to showcase transparency and trust upon landing on your webpage. Remember, to keep the UGC videos visually appealing with seamless navigation on both laptops as well as mobile browsers.
  • Provide your visitors with backstories. By doing so you have the potential to create an emotional engagement between viewers and your brand.
  • Lastly, place social sharing buttons, as this can help drive organic traffic further, and significantly increasing your brands reach.

4. Secure Rights and Permissions

  • In order to prevent being flagged by these social channels, ensure that you request for permission rights from creators to re use their content on your brands channels.
  • Ensure that there is a written collaboration contract between your brand and potential UGC influencers in order to ensure mutual consent. Remember, this collaboration contract should highlight the extent of usage of the media, duration of the contract, and in the case of any monetary compensation the amounts. This creates transparency and protects your brand from any unforeseen circumstances.

Ensure to touch upon the benefits incurred by influencers through these collaborations in order to not only reach broader audiences but also maintain existing relations to foster a sense of community both with influencers as well as target audiences.

Must Have UGC Tools

  1. Social Media Platforms
    Utilize popular social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter to encourage users to create and share UGC videos. Leverage relevant hashtags to increase visibility and engagement. Monitor these platforms regularly to identify and curate content that aligns with your brand.
  2. Shoppable Video Players
    Implement shoppable video players on your website or social media channels. These players allow users to interact with the products featured in the UGC videos and make purchases directly. This seamless integration enhances the user experience and can lead to increased conversion rates.
  3. Data Analytic Tools
    Incorporate data analytic tools to track the performance of your UGC strategy. Utilize tools like Google Analytics, social media insights, or specialized UGC platforms to measure engagement, conversion rates, and overall impact on your eCommerce business. Analyzing data will help you refine your UGC strategy for better results and a deeper understanding of your audience.

 

Image representing UGC and Shoppable video players

Conclusion

So what are you waiting for? It's time to take action and embrace the fruits that UGC videos have to offer. Seamlessly enhance your presence, and with the right tools and strategies, you have the opportunity to create a sense of brand loyalty, accelerate lead generation and boost sales all with the engaging nature of User Generated Content.